BT17R

Hey John,

Nice first post and pic of your 79, looks like you could disappear in the bush for a few months with that setup.

Here's a link to a .pdf showing what we can't have.

http://www.identicar.com.au/pdf/4wd/...cr70Ser4WD.pdf

Please submit some pics to the calendar thread here!

aviator

Welcome to the family... sweet 79 series... stop teasing us! just kidding Don't stop please!...
That would be the HF radio antenna Corey...

Corey

iTrader: (1)

So that one is more for 10 meters on down?
I just bought a puny 40" one today online for my upcoming ham project.
It is for 2 meters and 70 cm work.

johnhu

Thanks for the welcome guys.

This is probably a bit off-topic for this tread, but I'll justify it by having a pic of the rooftop tent setup. <smile>

The antenna there is a standard GME fibreglass antenna for the 40 channel UHF's used between vehicles, talking to road train drivers (think a semi trailer with 4 trailers) for overtaking, etc. The smaller metal antennas like those supplied by Uniden and others tend to get metal fatigue and break in half driving over the thousands of kilometers of corrugations we get on the dirt roads here.

I do have a Barret 950 HF radio installed, and there is an antenna mounting for that on the other side of the bullbar (drivers side). I only screw in the HF antenna when I'm using the HF radio (nightly check in, etc). Here in Australia there is a specific 4WDer HF radio network, with a number of frequencies allocated. The antenna I use for that is a "tapped whip" antenna that has those frequencies available, plus the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) frequencies. Others use an autotune antenna, but for the amount of use I'd give it, they were too expensive for me. Here's a few links for info on the HF; 4WDer HF network - www.vks737.on.net The tapped whip antenna - http://www.outbacker.com.au/TERLIN_O...VOR__9_157.php

I have recently (June-Aug) spent 3 months living out of the truck on a trip up through our Kimberly region (north West Australia), across the top of the Northern Territory, into north Queensland and back through the Red Centre to Perth. I'm sure that doesn't mean too much to you all, but think of 23,000km, with about 15,000km of that on the dirt. Quite remote and wonderful parts of the country.

As for my vehicle setup, here's a few more details and pics;

2007 Toyota 79 series landcruiser trayback
4.5litre v8 turbo diesel
factory dual fuel tanks (total 180litres) giving about 1200km range
factory locking diffs
factory alloys incl 2 spares with BFG 255/85R16 MT (33")
OME suspension - 2" lift
firestone airbags in the rear for load leveling
ARB bullbar
ARB sidesteps and scrub-bars
lightforce 170 spotlights
dual battery setup with redarc isolator
aftermarket drivers seat
GME UHF radio in overhead console
Barret HF radio
Motorola Sat phone
HP Ipaq running oziexplorer with GPS
Upgraded mp3 stereo with 4" screen connected to a reversing camera
Onboard compressor
Aluminium canopy on the rear tray fitted out with the following;
- 2 spare wheel mounts
- Maggiolina Airlander rooftop tent
- 55litre water tank with 12v pressure pump
- 40litre engle fridge on fridge slide
- home made kitchen setup (storage, table, gas stove)
- home made storage drawers for recovery gear and other items.
- lots of space for other essential items (like cartons of beer <smile>).

Anyhow, that's about all I can think of off the top of my head. Pics below.

I hope the info is of use/interest to others.

Storage drawers down one side


With a drawer open


Kitchen setup down the other side (no fridge, table closed)


Kitchen setup (fridge in, table open)


Crossing a bit of mud recently


With the tent up

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Beautiful setup John.
Thanks for the info on the radios.

I just ordered an antenna today for 2 m and 70 cm for my ARB bumper, will be here later in the week.

No radio yet, as I am studying for my Technician class license, but will be getting the Yaesu 857D soon.

I have seen pictures of those long semi trains there, very interesting.

Sounds like you are having fun with your setup.

aviator

Kimberly region eh? I read some articles about that in Aussie 4wd monthly... that is some rough country up there. I thought "outsiders" were encouraged to stay away from there what with the "closed" mining camps and half wild cattle in the stations.
Always nice to be able to call in the RFDS if you need them.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

I found two pages of both a Maggiolina AirLand, and a Maggiolina Columbus.
I have posted the Tacoma in this thread before, but I had not seen the whole page.
The guy posts over on Expedition Portals forum.

