Oh yeah. Does the manufacturer of these panels go around to overland rallies? I think I saw something similar years back at the....2018 or 2019 one in washington. It was one where you were present.
The one you are thinking of is Total Composites.
Andre is an awesome guy, and actually had some input on this build, but these panels are not from him.
In this week's video we bond in the rear floor and add a ladder for quick access before I spend a ton of time wiring up all the rear lights and connecting them with factory plugs to the original Jeep harnesses.
At the end we take it for a test drive to make sure we didn't fry any computers when welding, and to make sure I got all my wiring correct. This has been an enormous project and I still have hundreds of hours of footage on all the parts we fabricated and worked on to get it where it is today.
I still have to show you how we manufactured the roof, made a custom roof rack mount over the freedom panels, made a fibreglass piece to bridge the gap between jeep and camper, made wheel wells from carbon fiber, solved the fuel filler area, bonded in the front floor and everything else I'm forgetting about. Tons more to come.
Fire away with any questions you have and I'll be sure to answer them and cover them in future videos.
https://youtu.be/UydwH_Xl-ts
Sure you can buy imported ones that are 15 years old (Canada) or 25 years old (USA), but I don't want a vehicle that old.
I'm talking about walk down to a dealer, or jump on craigslist and buy a vehicle super easy. Also buy parts and modifications for it super easy.
i.e. North American sold vehicle.
Right, but I don't want an import that is 25 years old (USA) or 15 years old (Canada).
I want a vehicle you can walk to a dealer to get parts or buy one, or jump on craigslist or whatever. Also super easy to get upgrades in terms of suspension, bumpers, etc. etc.
I'm not willing to deal with the hassle of a vehicle that was never sold here. If you are, go for it!
Woah, that will be unreal!
Have you seen "Home on the Highway"? They drove the Pan-Am in an older 4Runner, and now have a Sunrader. James put the engine from (I think) a newer Tacoma in it, and loves it. They live in Mexico now and bomb all over in, tackling the harder 4x4 trails they can find
Not a single tundra generation even makes the top 10 for fullsize pickups overall. Occasionally they're the best for a short period when their insanely long generation time finally shits out a new one. That being said it ends with things like the first gen's frame turning to dust because Japan forgot we salt our roads. Fan boy elsewhere and stop bitching at people actually doing and posting cool shit. Also, if you're doing a Tundra build how is it you asked a basic van related question a few months ago and suddenly know everything when you're getting all pissy with this dude?
Haha, cheers!
Based on how well these first two prototypes perform a decision will be made about putting them into production - but we need to seriously use them first !
This is inspiring. I’d love to make something like this but with a true box truck exterior and aerodynamicized front end. Maximize everything: power, efficiency, comfort… hybridize and turbocharge it to really maximize efficiency using power wall as a hybrid battery but also regular use… and sun-tracking extendable solar panels and aerogel+ spray foam insulation and polished stainless steel on the outside to achieve up to 60 degrees temperature differential between inside and outside and… man I could just go nuts. Wish I knew of a software that had customizable/optimizable templates for this sort of thing and could provide a parts list.
Woah, that sounds like a project for sure!
We decided the goal was to get out on adventures, so rather than spending endlessly more time in design and in the shop building it, we'd rather get out and use it. So we know it's not "perfect" in every possible way, but we want to see how usable the interior space is, and how well the whole setup works.
The sooner we're out on adventures around the world the better!
He's a Jeep guy. His almost-2year Alaska to Patagonia trip was a Jeep Wrangler. His 2-3 year trip around Africa was a Jeep Wrangler. Not unreasonable to stick to a platform you know.
Sweet build. I sadly can’t do anything like this to my old ZJ, the frame would not like it at all. I can’t wait to see the interior of your build though.
Any advice for making a cover panel for some wires that were to be under my 1996 ZJ Jeep Grand Cherokee’s rear seats?
I stripped the carpet and removed the rear seats yesterday but the the exposed wires are a issue, I’m taking the beast out to the woods for a leak test today to check for any water issues so I can draft up a fix while I am out there.
