Thread: Building the Ultimate touring 130 with slide on - my version...

This is one bullbar I am following looks good and keeping track of ideas

Hi taylorslandy. Looks like it will be an interesting thread. What grade of steel are you using for the bar - mild, 250, 350?

Thanks for the early support everyone, and don't expect things to happen at this pace for the whole build! Is hard to fit shed time in between wife and three kids, work etc but I am keen to get it done so will find a way. Have good lights in me shed and just bought a industrial jetfire spaceheater off gumtree for $250 (bargin) so no stopping me in the below zero nights now! Has actually snowed a couple of time this winter already.

To answer a few questions, I'm just using mild steel, 5mm for the posts and front plate/winch cradel, 6mm for inside chassis brackets (5 would have been fine but only had 6 on hand). There are also a few braces and gussets to really strengthen it all up. The wings are recycled and strengthened original Landy bumper, and I am still debating which way to go for the tube. I have an old bullbar a mate gave me which I still may use as it has nice mandral bends but is only exhaust pipe, which is nice and light but not super strong. I'm pretty sure it would stand up to a roo but a bit thicker tube would be nice. Other options are to buy cast steel elbows and weld together with about 3mm tube (super strong but heavy), get a tube custom bent up like ARB, TJM etc (expensive option), try find a damaged bar I can cut up. Another option is use a pipe bender or proper tube bender for roll cages etc but I'm a bit fussy and don't like the look of big radius bends on the top corners, I'm after a nice tight bent like ARB bars.

When building things it's always a challenge to make them strong and light. Anyone can do strong, but light is a challenge. So no point using 8mm plate when 5mm with a few gussets can actually be stronger and lighter. I'm no engineer but try to think things through, and have seen what has and hasn't worked over the years.

Speaking of light, when it's camper build time I'm going to try my best to keep it light. I am keen to use composite panels but are not sure it will be within my budget. I have some other ideas but havn't setteled on anything yet so are always keen to hear from anyone with some experience in lightweight camper building?

Back to the Bull bar. I have finished the chassis mounts and winch cradel section and gusseted it right back to the 12mm bolts that hold the steering box/factory steering guard bash bar thingy. Probably a bit of overkill but I know the winch won't be pulled off the front of this Landy! I have also tacked on the two strengthened wings, looking good. I've taken a heap of photos and will put up once our internet speed is back to normal, we went over our limit of data!

Cheers,

Andrew.

Originally Posted by taylorslandy

Speaking of light, when it's camper build time I'm going to try my best to keep it light. I am keen to use composite panels but are not sure it will be within my budget. I have some other ideas but havn't setteled on anything yet so are always keen to hear from anyone with some experience in lightweight camper building?

Something I discovered when building a few volkswagen campers some time ago was use ripstop nylon (think thats the proper name but the stuff tents are made from) for the poptops and awnings the weight reduction over the canvas most people use is incredible and takes up much less space also. Its also easier to sew so doing it yourself isn't a problem biggest drawback I think in poptop use is on a windy night it can feel slightly cooler inside.

That vehicle has a great build thread history
Subscribing with anticipation....

Steve

Originally Posted by 3lud13

Something I discovered when building a few volkswagen campers some time ago was use ripstop nylon (think thats the proper name but the stuff tents are made from) for the poptops and awnings the weight reduction over the canvas most people use is incredible and takes up much less space also. Its also easier to sew so doing it yourself isn't a problem biggest drawback I think in poptop use is on a windy night it can feel slightly cooler inside.

Thanks, your right about canvas being heavy, but it also very durable and breathes, everythings a compromise. But I will be using the newer polycotton type canvas as used by oztent which is nice and light, so I hope it is also durable enough, it does feel good. You can buy it from oztent for $28 per lineal meter at 1400mm wide.

Cheers,

Andrew.

Re composite panels for the camper - what about those insulated roofing panels they use for outside pergolas/verandahs these days. Good rigidity and insulated - not sure eon weight though. Worth investigation perhaps.

Originally Posted by steveG

That vehicle has a great build thread history
Subscribing with anticipation....

Steve

Yep, your right Steve, It's been around a bit for sure but it will stop with me, definately a keeper this one, is such a pratical vehicle for us being a six seater dual cab with a proper load rating and who could possibly want a different motor once you have experienced the simplicity and grunt of the intercooled VNTurbo Isuzu