Good off road performance, especially in sand, needs a high profile tyre to make the best of a low pressure footprint. I would consider 295/65r20 to be a poor choice.
I run 305/70R19.5 on my 6.5T OKA and I think 70% profile is the minimum acceptable. More is better.
Look for a smaller diameter...
We can pull in any direction and the winch always points in the direction of pull meaning no cable bunching up on one side of the drum.
When not in use, the winch can be stored anywhere. No heavy expensive bumper required.
Theoretically it can get the truck back on its wheels if it falls over...
My OKA motorhome weighs 6.5T on the road and has 4 wheel discs on Dana 60 at front and Dana 70 at the rear.
The brakes are superb and discs and rotors seem to last "forever".
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
They stopped using wood in aeroplanes about 80 years ago and went to aluminium.
The tiniest tree or bush will dent aluminium, permanently.
Now they use FRP sandwich panel for weight, strength, durability and long term cost.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
5W is the maximum transmission power permitted for citizen band radios in Australia, so that everyone gets a decent go. Not sure if that applies to GMRS.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
If you are really keen, you do a hand lay-up for all the corners.
This is a friend's Defender (yes, that's right).
He hand laid and vacuum bagged all the panels.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
My current vehicle uses aluminium angles on the corners, inside and out. 1.6mm X 40mm or 3mm depending on the application. I purchase it power coated. Easily replaced if damaged. 20 years of service and no regrets.
For my new build I am considering hot folded 3mm PVC and polycarbonate...
The OKA came out of the factory in the 90s fitted with 9.00R16 Michelins (which became 255/100R16). The military bought them with 10.00R16s.
Some owners have more recently fitted 325/85R16 Michelin XMLs. These are unbeatable in the desert but very ordinary on the bitumen. They are a big tyre.
MY...
In Oz, it is easier to change stuff on vehicles over 4.5T GVM than light vehicles, but wheel spacers are banned on all vehicles unless they were originally fitted by the manufacturer.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
My OKA has 305/70R19.5s with a lot less power than that FG649. Yes, it is slow up hills. I live with that. The benefits outweigh the down sides. That is the diameter it was built new with, but on 16" rims.
I would consider 37s on 20" rims a poor choice. 37s on 17" rims would be far superior...
I avoided "cupboards".
Most storage is in boxes. Things in cupboards move around. Things in boxes stay in boxes.
You can have anything behind or alongside the box.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
Try a reverse auction.
No offers accepted and the price reduces $1,000 every week. First in gets it...... or a variation on that?
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
Numerous times.....
These are 80kg. You must NEVER lift them by hand and it is not necessary if your tools and technique are correct.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
Auto manufacturers stopped using wood (except for decoration) in about 1950.
There is no wood in my expedition vehicle builds. There are better materials.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
Australia is ahead of you guys....... :)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-03/telstra-launches-australia-first-satellite-text-message-service/105299478
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
Current overhead storage built 20 years ago and still working well.
Prototype for the lightweight new build.
2 aluminium channels glued to the ceiling.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
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