NPR 4wd conversion and camper build thread.

[Ramdough]

It looks like a work of art more than a standard expo vehicle. I can't wait to see what the final product looks like.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[javajoe79]

Thanks

 

[javajoe79]

The camper was originally meant to go on a pickup truck frame. It's angled for better aerodynamics. Now instead of the front portion being over a pickup cab, it's behind the npr cab. When closed it's about even with the top of the NPR cab.

 

[javajoe79]

Thanks man. I'm really excited too. Wish I had rebelzilla money and a crew to work on it. I might finish this decade!

 

[SkiFreak]

I might finish this decade!

I hear ya.

 

[javajoe79]

The aircraft aluminum style and strength is beyond sexy...and it seems like thermally and cost, the composites seem to win...

Yeah I have tons of time and material cost in this but the aluminum skeleton is more my style. I have some composite skills but generally don't care for working with them. I agree though that cost and thermal properties are better with composites.

Here is the latest project on the truck. This box/tank combo will hold 4 GC-2 6 volt batteries for house power, a group 27 starting battery and 38 gallons of water. It's all 1/8" 304 stainless steel. Someone gave me two giant pieces of this material so I figured why not go major overkill? I hate painting things anyway and if I had unlimited time and budget, I would build everything from SS or aluminum.

Also made a bit more progress on the camper skin. I got all the fixed windows glued in with sika and almost have all the skin done. I am installing 2 marine hatches as well.

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

Impressed!

Damn that is some nice aluminum work you are doing there.

And where did you get those rims from, would they fit and carry the load on a FG84 I wonder??

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

Do you have an idea of what your finished wet weight will be?

I am assuming this question is directed at me re my question above?

I can get away with 1,600kg per wheel but would prefer 1,800kg per wheel.

 

[javajoe79]

I meant , java joe what do you expect your final wet weight of the rig to be?

Hopefully under 15k lbs. Based on the weights of other rigs that I have seen, I think I should be closer to 12k

Damn that is some nice aluminum work you are doing there.

And where did you get those rims from, would they fit and carry the load on a FG84 I wonder??

Thanks! They are H1 Hummer wheels that I recentered to match the ford axles. Trail worthy fab makes the centers. I am sure they would make you a custom set for whatever bolt pattern you need. They will also build up complete wheels to your specs. Somewhat of a downside is they are 16.5" wheels so your tire options are limited. They are rated around 3850 lbs each.

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

I meant , java joe what do you expect your final wet weight of the rig to be?

Family friendly, what did you mean you can get away with 1600, but would prefer 1800???

Oops sorry Davidl13, I am so absorbed with my own problems I did not realize you were talking to Javajoe79. My figure in kilograms is what I need each of my rims to be able to handle.

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

Thanks! They are H1 Hummer wheels that I recentered to match the ford axles. Trail worthy fab makes the centers. I am sure they would make you a custom set for whatever bolt pattern you need. They will also build up complete wheels to your specs. Somewhat of a downside is they are 16.5" wheels so your tire options are limited. They are rated around 3850 lbs each.

Thanks for the infor Javajoe79, they sure do look the business! Sadly I would have to remortgage my house to get H1 rims in South Africa.

 

[javajoe79]

I finished the water tank/battery box. I baffled the outlet port to allow the water pump to drain it down to the last 1/4". The outlet is 1/2" NPT. I Mig welded the inside and tig welded the external seams. Should hold around 36 gallons, 4-6 volt golf cart batteries and a group 27 starting battery.

 

[javajoe79]

I also finished the front subframe. The forward mounts are solid and bolt in where the stock transmission mount? crossmember bolted in. The rear mounts are sprung as you can see. The springs are about 200lb/in. The retaining bolts for the springs bolt into steel rods that are welded to the subframe. They pass through the lower half of the mount and act as locators as well. My plan is to more or less duplicate this setup for the rear crossmember that the camper box will sit on except it will be sold at the rear and sprung in the front.

 

[unkamonkey]

It looks like you are doin well.
Don't get into the pissing contests that a lot of the motor home crowd get into about how many batteries they have and how much fresh water they haul around in their 36' camper. I stood around listening to all of the rich guys spouting off and finally told them that I carry more fresh water than them and have 6 batteries in mine as well as a porcelain toilet. Only 20' long.
I am jealous as a friends father has a motor home that has a 250 gal tank for his diesel fuel.

 

[javajoe79]

It looks like you are doin well.
Don't get into the pissing contests that a lot of the motor home crowd get into about how many batteries they have and how much fresh water they haul around in their 36' camper. I stood around listening to all of the rich guys spouting off and finally told them that I carry more fresh water than them and have 6 batteries in mine as well as a porcelain toilet. Only 20' long.
I am jealous as a friends father has a motor home that has a 250 gal tank for his diesel fuel.

Thanks. I'm not worried about it. I could have built in more water capacity and battery space but I doubt I will ever need it. If some day I feel like I need more of either, the whole thing could become a water tank pretty easy and I can move the batteries.