Build of my Rover.. Plans for now!

[Funrover]

So I have been doing some thinking of what I want my Rover to be. I am looking forward to the Ellis Jeep trail run and it got me thinking about what do I need to do to make my Rover a motorhome in ways. Here are my plans and I will update as I can.

1. Make up a canvas door that quickly attaches to the rear when tailgate is open. The bedding will be inside.

2. Make an awning of the side ( http://www.lcool.org/technical/sunshade/sun_shade.html)

3. Make an on board water system. Maybe 8 gallons tops This will mount between frame and slider

4. More lights inside

5. Curtains to some light and have some privacy

6. indoor storage

7. Swing away tire rack

I am wanting to go more expedition with the Rover.

[gragravar]

a couple thoughts:

1) if you plan to keep your upper tailgate open when in this configuration, you'll need to wire in a switch so you can turn off the interior lights/fool them into thinking the tailgate is closed.

2) ever think about grafting on a VW camper roof in place of your roof?
http://www.countryhomescampers.com/graphics/Redrock_Camper02.jpg

3) are your through the floor shocks gonna get in the way of your sleeping space?

4) Have you thought about removing the rear seats completely given they dont get out of the way too well?

5) how about putting in a raised floor made out of something like plywood as your sleeping surface, leaving room for extraction gear, and extra oil, extra parts, etc underneath?

6) finally the obvious - why not sleep in a tent next to the truck?

[Brody]

I really don't think that you can ask Aaron questions like 'why not the obvious' for 'obvious' reasons....I really don't think the lad's mind works like that....


No offense Aaron, but just ask some of your other friends.....

Andrew is right, though...go with a raised flooring of plywood with maybe a couple of pull out type drawers. Sleep on the raised section (or in a tent outside..HAHA)

Rig the rear canvas so that it attaches to the door. That way when you open the door for sleeping, you can extend the extra plywood you have on top of the raised section out, attach the canvas or nylon to the door and close off the back and gain a bunch more room inside.

Go to the junkyard and get the upper lights from a minivan. Cut the plastic to fit and wire them up. These are usually in two light arrays and are fairly powerful with seperate switches. The yards practically give them away. I have one in my heap and love it. I think I paid $3 for it.

I am not too sure about the water storage idea unless you are planning on very long desert trips. It wieghs 8 pounds per gallon and you can get by without using a lot unless you plan on showering with it. Sounds more like a PITA to me than anything else. Spend the money for this set up on a good water filter and a 5 gallon plastic water jug with a hand motor home pump.

[4Runninfun]

I really don't think that you can ask Aaron questions like 'why not the obvious' for 'obvious' reasons....I really don't think the lad's mind works like that....

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Funrover]

a couple thoughts:

1) if you plan to keep your upper tailgate open when in this configuration, you'll need to wire in a switch so you can turn off the interior lights/fool them into thinking the tailgate is closed.
Don't have that problem



2) ever think about grafting on a VW camper roof in place of your roof?

I have thought about that many times actually, it still plays with my mind



3) are your through the floor shocks gonna get in the way of your sleeping space?

Nope, we sleep fine with them.. done it a few times



4) Have you thought about removing the rear seats completely given they dont get out of the way too well?

Yeah that has crossed my mind and has worked into plans.. still undecided.


5) how about putting in a raised floor made out of something like plywood as your sleeping surface, leaving room for extraction gear, and extra oil, extra parts, etc underneath?
Oh yeah that has come into mind a million times, even thought of making one drawer a kitchen in ways.


6) finally the obvious - why not sleep in a tent next to the truck?
Last few times in a tent weren't that fun, plus Jessica likes the truck is really comfortable

[Funrover]

I really don't think that you can ask Aaron questions like 'why not the obvious' for 'obvious' reasons....I really don't think the lad's mind works like that....


No offense Aaron, but just ask some of your other friends.....

Andrew is right, though...go with a raised flooring of plywood with maybe a couple of pull out type drawers. Sleep on the raised section (or in a tent outside..HAHA)

Rig the rear canvas so that it attaches to the door. That way when you open the door for sleeping, you can extend the extra plywood you have on top of the raised section out, attach the canvas or nylon to the door and close off the back and gain a bunch more room inside.

