Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
The ambo is for street... At most logging roads. At 21' long and 88" wide it's too big for Vancouver Island trails. I've got an Fj40 for them... Although sleeping in it is tight, but doable (even at 6'4"). 
First post to Expedition portal ... and I LOVE 4X4 vans!
- Thread starter laz 1
- Start date
Installed two much bigger windows at right side and back, and installed a proper hatch door at the storage bin lower right.
Bit by bit it is getting there ...
tomorrow to Victoria to build my HEAVY DUTY bumpers, get a transmission service, and grab some rubber checkerplate material for the rock guards.
What are the inside dimensions...length, width and height?
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS:
Height is 74"
Width across the built in bed is 77"
Length of built in bed is 57"
There is only 36" of stand up / 6' 2" headroom between the bed and the cab over storage ... which is all I need to prevent claustrophobia.
Still much more SIDE room at eye level than the tapered sides of CONVENTIONAL VAN BODY WOULD GIVE YOU.
This is mostly designed as a bare bones rig, and I have spent months living out of smaller CAMPER VANS than this.
My VW van motorhome conversion was even smaller,
AND I LIVED IN THAT FOR SIX WEEKS IN THE FREE CAMP AT JASPER NATIONAL PARK ... with lots and lots of SNOW!!
(;-{)
Bit by bit it is getting there ...
tomorrow to Victoria to build my HEAVY DUTY bumpers, get a transmission service, and grab some rubber checkerplate material for the rock guards.
What are the inside dimensions...length, width and height?
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS:
Height is 74"
Width across the built in bed is 77"
Length of built in bed is 57"
There is only 36" of stand up / 6' 2" headroom between the bed and the cab over storage ... which is all I need to prevent claustrophobia.
Still much more SIDE room at eye level than the tapered sides of CONVENTIONAL VAN BODY WOULD GIVE YOU.
This is mostly designed as a bare bones rig, and I have spent months living out of smaller CAMPER VANS than this.
My VW van motorhome conversion was even smaller,
AND I LIVED IN THAT FOR SIX WEEKS IN THE FREE CAMP AT JASPER NATIONAL PARK ... with lots and lots of SNOW!!
(;-{)
Requesting feedback and opinions on style choice ...
Time for some feedback and opinions on the STYLE and APPEARANCE of my Micro Motorhome Overland Build … AKA …
LAZ’s Home For Wayward Wanderers.
I just added some BLACK RUBBER checkerplate / rockguard to the back of my motorhome body, 1/8” thick, 40” wide, with 1 ½” natural color aluminum angle iron for corner mouldings. Comments from a few people who have seen it on the road, have been very positive. All agree the Black Checkerplate at the bottom with thick aluminum corner trim, looks much more appropriate and "purposeful" for an “OVERLANDING” built rig, than the conventional “RV White Aluminum and White trim”.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
But now I am not sure which way to proceed with the exterior covering.
Originally, I planned to wrap just the bottom of the box, 40” high, with Black rubber checkerplate, and that is still a given. I have that material bought and paid for, and ready to install. However, I was then planning to use GREY checkerplate, similar to what is on the roof, for the top section, giving the box a ?stylish? “Two Tone “ look. But so far, feedback has indicated that “BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL”, and that I should use Black for both top and bottom.
One friend stated that the Black Checkerplate with 1 ½” aluminum corners made the box look “RUGGED”, “SERIOUS”, “SOLID” and “TOUGH”, and suggested I cover the entire box in Black. Another agreed that the Black looked great, but stated that ALL BLACK everywhere, without any break or high light, would be too much, and suggested a “divider” or “racing stripe” between the top and bottom.
I would appreciate some feedback and opinions from the forum regarding whether all black, black and grey, or black with a dividing stripe , are preferred.
PS: “Design by internet feedback” is always an interesting experience. We all know that, “an elephant is a mouse that was designed by a committee”. I have used this process before on other projects, and found that opinions from other special interest forum members, can provide alternative perspectives and point out unseen pitfalls, before design decisions and potential mistakes are made.
Hopefully you all will provide some valid and helpful guidance,
Thanks
(;-{)
LAZ 1
Time for some feedback and opinions on the STYLE and APPEARANCE of my Micro Motorhome Overland Build … AKA …
LAZ’s Home For Wayward Wanderers.
I just added some BLACK RUBBER checkerplate / rockguard to the back of my motorhome body, 1/8” thick, 40” wide, with 1 ½” natural color aluminum angle iron for corner mouldings. Comments from a few people who have seen it on the road, have been very positive. All agree the Black Checkerplate at the bottom with thick aluminum corner trim, looks much more appropriate and "purposeful" for an “OVERLANDING” built rig, than the conventional “RV White Aluminum and White trim”.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
But now I am not sure which way to proceed with the exterior covering.
