FG Surfari
Adventurer
Cool, I will check them out. Thanks !
Just posting some pics of my FG
- Thread starter FG Surfari
- Start date
mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
Just a ‘note' on the Wildernest tops, (I've had two).
They are not very modifiable. Were the springs for the top mount on the side, they go down the side quite a bit and need to be there to support the springs. So not a 'drop on the top of the target vehicle' type installation like a Westy top.. I was hoping to mount one to the top of a Pinzgauer Ambulance box, and it was not a very workable solution. The plus side is they can be found pretty cheap, have over 7+ feet of headroom (when mounted on a pick-up), and have a queen-size bed. The side opening is very practical for shade/cover.
(FG Surfari, if you want any Wildernest photos, PM me)
FG Surfari
Adventurer
Hey Mog
I did notice that the hinge system on the Wildernest was not the most sophisticated unit I had seen, so I thought it possible to modify /retrofit a spring loaded hinge from a Flippac or somewhere else.
That said, if you have some pics to share, I would love to see them.
Worse case scenario, I figure, I will just have to create a nice low profile flip top myself, and simply mount a tent on top of the truck.
I am not particularly known for being fancy, just borderline creative, and die hard determined.
I did notice that the hinge system on the Wildernest was not the most sophisticated unit I had seen, so I thought it possible to modify /retrofit a spring loaded hinge from a Flippac or somewhere else.
That said, if you have some pics to share, I would love to see them.
Worse case scenario, I figure, I will just have to create a nice low profile flip top myself, and simply mount a tent on top of the truck.
I am not particularly known for being fancy, just borderline creative, and die hard determined.
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mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
Correct, not hi-tech at all. Just 2 VERY STRONG coiled springs. Hence they need some pretty beefy supports at the fix end that would be attached to your Fuso. I thought I could just put the top on, but with it being center there was no mounting area for the anchors for those springs. I could have off-set it to the passenger side (non-centered) to pick up that wall as a solution. Your fiberglass 'cabin' would be a much easier mounting then a sheet metal body, since your walls have much less flex.
Click on photo below to enlarge:
View attachment 142000
mog
Kodiak Buckaroo
I just saw that Joaquin Suave has a pretty nice pop-top over in the Expo Portal For Sale section:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/94164-Country-Home-Camper-Pop_top
View attachment 141726
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/94164-Country-Home-Camper-Pop_top
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FG Surfari
Adventurer
I went through those posts this morning, and I saw that top.
For my purposes, unfortunately, the top is too stylized.
Nice tent top, though
For my purposes, unfortunately, the top is too stylized.
Nice tent top, though
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FG Surfari
Adventurer
I mounted some Maxtrax on the back of the Fuso a few weeks back, and I'm just dying to try them out.
Additionally, I also purchased some powder coating equipment, and damn is that s*ht cool.
That said, I am systematically powder coating everything I cannot eventually replace with stainless steel.
I am also still looking for a Wildernest or Flippac here on the East Coast, as well as a graphics wrap company who is willing to take on the world map wrap.
Hopefully things will start to come together as the weather warms up.
As Chris Cornell said, "I'm looking California, but feeling Minnesota"
Additionally, I also purchased some powder coating equipment, and damn is that s*ht cool.
That said, I am systematically powder coating everything I cannot eventually replace with stainless steel.
I am also still looking for a Wildernest or Flippac here on the East Coast, as well as a graphics wrap company who is willing to take on the world map wrap.
Hopefully things will start to come together as the weather warms up.
As Chris Cornell said, "I'm looking California, but feeling Minnesota"
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SkiFreak
Crazy Person
I really don't see what the big deal is with powder coating. Admittedly, when it's new it looks great, but it chips so easily and, once chipped it gives a perfect start point for rust.
Most powder coaters cut corners to reduce costs, so the bare metal is often not treated. This means that when a bit of rust starts it easily runs under the powder coating and can go unseen until big flakes of paint start coming off.
I cannot count the amount of powder coated gear I have had sand blasted and repainted.
My preference is to use two pack polyurethane paint. The stuff I use sticks like ******* to a blanket and has a very high resistance to chipping. Good prep of the base metal is paramount no matter what top coat you use, but I avoid powder coating like the plague.
Most powder coaters cut corners to reduce costs, so the bare metal is often not treated. This means that when a bit of rust starts it easily runs under the powder coating and can go unseen until big flakes of paint start coming off.
I cannot count the amount of powder coated gear I have had sand blasted and repainted.
My preference is to use two pack polyurethane paint. The stuff I use sticks like ******* to a blanket and has a very high resistance to chipping. Good prep of the base metal is paramount no matter what top coat you use, but I avoid powder coating like the plague.
FG Surfari
Adventurer
From my perspective, especially here in the colder months, powder coating has eliminated the need for me to to stand out in the freezing temperatures with a paint can and heat gun, with the delusional hopes of walking away with a factory applied finish.
