Definatly going to a blog of some sort.
If it's a box construction from scatch the blog will be how to wing it..LoL
Looks like i'll be buying the truck while in ireland(from where evre then imporing it here as camper) but fitting it out at my parents in france.
As they have the space(big double barn).
And could do with some help with they're place.
So killing two birds with one stone.
I have the capability to do it here.
But having already left to fit the truck out somehwere else will give an immediate sense of fulfillment on the travel aspect.
Plus i will have left all job related stuff behind and only have truck(and parents place) to focus on.



"Do consider the Russian ex-army trucks which can be had with 0 km's from about £2.5k. They are simple to fix (if they ever do break which they don't) and parts are available by UPS/DHL etc. No Roads No Problem really is true for these trucks!

GAZ66
Zil 131
URAL 375 (petrol)
URAL 4320 (diesel)

TATRA is the best off road truck of all but pricey and probably too good for RTW! They can tow a trailer in snow up a 100% incline...

Also from CZ is the PRAGA which are as simple a truck as you can get but still with superb off road and cold weather ability, comes with portal axles, 4x4 & 6x6, air cooled engine and some even have a little wood/coal burning stove in the back! Price new? ...from £2k!

I'd advise anyone interested to visit our friendly forum where all your questions can be answered: ZIL131.com 1 Day Ago 11:05"



Thanks for the info.
But i must be honest they look like hungry guzzlers due to age etc.
And 40ish mph is a little too slow.
That ten mph makes all the difference.
I've found from past trips.
But if i'm wrong on the fuel consumption etc.
I will stand corrected.
Do they still make the zil and 4320?
Any one know they're fuel consumption?
Thank for all imput..
FF

This is what i'm thinking of at the moment!
Any one had any experience with these?
It's a bit short about 6.8mtrs but i think i can pull off about 1mtr overhang.
So end up with about 8mtrs in total and about 7mtrs in length living space.
Also thiniking of incorporating a rising roof so i can palce the bed at the top of one end. this will counteract the short living area as i need to incorporate storage for tools generator, welder, etc(i plane to be tooled up for the trip so i can visit any volunteer groups on route for example and lend a helping hand).

























The raisning roof i'm on about is basically what you see on some of the unicat vehicles.
I think i've sussed out the basic mechanics of it and when i get my truck i will know the exact requirements etc.
So i'm going to find an engineer to do the design of the mechanism etc and then fabricate it myself as much as possible but out source any bits that are beyond my capability.

The roof idea i wish to utilize inmore detail.

But no where near as shiny!!!

It may be a bit small but have you considered one of these?
Welcome to MOD Sales Online - Military Vehicles for Sale - #17724 - Bucher Duro 6x6 Mowag LHD

__________________
Chris
-----------------
"Never have a stupid argument with an idiot - he gets a lot more practice than you"
there I go again
not too hard really

I did look at these and they are a bit small for the lengh of time i intend to be in the thing!

So after a sleepless night(so i googled the internet for possible other options.
And i may have changed my direction of thnking again.
From the Bedford Tm to the leyland daf y440(i THINK)!!

the reason for this is the overall weight diff of the two.
The daff coming in alot lighter.
The fact that bedford is no longer making trucks but daf is making me concerned about getting parts if needed!

Heres the stat of the two.
Description Bedford TM 4x4 Drop Side Cargo
QTY50 in stock
DetailsBedford TM trucks are currently in service with the British Forces. The vehicle is 16,000kg gvw with 205 hp. We are able to offer this vehicle with flatbed or dropside body with new canopy fitted. They have a payload of 8,000kg and the inclusion of power steering and tilt cab make this vehicle very easy to maintain. A powerful 4x4 suited to conversion for drilling equipment and other such operations.
EngineBedford 500 205hp water cooled direct injection turboGearbox
BrakesSteeringPower steering LHD/RHD available
Tyres15.50/80 X 20 radialMax Load8,000kg
Electrics24 voltLength6.62m
Height2.47mWidth2.99m
G.V.W17,000kgHours / Mileage20,000 - 70,000km
Date into SvcPriceGBP £15,000.00 per unit



Description DAF YA4440 4x4 Drop Side Cargo Truck
QTY300 in stock
DetailsThe DAF YA4440 4x4 cargo truck used by NATO forces has proven to be a leader in the medium mobility field. Using all ZF transmission and steering components, coupled with the DAF engine, puts these well on par with the Mercedes 1017. We are able to supply vehicles with either flatbed cargo body or dropside with canopy. Immediately available large quantities ex NATO reserve stock in excellent condition. Options available: Water/fuel tanker Crane truck Tipper truck Service truck
EngineDAF DT615 6 cylinder turbo diesel developing 153hpGearboxManual ZF type with 5 forward and 1 reverse gears 2 speed transfer box
BrakesFull air system with exhaust retarderSteeringPower steering LHD available
Tyres12.00 x 20Max Load5,000kg
Electrics24 voltLength7.10m
Height2.40mWidth2.80m
G.V.W11,500kgHours / Mileage1,000 - 50,000kms
Date into Svc1983-87PriceGBP £17,500.00 per unit

Plus i've found the dafs available in europe for anything from €6000-€16000

Both the Zil and the URAL are still in production and can be had new for ~£20k - £30k. Correctly modified the petrol versions can be made to give ~10-12mpg. 45mph is quite fast enough thank you very much

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Hey fast ship.
Do you have any links to where i can find these trucks new?
Looking a bit more into thewm they do look like possibilities to me.
if you do could you post em.
Found reviews and history of trucks
but no sales to the prices you mention!!

