Tweaking an Army 6x6

[chook]

Given the number of ex Army Landrover 6x6's now available, has anybody looked into convertions to a d/cab touring wagon. I know they are wider than than they standard 110/130 d/cab, however was thinking that it might be cheaper to do a cab conversation rather than a 6x6 conversion. I'm toying with the idea of a project that ends with a touring wagon for a slide on camper, but also allow me to load bikes on the back for a lads weekend away. Your thoughts

Regards

Chook

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The 6x6 are over 3 Tons, you need a LR licence, they run 4.7:1 diffs and have low boost on the turbo.

First thing you would change the diffs to 4.11:1 ratio and then up the turbo boost pressure/change the turbo for one giving more boost and add an intercooler.

They are exxy on rego because of the national freight charges.

[isuzurover]

As Diana said, faster diffs, better turbo, intercooler and fuelling. There are probably also a number of ways to shed weight. Dougal has a thread with a huge list of turbo options.

In addition to that, apparently you can derate the GVM to save rego costs. To help with this you can slim down the spring packs quite a lot to save weight and make the ride much more supple offroad.

The existing rear springs require 1.1T of load to deflect the suspension 25mm.
So 3-5 T until you hit the bump stops!!!

[djam1]

Off subject and somewhat random I know but if you need a LR licence to drive a 6x6 why do the bikkie dippers that clog up our roads with Land Cruisers that weight just under 3 tonne and caravans the size of Cathedrals only need a normal licence.

Amazing


The 6x6 are over 3 Tons, you need a LR licence, they run 4.7:1 diffs and have low boost on the turbo.

First thing you would change the diffs to 4.11:1 ratio and then up the turbo boost pressure/change the turbo for one giving more boost and add an intercooler.

They are exxy on rego because of the national freight charges.

[Mick_Marsh]

Off subject and somewhat random I know but if you need a LR licence to drive a 6x6 why do the bikkie dippers that clog up our roads with Land Cruisers that weight just under 3 tonne and caravans the size of Cathedrals only need a normal licence.

Amazing
They can't be loaded up to 5.6t.
It's all based on GVM. Vehicle weight and load.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Off subject and somewhat random I know but if you need a LR licence to drive a 6x6 why do the bikkie dippers that clog up our roads with Land Cruisers that weight just under 3 tonne and caravans the size of Cathedrals only need a normal licence.

AmazingMy Discovery 4 is in the same situation, although I have a HR licence.

[chook]

Thanks for your thoughts. I Hadn't considered the implications of the vehicle being classified as a light truck. OK for me but wife would need to sort her licence out to drive it. Other more serious issue would be no dropping into the local for a coldie on the way home after work:eek:

[Defender Mike]

123 Rover 50... has a 6x6 that has had the cab moved forward to forward control. Has a double bed and kitchen in the back a V8 diesel up front . Its huge and the only one like it in the world. You may be able to PM keith and get him to post some photos. Its a magnificent vehicle.
Mike:)

[Mick_Marsh]

Thanks for your thoughts. I Hadn't considered the implications of the vehicle being classified as a light truck. OK for me but wife would need to sort her licence out to drive it. Other more serious issue would be no dropping into the local for a coldie on the way home after work:eek:
You would also need to use a log book.

[Summiitt]

What's the gvm on the 6wds? Act and nsw you can run up to 4.5t gvm on a standard license, after that it's just a medium rigid license, as for log books, that's totally up to you, it's not a legal requirement until you go over 13.5t gvm and then only for greater than 100km radius of your base.

[Mick_Marsh]

What's the gvm on the 6wds? Act and nsw you can run up to 4.5t gvm on a standard license, after that it's just a medium rigid license, as for log books, that's totally up to you, it's not a legal requirement until you go over 13.5t gvm and then only for greater than 100km radius of your base.
5.6t
There are new logbook rules coming into effect soon. I don't know what they are yet.

[Summiitt]

Jeepers, they are heavy buggers..

[Mick_Marsh]

Jeepers, they are heavy buggers..
5.6t is the maximum combined weight of the vehicle and load.
They can carry heaps.

[isuzutoo-eh]

5.6t is the maximum combined weight of the vehicle and load.
They can carry heaps.

I believe the term is a 'tactical ****load' :p

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The tare (unladen weight) is 3260kg so the payload is only 2340kg, not sure if that equates to heaps. I would still prefer one of the Mitsubishi Canter 4X4

[303gunner]

What's the gvm on the 6wds? Act and nsw you can run up to 4.5t gvm on a standard license, after that it's just a medium rigid license, as for log books, that's totally up to you, it's not a legal requirement until you go over 13.5t gvm and then only for greater than 100km radius of your base.
Car licence to 4.5t GVM, LR from 4.5t to 8t GVM, Over 8t, MR for 2 axles, HR for more axles. Logbook (now called "Work Diary") required for vehicles over 12t GVM, or Truck and Trailers with GCM over 12T for work outside 100km radius of home depot.

Licence classes < Licensing < Roads and Maritime Services (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/licence_classes.html)
Heavy vehicle driver fatigue - FAQs < Fatigue < Road safety < Heavy vehicles < Roads and Maritime Services (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/heavyvehicles/safety/hvfatigue/hv_fatigue_faqs.html)

The record keeping requirements when Driver Fatigue regs kick in are a bit of a nightmare/grey area for private recreational use of heavy vehicles (as you are not just the "Driver", you are also the "Operator"), so try to keep under the 12t GVM/GCM where-ever possible (ie tow nothing behind your Unimog!). The Operator is required to keep a record of ALL the vehicles movements for a period of 3 years, irrespective of whether the Driver was required to compile a Work Diary entry for those journeys or not.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

<snip> ....
The record keeping requirements when Driver Fatigue regs kick in are a bit of a nightmare/grey area for private recreational use of heavy vehicles (as you are not just the "Driver", you are also the "Operator"), so try to keep under the 12t GVM/GCM where-ever possible (ie tow nothing behind your Unimog!). The Operator is required to keep a record of ALL the vehicles movements for a period of 3 years, irrespective of whether the Driver was required to compile a Work Diary entry for those journeys or not.So when a heavy vehicle is on Historic Rego, is the operator still required to keep a log of all vehicle movements? (Outside the requirements of the Club register)

Haven't had to use my log book for ages (pliocene or maybe it was pliestocene) and my work diary is still a virgin! :o

[303gunner]

I did say it was a Nightmare/Grey area!

There is nothing in the regulations for fatigue record keeping that exempts an Operator for recreational or Historic use. The Rules are, if it's over 12t GVM/GCM, records must be kept. If you drive for a living and use your own heavy vehicle for recreation purposes, then your private use would also have to be recorded by your employer for their fatigue management records, even though you may not go outside a 100km radius of home.

Quote:
"Record keeping under the work diary exemption

For which work diary exemption must the record keeper record information?
The record keeper must keep records for:

........
Drivers covered by the local journey work diary exemption; and
.........
What are the responsibilities of the record keeper?
The record keeper must record the following information as soon as possible:

Driver’s name, licence number and contact details;
The dates the driver drives a regulated heavy vehicle;
The registration number of the heavy vehicle;
The total of the driver’s work and rest time for each 24 hour period and week;
The driver’s rosters, trip schedule and details of changeover; and
The driver’s base for each journey."

Logbook offences and fatigue management are two things the RMS don't turn a blind eye to very often, but they don't like to readily explain or eliminate anomalies. I suppose it might be a question to put to the Education Officer (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/heavyvehicles/general/index.html) for a ruling.

But aren't we straying off the topic of this thread? Logbooks and record keeping not required at all for 6x6 Perentie.