FireAce
Member
I have been reading the forum for a while now and following other’s builds but figured it’s time to start a thread for my own camper build being as I got a basic start in the fall. Also looking for input as I go from other forum members as this is my first camper build or overland vehicle of any sort.
First, the details on the truck:
The picture above is from the day I picked up the truck. I imported the truck from Japan just over a year ago, it’s a retired fire truck. Came with lights, sirens and all! Been a bit of a project vehicle to turn it into an overland rig but so far progress has been good, albeit a little slow.
The truck is a 2000 Toyota Dyna (Sometimes referred to as a ToyoAce or HiAce Truck depending on the market.)
Quite the burly little truck, it’s 4wd with manual locking AISIN hubs and push button engagement. It’s a 5spd manual transmission with 4H and 4L. It has a naturally aspirated diesel 3.0L inline 4 engine (Referred to as a 5L engine). IFS front suspension, solid rear axle, and according to the manual, the chassis is rated at 1.25 tonnes!
The truck is the four-door version which seats 6 and comes with a 6.5’ box. It’s pretty basic inside with manual windows, locks, seats, etc., but did come with air conditioning which is a bonus! The best part is, there was only 12,000kms on the clock when I got the truck. It has lived its entire life in a garage so not a speck of rust on it either.
Being as many ask, the truck handles well on the highway despite the old Diesel engine and lack of a turbo. The truck cruises along at 110kph without much trouble and can be pushed to 120kph but the rpms start to get a bit high. It slows to 80-90kph on big hills and mountain passes but otherwise is reasonable for highway driving. I average around 23mpg which isn’t bad at all for a truck with an old-school diesel engine.
I’ll probably start a separate build thread for the truck itself so this thread will mostly focus on the camper build.
Here’s a few more pictures before any modification..
Tarp canopy removed and ski box added ready for its first road trip to Utah! (I live in the Banff, Canada area)
With 4runner wheels/bigger tires added which made a huge difference for the look of the truck:
Starting to get a thirst for adventure...
Metal framing stripped off the back and roof rack installed over cab:
Rear step removed and the camper shell ready for test-fitting:
More on the camper to come...
First, the details on the truck:
The picture above is from the day I picked up the truck. I imported the truck from Japan just over a year ago, it’s a retired fire truck. Came with lights, sirens and all! Been a bit of a project vehicle to turn it into an overland rig but so far progress has been good, albeit a little slow.
The truck is a 2000 Toyota Dyna (Sometimes referred to as a ToyoAce or HiAce Truck depending on the market.)
Quite the burly little truck, it’s 4wd with manual locking AISIN hubs and push button engagement. It’s a 5spd manual transmission with 4H and 4L. It has a naturally aspirated diesel 3.0L inline 4 engine (Referred to as a 5L engine). IFS front suspension, solid rear axle, and according to the manual, the chassis is rated at 1.25 tonnes!
The truck is the four-door version which seats 6 and comes with a 6.5’ box. It’s pretty basic inside with manual windows, locks, seats, etc., but did come with air conditioning which is a bonus! The best part is, there was only 12,000kms on the clock when I got the truck. It has lived its entire life in a garage so not a speck of rust on it either.
Being as many ask, the truck handles well on the highway despite the old Diesel engine and lack of a turbo. The truck cruises along at 110kph without much trouble and can be pushed to 120kph but the rpms start to get a bit high. It slows to 80-90kph on big hills and mountain passes but otherwise is reasonable for highway driving. I average around 23mpg which isn’t bad at all for a truck with an old-school diesel engine.
I’ll probably start a separate build thread for the truck itself so this thread will mostly focus on the camper build.
Here’s a few more pictures before any modification..
Tarp canopy removed and ski box added ready for its first road trip to Utah! (I live in the Banff, Canada area)
With 4runner wheels/bigger tires added which made a huge difference for the look of the truck:
Starting to get a thirst for adventure...
Metal framing stripped off the back and roof rack installed over cab:
Rear step removed and the camper shell ready for test-fitting:
More on the camper to come...
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