DIY Expedition Camper on a 2020 Mitsubishi Fuso EarthCruiser CORE Chassis

[kcshoots]

I am sorry to hear of your troubles. After watching your pick up video I was wondering about the outcome.

I am in the Tahoe area and have a truck in the queue with EC. It should be a couple months fingers crossed. PM me and we can maybe work something out if that timing works.

On my mid 80’s whoopty passing smog check requires an evap test on the fuel system which I was struggling to pass every other year. The shops use a smoke tester to pressurize the fuel system at the cap and look for the smoke. YouTube has lots of hacks for that. I found a simple plumbing test manifold from the hardware store and a couple fittings I could hook up to a fuel tank vent line, pump up to 1 psi with a bike pump and follow the odor no need for smoke. In my case a small rotted line and simple fix to then hold the 1 psi. I believe the system tests to less pressure but the test gauge was hard to read below that.

may be worth a quick pressure test to indicate a simple leak or something more.

good luck and thanks for posting the video series

Thanks much for your suggestions. I will perform the test or have it performed if still a CEL once I get the fuel filler installed into its final position soon.

Hopefully your delivery will go smoothly and EC has the kinks in their system worked out by now.

Be great to meet up and share ideas and help each other when needed after you get yours. Reach out when you do and let's connect.

 

[Howard70]

Thanks much for your suggestions. I will perform the test or have it performed if still a CEL once I get the fuel filler installed into its final position soon.

While working through the Fuso website for some other information, I ran across this pdf which purports to illustrate how Fuso specifies various connections to the fuel tank. It could be helpful in deciding how you design your system. There is other literature from them available on the same site designed to help companies that build systems onto their cab chassis which could be generally helpful as well.

Howard

 

[kcshoots]

While working through the Fuso website for some other information, I ran across this pdf which purports to illustrate how Fuso specifies various connections to the fuel tank. It could be helpful in deciding how you design your system. There is other literature from them available on the same site designed to help companies that build systems onto their cab chassis which could be generally helpful as well.

Howard

Thank you much! I saw that diagram in their body builder guide, which I have read all 200+ pages several times before and during this build. The fuel fill vent tube was loose at the fuel tank sender unit, which EC uninstalled and reinstalled following the fuel tank modification for extra fuel capacity they make. I tightened up that loose connection but it did not clear the CEL, but I may need to manually clear it as not driving the truck while the camper is being built, which is nearly done, and enclosed. However now with the camper I need to move forward to installing the fuel fill in it's permanent location so I can reattach all hoses, clear the code and see if stays clear. If not, EC says I must take to a Mitsubishi dealer. Thanks again for your help.

 

[kcshoots]

I've finished installing the three interconnected grey water tanks, the compressed air system with two tanks and high-output continuous duty compressor, and some other mods, prepped the subframe for the camper and even cut almost the entirety of the rear cab wall on this brand new truck to install the pass thru. That video here with many more before and after: https://youtu.be/u85gkrurUhY

 

[Ferjablito]

¡Muchas gracias! Vi ese diagrama en su guía para carroceros, que he leído más de 200 páginas varias veces antes y durante esta construcción. El tubo de ventilación de llenado de combustible estaba suelto en la unidad emisora del tanque de combustible, que EC desinstaló y reinstaló luego de la modificación del tanque de combustible para obtener una capacidad adicional de combustible. Apreté esa conexión suelta pero no borró el CEL, pero es posible que deba borrarlo manualmente porque no conduzco el camión mientras se construye la caravana, que está casi terminada y encerrada. Sin embargo, ahora con la casa rodante, necesito avanzar para instalar el relleno de combustible en su ubicación permanente para poder volver a conectar todas las mangueras, borrar el código y ver si permanece limpio. Si no, EC dice que debo llevar a un concesionario Mitsubishi. De nuevo, gracias por tu ayuda.
[/CITA]
Buenos días,
Te sigo atentamente como llevas a cabo el proceso de construcción de la autocaravana, tienes fotos del detalle, estoy al otro lado del mundo con tus mismas inquietudes.
Saludos.
Fernando.

 

[kcshoots]

Reply in English:
Hola Fernando.
I will try to document the resolution to this problem and continue to share here and as I have been on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/KCMares or my blog at VanTripping.com

And My best translation of my reply in Spanish:
Intentaré documentar la resolución de este problema y continuaré compartiéndolo aquí y como he estado en mi canal de YouTube aquí: https://www.youtube.com/c/KCMares o mi blog en VanTripping.com

 

[kcshoots]

I posted this on another page but no one could answer. Do you know why they made the transfer case shaft so long and the rear driveshaft is so short with such a steep angle?
Kevin

It is a short and a steep angled rear shaft. I think it's because EC didn't want to modify the driver side exhaust pipe & catalytic converter which crosses over in front of the transfer case. Probably would've added a few hundred dollars of cost to modify it to cross over after the t-case in a more forward position yet resulted in an improved ride, higher reliability & efficeincy (from less driveline strain) and likely greater rear suspension droop if the transfer case was further forward and rear driveshaft longer.

 

[The Artisan]

It is a short and a steep angled rear shaft. I think it's because EC didn't want to modify the driver side exhaust pipe & catalytic converter which crosses over in front of the transfer case. Probably would've added a few hundred dollars of cost to modify it to cross over after the t-case in a more forward position yet resulted in an improved ride, higher reliability & efficeincy (from less driveline strain) and likely greater rear suspension droop if the transfer case was further forward and rear driveshaft longer.

Yep and probably worth every penny?
Kevin

 

[kcshoots]

Yep and probably worth every penny?
Kevin

I agree. Would also shift some weight forward, which may slightly improve balance and road handling once camper is built.

 

[SkiFreak]

Yeah... but it is what it is, isn't it.
You paid a lot of money for a specific truck conversion and I assume you fully understood what you were getting.
Of course you can change things and potentially make the truck better. It just comes down to how much money you are willing to spend.

 

[kcshoots]

Yeah... but it is what it is, isn't it.
You paid a lot of money for a specific truck conversion and I assume you fully understood what you were getting.
Of course you can change things and potentially make the truck better. It just comes down to how much money you are willing to spend.

Agree that it is what it is. Only commenting for future conversions/converters. Unfortunately, I didn't know exactly what I was getting as there was never a completed conversion that I could see or test drive. Part of my frustration is the lack of information, incorrect information and misleading information that was provided. But, I have what I have, and it's a good truck, just not everything I wanted or even spec'd, but it will be a great camper and good truck chassis without much if anything yet better on the market that met my requirements and wants.

 

[SkiFreak]

As I see it... unless you build the truck yourself, or have one built to your exact specifications, there will always be things you like and things you don't like.

I own one of the few coil converted trucks that ATW built. Overall it is a good setup, but is it perfect... definitely not.
I have made numerous changes to my truck over the years, so I understand fully where you are coming from.

 

[Christian P.]

I am in Reno/Tahoe and may be going up North in the next few weeks. I may be able to bring the winch holder back with me.

 

[kcshoots]

I am in Reno/Tahoe and may be going up North in the next few weeks. I may be able to bring the winch holder back with me.

Thank you for offering, that would be awesome! I will send a separate message.

 

[kcshoots]

Progress continues with completion of the upper rear wall of the Total Composites camper box--which was very difficult for many reasons I go over in my recent YouTube video as well as others. But significant progress getting that done and that allows for some interior cuts to the new panels to create some very large gear garage door openings, and install windows, skylights, and entry door before installing the lower rear wall sections.