D2a setup for long term touring
Hi All,
My Wife and I have packed up the house and are now traveling around OZ with our 2003 D2a. Ive spent a fair amount of time getting to know the car and setting it up to suit our needs. We're into kayaking and bushwalking and have setup the vehicle to be self sufficient.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1101.jpg
We did a 3 week 'test' trip to the Flinders Ranges with the configuration above. Since that time we fitted new larger tyres and now do without the gutter mounted bars as they're not needed.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1102.jpg
Just above and below are the setup as of now. The tyres are Maxxis Bravo 753 LT245 75 16 - 10 ply rating.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1103.jpg
Spare just fits without any modifications. Ive seen no difference in fuel economy with this size compared to 245 70's.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1104.jpg
Neat and easy to fit front recovery points from Aulro member.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...014/06/964.jpg
I was about to make a drawer system modeled on the Fourby Fitouts system when one came up on eBay from a Aulro member, McDisco - thanks very much Angus for all your help with setting this up! After using this rear setup for 6 weeks we've found it to be superb - we can setup camp in about 10 minutes and not have to unpack much at all. I'll explain the full camping setup in another post. In a nutshell:
Top rack - this rack pushes soft items up into the hard to get roof area. We store bedding, pillows ets up here.
Middle shelf - roll up table, chairs, COB
Shelf above the drawer holds 2 removable boxes for food and cooking utensils.
Drawer - food and eating utensils.
Pirhanha Fridge slide.
All food is in mouse proof containers (and the whole drawer is mouse proof)
LH Bin: Recover gear, car spares etc.
RH Bin: 120 AH Deep cycle AGM battery with a shelf over this where we store battery charger, AC leads and a versalight.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1105.jpg
Single rear seat removed and 50L water bladder in place - tied down with cargo netting to the seat mounts.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1106.jpg
Second 50L water bladder sits behinf drivers seat. - Also secured with cargo netting to seat mount points.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1107.jpg
Provent - connected using flexible silicone hose. Drain is manual every ~800Km or so.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1108.jpg
Guitar hangs from roof !
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1109.jpg
240V outlet from inverter. I found an HPM Slimline GPO fits perfectly here!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1110.jpg
350W inverter mounted behind LH panel. Illuminated swiitch you can see is in series with a dash mounted switch which means you can turn on and off 240V whilst driving, (but both switches must be on to help prevent accidental battery drain). A 100A relay (had it left over) is used and located next to the Inverter.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1111.jpg
Preparing for the 38Kg battery! Note the wood used under the carpet to make a secure foundation for the battery.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/06/911.jpg
ARB compressor mounted under drivers seat.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1112.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...11/06/1113.jpg
The car came with the ARB bullbar, Warn Winch CB, Cibies, UHF, 3" Exhaust and Bruce Davis engine mapping. I've added the rest, including Konis, new OEM air springs, HD Kings front springs (standard height), extended roof rails, Engine Saver, Triaxide SC80 with second battery, ARB compressor and the water bladders. McDisco helped with the drawer system.
I'll start a thread soon in the Multi-State Trip reports section to show you some more pics of our trip.
Thanks to AULRO members who've helped me learn about Disco's over the past 10 Months to get us a great vehicle and on the road! We're in the Centre now and about to head North!