Damn, color me envious. Composite boxes with flat walls are the best of all worlds. And with 22° of articulation, L-track, and storage, the Foundation rear subframe sounds excellent. I can’t tell from the two pics on their site, but if the front axle is leaf sprung, it’s probably Ujoint.
E350/450 Cab-Chassis w/ Composite Box Body - Feedback Requested
- Thread starter luthj
- Start date
iggi
Ian
From this angle it looks like a coil spring front end - if so, not a Ujoint conversion.
luthj
Engineer In Residence
It's probably a render from a cad model. I've seen shots from the actual CAD program and the design. I have also seen the sprinter version in person.
www.foundationvehicles.com
E-Series — Foundation Vehicles
www.foundationvehicles.com
YinzerMoto
New member
It is not a real pic. They are using Ujoint for the 4wd. We have one on order with them too.
Victorian
Approved Vendor : Total Composites
The Quest for the "perfect" most" capable" overland truck keeps the industry buzzing. That's cool!
I started travelling self supported back in 1992 with the most simple low budged gear and motorbikes. I had many breakdowns/ met many other travellers on my trips through the Sahara and learned my lessons. The biggest take away was always to keep it simple, easy to maintain and as stock as possible in case you need help.
This has always led me to the one question when building my own vehicles:
Where can I go for servicing/repairs while on a road trip?
Will a regular dealership be able to service my lifted, highly modified suspension on my $300.000 camper?
Where will I find replacement for my "MPT/ Michelin military" tires?
What about after market computer system based suspension components?
In any case, new ideas/inventions and droll worthy trucks are always fun but I sometimes think we are loosing focus on the actual Overland spirit and reliability.
I started travelling self supported back in 1992 with the most simple low budged gear and motorbikes. I had many breakdowns/ met many other travellers on my trips through the Sahara and learned my lessons. The biggest take away was always to keep it simple, easy to maintain and as stock as possible in case you need help.
This has always led me to the one question when building my own vehicles:
Where can I go for servicing/repairs while on a road trip?
Will a regular dealership be able to service my lifted, highly modified suspension on my $300.000 camper?
Where will I find replacement for my "MPT/ Michelin military" tires?
What about after market computer system based suspension components?
In any case, new ideas/inventions and droll worthy trucks are always fun but I sometimes think we are loosing focus on the actual Overland spirit and reliability.
YinzerMoto
New member
You are absolutely on point. These E series rigs are based on a time tested chassis. They are converted to leaf springs all around with standard drivetrain components. I have broken leaf springs and pulled some from a junk yard vehicle that were close enough and got going again without much trouble. The wheel/tire packages that are on the vehicles above are what is found on just about every full size pickup. It really does not get much simpler in a current day vehicle.
YinzerMoto
New member
I saw that rig in person when I stopped by Ujoint Colorado this summer. It did not have the bumper on there yet.
luthj
Engineer In Residence
Globe trekker subframe video. Looks decent. I reached out to Mesa to get some details, but they weren't as helpful as I would have hoped.
Foundation Vehicles sent me some details on the E-series box offering. I asked for some weight and interior dimensions. I also inquired about alternative door options. The box has an integral step-well, so deciding on door location needs to be done before the panels are fabbed.
Foundation Vehicles sent me some details on the E-series box offering. I asked for some weight and interior dimensions. I also inquired about alternative door options. The box has an integral step-well, so deciding on door location needs to be done before the panels are fabbed.
rruff
Explorer
Are they building the camper shell? I don't know what they charge for the subframe (just looked it up... ~$12k), but you can save a lot of money and weight by DIY with poly isolators.
Also, are you sure that rear overhang won't be an issue? Don't know where you'll be camping, but that would be limiting in the US west IME. You mentioned missing a locker, which made me wonder.
Peter_n_Margaret
Adventurer
I am building another fibreglass sandwich box at the moment.
The bed-over is tapered towards the front (to be more tree friendly) and long enough for a N-S bed which we much prefer. Like the one in the avatar but a tad longer.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
The bed-over is tapered towards the front (to be more tree friendly) and long enough for a N-S bed which we much prefer. Like the one in the avatar but a tad longer.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
luthj
Engineer In Residence
I'm sure I can probably save some money by diy a bunch of it. Given a14 ft box, I would need a bit more than just some poly isolators based on my math. The box itself isn't designed to mount directly, so we'll need some type of frame for support. The GT subframe is also quite nice being galvanized and then painted.
I have a mix of limited time and space. It would probably take me about 3 months to measure design and fab a subframe. And of course that also includes a bunch of the headaches of building and testing a prototype. I also don't really want to deal with assembling that large of a box myself.
GT is also supplying the box. Price is somewhat competitive compared to other offerings.
As far as the overhang goes I'm aware that it will produce limitations. But that's the trade-off I need to make in order to have something that I can full-time in with a child, and a reasonable level of comfort. I don't do hardcore wheeling, and really avoid true 4x4 routes most of the time. But decent ground clearance and the ability to drive out of the occasional screw up are important. If I really need more departure anangle, I'll uprate to 37 or 38in tires. Currently planning on 34/35" singles.
I have a mix of limited time and space. It would probably take me about 3 months to measure design and fab a subframe. And of course that also includes a bunch of the headaches of building and testing a prototype. I also don't really want to deal with assembling that large of a box myself.
GT is also supplying the box. Price is somewhat competitive compared to other offerings.
As far as the overhang goes I'm aware that it will produce limitations. But that's the trade-off I need to make in order to have something that I can full-time in with a child, and a reasonable level of comfort. I don't do hardcore wheeling, and really avoid true 4x4 routes most of the time. But decent ground clearance and the ability to drive out of the occasional screw up are important. If I really need more departure anangle, I'll uprate to 37 or 38in tires. Currently planning on 34/35" singles.
luthj
Engineer In Residence
I think in our case I will be targeting a cab over that is big enough for a twin sized bed. I will have a queen-ish bed in the rear for myself and the wife.
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