Grumpydfart's bush ute build - palya!

[Parksy]

Parabolics are the bees knees for leaf sprung vehicles. I was going to change my old landy springs to these as people have commented saying it almost converts the vehicle to a coil sprung feel.

[DX grunt]

Well done on the purchase and your build. Is your Patrol spring at the front and leaf at the back?

Rossco

[GrumpyOldFart]

Rossco
It is a coil front and leaf rear, supposedly a higher GVM than an all coil ute.
I still can't work out Nissans reasoning behind the towing capacity.
My ute is 2500kg but a later 3ltr is 3500kg?
It maybe because mine can carry more so the GCM may be the same in the end??

Dru

[GrumpyOldFart]

Spent today playing in the pod
Managed to get the Outback drawers from my Cruiser to fit


And still had room for the Engle on its drop slide

[GrumpyOldFart]

Bit out of sequence, but a couple of pics of putting the pod on
Still attached is our Jayco Swan camper that we towed from Adelaide to Brisbane and back

[DX grunt]

Rossco
It is a coil front and leaf rear, supposedly a higher GVM than an all coil ute.
I still can't work out Nissans reasoning behind the towing capacity.
My ute is 2500kg but a later 3ltr is 3500kg?
It maybe because mine can carry more so the GCM may be the same in the end??

Dru

My towball is 2.5k too. I've been told I can upgrade it to 3200kg, by putting on a new towbar and airbags - but it then has to go over the pits.

In WA, you have to fill out a form, requesting permission to do the mods, then, if they approve the mods, you do them, then put it over the pits and hope it passes first go, otherwise it could be quite expensive.

I'm seriously considering this coz I want to tow a decent van whilst I'm spending my kids inheritance. lol.

Rossco

[GrumpyOldFart]

Rossco
I was considering that, but there are a lot of vans out there under 2500kg with plenty of room. I've been looking at Jayco Expanda, Windsor Rapid and Paramount Duet. The beds fold out of the ends so a 17' van is 17' of living space.
No shower and toilet cuts the weight down and you can have a Coleman portable shower and a portapotti, saves on water as well.

Dru

[DX grunt]

Rossco
I was considering that, but there are a lot of vans out there under 2500kg with plenty of room. I've been looking at Jayco Expanda, Windsor Rapid and Paramount Duet. The beds fold out of the ends so a 17' van is 17' of living space.
No shower and toilet cuts the weight down and you can have a Coleman portable shower and a portapotti, saves on water as well.

Dru

Thanks. About 6 months ago I nearly bought a 31 footer, but found out my Patrol was 'too light' and with the mods and fully loaded, I'm pretty sure it would have been overweight anyway.

I've lost a fair bit of interest, but am monitoring the 'Nomad Scene', lol. I've still got 10 tax returns to go and want to be debt free before retirement.

My goal is to take a 4 year pay cut to 80% per year, and spend the 5th year - my last year of employment - soaking up the sun, 'on the house'. lol

Rossco

[threedogs]

Having a wagon the boys put on the 3200T on mine ,as no point making 2 towbars 700kg apart.
Looking good grumpy btw

[GrumpyOldFart]

Just noticed after a fair bit of rain overnight the LH pod door hinge seemed to be full of water?
If I opened it high it dripped inside the pod about 3/4 of the way back
Opened horizontal, no drips but I presume the water stays in the hinge.
Any ideas? silicon spray the hinges, can't for the life of me see where the water gets into the hinge unless it's at the ends.
Seem to remember reading about a rain diverter above the hinge ends?

Dru