Sönke's hard-side popup camper

[goodwoodweirdo]

Hi Soenke (sorry I spelt your name wrong in a email !)

Is there any posts covering your HZJ78 Innovation Camper ? I think I've read something about the choice of wheels... but that’s it...

Would love to know more about it, I know the roof conversion company... but your choice of tyres and suspension is of interest. Why didn’t you have a bull bar like so many ? I would love to know you thoughts on its Overland potential as I have a older HZJ75 with Trakker roof conversion which I'm renovating... any pointers for the interior is also very much appreciated ...

Kindest regards
Matthew
Belgium

 

[soenke]

Hey Matthew, did you find a sailmaker to help you?

There is no special thread dealing with our HZJ78, it just has been mentioned on MUD.
I just have a few scaned Dia to show you, and I lost all pics from the inside...

We have had the heavy OME suspension and 6.5x16" steel rims with XZL 255/100. The diffs had been changed to 4,88:1...
It was perfekt driving on washboard pists or on lava tracks.
But I dont think the hassel is worth it because the diffs are weaker with 4.88


Rather get the gear box of an HDJ80 (and maybe the engine too :drool or stay with 255/85R16 , 285/75 R16 or even 7.5R16....
But your are lucky the HZJ 75 is build much stronger..

We don´t need a bull bar, I try not to hit anything :elkgrin:...it´s just to much weight for no use, at least in Northafrika or Iceland. We fitted a storage box between frame and bumper instead.
Maybe I would use one in Namibia (Kudu) or Australia (kangaroo) when driving high speed on the dirt roads

 

[goodwoodweirdo]

Hi Soenke,

I've found a company who can help with making the canvas but I need to find the material, this is the fun part... would really like something insulated as we'll be travelling in Europe for the next coming years. Any ideas .... maybe a double sided canvas with insulation inside... might be possible to make something.

Being very new to this, (my previous travels where on a Honda Africa Twin :bike_rider. I'm thinking I should change from the current 15” to 16” wheels, go for something narrow and fit spacers. Keep the tyre narrow to minimize drag and save the bearings / fuel consumption; I also have the 2H engine, so I'm looking for “no brainer” modifications – however like it stock as it runs very sweet and I like the simplicity.. and in the meantime plan on loosing some of the weight, this must have an effect when driving on the highway & off road...

Salutjes
Matthew

:ylsmoke:

 

[Scott39]

Hey Matthes, did you find a sailmaker to help you?

There is no special thread dealing with our HZJ78, it just has been mentioned on MUD.
I just have just a few scaned Dia to show you, and I lost all pics from the inside...

We have had the heavy OME suspension and 6.5x16" steel rims with XZL 255/100. The diffs had been changed to 4,88:1...
It was perfekt driving on washboard pists or on lava tracks.
But I dont think the hassel is worth it because the diffs are weaker with 4.88

Rather get the gear box of an HDJ80 (and maybe the engine too :drool or stay with 255/85R16 , 285/75 R16 or even 7.5R16....
But your are lucky the HZJ 75 is build much stronger..

We don´t need an bull bar, I try not to hit anything :elkgrin:...it´s just to much weight for no use at least in Northafrika or Iceland. We fitted a storage box between frame and bumper.
Maybe I would use one in Namibia (Kudu) or Australia (kangaroo) when driving high speed on the dirt roads

Nice setup, especially the two sea kayaks.:sombrero:

 

[lostfamilyof6]

Sorry to bring up a long ago post

Sorry to bring up a thread that was written so long ago but I have to say that I haven't been able to sleep for days because I have been dreaming about this truck.
Truly superior to anything of its size that I have seen here in the U.S.
:drool:

 

[dustboy]

Sorry to bring up a thread that was written so long ago but I have to say that I haven't been able to sleep for days because I have been dreaming about this truck.
Truly superior to anything of its size that I have seen here in the U.S.
:drool:

Thanks, now I have to lose sleep too. Again.

 

[AxeAngel]

That is sexy.

 

[Kilroy]

Your on the right track with the narrow tyre's. Wind resistance will be as big or bigger a factor at highway speeds as weight. The two kayaks will probably cost 2-3 mpg loss at highway speeds, minimum. We make our choices and pay the price. Have fun, what a great looking rig.

Hi Soenke,

I've found a company who can help with making the canvas but I need to find the material, this is the fun part... would really like something insulated as we’ll be travelling in Europe for the next coming years. Any ideas .... maybe a double sided canvas with insulation inside... might be possible to make something.

Being very new to this, (my previous travels where on a Honda Africa Twin :bike_rider. I’m thinking I should change from the current 15” to 16” wheels, go for something narrow and fit spacers. Keep the tyre narrow to minimize drag and save the bearings / fuel consumption; I also have the 2H engine, so I'm looking for “no brainer” modifications – however like it stock as it runs very sweet and I like the simplicity.. and in the meantime plan on loosing some of the weight, this must have an effect when driving on the highway & off road...

Salutjes
Matthew

:ylsmoke:

 

[ColinTheCop]

Lucky I saved every pic of this wonderful rig I could find.

I wasn't really trying to steal it - Honest. :drool:

Anway, I see someone in Oz has copied your design Sonke, albeit done on a smaller budget by the look of it.

(clicky)




Being right hand drive, it's perfect for the UK, if only I wasn't married it be flying down there and driving it back up through Africa.

 

[slowtwitch]

This thread is an eye opener. WOW.


-Mike

 

[ETAV8R]

Amazing!

 

[4Rescue]

THis is easily one of the COOLEST trucks I've EVER seen... Man I love the work you've done. Taking the style and charisma of the 40-series and addin g the plushness and technology of the 80-series is just plain awesome even BEFORE you get to the amazing pop-up camper. Such amazing work mate.

Cheers

Dave

 

[soenke]

thanks guys.

I didn´t find to much time to keep on improving details, so there is still no reading light inside the cabin, we just use a small flashlight

We had to postpone our this year summer trip to Iceland to October...so I tried to fit military chains on the 37" and they just fit perfectly. All I need is spacers to maintain the full clearance offroad...

hope I can make some nice pics in snow, storm and rain...

 

[jeepdreamer]

Sigh...

One of the things I love about this is the verefication of a build. Soekne has built one of the nicest and well thought out rigs I have ever seen. It is easily one of my all time favorites, hands down. But what I really enjoy is that he is a down to earth guy and truly uses what he has crafted. And is humble enough to provide proof that no matter how much thought and planning go into a build, there will always be some, though tiny, miniscule detail that can be addressed. The reading light in this instance.

 

[Guloffroad.com]

I Think is the most beautiful Land Cruiser camper that I´ve seen.
With your permission, I shared your Toyota with my friends of Foro4x4.com
Bye!