1990 Land Cruiser HZJ73 vetting and build

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Help with finding gear...

Another couple of guys I met at SnT08 were Jeb and Nat who had an 80 and 55 series respectively. They both had these folding chairs that were incredibly comfortable, with head rest and drink holders as well as being adjustable (4 position) from an upright position to a almost lounge position for tanning or snoozing. It is called a Rio Adventure 4-Position Backpack Folding Beach Chair and are supposed to be available at Costco for about $20. I have seen them at Amazon and eBay but all out of stock or way more $. They come in royal blue, green,red, turquoise and possibly other colours as well.

Can anyone direct me to where they might be had for similar price? Prefer to get the Royal Blue one if possible.

 

[gilghana]

Great write up! please keep it coming.
Gil

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Great write up! please keep it coming.
Gil

Thanks Gil, I am watching yours as well.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Back Door Utility Folding Shelf/Tray

I saw this on this forum somewhere but can't find it now so will post some pictures (first two) of it. Very well made and would love to have one. Suppose it was custom by the owner so I went ahead and made one myself.

While in Idaho Falls,ID at CBI getting my custom replacement fuel tank made, I was introduced to a guy who makes those way kool copper tops for chimneys...high-end homes no doubt. Well with the current economic woes in the USA he was hit not surprisingly, so he started to diversify into Aluminum. He was the guy who made by rock slider covers and I dimpled them by hand. So I asked him if he could make a tray for me. Gave him the dimensions and told him I wanted a 1 cm lip all the way around with it folded over so the edge wouldn't be sharp. Also asked if he could put a small bend like a wide >< . He also tucked the corners in as he did the fold over edge, makes for a nice finish and no sharp edges on the corners as well.

I attached a piano hinge along the back with rivets as well as a back splash which I had found at the same metal store with a white finish covered in plastic. Bought some 1/8" braided wire and used some small aluminum squeeze fasteners to make the loops. Instead of using those large squeeze clamps/plier like tool, I used a dull chisel to pound them closed on the wire ends.

I have yet to finish installing the wires to the back splash to hold the tray at 90 degrees nor to mount it on the truck but that will come when it gets warmer here (-19C). You note I keep my Engel 45 in my office, good spot to keep the brownies cool and out of the way of the HB and her stuff in the fridge.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Engel Transit Bag Mod

Most of you that have one of these transit bags will note that Engel was quite remiss at not thinking/planning/designing this very useful cover out very well. It is lacking in a number of areas which I have emailed them (Oz) about but no response so far and it has bee some time.

Firstly, I like the zipper opening much better than the ARB Velcro as I am in and out quite a bit during the day (lunch - cold drinks, dinner, etc.) and feel it will wear better with time than the Velcro. Velcro has the habit of eventually pulling the softer side out and tufting it as well as attracting dirt and other material by its very nature. Also, the grey cover is easier to clean and shows dust/dirt less than otherwise very attractive ARB blue.

However, Engel did not think about access to the front clip/clamp that holds the top down. One has to bend the transit bag down to get at it and I think with time this will be a big problem area with wear and tear! So I modded (is that a word?) mine. As I am not a seamtress (silly) it isn't prefect but maybe you blokes can get your HB to do it for you. Also, I moved the Engel patch on to the pocket as it was in the way of the mod to the clasp. The pocket was a good idea (could be a bit bigger) as I keep the AC or DC cords there as well as the manual and Engel thermometer instructions there.

Lastly, I tried to copy the clips (middle photo) that Engel sells with their turnbuckles and slide tray and found that there is not enough room for them to poke out below the handles so that the turnbuckles can attach, without cutting the transit bag. Since then, Engel or was it ARB (?) have changed/redesigned these (3rd photo) to come out over the top of the handle and through the Velcro opening for the handles.

Why not ship these clips with the fridge as everyone could use them to hold it down using whatever method they choose (bungy cords, rope, ratchet straps, etc?