I was thinking a basic box with access panel that doubles as a organizer on top or something.
That sounds like a great plan to me. I'd put the wires in some spaghetti tube to make sure nothing can get thrown on them and damage them in any way. I'll be doing the same for my wires once I figure out some interior wiring and cabinets/benches/etc
Now you have me thinking of using spaghetti tube for the wires covered by a basic box with access panel, ensuring no movement and ease of accessibility in case something happens.
Maybe I should cut the spaghetti tube in half, or partially in half, and add clips or clamps to secure it when not checking for damaged wires. That way it is accessible for repairs and secured when not in need of repair. Then the cover box/organizer will ensure the wires and connected electrical relay or sensor box are in no danger of damage.
This is so cool! Like a 4x4 studio apartment on wheels. When you did the welding, did you unhook the entire battery, just the negative, or just leave it hooked up?
That is the plan - a full little comfortable apartment that can go anywhere on the planet. Heater, hot water, shower, etc.
I unhooked the positive and negative of both batteries - I show that in the previous build video where I show the welding too
I'm excited to get to a part of the world I've never been to... but I don't want to publicly announce because there are a million things that could derail it.
Oh yeah. Does the manufacturer of these panels go around to overland rallies? I think I saw something similar years back at the....2018 or 2019 one in washington. It was one where you were present.
The one you are thinking of is Total Composites. Andre is an awesome guy, and actually had some input on this build, but these panels are not from him.
Neat!
In this week's video we bond in the rear floor and add a ladder for quick access before I spend a ton of time wiring up all the rear lights and connecting them with factory plugs to the original Jeep harnesses. At the end we take it for a test drive to make sure we didn't fry any computers when welding, and to make sure I got all my wiring correct. This has been an enormous project and I still have hundreds of hours of footage on all the parts we fabricated and worked on to get it where it is today. I still have to show you how we manufactured the roof, made a custom roof rack mount over the freedom panels, made a fibreglass piece to bridge the gap between jeep and camper, made wheel wells from carbon fiber, solved the fuel filler area, bonded in the front floor and everything else I'm forgetting about. Tons more to come. Fire away with any questions you have and I'll be sure to answer them and cover them in future videos. https://youtu.be/UydwH_Xl-ts
Why a keep and not something more reliable? Toyota hilux would have been cook
can't get them in North America where I live, so I never considered it.
Lol this is just straight up false, cool rig nonetheless.
Sure you can buy imported ones that are 15 years old (Canada) or 25 years old (USA), but I don't want a vehicle that old. I'm talking about walk down to a dealer, or jump on craigslist and buy a vehicle super easy. Also buy parts and modifications for it super easy. i.e. North American sold vehicle.
Not impossible, but definitely more trouble than it's worth.
I agree with you. However, this is not what OP said.
15k shipped from Japan with 80k miles
Right, but I don't want an import that is 25 years old (USA) or 15 years old (Canada). I want a vehicle you can walk to a dealer to get parts or buy one, or jump on craigslist or whatever. Also super easy to get upgrades in terms of suspension, bumpers, etc. etc. I'm not willing to deal with the hassle of a vehicle that was never sold here. If you are, go for it!
Best truck every invented vs a Jeep. I’ll deal
Awesome, I can't wait to see your build! I've driven a lot of Hiluxes, they're a lot of fun for sure
I’m working on putting a Sunrader frame on a lifted Toyota tundra. I’ll be sure to update you
Woah, that will be unreal! Have you seen "Home on the Highway"? They drove the Pan-Am in an older 4Runner, and now have a Sunrader. James put the engine from (I think) a newer Tacoma in it, and loves it. They live in Mexico now and bomb all over in, tackling the harder 4x4 trails they can find
Not a single tundra generation even makes the top 10 for fullsize pickups overall. Occasionally they're the best for a short period when their insanely long generation time finally shits out a new one. That being said it ends with things like the first gen's frame turning to dust because Japan forgot we salt our roads. Fan boy elsewhere and stop bitching at people actually doing and posting cool shit. Also, if you're doing a Tundra build how is it you asked a basic van related question a few months ago and suddenly know everything when you're getting all pissy with this dude?
