expedition film trucks

[Filmpros]

We have two (2) Lexus 80 Series trucks that are extreme builds with full lockers ... of course. The one you see here is the lighter build.

The other truck has ...

* 110 Volts / 20 Amps coming off a very high quality, very clean power inverter for charging Camera Batteries and running Sensitive Electronics. The inverter can also be used to run the truck off shore power or float / trickle / quick charge the dual batteries on board.

* African Outback Roof Rack that can be used as a Camera Platform or for storing & carrying extra gear.

* Suspension had been custom designed for of-road use and also designed to haul at least a 1,250 to 1,500 pound of gear ... over GVW.

* Fridge / Freezer running off 2nd battery can run for 2.5 to 3 days without the truck running.

* Full AO Drawer System, *

* Outback Extreme Magnum Air Compressor with Tank mounted between frame rails to run power tools and for airing up tires.

* Recovery gear & spare parts for most any situation.

And much, much more..

The trucks are designed to get crews comfortably to and from rugged and/or remote locations and allow them to operate and camp comfortably while in the field.

We used to shoot 355mm, but these days we shoot most everything in 4K. We have also shot a lot of 2K. We use the Sony Cine Alta 4K and 2K Cameras with Film Lenses ... the really excellent ones..

We have used all types of Gyro mounts on helicopters ... but do not use them on trucks. We are not shooting from the trucks while they are moving ... and if we were, there are better ways to mount the cameras and depending on the footage I am looking to capture, Gyro Mounts are not what I would use.

Custom Cases & Pelican Cases do just fine getting the gear to the location. This is not a post production facility on wheels ... that is is simply not required for any job I can think of. Our transfers involve a 4K workflow. This is not something you want to do in the field.

Yes, both vehicles have dual batteries and the 97 Lexus has the inverter I mentioned above.

Here is my website if you want to see some of what we do. Our documentary work is not posted here ... this is our commercial work website.

www.rbfilms.com


I hope that answers your questions.

Best...

 

[HumphreyBear]

Thanks. Nice
EDIT to add: Actually when you say you wouldn't use a gyro mount on a motor vehicle and that there are alternatives you would prefer - what alternatives do you refer to? We aren't looking at large budget adventures but have seen some very effective small gyro mounts on cars. They don't completely eliminate movement but make it much much smoother. However we are looking at any options to see what best suits his needs.
Cheers,
Humphrey

 

[Scott Brady]

Fun projects and nice film reel.

We have two Land Cruisers in process too (they are on the water from NZ) - maybe we will bump into each other in some interesting part of the world.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

How are you going to address the pre-detonation caused by the super charger and magnified by the head work?

Your build is a direct duplication of mine, including the powder coated red valve cover. I only ask, because I had the best in the business assist me with my engine reassembly after machine work. Check out my thread; "Jolly Green Giant" if in doubt.

 

[Filmpros]

The cameras we use are far too large to fit a small gyro mount ... the helicopter mounts can work with the 4K Cameras we use ... but they are cumbersome and tricky to install on vehicles. We rarely shoot off a vehicle on rough road. I prefer to use a track and camera dolly if possible to get what I need for action shots.

Canon had a nice 2K Camera that was very affordable at CES. The camera used a 4K Sensor to eliminate the Bayer Filters typically used in a single chip camera. If you are going to chance rough use and possibly destroying these cameras, these would work well with a nice Canon Cinema $45,000 piece of glass on them. Keeps your costs down to about 65K and they are small enough to mount on the Gyros.

The Red Camera I do not like...but Sony has a great 4K Camera that may be small enough to work on a smaller vehicle gyro mount.

The Phantom has great 2K image image quality as well due to the quality of the sensor required to capture super high speed action.

You can use Gyros if you are looking for smooth action off a vehicle ... that will work with smaller cameras. For large cinema style 4K and 2K Cameras, it is a bit more complex to use these types of mounts on a car or SUV. It can be done, but you need special rigging and equipment to do it and it is not something I would feel comfortable with bashing around on rocks off road.

