Supercamper

[southpier]

Those are good questions. You should send them a note (check their profile, too).
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=47550&postcount=31

i checked the website (dated '06) and the most recent blog (1-'10) and like after like 30 seconds like couldn't like stand like listening to like it like ...


i'll just assume that i've asked rhetorical questions, and go with it . . . like

 

[Ford Prefect]

Yeah, it is a very cool rig.

They are a nice couple as well. I am sure that if you write to him he will answer any questions you may have.

As for the use of the camper, they bought a place in south america, so they are out of the country on a lot of their vacation time now, thus not much time to use the camper anymore. Ryan said that they would continue to use it on small trips, but as it is so much faster to fly down...

Suber cool camper, and a very worth while read.

 

[thebrassnuckles]

that thing is amazing!!!

i am envisioning a removeable version on top of a 1st gen 4runner...:drool:

 

[SuperCamperos]

Update

Hi everyone! Been a long time, but thought that I’d give some updates on the Supercamper. Everything had been working great for years with many trips under its belt, but Baja has finally caught up to me. Driving hard & weighed down with supplies, my rear axle bearing went out on me in the middle of nowhere. Drove for a while into the night with the axle riding on the housing bore trying to get somewhere where I could get some help. Anyways after a complete meltdown and then a really expensive tow truck drive, the Supercamper is now in my backyard disassembled waiting for an overhaul. I always suspected the rear end was going to give me trouble at some point…

Anyways I’m looking into getting a custom axle housing and a full-float axle setup. Disc brakes too, but things quickly get complicated when you want an E-brake. I’ve been checking around trying to find the best way of doing all this. I’ll let you guys know what I come up with, and if you have any suggestions I’d like to hear any input.

Also a new CARC 686 tan paint job is in the works as well and blacking out all of the chrome and some underbody POR-15 rust stopping. I just hope the inside doesn’t get too dark with an extra coat of paint—I really like how the Nida-Core still glows even after painting the inside and out—it stays really bright inside…

 

[IdaSHO]

Im pretty surprised you made it that long without a full-floater :sombrero:


Thanks for the update!

Specifically, what full float axle are you looking at right now?

And why the desire for rear disc? Or is the axle you are looking at already rear disc?

 

[SuperCamperos]

I've been talking with the guys at Ruff Stuff and Front Range Off Road about making a custom axle housing with thick wall (3/8") tubing that bolts into my existing 3rd member and then an adapter plate to tie into a spindle and the hub. I'm still not totally clear on which truck the spindle and hub, etc are normally used--I'm still trying to iron out all the details. I wanted to keep my diff and e-locker stock as well as wheel lug pattern and wheelbase.

I was leaning toward disc brakes because it's a pain when the drums fill up with mud and sand and need to be cleaned (this is usually after I get stuck which I try to avoid!). Also a little extra braking power wouldn't be a bad thing for my heavy rig. That's probably the one thing that suffers the most as far as handling is concerned....

 

[washington taco]

What about an 80 series rear axle? I'm not sure the width will work but if you get the right one with e locker and they all have disc brakes. Might be the way to go!

 

[mtnkid85]

Another ebrake option for rear discs is to run a transfer case output ebrake like this one from All Pro. https://www.allprooffroad.com/8489brakeupgrades/33

 

[SuperCamperos]

It's a good option but I haven't been able to find a transfer case ebrake for a 2004 V6 Taco...the all-pro is pre '95 and 4 cyl only. I'm not sure if there's one out there somewhere or not...

 

[frgtwn]

The 80 rear axle has both disc brakes, and a drum brake (parking brake). Could work, but I have no knowledge of how well it does in sand.

 

[robert]

Toyota made the Land Cruiser axles in semi and full floater versions. I'd call Kurt, SOR or one of the Cruiser specialist and see if they can find you a full floater. Another option is either a custom axle or to modify your current one into a full flaoter such as work done by Diamond Axle. http://www.diamondaxle.com/rear_nonsteering.htm No experience with them but I've seen them mentioned on several forums. I'm sure there are others that can convert your axles as well.

There are threads on this on both pirate and ih8mud.

ETA, here's one I found quickly: http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/swapping-tacoma-rear-end-for-an-fj80.340344/

Front Range Offroad makes a conversion kit to convert your current axle to a full floater.

 

[SuperCamperos]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm likely going to go with a diamond axle with the FROR float conversion--these two companies are run by the same guy, Brian Ellinger. He seems to be the authority on this full float conversion. Apparently he has a kit using a 2003+ 4runner disk/drum brake adapted off of the full float housing. It's still in the prototype stages, but about ready to be released. If this falls through, then the fj80 seems like a good option...still would be a lot of work cutting the housing to center the diff, custom axles, etc...

 

[robert]

Definitely double check, but I seem to recall reading that you don't have to center the diff on the LC axle as the offset doesn't put a strain on the driveshaft. I'm too lazy to search now but it was something I kinda looked at doing several years ago. Another option would be to use a 9" Ford with a full floater kit on it; there is a ton of suport out there for them including companies that will build them to spec.

 

[Dances with Wolves]

Ryan, Very cool build/adventures. I read both the thread on expo and your blog over the last few days. Keep it up!

 

[tgreening]

Hang on....? Supercamper isn't related to SuperFJ is it? Because me n all the rest of The Haters don't wanna be hatin on the wrong thing/person.