Go to the junkyard and get the upper lights from a minivan. Cut the plastic to fit and wire them up. These are usually in two light arrays and are fairly powerful with seperate switches. The yards practically give them away. I have one in my heap and love it. I think I paid $3 for it.

I am not too sure about the water storage idea unless you are planning on very long desert trips. It wieghs 8 pounds per gallon and you can get by without using a lot unless you plan on showering with it. Sounds more like a PITA to me than anything else. Spend the money for this set up on a good water filter and a 5 gallon plastic water jug with a hand motor home pump.

LOL Yeah this Lads mind is a bit off hahaha :lol::lol: I also have thought about a hot water heater under hood where you just add a hose with a filter into a water source run the vehicle and you have a hot shower. As far on board water if I go out on a couple day run/camp trip it would be nice. It will be hand pump. Just to have something nice for cooking,cleaning etc.

I was also going to add a table onto the swing away rack for cooking/serving

[Pathrat]

What about hanging one of those camp shower bags off your roof rack and strapping it so it doesn't swing? Just off the top of my head, it seems like a cheap and easy source of warm water, assuming you aren't camping in the winter with it.

[Funrover]

What about hanging one of those camp shower bags off your roof rack and strapping it so it doesn't swing? Just off the top of my head, it seems like a cheap and easy source of warm water, assuming you aren't camping in the winter with it.

I have seen and looked into building a hot water shower.... Not too bad really. I will store a hose in the Rover that I can roll out and throw in a river and such... and the truck will run and heat the water up for an actual hot shower.

[Roostercruiser]

redneck motorhome?:thunb:

[Brody]

No kidding! Hey Aaron do you have any cool cars or trucks up on blocks in your yard yet??? Sounds like when you get done with your Rover, you're going to have to put a 'RUNNING' sign on it so it won't get towed away.....


Some more grief...HAHA

[Funrover]

No kidding! Hey Aaron do you have any cool cars or trucks up on blocks in your yard yet??? Sounds like when you get done with your Rover, you're going to have to put a 'RUNNING' sign on it so it won't get towed away.....


Some more grief...HAHA
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:


No cars on blocks. They all run. With this whole idea I actually plan to Keep the rover looking the same it does now pretty much.. that's the trick!

[Roostercruiser]

i think i found what your looking for a land rover truck roof tent with stairs


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZebFxrtrYE

[Funrover]

i think i found what your looking for a land rover truck roof tent with stairs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZebFxrtrYE

My wife doesn't like RTT's. :(

[Funrover]

Just came across this thanks to a friend. I sent an email to see how much they cost and if they make them for a rover!

http://www.xocom.com/ss/Sleepers.html#sleepers

[Roostercruiser]

Just came across this thanks to a friend. I sent an email to see how much they cost and if they make them for a rover!

http://www.xocom.com/ss/Sleepers.html#sleepers

thats a really good idea and bring a propane stove and a cooler and your done. pretty simple

[Brody]

Here is another 'expedition' rig. This one is armored and is in use in Iraq and looks like it has everything that Aaron would need...an F550, double beadlocks, plenty of storage, fence cutters, a gun port or two, extended crew cab, etc, etc...

[Funrover]

Here is another 'expedition' rig. This one is armored and is in use in Iraq and looks like it has everything that Aaron would need...an F550, double beadlocks, plenty of storage, fence cutters, a gun port or two, extended crew cab, etc, etc...

Yeah..... but it's a Ford.... No way I'd take it LOL Silly Pete :lol::lol:

No offense Larry, just had bad luck with Ford

[DETN8R]

That looks like one sweet Ford to me.

Anyway, sounds like we both want some Expeditions rigs. We'll need to collaborate on some projects.

[Funrover]

That looks like one sweet Ford to me.

Anyway, sounds like we both want some Expeditions rigs. We'll need to collaborate on some projects.

