Hard Core Series IIA 109 across the Americas.
- Thread starter Christian P.
- Start date
Snagger
Explorer
I wish them all the success and a great time, but what a mess!
The vehicle is well outside of its design limits, both weight and CoG, which could make it dangerous to drive and unreliable. Certainly, it'll suffer handling issues on poor traction surfaces, wnating to pirouette when turning, and will suffer off road from its overhang and extreme weight.
There is no reason to move an exhaust up there - if the standard SIII route is deemed too vulnerable, then simply re-routing the tail pipe through the rear wing panel would do the job - the SIII route is well protected by the chassis right up to where it pops out under the rear wing.
The front storage box is fine, as long as the mounting frame is strong enough, but the rear is a disaster - it appears to be bolted to the cross member, so most of the weight will be borne there, but the side members that wrap around the hard top are bolted to thin aluminium. Even with spreader plates inside, the bolt holes will want to tear open because the weight is overhanging the chassis mounting, trying to rotate the whole assembly aft. They may have added steel frames inside to prevent that, but that means even more weight. I can't imagine them not breaking either the rear springs or their chassis mountings.
What would have been better, if it's just the two of them, is travel lighter by packing less, fit out a Station Wagon with a roof rack and RTT to store kit more evenly and within the vehicle, or fit out a three-door hard top with a drawer and chest system in the rear load bay that allows a huge amount of safe storage and provides a full-width sleeping platform, with a roof rack if needed for extra lightweight equipment. Three door models are better for 2-person trips because their lack of a rear foot well and rear doors allow the fitment of twin front fuel tanks (though the shorter MoD ambulance front tanks may fit an SW) in addition to the rear tank, so no fuel cans are needed, and allows the installation of Jerrycan holders in the sides behind the front door for carrying 20l water cans or other fluids containers. That works extremely well in my 109, giving me up to 80l of water as well as 42Gal of fuel using standard (ie relatively easily replaced and safe, proven) parts and configuration.
I hope to do some extended trips with just my wife in my 109 when my kids are older, and for that will strip out the rear seats I fitted and add just a system of drawer and chests, similar to those from MobileStorageSolutions.co.uk , to extend the full length of the load floor to provide just such sleeping and internal storage. While the cost of doing so is high, a budget version could have been achieved by this couple with a few sheets of ply and some basic DIY fixings, much like some of the ingenious storage systems on this forum.
Good luck to them, though, for having the enthusiasm to get out there and explore.
The vehicle is well outside of its design limits, both weight and CoG, which could make it dangerous to drive and unreliable. Certainly, it'll suffer handling issues on poor traction surfaces, wnating to pirouette when turning, and will suffer off road from its overhang and extreme weight.
There is no reason to move an exhaust up there - if the standard SIII route is deemed too vulnerable, then simply re-routing the tail pipe through the rear wing panel would do the job - the SIII route is well protected by the chassis right up to where it pops out under the rear wing.
The front storage box is fine, as long as the mounting frame is strong enough, but the rear is a disaster - it appears to be bolted to the cross member, so most of the weight will be borne there, but the side members that wrap around the hard top are bolted to thin aluminium. Even with spreader plates inside, the bolt holes will want to tear open because the weight is overhanging the chassis mounting, trying to rotate the whole assembly aft. They may have added steel frames inside to prevent that, but that means even more weight. I can't imagine them not breaking either the rear springs or their chassis mountings.
What would have been better, if it's just the two of them, is travel lighter by packing less, fit out a Station Wagon with a roof rack and RTT to store kit more evenly and within the vehicle, or fit out a three-door hard top with a drawer and chest system in the rear load bay that allows a huge amount of safe storage and provides a full-width sleeping platform, with a roof rack if needed for extra lightweight equipment. Three door models are better for 2-person trips because their lack of a rear foot well and rear doors allow the fitment of twin front fuel tanks (though the shorter MoD ambulance front tanks may fit an SW) in addition to the rear tank, so no fuel cans are needed, and allows the installation of Jerrycan holders in the sides behind the front door for carrying 20l water cans or other fluids containers. That works extremely well in my 109, giving me up to 80l of water as well as 42Gal of fuel using standard (ie relatively easily replaced and safe, proven) parts and configuration.
