Please share your knowledge/what truck?

[JHender]

Hi everyone!

My name is Jermaine 25 years old and I am new here, I apologize if I ask some questions that may have been asked many times already and I just can't find them in the forum.



I am planning on doing a Mitsubishi Fuso 4x4 conversion. I am a mechatronic engineer (soon software engineer) and confident that I can do a lot on my own. The only problem (to be blunt) I have no clue about any form of automotive vehicles and just started finding my way into this big and fascinating topic.



My plan for this expedition truck is, to travel the USA to collect as much experience as possible and then China, Europe and then maybe West Africa. (bold I know) I have a good amount of savings and I will probably sell my small business. And on top, I am able to work remotely as a software engineer so I am not bound to any location as long I have some satellite internet.



But to start I would like to know.

1. What Mitsubishi Fuso?

2. Why that one what does all that mean?

3. Should I use one with a freezing box?

4. What do you consider a must!

5. What energy form (electric or gas or both solar and so on)?

6. What is the best way to start out of your guy's experience?

7. How much did you guys spend on your projects?



I know a lot of post says it is up to you want a vehicle to choose but I would like some guidance and learn from your own experience.



Best regards everyone!

 

[gait]

Hi everyone!

My name is Jermaine 25 years old and I am new here, I apologize if I ask some questions that may have been asked many times already and I just can't find them in the forum.

I am planning on doing a Mitsubishi Fuso 4x4 conversion. I am a mechatronic engineer (soon software engineer) and confident that I can do a lot on my own. The only problem (to be blunt) I have no clue about any form of automotive vehicles and just started finding my way into this big and fascinating topic.

Treat it as any top down project. The more thought and design up front the less effort towards the end.

I'm nearly 70. I have quite different requirements now to when I was 25 - I set off into the desert in an ex taxi with a tent and lots of water in the boot (trunk).

My plan for this expedition truck is, to travel the USA to collect as much experience as possible and then China, Europe and then maybe West Africa. (bold I know) I have a good amount of savings and I will probably sell my small business. And on top, I am able to work remotely as a software engineer so I am not bound to any location as long I have some satellite internet.

satellite internet is neither ubiquitous nor cheap. In some countries satphones and other two-way satellite communications are banned.

But to start I would like to know.

1. What Mitsubishi Fuso? High clearance and entry/exit angles are more important than 4WD. Single cab has more deck space than crew cab (two rows of seats). FE models are 2WD. FG models are 4WD. Around 2000 engine became electronic with computer, diagnostics not available. More recent have common rail diesel. There are also automatic and manual. The recent Duonic automatic transmission gets mixed comments. Older vehicles are more tolerant of various diesel grades (some countries have more lead than US).

2. Why that one what does all that mean? Really depends on budget and where the vehicle is going. While they are marketed as a "world vehicle" in reality there are different country variants and parts books for one country are not provided to dealers/maintenance in other countries so interminable communications with head office in Germany. Same with any vehicle moving round the world, take as much information, or have access to it, as possible.

3. Should I use one with a freezing box? I don't understand the question.

4. What do you consider a must! Reliability. Access to everything for maintenance. Comfort - the Canters are basic urban delivery trucks with hard, short, springs. They all have dual rear wheels which can be a liability in some conditions.

5. What energy form (electric or gas or both solar and so on)? Minimise number of fuels. I have no gas ... possible but a challenge to refill in Asia, or even Europe with Australian truck. Solar, Lithium battery, induction cooker (used to be diesel before upgrade). No shore power, backup generation from alternator. Diesel (hydronic) space heating, hot water, engine preheat - change the valves for space heating and hot water from engine.

6. What is the best way to start out of your guy's experience? At the beginning. Go camping somewhere where these sorts of vehicles are likely to be found and ask lots of questions. There are some expos.

7. How much did you guys spend on your projects? Lots. Anything associated with RV is expensive in Australia. Anything one-off is expensive anywhere. Modifications (seats, springs, shock absorbers, single wheels) are expensive anywhere. Though expensive is a relative term. Three costs are basic vehicle, modifications to vehicle, how ambitious the house build is. Everything from putting a pre-built camper on the back, through using an existing box, to custom scratch build. Everything from a mattress, a primus stove and a bucket of water through to a one room apartment on wheels with all home comforts.