Sounds good! :thunb:

[Colorado Scott]

I've always been a fan of Rover Dormobiles and Carawagons. Here's a Range Rover fitted with a Carawagon "camper top".

http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/Range_alt/Range_Carawagon.jpg

More examples are here (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/Range_alt/Range_Carawagon.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML/Dormobile.htm&usg=__TJbiEshopAWy25JI3MXChVodpb4=&h=320&w=400&sz=25&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=NVI09sE9zzMOqM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drange%2Brover%2Bdormobile%26um%3D1%26 hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUS294%26sa% 3DG).

If my roof was flat I'd try to fit a VW camper top to mine.:thunb:

[Funrover]

I've always been a fan of Rover Dormobiles and Carawagons. Here's a Range Rover fitted with a Carawagon "camper top".


More examples are here (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/Range_alt/Range_Carawagon.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML/Dormobile.htm&usg=__TJbiEshopAWy25JI3MXChVodpb4=&h=320&w=400&sz=25&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=NVI09sE9zzMOqM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drange%2Brover%2Bdormobile%26um%3D1%26 hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUS294%26sa% 3DG).

If my roof was flat I'd try to fit a VW camper top to mine.:thunb:


A dormobile would be SWEET!!! That is a dream ride!

[4Runninfun]

aaron you should see if you can't grab a spare rangie roof from PPR, those dorm roofs don't look like they'd be that hard to make.

[Funrover]

aaron you should see if you can't grab a spare rangie roof from PPR, those dorm roofs don't look like they'd be that hard to make.

That has crossed my mind more than a few times. I dont know if I need it yet or not though.

So Jon.. how hard do you think it would be to make a heat exchanger?? I have a few ideas.

[Brody]

Aaron, try these links for your on board shower:

http://biobug.org/jeep/zj/shower/

http://forums.off-road.com/jeep-mid-sized/87939-onboard-shower.html

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-376.html

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324151

http://onboardshower.com/

http://citrusjeepers.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=426

I was trying to find an article in one of the wheeling mags where a guy shows details of building a sweet on board shower, but couldn't locate it. He had access to a machine shop, so maybe it isn't a big deal not locating it, either. Looks like there are many ways to do this and the articles/links I posted should get you there without big bucks.

[Funrover]

Aaron, try these links for your on board shower:

http://biobug.org/jeep/zj/shower/

http://forums.off-road.com/jeep-mid-sized/87939-onboard-shower.html

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-376.html

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324151

http://onboardshower.com/

http://citrusjeepers.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=426

I was trying to find an article in one of the wheeling mags where a guy shows details of building a sweet on board shower, but couldn't locate it. He had access to a machine shop, so maybe it isn't a big deal not locating it, either. Looks like there are many ways to do this and the articles/links I posted should get you there without big bucks.

Thanks! :thunb: I do see me doing this.

[Chris]

This is also being discussed on 'mud - here's a quote copied from there:

"Here's an idea I've been throwing around. Many of us have recently gone to OBA systems. Why not get one of those cheapo garden sprayers with the hand pump and attach a regulated air line from an OBA system and use the sprayer handle to distribute the water. Then you won't have to mess with hand pumping the sprayer. You could do the same thing with an RV tank plumbed with an air line, and then use any type of sprayer you see fit. "

Then somebody pointed out it would be fine if you don't mind oil in your shower. :lol:

[Funrover]

The oil is for your skin LOL

[Funrover]

I have decided on a totally new approach to the rear bumper. I have figured out a way to keep all of my departure angle and have a swing out carrier. It will take 2 hinges

http://www.hardwaresource.com/Store_ViewProducts.asp?Cat=1765
or greasable
http://www.hardwaresource.com/Store_ViewProducts.asp?Cat=1766

I am going to cut off the current hitch and mount it into the new bumper. the swing out will mount to the mini exo-cage that will go around the lights.

The way I see it:
hinge on passenger side/latch driver
Gives me better departure
With 2 points and a good latch you eliminate a lot of the rattle and break problems
I can carry more (plans are 1 tire, i jerry can, hi-lift, and a table that folds down on the backside)

[4Runninfun]

holy crap those things are EXPENSIVE!