Hello Funkyfro,

I'm a proud owner of a DAF YA4440.

I can say that they are very reliable (not from my own experience at this moment) as I know of 3 persons that have done round the world trips in them. They have had nothing broken exept for small things (heat shield for turbo). It is very important to have regular maintenance oil level checks, grease points, air lines, etc.

As for spare parts.
Gear box is ZF, found worldwide
Drive shaft is elbe, found worldwide
Engine is DAF 615DT, made millions of them
Fuel system is Bosch, found worldwide
The rest, I know of 3 dutch companies that exported these trucks primarily to africa by the thousands, and that is onely from a tiny country like holland.


Cons (in my opinoin):

On the original tires, slow!! 2400rpm loud!! is 80KPH
On 395/85r20 2150rpm is 80KPH (accepteble)
On 1400r20XZL (mine) 2000RPM is 80KPH (Almost quiet :-))
The downside of bigger tires is decrase in torque (depends on your needs)
You have to put in better seats (preferrably air suspension)
Not really great for off-roading because of only 153bhp (easilly upgraded to 175 but be carefull!) but with the right tyres manageble.
no diff lock

pros:

Easy mechanics, straight forward fuel system, engine with hardly any electrics.
full air brakes
Parts can be found wordlwide
Reliable (according to others with a lot of experience)
cheap to buy
On my tires (1400r20) volume is acceptable
Hi-low gear
stays under 12000Kg (for some parts of europe important with vignettes)
etc.

If you want to look at pictures go to:

Met Daffie Op Reis
The Africa Overland Network Independent Overland Travel across Africa, Asia and World
Afrika overland met een YA4440
Home

If you are in holland you are welcome to come and see mine


regards,

Henk Jan

No diff lock even in the rear is in my opinion a serious problem. It is possible that a NoSpin (Detroit Locker) is made for your differential. They have made many for larger trucks as well as small vehicles.
What is the precise designation of your rear axle? Perhaps we can find a NoSpin for you. The NoSpin uses your existing differential carrier so that the "setup" of rear diff gears does not need to be changed. The Detroit Locker uses a whole new carrier; usually only needed for smaller vehicles.

Charlie

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Unimog U500 w/Unicat

m37charlie,

I don't see the problem with no rear diff lock.
At least for my purposes. If you are going to do some serious off roading (Dresden-Breslau for instance) than you will need it but I have been testing past winter in morocco and with normal piste driving it is not a problem at all. In deset sand no problem, engage 4wd, deflate tires maybe engage low gear range.

I have not encountered deep mud yet but I can imagine that 4wd is more useful than diff lock.

that said, i know of at least 7 other people that have gone round africa and beond without diff lock and have had no serious problems so I guess it depends on your personal needs

regards,

Henk Jan

Not sure if it's too late for the suggestion, but I didn't see Iveco's mentioned in this thread (or did I miss 'em?).

Artic Expedition: Iveco's specialist 4x4 fleet unveiled

I'm not in Europe/UK so I don't know about the availability in your area, but from what I do know Iveco makes fantastic 4x4 trucks of various sizes...

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Have a look at my website
Bedford MJ
or
www.expedition-vehicle.co.uk
might give you a few ideas - my Luton obviously limits me severely off-road but that is what I wanted. The MJ has the added built in roofrack if you look at Withams - haggle over the price though!
Welcome to MOD Sales Online - Military Vehicles for Sale - #16929 - BEDFORD MJ SERIES (REFURBISHED)
The Bedford in the pic is mine. The story goes that the MOD refurbed them at a cost of £10-12k and stored them in air-conditioned hanger. The forces are getting new MAN trucks and decided to sell the Bedfords. I paid £6400 inc. VAT.
oh and this site
Travelling 4x4.com-Extreme overland travel expedition across the world in an ex-military motorhome conversion 4WD truck. | Travelling 4x4

cheers
MJ

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www.bedfordmj.co.uk

Of course 4WD is more useful than a diff lock; 4WD is essentially a center diff lock. If you've never been "crossed up" with one front wheel in the air or tractionless and likewise the opposite rear wheel, you are either very fortunate or else you don't venture very far off the road to find a secluded camping spot.
I agree it's unnecessary for piste driving. In sand, as you begin to get stuck one wheel on an axle will spin and start digging. That's where a diff lock will save you even on flat terrain. On any kind of twisty terrain (creeping across rocky ground to get out of sight to camp, or a steep rocky uphill piste) it is a wondrous device.
I detest getting stuck, even more so in a heavy vehicle and anything that helps prevent it is a good thing.
I wasn't suggesting a diff lock in place of 4WD; a rear diff lock with a 4WD will keep you from getting stuck in many situations with no additional weight.

Charlie

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Unimog U500 w/Unicat