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Another gadget

:clapsmile Well, I have to admit that the ol' adage, if you copy somebody it is a very sincere form of flattery or compliment!

I met up with two blokes to do El Camino Del Diablo early Nov 08 who surprisingly both had this gadget. I love creature comfort gadgets, anything to make my life on the trail easier, more comfortable, better, I am game for. Must have got this from Gadget Guy!

Anywho, this gadget is a Hi-Lift tubular adapter attachment. One of the guys at El Camino had the deluxe model - powder coated red with a black sandpaper like surface on the inside of the tubular adapter. The other had the same one but no powder coating or sandpaper. Kool attachment to have.

I liked this so much I took a photo or two of them and ultimately showed this to Nat at SnT 08, (he's a welder/fab guy) and he said he could make me one. Haven't heard from him and would still like one even though I made one for myself while at CBI. Even made one for Steve Eagan (proprietor) and a few for some friends.

The outfit that made the ones I saw is Wabfab (http://www.wabfab.org/) and they make a pretty good one. I copied their design (sorry) and modded (there's that word again) it a bit to lighten it up and change it so I wouldn't infringe too much on their design.

Photos are of Wabfab's, and mine. I eventually painted mine Old Equipment (tractor/implement) Yellow so if I dropped it, it would be easy to see....same with all my clevises (is that a word?)

Hey just had the light bulb go on:clapsmile why not start a section in the forum for kool gadgets..see ya there!

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

More on battery management

I don't know about you guys but my truck sits for days and even weeks, and in this cold weather of Kanukistan, the batteries take it in you know where. This is much more evident with diesel motors as the glow plugs take a ton of juice to heat up and especially when you cycle them like you do in the winter, sometimes up to 5 times just to get them to sty hot while you start the engine. So when I go to start NOMAD, more times than not the batteries have pretty much had it. Thank God I got the deep cycle ones as they can take this up and down in charging, as they were made for this. So, I needed to get a charger I could leave on all the time without increasing my electrical bill too much and this is through summer and winter when between trips.

Recently (I got it today and installed it) I ordered a Soneil 2404S (http://soneil.com/24_volt.html) trickle charger made in Kanukistan. Those Kanukistani are so smart with gadgets like the Ozzies...must a colonial thing. Soneil also makes them for 12V systems (http://soneil.com/12_volt.html).

A very clever little charger which fits between or beside the batteries and the fender and hooks on to my 2 x 12 V Optima Blue tops in series and keeps them in top shape. They are vedry small and very light weight and are suitable for Gel, Sealed & Wet Lead Acid Batteries as well. The one I got is 2 Amp constant voltage, automatic cut-off and then true float and can be left connected indefinitely without harming the battery, just don't forget to unhook it form the AC poser before you drive away! It also takes care of de-sulfation of the battery and increases battery life. Pretty kool, huh!

Most of the battery chargers use linear technology, which convert the 115VAC to 24 VDC at 60 Hz. This requires a large transformer, which has the disadvantage of lower efficiency resulting in higher heat generation, larger size and weight. Soneil's Battery Charger transforms the 115 VAC into 24 VDC at about 100,000 Hz (1667 times faster than conventional charger), which requires a much smaller transformer and this results in a unit of smaller size, low weight and improved efficiency. The 2404S uses sophisticated electronic circuitry with microchips. All present day computers use switch-mode technology.

Stage 1: Deep Discharge Charging Pulse Mode: LED Flash. The charger starts charging at 0.5V and give pulse current up to 5V. This has effect of removing loose sulphation formed during deep discharge state of the battery.

Stage 2: Constant Current Mode (CC): LED Yellow. The charger changes to constant current 2A. When the battery voltage reaches up to 28.8V, the charging stage changes from CC (Constant Current) to CV
(Constant Voltage) mode.

Stage 3: Constant Voltage Mode (CV): LED Yellow. The charger holds the battery at 28.8V and the current slowly reduces. When the current reaches at 0.5CC (CC=Constant Current), this point called the Switching Point. The Switching Point is one of the great feature of this battery charger that it can adjust the current automatically according to battery capacity. Other chargers are not capable to adjust the current automatically.

