Sitec's Truck......

With the roof basket on the bench, I could start the infill process... Light support bars...

Attachment 164477

Side panels, with the fold along their length to match the fold in the Hab Box roof line...

Attachment 164478

And of course the horn box... This will not only hide the thumping great train horn, but also doubles as an air box/scoop, which has a rear outlet straight into the cab roof vent. The idea being we can open the cab roof hatch when moving, open the access doors to the body and funnel air into the body, pressurising it on dirt roads to help keep the dust out. We'll see how well it works eh!

Attachment 164479

With an all but completed roof basket, it was time to lift it back on. This time I used the handy step in the workshop, which gave the tractor more height. It was still dodgy, but went without incident! With the basket on I refitted the lights, and side panels.

Attachment 164480

For the first time, I could see if I had managed to make the body look like it should be there behind the cab. I think I've succeeded.

Attachment 164481

You are all now only a few months behind current build progress. I at least have what looks like an overland truck in the workshop!

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Originally Posted by 4bee

Cripes! Talk about just having room to move. It is a bit like viewing a tree branch while it up in the air & when it hits the ground it is 50 metres in Diam.[bigrolf]

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it's one of the first things that will be seen as the truck comes towards you!

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With a bit of luck that is, unless you are going to have fitted Curtains. [bigrolf]

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Originally Posted by Sitec

With an all but completed roof basket, it was time to lift it back on. This time I used the handy step in the workshop, which gave the tractor more height. It was still dodgy, but went without incident! With the basket on I refitted the lights, and side panels.

Attachment 164480

For the first time, I could see if I had managed to make the body look like it should be there behind the cab. I think I've succeeded.

Attachment 164481

You are all now only a few months behind current build progress. I at least have what looks like an overland truck in the workshop!

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Is that Hatch beneath the mesh for Maint Access or an Escape Hatch of some sort?

If it is an escape one then it will be impossible to use as it is below the mesh basket. It doesn't appear to be removable.

It is really starting to look good.:TakeABow::TakeABow:

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Originally Posted by 4bee

Is that Hatch beneath the mesh for Maint Access or an Escape Hatch of some sort?

If it is an escape one then it will be impossible to use as it is below the mesh basket. It doesn't appear to be removable.

It is really starting to look good.:TakeABow::TakeABow:

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Hi fella. It's purely for ventilation. Either the front lifts about 60mm, or the rear lifts 60mm. I don't think there was ever an opening hatch option. With the new access into the hab box from the cab, we are in a better position now for exits than we were. It's slowly taking shape. I have the painter coming for a size up of the painting job before I start the job of removing the body this week, and stripping all the stuff I have made off the chassis...

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Originally Posted by Sitec

Hi fella. It's purely for ventilation. Either the front lifts about 60mm, or the rear lifts 60mm. I don't think there was ever an opening hatch option. With the new access into the hab box from the cab, we are in a better position now for exits than we were. It's slowly taking shape. I have the painter coming for a size up of the painting job before I start the job of removing the body this week, and stripping all the stuff I have made off the chassis...

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So no .50 Cal on a ring then?[bigsad] [bigrolf]

As we are going to be using a Natures Head 'Composting' Toilet, we don't have the need (or want) for a black water tank. The thought of hauling 40+ litres of slurry around is enough to put you of cassette style toilets for life! Now, I know the Natures Head and Air Head toilets are not full composting toilets, but they are at least starting the process. That is another story though!

I found a fella in Queensland who could manufacture a tank to my required dimensions for sensible money, so had him make me a tank to fit the only remaining space under the truck. Once the tank arrived, I had to fabricate a carrier. This carrier would also double as support linking the two underslung rear lockers. Here's the tank.

Attachment 164600

And mounted in a simple carrier...

Attachment 164601

And then in its final spot behind the rear axle and between the lockers.

Attachment 164602

With the bulk of the fabrication around the chassis complete, time is nearing to start the strip down. The next steps will be to remove all the lockers and side skirts, roof rack, and then the body. Once stripped, I can then service the truck, tidy up and or fix anything that needs it and then paint the chassis. I plan to get everything I've fabricated shot blasted. Once done, I can prime and paint it all in Satin Black. I'll also spray the bumper, front wheel arches and various cab fixtures. The truck can then go and have the cab and roof rack infill panels painted in grey. With the truck chassis 'done' I can then complete the external body coachbuilding and have that painted. This is the colour scheme I have settled on. Thoughts....?

Attachment 164603

It would be better to paint it a light colour to reflect heat rather than absorb it, painting the roof with thermo paint will also stop heat absorption even if most of it is covered in solar panels.

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Originally Posted by Sitec

As we are going to be using a Natures Head 'Composting' Toilet, we don't have the need (or want) for a black water tank. The thought of hauling 40+ litres of slurry around is enough to put you of cassette style toilets for life! Now, I know the Natures Head and Air Head toilets are not full composting toilets, but they are at least starting the process. That is another story though!

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We have a natures head composting toilet in Stan the van - absolutely brilliant and you’d never go back to a cassette or black water system once you’ve used one. [emoji106]

Simplifies the install no end too, basically plonk it where you want and run a vent line.