Thread: DESIGN AN OUTBACK, REMOTE AREA, EXPEDITION VEHICLE

RFSV with mission kit and No 5 trailer wearing the same split rims with another spare on the draw bar. Total of 6 spares and 300lt fuel capacity on the vehicle.

Replace the door tops and metal canopy supports with detachable PVC windows and quick realease screen supports. This speeds up the dropping of the screen to aid visibility improving offroad safety and communication with spotters.

The above are trialled and tested over '000s of Top end K's. Proven

The following were not available or we were forbidden to trial.
They are proven by others not constrained by the green machine.

Aftermarket AC. yeh, yeh, don't start. Hyperthermia is a real possibility and the AC is for first aid only. anyway, Touring implies a little comfort. Evaporative cooling blankets for the front vents as a low tech backup.

Turbo for extra sand pushing torque. Note: a helper turbo on a NA engine can be removed if US without leaving you with a slug, low comp motor.
Detroit in the rear.
UK Wolf radiation/ thermal insulation canopy to manage heat (in/ out) while still offering the option of open air touring as required.
Bespoke bifold slideout camper mounted in the tray. Think: RTT that fold vertically in the middle and slides out over the trailer draw bar. Keeps load low and central not to mention easily accessible.
Usable space maximised with raisable rear Rops bar to allow walk through from camper pod into rear of vehicle.

This is my vision of an outback vehicle, but it is a bit bigger than most will think is reasonable

6.7L diesel engine
12 speed trans
3 diff locks
Soft suspension
Disk brakes all around
1200Km range
425L water
Industrial strength everything!!



Just wait until I get it bogged Then I will think what a dumb idea this was.....

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

This is an idea that came to me to ginger up discussions on the forum. Been too quiet and gentlemanly lately. This thread is guaranteed to expose your pet loves, and bring on ill-feeling from others.

Give your thoughts on the specification for a true outback vehicle. Not a private school or junior soccer taxi. Must be simple, reliable, repairable trackside by laymen. Specs don't have to be in line with bureaucratic rules such as ADR's and Emissions Regulations.

I will kick off with my ideas for the powertrain.

Six cylinder in line naturally aspirated diesel, minimum 6 litres. Aluminium construction. Pushrod OHV. No tooth belt cam drive. Must be chain or gear driven.

Turbochargers and intercoolers and their plumbing are un-necessary if you start with enough engine. They are also something extra that has to be maintained and can break.

Direct mechanical injection by unit injectors similar to a Detroit Diesel two stroke.

Single plate cerametallic clutch.

10 or 12 speed progressive ratios range change gearbox. single stick operation similar to a Road Ranger. Manually operated centre diff lock.

Front axle to be considerably sturdier than Rover's offerings. Gleasman or similar torque proportioning centre.

Rear axle to be hefty Salisbury or Dana. Detroit locker centre.

Next contributor please enter stage left.

Your fuel economy is going to be awful on that one Brian. 6 cylinder non turbo diesels are big, slow, noisey and thirsty.
Torque on a NA diesel is about 70 NM/litre. To get 600Nm (similar to a SDV6) you'd need almost 9 litres.
Here is the performance spec of an 8.2L Isuzu:
[ame]http://www.isuzu.co.nz/media/2039/FTR700%20CVO175%20Sep%2098.pdf[/ame]

200hp and 540Nm. Which is equalled by a turbo 4BD1T in very conservative tune with half the weight and far better fuel consumption.

Not so much torque on the Isuzu NA engine, for such a big displacement.

My MAN is 290 HP, which is not all that huge, but it puts out 1150Nm of torque It'll do 60Km/h in 12th gear, and pull away quite well.

Originally Posted by Dougal

Your fuel economy is going to be awful on that one Brian. 6 cylinder non turbo diesels are big, slow, noisey and thirsty.
Torque on a NA diesel is about 70 NM/litre. To get 600Nm (similar to a SDV6) you'd need almost 9 litres.
Here is the performance spec of an 8.2L Isuzu:
http://www.isuzu.co.nz/media/2039/FT...20Sep%2098.pdf

200hp and 540Nm. Which is equalled by a turbo 4BD1T in very conservative tune with half the weight and far better fuel consumption.

Look at my first post. It says "simple" and also says turbos and associated plumbing are something extra to maintain or fail.

This is to be an out back remote area vehicle. Remove most everything that can break or require maintenance that can be done without.

Ever driven trucks with an NA Gardner or Albion? Don't try to tell me they don't put out. And Gardner fuel economy is still unsurpassed.

That is my design for an outback vehicle and I will stick with it. Post up your ideas. That is what this thread is for.

And, Dougal, my design calls for an aluminium engine. What weight problem? The quoted Isuzu 8.2 litre is for an eight ton truck with a GVM or 14 ton, not a gross 3-4 ton LR.

That is my design for an outback vehicle and I will stick with it. However, feel free to post your ideas. That is what this thread is for.

No Land Rover badging - otherwise no mechanics in remote towns will touch your vehicle.

Originally Posted by p38arover

No Land Rover badging - otherwise no mechanics in remote towns will touch your vehicle.

a lot of small towns no longer have a mechanic or an auto repair shop. Many once quite reasonable towns no longer have a new car dealership. Unless there are new ones I haven't heard about there are no LR dealers in Qld. west of Toowoomba or Townsville. That is why I specified "repairable by laymen".

As someone who does a lot of outback driving I would have none of what you posted,you described a vehicle that is big,heavy,slow and thirsty,all the things you don't want,have you used a ceramic clutch?,why the hell would you want one?. Pat