EXD 350 - EarthCruiser on flat bed

[BoundarylessTraveler]

Hey all,

Last week didn't prove out to be as smooth as we hoped. Some materials were delayed in shipping and we didn't get as far as we would have liked with the build, but there was some progress with the electrical systems.

LINAK linear actuators are hi-tech electric devices able to convert rotational motion in low voltage DC motors into linear push/pull movement. These actuators used to lift the roofs on our vehicles are the perfect solution when you need simple, safe and clean movement with accurate precision and smooth motion control. They also have a manual override to lower the roof if the system were ever to have problems.

In the far left corner you can see the beginnings of our new Czone control panel layout. Our crew spends a lot of time layout the design of each electrical system, as they are such a critical part of the components you rely on when out exploring. We make sure that things work when you need them the most.

View attachment battery and webasto install.JPGOn the floor in the rear you can see the Webasto dual top heater and one of the lithium ion batteries getting ready to be installed into their designated spots. Most know that these systems are complicated and should only be installed by certified technicians. Our crew has put in the time to be certified to install as well as service these complex systems.

Until next week... safe travels.
-Brent

 

[lanceatm]

G`day All
Greetings, Michelle and I are back from our road trip through https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan India where i got to add to my collection of

Took Took

And Camel photos (everybody needs a hobby).
It is an incredible place, worth a visit for sure. We wanted to figure out how to get through Kashmir into China and more of the Silk Road, I think we have.

Enough of the the holiday happy snaps .
This where EXD is up to -

Rear bar prefitted. Can have two spare wheels.

Sub frame back from powder and fitted, notice the steps tucked up nice and tight. No silly ladders to fall down.

House - subframe - rear bar all fit together. Who would have thought, James (Workshop manager does not like custom one of anything, to get it right it needs be be able to be repeated).

Side skirt mock up and rear storage tool boxes. The roof will add ~4 inches (100mm) the storage box gives a good perspective of above roof height. Roof up heigt inside is 76.6 inches.


It`s in proportion. With the front bull bar and rear bar it is going to look the goods.


Fuel fill same location as factory, no filling issues are anticipated.

Rear is familiar to Earthcruiser, high level stop and brake lights, with reversing lights. All flush mount and LED. All fittings are stainless.

Solar fitted, roof is ready to fit. With "one of those fan/vent things".

More soon on the inside.
Very best

Lance

 

[lanceatm]

On the inside-


All major electrical components are on a slide out hub. Easy to service and upgrade.

Karl has had the entire electrical beta testing for weeks, this is sweet sweet system.

Even though all wiring and plumbing is internal they still get sheathed for a nice long life.

One of the water tanks

Here is the other one, also shower guppy and water pumps (Two)

Just to an idea of the fit and finish one can expect, no plywood and MDF to be seen.

Pass through storage for skies etc. This will be un cluttered, no hoses, pipes or wire, just for your stuff.
Very easy to clean and to find stuff.



Entry switch panel, can also run off you smart phone.

that`s it for now. Shake down trip is next week.

 

[Victorian]

You are onto something! Looks amazing.

 

[adam88]

Incredible, really nice work.

 

[Ted Ellison]

Wow That looks great! What is the measured roof height now that it is mounted on that truck?

 

[lanceatm]

G`day Ted
We took the body back off after some flex testing, so I can`t tell you for sure. Approximate is ~18 inches with this subframe. There will be without doubt tweaks to that final height as we play around with wheel travel/load etc on different chassis set ups.

 

[dmwhiteman]

Will there be an option for a secure lockable compartment? A safe place to lock up firearms, laptops, valuables etc..

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[lanceatm]

Certainly is.

 

[lanceatm]

The crew is getting close to finished with our first EXD. We wanted to stay under 120 days, we are bit over but not to much.
Since Monday is planned for start of extended shake down it may well seem there is now a flurry of activity. All that is happening is all the unexciting hundreds of hours of research and planning, testing pays off.


Roof is on and fully operational ( push button raise lower with a manual override and operated by your phone if you want to). With those windows one now gest 360 degree view in all weather ( there insulated and have clear centers with screens). It feels huge inside with such a tall ceiling.



It is all about details - grommets where pipes or hose go through walls. These are small things that make the difference in years to come.

In case anyone was wondering access panel for plumbing system. Installed so that system slide out for easy service of filters etc.

Bed boards are bamboo, very stable and looks great either side.

Small sink going in beside the entry door. Backsplash is a mirror.

Crappy photo, what I am trying to show is there is above bed storage that can have a number of combinations ( its velcro and trimmed nice) LED lights in ceiling.

No one will ever see these main harness looms again, but you and I will know won't we. There is "spare" wires run inside the loom for stuff that our customers will want to add at some future date.

There is always coffee, always.

No such thing as a dumb question, only my poorly thought out answers. If there is anything we have done or are doing that makes no sense or you want more info please ask the question, it is what makes this place great. If it is bit trade secret ish i will do the best I can.

Cheers

Lance

 

[lanceatm]

G`day All

This is the dry weight camper only (no subframe), it is not 100% complete but very close. Customers who want to fit to there flat beds/trays should have no issues with a 350 truck what so ever.

Single (stainless) water fill for both tanks, flush fitting and lockable and tamper proof. The barrel can be replaced, we fit the barrel last because we don`t want to get keys mixed up. It`s embarrassing when our customers collect there truck and we can`t open the water tank.
.
Water fill vents up high with anti creature entry ports, having mud wasp in your drinking water vents is not nice. Also when crossing rivers you don`t want that back wash getting into your tanks.

The systems are controlled via blue tooth with manual override. Notice we are giving tons of options for future upgrades.

This is the slide out for electrical hub. Same set up on the other side for a killer outdoor BBQ.

Air conditioner is in. DC , super quiet and very efficient. These are not of the shelf plug and play units.



Very happy we decided on this draw fridge. Isotherm is standard on all EC products. The draw does what we wanted , easy access either side. Much better to load with groceries as one walks in and use when one is getting the big boss a glass of wine.


Photo of the bed/storage next.

Cheers

Lance

 

[lanceatm]

Under bed storage


There are seven of those storage bins, three on each side and one in the back. 14.5 wide x 23.5 long x 7 inches deep, the EXD has lots of easy access under bed storage.

Covers lift up either side and are lockable.
All fittings are marine grade stainless, that bamboo will last a lifetime of off road love.


Convert bed to dinette and back again is at the push of a button and takes seconds.
The bed stays made either way, not need to fool around with cushions and that make the mattress, we have a much better idea than that.


Not to mention I am very lazy..

That`s it for today. Have a good one.

Lance

 

[lanceatm]

Truck stuff - Gotta protect the assets!
Bull bar -

The bar is T6 structural alloy, etched and then powder coated.
Added 12 inches ( ~300mm) to the over all length.
Added weight without winch - 176lbs (~80kg) this does include winch brackets and mounts.

LED indicator and FOG lights. Easy access to winch controls etc.

One piece bracket, 8mm.

Protection for hoses and coolers.

Mount picks up on three sides of chassis - very important for side pulls.

Having done lots of this in strange places -

And too much of this in even stranger places -

One learns stuff, like build it great , you never know when your life depends on it.

Of course it gets one of these - WARN16.5

Cheers
Lance

 

[lanceatm]

Rear bar - Expedition pack only.


Maximum departure angle
-
Set up for two spares or other tricky accessories.


Cheers
Lance

 

[jamesk]

Excellent..

I'm gonna say it: I want this on an e350 cutaway.