Sönke's hard-side popup camper

[soenke]

@Spence,
we have about 380l Diesel and need between 10-15l for 100km depending on speed, wind and terrain

@Pete,
we have been very conservativ using map, compass and SAT.pictures, having the gps stored away most of the time.

Last trip to Iceland we used digital maps and a running Garmin 276 for the first time...and it made things easier!

I plan to instal a Toughbook 18 for navigation with FUGAWI and for internet access.

In the moment we use for kommunikation mobile phone D2, GlobalStar SAT phone and a handheld 2m marine radio

 

[spencyg]

If I calculated that right, you're getting between 19 and 28 MPG with that rig. That is amazing! I'm lucky to get 14 MPG with mine unloaded. Loaded is closer to 11-12.

Fabulous.

Spence

 

[Lynn]

According to this online conversion calculator, it's between 15.7 and 23.5 mpg.

Really good economy!

 

[atlib]

WoW Great build

Soenke will I be seeing you in Iceland next summer?

 

[soenke]

Hey atlib,

The plan is to go kayaking this year, visititing Vancouver Island.
So unfurtunally there will be not time and money left this year to go to Iceland in summer. I think we will be there next year again....

 

[cumminscruiser]

basket case 40

Wow, I have a basket case FJ40 and now I can't stop thinking about building something like this.

 

[soenke]

just go ahead, a few guys on MUD have been thinking about it too, we could help telling you how we managed to solve some problems (cooler, stearing etc...)

 

[Ramdough]

BL, cab location

Hey Soenke,

You are becoming a very popular guy. From what I read on this forum, you have a 5 inch (13 cm) body lift. That is Huge! Has that caused any problems? Is it possible to just reshape the fenders, or is it the location of your feet that causes the tire interference?

Also, how far forward did you slide the J4 body?

What kind of backspacing did you use on your wheels? For some reason I thought you pushed the tires out with a non-stock backspacing.

I think you will find this forum well suited to the traveling you do...nice people here as well. (nothing against MUD, I just have barely spent any time there)

 

[soenke]

hey again,

If you want to leave the mounts in place (wich means the drive train stock) and the radiator in front, the cab has to move foward in relation of the original J4 front axle position. The cab is still much further back as the 80 body as you see looking at the bumper...In order to fit the tires under the front fender they have to move up. The body lift isn´t a problem, you have to rebuilt all lines and the stearing anyway...

here you can see the position of the front in relation to the J8 frame. Compared to the J4 axle position its is a few centimeters, we didn´t measure. All we wanted was the tires not to rub. 35" will work with chains, 37" don´t touch...

and my feet have nothing to do with it...for them we stretched the body ...

the rims are 8"R16 ET 0 , no spacing at all. I know someone how put on nissan rims to be less wide with his J7/J8 Hybrid but the turning circle will suffer.

 

[Ramdough]

Hey Soenke,


I assume you did not do anything to the suspension aside from heavy duty springs.... is that right?

Thank you for all of your help.

 

[Totenkopf]

Can you say how much the cost was for just the shell part of your box?

 

[Funrover]

My friend that is one of the coolest things I have seen, well done!

 

[Lynn]

Every time this thread pops up, I think to myself, "Man, what an awesome truck."

It's time I said it out loud.

Well done!

 

[soenke]

thanks Lynn and Funrover,

the suspension and the shocks are from HT suspension custom made.

I guess the cabin would cost around 20K€, depending on the standard, just ask Marcus from the offroad-schmiede ...

 

[Totenkopf]

Thanks for the info...I only asked because I emailed offroadschmiede a while ago and he never sent back.