Mercedes 1222A.. The beginning!
- Thread starter Sitec
- Start date
Sitec
Adventurer
Decided to have a noisy morning this morning! A few hours spent with the thin disk cutting and shaping the two step carry plates. Once I had these in place I bent up a temporary top step to hold the two plates parallel. Now it's tacked in place, It might become permanent yet as It turned out quite tidy.
Sitec
Adventurer
A little more progress.. The first half of the step is all but completed, and I've manufactured the second folding half. Tonight I hope to add the hinges (salvaged from the original rear locker steps), and finish and cap the base of the steps. With a bit of luck they'll fold and sit inside the door. Re mozi's etc, if they can get between the hinge plate and the step base, then they're doing well. I can slide a piece of paper through the gap, but that's about all! 
Simon dix
Active member
Hey Simon, just had a look through your threads. Busy times........house, shed and camper. Awesome ?
Sitec
Adventurer
Yeah, I'm not one to sit still!! Starting to feel it now tho! The truck is the last project!
Sitec
Adventurer
So, a quick update. I've been pondering roof hatches for a while... We had settled on two decent sized hatches at an early stage in the build. We were going to go with the normal large glass hatch, but after pricing them up and thinking about it, they always strike me as just another way for someone to break in... They are also pretty pricey for two large hatches. So, with that in mind we then thought about not bothering, but (as Wifetec rightly says) if we don't do it now, it'll never happen! I have taken a punt and an going to make two solid insulated hatches. We need ventilation, we need easy roof access, but we don't need light (especially 40 deg Aussie light!). We have settled on 700mm wide, and 1000mm long. We will have one above the bed and one above the kitchen. Yesterday I fabricated the two frames out of some light 45 x45 x 2 RHS.
Sitec
Adventurer
And the last for today, here's the first of the two frames completed. These will be welded into the roof framework. The alli roof sheet will then overlap the flat section of the frame giving me every chance of of keeping the water out! Before I fit these 'rings' I'll make the two lids, hinge assembly and over center catches (prob sourced from a tractor back window). Now... suggestions time... The front hatch (kitchen area) does not need to open right up, so this will only lift partially (100mm/4" when open) using two short gas struts. I am thinking of having the catch towards the front of the vehicle and the hinge towards the rear... with the idea that I can open it on dirt roads and utilize it to pressurize the cabin (possibly doing away with my snorkel and filter idea).... Thoughts? The rear (bedroom) hatch will also be hinged at the rear and open partially, but will have longer gas struts so it can be opened vertically allowing us to lay in bed looking at the stars (feet facing forward towards truck cab). We won't use this for cabin pressurizing the cabin as it's further back probably in the dust area. With the hinges at the rear I can shape the lids with a taper at the front making it very unlikely for water ingress unless open. Thoughts?
Joe917
Explorer
As far as driving with the hatch open are you going to stop and close it every time you meet oncoming traffic ? If not skip it.
What is that all going to weigh? How do you plan to insulate?
Best way to keep dust out is to have no openings on the back wall, if you do then you need good seals.
What is that all going to weigh? How do you plan to insulate?
Best way to keep dust out is to have no openings on the back wall, if you do then you need good seals.