There are dozens of companies that make these smaller gyros for smaller HD Cameras. I have no idea which one is best because we rarely if ever shoot that type of footage. I work mostly with nature, documentary, and wildlife ... but have long been known to put out some of the best Home Theater Calibration Discs on the market.

What are you shooting?

Thanks. Nice
EDIT to add: Actually when you say you wouldn't use a gyro mount on a motor vehicle and that there are alternatives you would prefer - what alternatives do you refer to? We aren't looking at large budget adventures but have seen some very effective small gyro mounts on cars. They don't completely eliminate movement but make it much much smoother. However we are looking at any options to see what best suits his needs.
Cheers,
Humphrey

 

[Filmpros]

The first super charger does not have these issues ... it is ever so slightly less smooth at ideal on occasion...but runs smooth as glass all other times. Even at idle when it acts up it is barely noticeable.

I will let Nat respond to this...I am not the mechanical engineering guy. However, I do recall hotter spark plugs being recommended.

 

[Filmpros]

Are you in the US? What type of cruisers do you have coming over...I am trying to get me hands on a real diesel...a new one...from overseas. However, I have yet to figure out how to get on here and register it.

 

[expo80]

are you using premium fuel you should not get pre-detonation or knock, as long as we use at least 91 or higher octane, the engine run fine even with head work.

any link to your your build? I did a quick search with no results.

 

[expo80]

A few more hings done today. Heat shields, water pipe, water hose, thermostat.

 

[expo80]

Good to have a friend that works at Toyota, had to borrow a very large torque wrench to get the proper 304 ft-lbs to the main crank bolt don't even want to know what this thing cost:Wow1:

Had to make a tool to lock the rear of the crank so I could get the the right torque to the bolt.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

The first super charger does not have these issues ... it is ever so slightly less smooth at ideal on occasion...but runs smooth as glass all other times. Even at idle when it acts up it is barely noticeable.

I will let Nat respond to this...I am not the mechanical engineering guy. However, I do recall hotter spark plugs being recommended.

So it does "Act Up"?

I think you had Beowulf (SP) on 'Mud doing the majority of work on your other 80. He called it from the beginning of my build. I posted my build on 'Mud as well and there was a lot of technical advice offered.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

are you using premium fuel you should not get pre-detonation or knock, as long as we use at least 91 or higher octane, the engine run fine even with head work.

any link to your your build? I did a quick search with no results.

Here's a link. It was on the first page of my account info. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/8414-The-Jolly-Green-Giant-aka-the-Recycled-Rig

The work really starts on post #76 and gets into the engine work on #153. Yes, I ran premium fuel and the whole "Nine yards." No expense was spared including paying powderpig to travel to my house to re-assemble the engine/ Eventually, I removed and sold the supercharger.

My best guess is that once yours is back together running, it too will detonate to some extent, especially on hot days under load. You might want to reserve comment until you actually run it.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Everything else on your build looks top notch though. Keep up the good work.

 

[expo80]

24HOURSOFNEVADA Looks as tho you have a 93 or 94 lc with obd-1, I have heard of some issues with those engines not liking super chargers mostly because of the different ecu /maf

We do have a super charger on our 97 with the same engine mods with NO issues, you can see a little dip on the tac at idle some times but it is rare when it happens, see the same things on stock engines at times. super charger has been on for a few years now so i am not worried, the obd2 system/ecu/maf seem to deal well super charger, no pining/knocking/ pre-detonation

A few years I did consider getting a SC for my 94 obd-1 but after reading about ecu issues I decided against it

ahh do remember your build from awhile ago...great build

 

[expo80]

So it does "Act Up"?

I think you had Beowulf (SP) on 'Mud doing the majority of work on your other 80. He called it from the beginning of my build. I posted my build on 'Mud as well and there was a lot of technical advice offered.

simmer down dude!!
landtank and i work on the first truck