Deleted Member 183
Well-known member
.
Last edited:
I'm not talking "Kommando Spezialkräfte", but pretty darn close, how would you build your next RIG?
- Thread starter Deleted Member 183
- Start date
mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
2009 C4500/5500, 8.1 engine with Raylar cylinder heads (stage 1 or 2), ARB Dana 70 front locker, composite box with kevlar panels in critical locations, Porsche 356 grafted to the roof, military-grade Espar Hydronic heater 
, Alcoa rims, PTO front winch, electric rear winch, (a completely unbiased suggestion ) YMMV
, Alcoa rims, PTO front winch, electric rear winch, (a completely unbiased suggestion ) YMMV
19mystic96
Member
Aren't you the guy who got banned from here for pissing off the mods?
Deleted Member 183
Well-known member
I am inclined to stick with Cummins. Maybe a "C" motor (8.2L), but honestly the 5.9 12 valve that I put in Casa has plenty of power ( with a "slightly" built pump) and I am getting 15~18 MPG.
I was thinking of using a Porsche 928 because I like the "flip-up" headlights and by swapping the canopy around the rear hatch would make a great master bedroom that could be left open on warm evenings ( with a custom fitted mosquito net).
Deleted Member 183
Well-known member
Thanks Mog! Honestly i was thinking that there were others like you and Charley out there that would want to engage with others about how to build the top shelf "4x4 Condominium"! Sadly, I guess "that ship has sailed"!
charlieaarons
Explorer
The big problem in North America, and especially the US, is the chassis; combined with the 25 year rule and the chicken tax.
Do the readers know, for instance, that you can buy, brand new, a Euro 6/registerable anywhere in the EU, a MAN or MB medium chassis, 12-18 mt GVW, 4wd with actual low range, difflocks both ends, either automatic or 6, 9 or 16 speed full synchro (even automated manual), “CTIS ready” (add a few external pieces, left out for liability reasons).
Either “off the lot” or orderable from factory.
Forward control/COE to make best use of wheelbase. Choice of single, 1.5 or double cab.
Choice of the 2 German makes, Scania, Volvo, Iveco, Renault.
Impossible with a 550/5500, F650, even Acela FMTV to get all this stuff from the factory. And so it’s not on the secondary market either.
Do the readers know, for instance, that you can buy, brand new, a Euro 6/registerable anywhere in the EU, a MAN or MB medium chassis, 12-18 mt GVW, 4wd with actual low range, difflocks both ends, either automatic or 6, 9 or 16 speed full synchro (even automated manual), “CTIS ready” (add a few external pieces, left out for liability reasons).
Either “off the lot” or orderable from factory.
Forward control/COE to make best use of wheelbase. Choice of single, 1.5 or double cab.
Choice of the 2 German makes, Scania, Volvo, Iveco, Renault.
Impossible with a 550/5500, F650, even Acela FMTV to get all this stuff from the factory. And so it’s not on the secondary market either.
Deleted Member 183
Well-known member
I know Charlie, kind of ridicules huh!
But, I'd like to think us "Mericans" make up for our short comings with creativity, because we can't just go buy the good "crack" off the shelf! I miss the old days when there were "hand fulls" of folks here in NA that were designing and building their own rigs.
Granted A LOT of them couldn't engineer their way out of a paper bag with a headlamp and a map... But they tried!
Some of them even thought they had so much money that they could "defy gravity", AND you have to admit... It was QUITE entertaining to watch!
I personally am of the opinion that the way to go ( for me at least) is to go find a vehicle ( honestly just a VIN number) old enough to avoid all the EPA "drama" (especially here in California), build a POS plywood box on the back, fit in a bed, sink and porta-potty in it... Then RUN ( don't walk) to the DMV and get it registered as an RV! At that point "the world is your oyster".
Then, pick and choose your favorite running gear and amenities ( Casa is all mechanical, only the stereo and electrical monitoring are electronic).
And that is why I feel no need to have to carry a hair "blow dryer" while traveling!
