Expedition weight???

[yorker]

cool pics! Don't forget the OBC- Even upgraded rover bits didn't fare too well. Toyota and Nissan GR swaps did. http://outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?t=87390

http://www.outback4x4challenge.com/

http://www.offroadimages.com.au/OffroadHome/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=42

[Mercedesrover]

That's true Yorker. Remeber "Big-A$$ Rover". I can't imagine the money he spent going over there from Florida and completely TRASHED his truck. He broke everything there was to break and then some. Last I heard that truck was still in Australia getting Nissan axles stuffed underneath it.

Rover axles:



And remember that shortened Disco? That truck was running Rovertracks axles and Toyota centers. If I remeber right he didn't break anything.

Toyota centers / Rovertracks axles:





Here are some pictures of a Disco II on 42' Iroks over in Lebanon. This truck runs Toyota V6 thirds with ARB lockers.

I can't understand why anyone does this conversion!!

[yorker]

Didn't Jason from Red Rhino literally break off the swivel ball? Something drastic like that IIRC. I can't remember now. These conversions have been all over Oz and South Africa. Were well proven in Toyotas prior to that.

[Mercedesrover]

I just looked up Red Rhino's website get-rhino.com...Nothing there any longer. That kid was sure a flash in the pan. A year ago he thought he'd light the Land Rover world on fire. I haven't seen his name around in quite some time now. Still, I admire the kid for draining his dad's bank account and giving it a go.

[yorker]

So much for being the "drop ship king". I know Draken/ Equipe4X4 had problems with him too, Don't think they ever got paid for everything they shipped him.

Ah well it will be interesting to see the next US entrants in the OBC will be. Rovertracks was going to do it again in '08 I think?

[poko]

Ambulance

I put in a Salisbury rear and promptly broke and axle in that. WE use our ambulance hard. Great Basin rovers provided upgraded axles and flanges and they are great. Check out Caranex tents too, they made one that fit the back of the ambulance perfectly. I have some photos of our camping set-up if you are interested.

I would definitely be interested in looking at the tent set up and I have a few questions about your axle upgrade. I left you a private message.

Thanks,

Chuck

[yorker]

Axle Material

Jim-"Mercedes Rover",

Your axles are 1541H aren't they? Any chance you could get them made in other materiels? 4340, EN25, or HYTUFF? I know a lot of people seem to be having trouble getting MD axles and other stuff- someone needs to fill that void, I think there is even a market for HD 10 spline axles, quite a few people have already invested $$$$ in 10 spline traction devices and they need something better than stock axle shafts...


Matt Nelson

[TSR53]

Here's a bump for yaa guys. Nice photos! . Keep up the good surfing .

[TeriAnn]

I would definitely be interested in looking at the tent set up

I had a Carannex tent for a while in the late '90's. They seem best suited for good weather use. The frame creates a flat rectangular section that traps rain. A heavy rain will create an ever enlarging pool of water inside the frame as the tent canvas gets drawn into the flat frame area by the weight. Then the stretch pulls out the ground stakes. The cure is to put a higher peak at the flat top with something like a frame modification or boards so the water runs off and does not puddle. If they just would have put arched top cross members in the frame instead of straight ones there would be no problem.

The interior is good enough for a single cot/sleeping bag and walking space or 2 cots/sleeping bags and no walking space (inside person has to go over outside person).

I found the door awning to be too narrow to use for shade or to protect from rain coming in the door.

They say you can drive off, leave the tent free standing then come back and "redock" to the tent. The reality is that the tent is a good seal aound the rear of the Rover and there is no way you are going to back the LR into the exact same location. You get the LR as close as you can to the original location, pull the tent stakes and move the tent back into alignment with the LR then restake it.

For a whole lot less $$$ you can get a nice stand alone tent with more space, better rain protection that you don't need to move every time you bring your LR back to base camp.

[JimCT]

Caranex tent

I have to dissagree completely....we have a Caranex made for our '68 ambulance/camper. There is the option of an extra set of poles that help with the flat section of the tent top. We spent an entire month, most of which was constant rain, up in Maine one summer. Drove away and left it at the campsite set up everyday. It is really handy when working form a base camp site to be able to leave the gear you need at camp but not in your vehicle. Never had a problem backing up to it when we returned. We sleep in the ambulance and our dog in the tent, and it gives you a place to stand up and dress, and or cook inside if it is pouring rain. Basically adds a very useful room to the back of your vehicle, and gives you a place to store stuff when you are out exploring. Jim

[TeriAnn]

I have to dissagree completely....we have a Caranex made for our '68 ambulance/camper.

Hi Jim. Our tents are different in that one that fits the rear of an ambulance is wider and I think maybe taller than the non-ambulance series version.

When did you buy yours? I got mine during a sale in 1996 and I don't recall any optional poles to put a peak in the flat section. If yours is significantly newer they may have made improvements to the design. I stand by my statement that my tent was a disaster in heavy coastal downpours.

Either way I glad that you are happy with your tent. Could be a better version than I had or it could be that you are just better at setting them up than I. As far as docking them, with the Dormobile lifting roof I had very little rear space for the cover that goes over the back of the LR and had to get the location just perfect to get a seal with that little overlap. Could be that a flat roofed Rover doesn't need to be criticaly placed to reseal the tent.

Either way I'm glad your tent works for you and I love your ambulance

[yorker]

Do you realize that weight is only 500 lbs more than a JK jeep? 300lbs more than an Unlimited and 1000lbs less than the curb weight of a Dodge 2500? It seems heavy when compared to a 2900 lb 88 but in reality it isn't huge. With a decently overbuilt axle and power train you'll be fine.

TAW- what is your curb weight fully kitted out for a trip like when you went to the ANARC ralley?

Matt Nelson

[TeriAnn]

TAW- what is your curb weight fully kitted out for a trip like when you went to the ANARC ralley?

Fully loaded for a trip, wine cellar stocked, all three fuel tanks full (42 gallons), the 15 gallon water tank full, me and an adult Irish Wolfhound aboard comes to 5650 lbs as the public scale reads.

Comfort weighs.

[yorker]

That really isn't that bad at all, I imagine it is a joy with the power to weight ratio you have now... Maybe I'll end up with a 302 in my 109. I'm curious to see how yours works out with the EFI conversion. I'm still in the planning stages but lately I've been moving in the Ford direction rather than a 3.5 Rover v8.

Matt Nelson

[Leslie]

I think I'll install a sail on the roof of mine....