I know a lot of post says it is up to you want a vehicle to choose but I would like some guidance and learn from your own experience. Its an iterative process - narrative depends on the audience as well as the speaker. How I describe things depends on my impression of their experience to bridge the gap.

Best regards everyone!

 

[WhereisFranklin]

A camper worth waiting for... This forum member seems to be on a similar journey. There have been a number of responses that may prove useful for you in terms of construction and inclusions.

 

[flossandfredsadventures]

G'day.

Which 10 year old 4x4 light truck should I get?

I am from Australia so have access to the Fuso/Canter, Isuzu and Hino.

I've looked around the forums and it seems the Isuzus are the better buy for the current generation, but what about a few generations ago (10 years ago?).
I'm not in the market for one now but am doing my homework for it in a few years time due to the absence of funds.
I am looking at around the $30,000 mark.

How much more reliable are the newer trucks, (the Isuzu NPS300s) compared to the older ones?
I've heard of issues with common rail diesels in utes and passenger cars.... but what about in trucks?
The current year models seem to go for around the $70-80k mark.

An oldie but a goodie

 

[kerry]

I would aim for a well kept or well restored pre-computerized engine model. It's my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong) that the diagnostic software for the computerized versions is proprietary and very expensive. You don't want to face an undiagnosable problem in a remote area. If you do end up with a computerized engine, in my view, you'd want to have the diagnostic software immediately available to you.

 

[SkiFreak]

You don't want to face an undiagnosable problem in a remote area.

As much as it is true that a scan tool for the later model Fuso models can be expensive, Fuso did add the ability to retrieve the majority of error codes via a "blink" method at the dash.
This is not the most ideal solution, but it will tell you what the computer is complaing about, should there be a issue. I should add, you need access to the technical manual in order to interpret the blink codes.

 

[gait]

you may recall

As much as it is true that a scan tool for the later model Fuso models can be expensive, Fuso did add the ability to retrieve the majority of error codes via a "blink" method at the dash.
This is not the most ideal solution, but it will tell you what the computer is complaing about, should there be a issue. I should add, you need access to the technical manual in order to interpret the blink codes.

just a trade off between "some electronic diagnostics but potential computer says no" and "trial and error fault finding". Regardless of which vehicle having faults while away from home can be challenging, most important bit is to sufficiently understand the vehicle.

 

[SkiFreak]

most important bit is to sufficiently understand the vehicle.

Absolutely!

 

[Aussie Iron]

For me the choice would be simple. No computer at all, so around 2000 Fg637 Model 4.2Litre engine. A lot cheaper than later models or new and then rebuild to the standard that you want. This will work out a lot less expensive than a new one. Yes you are going to need to fit a turbo to increase performance and once that is done right you are driving a totally different vehicle.

All the rest you are going to do on any other Canter that you buy. Suspension, Shockies, Wheels and a body to suit you requirements.

Two days ago while I was heading north from my place we meet a B-double going south with 5 earlier model Canters on it from the bush fire service possibly going to auction. So they are out there and these will be good buying and usually low mileage.

Dan.

 

[gait]

probably getting off topic ...... into the more general "to have a computer or not?" ..... there was a thread a few months ago, UK based Canter wouldn't start. Local garages wouldn't touch it. Owner desperate enough to consider selling. Limited knowledge of vehicle but capable of good communication. It took a couple of weeks of corespondence - to read the blink code (and history), and interpret what the code meant, including support from Fuso Australia technical help. It was clearly a fuel pump problem. So off to a Bosch agent for a couple of days to remove pump, recondition (it was the microprocessor inside the pump) and refit. Without the diagnostics (and internet) it would have been almost have been impossible to help at distance. Prior to diagnostics it would have been "change this bit and see what happens". While there may be occasions when the computer says no they are few on the 4D34(T) engine (in about 1998 to 2005 FG649 Canters). While sensors can go wrong they are relatively easily identified with a bit of logic. Separately, I recently replaced my engine, plugged it in, it started within 3 seconds.

I'm guessing a 25 year old mechatronics engineer has never owned a vehicle that didn't have a computer, would not be used to maintaining a vehicle that doesn't have computer and diagnostics, and plans to have satellite internet. The world has changed (I'm a young almost 70).