I hope to do some extended trips with just my wife in my 109 when my kids are older, and for that will strip out the rear seats I fitted and add just a system of drawer and chests, similar to those from MobileStorageSolutions.co.uk , to extend the full length of the load floor to provide just such sleeping and internal storage. While the cost of doing so is high, a budget version could have been achieved by this couple with a few sheets of ply and some basic DIY fixings, much like some of the ingenious storage systems on this forum.
Good luck to them, though, for having the enthusiasm to get out there and explore.
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Linus Tremaine
Adventurer
exhaust
I think the exhaust looks silly but I have to say that I want to do that modification almost every time I take my series off road. The first thing that hits is always the exhaust pipe and there is no where else to route it. I has to go under the transmission crossmember making it hang lower than any other part of the truck. I always think about running it out of the top like that.
I think the exhaust looks silly but I have to say that I want to do that modification almost every time I take my series off road. The first thing that hits is always the exhaust pipe and there is no where else to route it. I has to go under the transmission crossmember making it hang lower than any other part of the truck. I always think about running it out of the top like that.
Snagger
Explorer
Mine (std SIII route) goes towards the side of the cross member, almost in line with the chassis rail. I have never hit it on anything (yet...)
James86004
Expedition Leader
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We are always struggling with the storage/top heaviness issue in our Dormobile.
TeriAnn
Explorer
I thought it was Hercules with some add ons. I did some electrical work on that truck shortly before it went around the world with Nick. I did a lot of the prep work on the other one Alaska.
Hercules getting s tow in Nepal
There was very little stock about Hercules. ARB lockers, Esper heater, three fuel tanks. I think Hercules also got front disc brakes when it was being set up for a second around the world trip (Nick took LR donated Discos instead at the last minute) The front under seat tanks extend under the floor boards. I think they hold about 16 to 20 gallons of fuel each. Then there is the rear tank as well. Nick borrowed sme ideas off my Dormobile when he was first setting his two up for the trip. So you will see some similarities among the three vehicles (before the current Hercules configuration)
Hercules does not have any Dormobile internal fittings. The interior is custom built in and includes a water tank at floor level. The left second row seat is gone & furniture & water tank took its place.
All the fuel and water storage is at floor or frame level.
The front roof rack is my design and the same as mine only with some lashing hooks added.
The rear 4 jerrycan holder is a RONO design and has proven itself to be very rugged. The new owners set the rear up for a spare tyre & added the rear storage stuff. The aluminum storage boxes don't look too heavy and I guess the weight depends a lot on whats inside.
Personally, I would have towed a trailer instead of adding the high up storage boxes. Up until that point it is a sold truck that has proven itself on a round the world trip. The truck was farther prepped for a second trip around the world. Nick had to ebay Hercules to fund the last leg of his second trip.
I hope he still has Alaska. Alaska was his other Around the world Dormobile and the Dormie mine has traveled the second most miles with. The Dormobile currently owned by James has been my Dormobile's most longest distance traveling companion.
The Green Rover and Alaska
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Michael Slade
Untitled
Another reason they may have the exhaust up high is to deal with floorboard and/or bulkhead heat. I know I have melted my feet many times during the hottest months of the summer in my Series One.
James86004
Expedition Leader
Hey, I didn't know that! We need to continue that streak.
In other news in the last couple of months two more Dormobiles have moved to Tucson. One is a 1962 from Alaska, and the other a SIII. That make 4 in Tucson that I know of.
TeriAnn
Explorer
Oh yes, up the Pacific coast to Portland and back several times plus a few mendo trips with the two Dormies in convoy. Your truck and mine did the Mojave trail together 4 or 5 times.
I don't suppose the 1962 Alaskan Dormie is white and has a wood rack on the ceiling between the driver & passenger seats loaded with electronics.
Maybe the end panels of the pop up top unzips?
James86004
Expedition Leader
I don't know, I have only spoken with the owner on the phone. He lives 2 miles from me, so hopefully we will meet soon. I will let you know when I find out.