[Brody]

Waste of your money. You can get a better hinge for $45 that will hold around a ton. Well, at least 700+++ pounds. See my earlier post as to hinges. I think I found some at poly performance that they sell for just what you want. I forgot who was asking about them, maybe Chris, but I posted it plus the link. You can probably find it by wading through all of my posts. It was only in the last week or so, too. Jim (SROR) also posted a reply to my hinges stuff, so his stuff would be easier to get through. He said that he also made them, but for some reason didn't post a price even though I asked. Probably couldn't compete with the $45 price is my guess. You can't just 'make' a hinge from scratch with double roller bearings for $45...

10 times the hinge, too...and greasable. We were looking at these same hinges to build the $5k door Bren and I were working on and ended up just making some as we had size constraints.

Really..don't waste your money on these

Here is the link:

http://www.rocklogic4x4.com/?pg=online_store&cat=Fabrication%20Parts&sel=%

[Colorado Scott]

holy crap those things are EXPENSIVE!

X2

You can do better in both price and quality. I made my own but EMS (http://emsoffroad.com/EMS_New/home.htm) has a pretty good unit here (http://emsoffroad.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=208).

http://emsoffroad.com/shop/images/used%20073.jpg

[Chris]

Here's another option: http://www.ironpigoffroad.com/fab/diy.shtml

Jim can vouch for the quality

[Funrover]

I guess I like the multi point thought. Seems to be more sturdy in my head.

[Brody]

Your dime...just figure what kind of weight these other hinges hold, what the hinges you like hold and what you are actually going to put on it weight wise. Sounds like you are talking roughly 100lbs a side...any of these are going to be way overkill for the application....

[Brody]

Ahhhhhhh....forget your Rover build. Pick up one of these and you'll have the best of both worlds...won't even have to pull the trailer....and, yes, those are gun ports....

[Funrover]

LMAO!!! Nice. I think I will stay with the main single pivot... Just been reading a lot bad lately so I got spooked!

[4Runninfun]

i think it's more about leverage if you have a 37" tire and hang it on the opposite side of the spindle well i wouldn't be surprised to see it break. but if you take your 34" put it close to the spindle you'll be just fine.

[Brody]

When you mount the spindle, just throw one or two triangluar braces back to the bumper.
Another trick, but a little harder to do, is to inset a piece of tubing into your bumper that the spindle with go into. Weld the tubing top and bottom, then weld the spindle into the tubing. Additionally, you can weld another piece of 1/4" flat stock on top of your bumper that this whole mess slides into. This pretty much eliminates any flex.

[Funrover]

I wish I had the $$$

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/pts/1049369296.html

upgrade my 3.9 to a 4.6 for under $2000.... that would be sweet!

[Colorado Scott]

I wish I had the $$$

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/pts/1049369296.html

upgrade my 3.9 to a 4.6 for under $2000.... that would be sweet!

You can do way better than that. Especially since all you need to go from a 3.9L to a 4.6L is really the crank, rods & pistons. The block would be a plus but that's about it. No sense paying for something you won't or don't need...

Go here (http://mgcc.org/swap.htm) and scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.

Here's the text from the link (mgcc.org).
4.6 long block $450 (http://mgcc.org/swapphotos/stan/4.6%20Long%20Block,%20Pic%203-2.jpg)
4.0 short block $200 (http://mgcc.org/swapphotos/stan/4.0%20Short%20Block,%20Pic%202-1.jpg)
4.0/4.6 heads w valves, 3 pair. flow better than buick $200 pr. (http://mgcc.org/swapphotos/stan/Heads%20w%20Valves,%20Pic%203.jpg)
4.6 bare block $200
4.6 piston/connecting rod assys, set of 8 $100
4.6 valve train - cam, lifters, pusrods, rocker assys, timing set $100
4.6 front cover w crank driven oil pump $75
4.6 oil pan and pick-up tube $75

I can give more complete descriptions, and provide pictures upon request.

Stan Edwards 303-423-8129
edwards_stan@msn.com

Posted 1/19/09

[Funrover]

Hmm... thanks for the link!