With powder coating, I get the desired finish, no fumes, no drips, no mess, and the oven helps to keep me warm during the 20 minute cure time. A win, win, win, win, and win.
If it chips later on, fine, as I expect that a painted finish would have done the same.
To note, I have no shop to speak of, at least not one automotive, as I am but a simple carpenter.
As such, I powder coat outside on the back porch.
That's my take, at least.
With powder coating, I get the desired finish, no fumes, no drips, no mess, and the oven helps to keep me warm during the 20 minute cure time. A win, win, win, win, and win.
If it chips later on, fine, as I expect that a painted finish would have done the same.
To note, I have no shop to speak of, at least not one automotive, as I am but a simple carpenter.
As such, I powder coat outside on the back porch.
That's my take, at least.
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You solved your own problem with the last sentence in your quote above.... There is NO reason that properly prepared and cured powder would "chip so easily"... it is very resilient finish and you can even do a "super tough" version for higher abrasion and chipping resistance. I have a mountain bike frame that is powdercoated and it takes a beating without a single chip. The process definitely has to be done properly so it may be time to find a new powder coater...
FG Surfari
Adventurer
Exactly.
I love the stuff, and yes, just like painting, prep is everything.
Good lookin' out !
I love the stuff, and yes, just like painting, prep is everything.
Good lookin' out !
FG Surfari
Adventurer
I got a new puppy for my Fuso
It is actually a 1994 Suzuki Jimny (JDM) with a 650c intercooled turbo motor.
That might not sound like much, but I tell you, the little dog really scoots.
RHD, around 25K miles, air conditioning, and not a spot of rust anywhere.
It was sitting on the side of the road in a town about 30 miles from my house.
The bumpers were dented so I removed them, and there are little dents and dings here and there.
Otherwise, a very solid truck.
Now, what to do with it (?)
It is actually a 1994 Suzuki Jimny (JDM) with a 650c intercooled turbo motor.
That might not sound like much, but I tell you, the little dog really scoots.
RHD, around 25K miles, air conditioning, and not a spot of rust anywhere.
It was sitting on the side of the road in a town about 30 miles from my house.
The bumpers were dented so I removed them, and there are little dents and dings here and there.
Otherwise, a very solid truck.
Now, what to do with it (?)
Attachments
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FG Surfari
Adventurer
New plastics
As my Fuso is now 10 years old, I figured that perhaps it was time to replace all of the faded plastic cladding on the truck, since it is just a matter of time now before all of the US dealers will send their overstock to a guy named Chuck, in Arizona, who has aspirations to become the exclusive US avenue to obtaining "classic" Mitsubishi Fuso parts.
Run on sentence, yes, but oh so true.
That said, I have ordered every piece of exterior trim that I can get my hands on, as I intend to keep my truck for as long as I can continue to drive it and enjoy it.
In preparation, I removed all of the old plastics this evening, with the expectation of having to sand and paint the neglected surfaces underneath, before installing the new parts.
Prior to the photos, I gave the truck an obligatory soapy bath, with the photos showing the result.
What did Mitsubishi paint these trucks with ? The underlying surfaces are absolutely flawless.
What a great truck.
As my Fuso is now 10 years old, I figured that perhaps it was time to replace all of the faded plastic cladding on the truck, since it is just a matter of time now before all of the US dealers will send their overstock to a guy named Chuck, in Arizona, who has aspirations to become the exclusive US avenue to obtaining "classic" Mitsubishi Fuso parts.
Run on sentence, yes, but oh so true.
That said, I have ordered every piece of exterior trim that I can get my hands on, as I intend to keep my truck for as long as I can continue to drive it and enjoy it.
In preparation, I removed all of the old plastics this evening, with the expectation of having to sand and paint the neglected surfaces underneath, before installing the new parts.
Prior to the photos, I gave the truck an obligatory soapy bath, with the photos showing the result.
What did Mitsubishi paint these trucks with ? The underlying surfaces are absolutely flawless.
What a great truck.
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Nice truck FG, paint looks good.
I always thought powder coating was an electrostatic process, the part painted is charged and the paint is charged to create the bond and dry in a furnace type oven. It will take a lot more abuse than wet paint of any kind but it can chip or get scratched.
How are you going to paint wood? I assume your porch is wood, or was that the porch for the truck?
Yes, there is an acid dip process and a rinse, then blast air to dry the parts, hook up the electrodes, paint, bake, done. .
I always thought powder coating was an electrostatic process, the part painted is charged and the paint is charged to create the bond and dry in a furnace type oven. It will take a lot more abuse than wet paint of any kind but it can chip or get scratched.
How are you going to paint wood? I assume your porch is wood, or was that the porch for the truck?
Yes, there is an acid dip process and a rinse, then blast air to dry the parts, hook up the electrodes, paint, bake, done. .
FG Surfari
Adventurer
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