Originally, I planned to wrap just the bottom of the box, 40” high, with Black rubber checkerplate, and that is still a given. I have that material bought and paid for, and ready to install. However, I was then planning to use GREY checkerplate, similar to what is on the roof, for the top section, giving the box a ?stylish? “Two Tone “ look. But so far, feedback has indicated that “BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL”, and that I should use Black for both top and bottom.
One friend stated that the Black Checkerplate with 1 ½” aluminum corners made the box look “RUGGED”, “SERIOUS”, “SOLID” and “TOUGH”, and suggested I cover the entire box in Black. Another agreed that the Black looked great, but stated that ALL BLACK everywhere, without any break or high light, would be too much, and suggested a “divider” or “racing stripe” between the top and bottom.
I would appreciate some feedback and opinions from the forum regarding whether all black, black and grey, or black with a dividing stripe , are preferred.
PS: “Design by internet feedback” is always an interesting experience. We all know that, “an elephant is a mouse that was designed by a committee”. I have used this process before on other projects, and found that opinions from other special interest forum members, can provide alternative perspectives and point out unseen pitfalls, before design decisions and potential mistakes are made.
Hopefully you all will provide some valid and helpful guidance,
Thanks
(;-{)
LAZ 1
If it were me I wouldn't cover the whole thing in black, and I wouldn't get overly carried away with the black I did use. The Black/white combo will look good whereas I agree all black would be too much. And black sucks up heat. Campers are usually harder to cool than they are to heat so I would consider the amount of heatsoak involved with the addition of a bunch of black.
My DO IT YOURSELF AWD SAFARI TIGER CLONE BUILD,
is definitely different from the TIGER Mini Motorhome recreational vehicle it was modeled .
I wanted an "OVERLANDING" capable rig, with simple and basic interior accommodations, and a tough and sturdy exterior appearance. So, even though the initial exterior finish of my build was conventional RV type aluminum sheathing and RV style corner mouldings, I eventually switched over to a more rugged "industrial" look, with Black 1/8" thick rubber checkerplate rock guard around the bottom, with 1 1/2" 1/8" thick aluminum corner mouldings. Of course, re-doing the exterior twice turned out to be at least three times as much work, but I am getting close to finishing, and I am liking the appearance. The first panel, at the back bottom, needs to be re-glued [ I used the wrong glue and got bubbles ] but now have the right glue and process.
I used a dividing strip of shiny aluminum checkerplate to accent the "Basic black box" look.
Now I am deciding between MORE Black rubber checkerplate at the top,
OR,
switching to Grey plastic checkerplate.
Any comments?
is definitely different from the TIGER Mini Motorhome recreational vehicle it was modeled .
I wanted an "OVERLANDING" capable rig, with simple and basic interior accommodations, and a tough and sturdy exterior appearance. So, even though the initial exterior finish of my build was conventional RV type aluminum sheathing and RV style corner mouldings, I eventually switched over to a more rugged "industrial" look, with Black 1/8" thick rubber checkerplate rock guard around the bottom, with 1 1/2" 1/8" thick aluminum corner mouldings. Of course, re-doing the exterior twice turned out to be at least three times as much work, but I am getting close to finishing, and I am liking the appearance. The first panel, at the back bottom, needs to be re-glued [ I used the wrong glue and got bubbles ] but now have the right glue and process.
I used a dividing strip of shiny aluminum checkerplate to accent the "Basic black box" look.
Now I am deciding between MORE Black rubber checkerplate at the top,
OR,
switching to Grey plastic checkerplate.
Any comments?
Took a four day cruise through the BC interior. Up to Nakusp, for the Horizon's Unlimited meetup, then around the Okanagan area. Beautiful.
Leaving for Mexico mid-October.
Got my innoculations, and made and my German Shepherd got all her shots too.
Just finishing up a few non-essential details ...
Got the front bumper lightened /detailed with waterjet cut outs, added a grill.guard, and 2"receivers front and back.
Fortunately
my original plans to attend the Overlanding Expo in North Carolina were delayed, so I missed out on a "hurticane experience". Some adventures are definitely better watched on TV rather than lived through.
The perspective in this picture is off ..
Both the grillnguard and the.bumper ar 80" wide.
Leaving for Mexico mid-October.
Got my innoculations, and made and my German Shepherd got all her shots too.
Just finishing up a few non-essential details ...
Got the front bumper lightened /detailed with waterjet cut outs, added a grill.guard, and 2"receivers front and back.
Fortunately
my original plans to attend the Overlanding Expo in North Carolina were delayed, so I missed out on a "hurticane experience". Some adventures are definitely better watched on TV rather than lived through.
The perspective in this picture is off ..
Both the grillnguard and the.bumper ar 80" wide.