But, I'd like to think us "Mericans" make up for our short comings with creativity, because we can't just go buy the good "crack" off the shelf! I miss the old days when there were "hand fulls" of folks here in NA that were designing and building their own rigs.
Granted A LOT of them couldn't engineer their way out of a paper bag with a headlamp and a map... But they tried!
Some of them even thought they had so much money that they could "defy gravity", AND you have to admit... It was QUITE entertaining to watch!
I personally am of the opinion that the way to go ( for me at least) is to go find a vehicle ( honestly just a VIN number) old enough to avoid all the EPA "drama" (especially here in California), build a POS plywood box on the back, fit in a bed, sink and porta-potty in it... Then RUN ( don't walk) to the DMV and get it registered as an RV! At that point "the world is your oyster".
Then, pick and choose your favorite running gear and amenities ( Casa is all mechanical, only the stereo and electrical monitoring are electronic).
And that is why I feel no need to have to carry a hair "blow dryer" while traveling!
Todd n Natalie
OverCamper
AT-AT. All Terrain Armoured Transport. What's not to like? Looks like a pretty good living area too. What?
mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
Perhaps they are intimidated by Casa Azul.
Some see it like this
But others see it like this 
As you have decades of designing, fabricating, and operating, perhaps list some 'features' that are not negotiable, like the Cummins engine. And some of the parameters that you would want:
GVWR
Length xx to xx
Height <xx.x
Auto/manual
pre-electronics or lots of sparky farkles
Wheel/tire size (and number if over 4)
# of usual PAXs (including dogs over 25lbs), and 'overflow' PAXs
Normal appearance or unusual (I think I know the answer to this)
Minimum cruising speed
How many bundles of 'wood for sale' must it carry
Etc.
charlieaarons
Explorer
What’s wrong with Casa Azul?
Maybe swap out the 5 speed for a Roadranger RTO-11909ALL. Or better the older MLL, lower (25:1) lo-low reverse. It can be used with an SAE#2 pattern on the back of the Cummins.
11 speed, 0.73 overdrive, 26:1 Lo-low.
Maybe swap out the 5 speed for a Roadranger RTO-11909ALL. Or better the older MLL, lower (25:1) lo-low reverse. It can be used with an SAE#2 pattern on the back of the Cummins.
11 speed, 0.73 overdrive, 26:1 Lo-low.
Deleted Member 183
Well-known member
Nothing Charlie!
I just have been a little "out of the loop" regarding what people are using or thinking of using for hardware these days. It has become pretty obvious to me now that there are very few "old gearheads" tinkering with 4x4 condominiums anymore ( I use that term because I spent several years living in an apartment about the same floor space as Casa when i was in my 20's).
When I remotored Casa, I fitted an Allison MT653 (mechanical automatic) behind the Cummins 12 valve 6B. It has a 8.04:1 first gear. Granted the transmission is rated for only 250 HP and my motor with the slightly built pump is putting out a little more than 300 HP. But I'm not so concerned because the trans is also rated for a 73,000 lb truck and Casa is right around 20k lbs fully wet and loaded! Then paired with a Rockwell T-223H transfer case with 2.25:1 low ( If i remember correctly), I feel that I have "enough" low range. Then you add in the torque converter... I'm more than happy! Now of course these are not "working gears" like can be found on a Mog, but "so far so good"!
charlieaarons
Explorer
8.05 x 2.25 = 18.1 is really really good for an automatic.
It will only achieve it's full "bad self" potential when there is imagery of it smashing though a river or some other delicate ecosystem. Oh wait... Imperials are so honey badger,,, running it through an old growth rain forest.
Todd n Natalie
OverCamper
I wonder if when not in use the speeder bike is hauled on the back of the AT-AT Overland style?It will only achieve it's full "bad self" potential when there is imagery of it smashing though a river or some other delicate ecosystem. Oh wait... Imperials are so honey badger,,, running it through an old growth rain forest.