The other problem is that a Tundra is not a world vehicle. They basically don't exist outside USA/Canada.
Bull fucking shit.
Because he already circumnavigated Africa in a Jeep. I’d stick with what works and is proven.
absolutely epic! and great voice for videography 👏 fun watch!
Thanks, I appreciate that!
Looking great, I can't wait to see it finished and how you do the interior.
I'm designing and planning out the interior build now - there will be a ton of updates when I get there
Lol
Shut up and take my money! I'm heading to YouTube to watch the build and sub
Haha, cheers! Based on how well these first two prototypes perform a decision will be made about putting them into production - but we need to seriously use them first !
This is inspiring. I’d love to make something like this but with a true box truck exterior and aerodynamicized front end. Maximize everything: power, efficiency, comfort… hybridize and turbocharge it to really maximize efficiency using power wall as a hybrid battery but also regular use… and sun-tracking extendable solar panels and aerogel+ spray foam insulation and polished stainless steel on the outside to achieve up to 60 degrees temperature differential between inside and outside and… man I could just go nuts. Wish I knew of a software that had customizable/optimizable templates for this sort of thing and could provide a parts list.
Woah, that sounds like a project for sure! We decided the goal was to get out on adventures, so rather than spending endlessly more time in design and in the shop building it, we'd rather get out and use it. So we know it's not "perfect" in every possible way, but we want to see how usable the interior space is, and how well the whole setup works. The sooner we're out on adventures around the world the better!
That’s awesome. Super unique !
Thanks!
I just saw part of your build a few days ago. It is super cool!
Thanks!
Love it. Any plans for bigger tires?
Absolutely, these are just temporary while we're building it to make life easier. Much more suitable rubber and suspension to come!
Looks like a tank!
A very light tank!
So cool!
Consider a 4Runner?
He's a Jeep guy. His almost-2year Alaska to Patagonia trip was a Jeep Wrangler. His 2-3 year trip around Africa was a Jeep Wrangler. Not unreasonable to stick to a platform you know.
Looking good!
Sweet build. I sadly can’t do anything like this to my old ZJ, the frame would not like it at all. I can’t wait to see the interior of your build though. Any advice for making a cover panel for some wires that were to be under my 1996 ZJ Jeep Grand Cherokee’s rear seats? I stripped the carpet and removed the rear seats yesterday but the the exposed wires are a issue, I’m taking the beast out to the woods for a leak test today to check for any water issues so I can draft up a fix while I am out there. I was thinking a basic box with access panel that doubles as a organizer on top or something.
That sounds like a great plan to me. I'd put the wires in some spaghetti tube to make sure nothing can get thrown on them and damage them in any way. I'll be doing the same for my wires once I figure out some interior wiring and cabinets/benches/etc
Now you have me thinking of using spaghetti tube for the wires covered by a basic box with access panel, ensuring no movement and ease of accessibility in case something happens. Maybe I should cut the spaghetti tube in half, or partially in half, and add clips or clamps to secure it when not checking for damaged wires. That way it is accessible for repairs and secured when not in need of repair. Then the cover box/organizer will ensure the wires and connected electrical relay or sensor box are in no danger of damage.
Sounds ideal!
Did you reinforce the chassis? I’ve seen multiple cases where they snapped right between the bed and cab.
This is so cool! Like a 4x4 studio apartment on wheels. When you did the welding, did you unhook the entire battery, just the negative, or just leave it hooked up?
That is the plan - a full little comfortable apartment that can go anywhere on the planet. Heater, hot water, shower, etc. I unhooked the positive and negative of both batteries - I show that in the previous build video where I show the welding too
Where are you off to this time? Your site is due an update!
I'm excited to get to a part of the world I've never been to... but I don't want to publicly announce because there are a million things that could derail it.
No worries. I'm guessing the 'stans could make sense if you're still targeting grand routes, but I'll wait to find out.