The Columbus model sets up even faster than the AirLand, but the material used for the tent is not as breathable as the AirLand.
You will stay drier in the AirLand with less condensation drip.
In fact I did not get any condensation drip with my AirLand on my vacation.
It just breathes really good from the material they use.

Maybe John can way in on this since he has spent a considerable amount of time in his AirLand.

Tacoma and Maggiolina AirLand



Land Cruiser and Maggiolina Columbus (carbon fiber model, very light)



They go into great detail on the Italian site on the construction of the materials used.
Maggiolina AirLand

Columbus

johnhu

The countryside can get a little rough out that way, but that's part of the attraction. The scenery, gorges, waterfalls, etc is what we search for.

Never had any problems with a locals vs outsiders type of thing. If anything the people are more friendly the further from cities and towns that you get. Yes we do put bullbars on our 4wd's here for a reason. Much of the country up there is used by cattle stations, and there are very few fences. What Americans used to refer to as "open range" I believe. Cattle wander across the roads, etc. Driving at night is not recommended <smile>


The only time I've had any problems with condensation was my own fault. If it's raining, and I forget to open one of the small triangular windows in the end walls, I get a bit of condensation on the inside of the walls by morning.

If I open one of the windows (only needs a small opening to breathe), then no condensation issues at all.

Note: Even with the window open a bit, I've never had any rain/water come in a window.

Note: This has only occurred in more tropical areas (hot, high humidity, rain) etc. I haven't had any condensation problems when in more temperate or desert like conditions.

John

dlbrunner

Hey John, Look a Kangaroo! (as I drive off in your truck)


Seriously that is a sweet setup, you are making a lot of us Yanks jealous!!!

johnhu

Just remember to jump in the "other side" of the vehicle if you want to drive off. No steering wheel on the left, lol.

Thanks for the kind comment Duncan.

John

Mtn Mike

iTrader: (1)

Has anyone seen these mounted to a 3rd gen 4Runner? I have a Yakima rack system and I'm a little concerned about having 400+ lbs on the base factory roof rack rails. (granted only 125lbs traveling weight). Maybe I would get a 3rd bar to destribute the weight?

Corey

iTrader: (1)

With a roof top tent you want three/four Yakima/Thule crossbars to distribute the weight.
I am using four crossbars with my factory rack.



SOAZtim has a third gen with a roof top tent on it.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f105...review-142756/
http://soaztim.blogspot.com/2008/04/...nt-review.html

Junkers88

That tent on the Tacoma is freaking amazing! I can't find anywhere on the web site where it lists the supports though? Were those custom made or can you buy it as a kit?

Corey

iTrader: (1)

You are in luck!
Someone posted the other day on Expo Portal that the rack is for sale.

I have not looked up the thread yet for it, but I heard from another member in answer to me I think that the rack was for sale.

'Tis lunch time right now, but if I get time I will try to find his ad over there, or you can try to find it.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/index.php

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Bummer, but someone got a steal at $100.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/sh...highlight=rack



Same rack as here:



That was a steal of a deal for a truck to hold any type of roof top tent.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Mike, I found another pic, and it is from post 21 in this thread.
Here is one like mine on a 3rd gen 4Runner.

Mtn Mike

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Corey. A rooftop tent is now on my wishlist! After reading SOAZTim's blog review, I guess it's doable if I use 3-4 Yakima cross bars. The Mombasa has the appeal of being cheaper, but I do like the looks of the Magnolia.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

The hard shell ones are the easiest to setup and most durable out of them all, but that does come with a price.

If you have not seen that video in my sig called Maggiolinas In The Wild, give it a watch.

Corey

iTrader: (1)

This thing is heavy I bet.
http://www.expedition-cabin.de/en/59.html
Poor translation on the site.

[YOUTUBE]Y6dwL1XQ2ew[/YOUTUBE]

Toddski

Very nice. It does look heavy. I think something like yours Corey would be more practical.
Back in college i was on a design crew building a new motor home. The top of the the motor home would raise up. In the rear there was a spiral staircase that would lift with the roof. The second story was the bedroom.
But we had trouble due to the weight. Guess they built a couple and folded the business.
If i can find the rig i will post it. It was called "Freedom Coach".
I bet the next tent will look like this with the pop outs!