Stage 4: Standby Voltage Mode: LED Green. The charger maintains the battery voltage at 27.6V and current slowly reduces to zero. Charger can be left connected indefinitely without harming the battery.

Recharging: LED Yellow. If the battery voltage drops down to 27.6V, the charger changes from any mode to Constant Current mode and restart charging. The charging cycle will go through Stage 2 to Stage 4.

Protection:

a) Reverse polarity protection - provided
b) Short circuit protection - provided
c) Over-Voltage Protection - provided
d) Over current protection - provided
e) AC Surge Protection - provided
f) Soft start and stop: Starts and stops gradually

No sudden in-rush of current. This protects both the batteries and any other circuits connected to the charger.

The charger does not generate excessive radiated or conducted emissions. No
interference with TV, radio, computer or other equipment.

Size: Length - 4.3" (110 mm), Width - 2.4" ( 60 mm), Height - 1.2" ( 30 mm) and Weight: 14 Oz (400 grams)

 

[SimonInAustralia]

A very clever little charger which fits between or beside the batteries and the fender and hooks on to my 2 x 12 V Optima Blue tops in series and keeps them in top shape.

You put it in the engine bay?

Doesn't look very waterproof in the small photos on the website. I'd put it in the cabin rather than the engine bay, unless it is waterproof.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

You put it in the engine bay?

Doesn't look very waterproof in the small photos on the website. I'd put it in the cabin rather than the engine bay, unless it is waterproof.

Great idea...but I think I might leave it in the engine bay and put a zip lock baggy around it. Not a whole lot of places to put things inside the cabin as you might know, owning a 7x series. The dash and underneath is pretty much crammed full from factory. As soon as it warms up here I might take a second look. Thanks!

 

[lowenbrau]

They have a somewhat larger model that runs on 90-264Vac input. That would be handy if a guy had plans to take his rig to other countries. I assume 50hz vs 60hz won't be a problem for it either. Additionally it has a switched output wire that you can connect to your ignition to prevent you from starting the vehicle when the unit is plugged into mains. That would be helpful for guys who have a habit of dragging their block heater cords around the neighborhood.

 

[p1michaud]

Cool updates to your thread!

CanuckMariner,
Just read through your updates. Great stuff. I have diesel cruiser envy at the moment... :safari-rig:
Cheers,
P

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

They have a somewhat larger model that runs on 90-264Vac input. That would be handy if a guy had plans to take his rig to other countries. I assume 50hz vs 60hz won't be a problem for it either. Additionally it has a switched output wire that you can connect to your ignition to prevent you from starting the vehicle when the unit is plugged into mains. That would be helpful for guys who have a habit of dragging their block heater cords around the neighborhood.

Ya, Bruce, I noticed that option as well...I didn't post it as I assumed (and probably wrongly so) that everyone would know to unplug it before driving away.

 

[Hltoppr]

Great thread! Somehow...I'm just being drawn to it more and more.... :box: :coffeedrink:

-H-

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

Supposed to be a warm day tomorrow +3C, so may get to work on NOMAD some more. Hope to install the new CB antenna and see if it resolves the "No Ground Plane" issue. Also hope to resolve a few electrical issues that have come up while on my last trip.

I look forward to working on my rig as it is like therapy for cabin fever or whatever you call it. Winter is slow and cold but a good time to plan for the next trips and fix things that didn't quite go right the last time. One day, if it ever actually happens, all will work as it is planned, I hope or not.

Will let you all know how things go...I really envy those living is the lower lats.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

CanuckMariner,
Just read through your updates. Great stuff. I have diesel cruiser envy at the moment... :safari-rig:
Cheers,
P

Merci, P...I look forward to hearing about your choices and your struggle to find the right new rig while in OZ. I hope it is a 7x series. Hope to see you in 2010....j