A 105 easily fits in the engine compartment... so not sure the need for 3 batteries...Mcnoogle wrote: I have seen vehicles here with a 2nd (smaller battery) in the engine compartment that their lights etc run through, thus leaving the all important duel system for driving / camping.
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Simon Bloomer
I have finally taken the knock, spent 12.5K and bought: 
A) 4 New Cooper Dicoverer STTs 31x10.5x15s.
Awesome tyres, even more aggressive grip than previous model, with tread that runs a quarter of the way down the side of the wall, so when your running on sand (0.6 - 0.8 bar) your not riding on wall, but on more tread.
Sidewall is 3 ply Polyester. Tread is 2 ply steel, 3 ply Polyester. Tyres are now also R rated.
Also the 'bead' against the inside of the rim is a lot more pronounced which will further aid in prevention of running the tyre off the rim when deflated. (At R1,500 (on special) a piece, not a bad buy at all)
and they look soooo awesome.
B) A Hannibal Full length Roof Rack
(surprisingly, its even wider than the Nissan Patrol's Roof Rack)....its really big
Also, Whats nice about the hannibal is they have a full length rubber lined aluminum strip that runs the length of your gutter, and then the 3 fixing points. So its a stronger mounting option for gutters (gen1, and gen2) Its also open at the front, so offers slightly less wind resistance when empty.
A really nicely finished Roof-rack @ R6,400.
Finally, Bismark is looking slightly less bedraggled.
When I get a decent chance, I shall post new pics
A) 4 New Cooper Dicoverer STTs 31x10.5x15s.
Awesome tyres, even more aggressive grip than previous model, with tread that runs a quarter of the way down the side of the wall, so when your running on sand (0.6 - 0.8 bar) your not riding on wall, but on more tread.
Sidewall is 3 ply Polyester. Tread is 2 ply steel, 3 ply Polyester. Tyres are now also R rated.
Also the 'bead' against the inside of the rim is a lot more pronounced which will further aid in prevention of running the tyre off the rim when deflated. (At R1,500 (on special) a piece, not a bad buy at all)
and they look soooo awesome.
B) A Hannibal Full length Roof Rack
(surprisingly, its even wider than the Nissan Patrol's Roof Rack)....its really big
Also, Whats nice about the hannibal is they have a full length rubber lined aluminum strip that runs the length of your gutter, and then the 3 fixing points. So its a stronger mounting option for gutters (gen1, and gen2) Its also open at the front, so offers slightly less wind resistance when empty.
A really nicely finished Roof-rack @ R6,400.
Finally, Bismark is looking slightly less bedraggled.
When I get a decent chance, I shall post new pics
Update as follows on Bismark.
Projects to be done are as follows:
4 Spots on the front.
(still not fitted, in fact I've now lost the relays etc, yet to manufacture the mounting plate, but I think its about time I get started)
Recovery points and protection plates
(Bought my D shackles, have the basic design in my head, just need to put it to task)
Increase front ride height
Not looking at that yet.
Replace back shocks, and upgrade springs.
Not yet.
Increase / change flow of air-intake to radiator
Haven't even begun to think about this
Purchase or manufacture roof-rack (Roof-tent up front, 1 tyre, 4 jerrycans, spade, ax at rear) table and solar under.
Hannibal Roof-rack in place, now to start thinking in terms of bracket designs.
Manufacture framework for slinging gas bottles over back door from roof-rack
Part & Parcel of nr6: bracket design's, so nothing yet.
Dual Battery System (possibly even a 3rd)
This is the next thing I'm looking at.
CB Radio System
Also next on my to do list.
33x12.5x15 Cooper STT's (Including 2 spares) i.e 6 new rims & 6 new Tyres.
Opted for 31x10.5x15 Cooper Discoverer STT's, 4 new,as they look great. 
(still need 2 for the Spare & 2nd Spare)
Desperately still also looking for another Rim (Std Gen 2 rim)
Replace Tyres on 5 current rims with 32 / 33 BFG A/Ts
Will get around to that in time, as this would be purely for tar driving
Snorkel.
Not yet, bank manager says not yet...
Suspension heightening
Need time, patience, and space, preferably a buddy who knows what hes doing better than I, and a few beers
Rear Bumper upgrade - improve exit angle
Will still get around to that.
Rear Diff Lock.
When I'm rich......enough to get this done I will get this done
Packing System, with Water storage.
Not sure yet if I want to still go this route, as I'm looking at an Echo trailer
Branding
Way behind schedule, but are trying to get this sorted asap.
Projects to be done are as follows:
4 Spots on the front. (still not fitted, in fact I've now lost the relays etc, yet to manufacture the mounting plate, but I think its about time I get started)
Recovery points and protection plates (Bought my D shackles, have the basic design in my head, just need to put it to task)
Increase front ride heightNot looking at that yet.
Replace back shocks, and upgrade springs.Not yet.
Increase / change flow of air-intake to radiatorHaven't even begun to think about this
Purchase or manufacture roof-rack (Roof-tent up front, 1 tyre, 4 jerrycans, spade, ax at rear) table and solar under. Hannibal Roof-rack in place, now to start thinking in terms of bracket designs. Manufacture framework for slinging gas bottles over back door from roof-rackPart & Parcel of nr6: bracket design's, so nothing yet.
Dual Battery System (possibly even a 3rd) This is the next thing I'm looking at. CB Radio System Also next on my to do list. 33x12.5x15 Cooper STT's (Including 2 spares) i.e 6 new rims & 6 new Tyres. Opted for 31x10.5x15 Cooper Discoverer STT's, 4 new,as they look great. (still need 2 for the Spare & 2nd Spare)
Desperately still also looking for another Rim (Std Gen 2 rim) Replace Tyres on 5 current rims with 32 / 33 BFG A/TsWill get around to that in time, as this would be purely for tar driving
Snorkel.Not yet, bank manager says not yet...
Suspension heightening Need time, patience, and space, preferably a buddy who knows what hes doing better than I, and a few beers Rear Bumper upgrade - improve exit angleWill still get around to that.
Rear Diff Lock. When I'm rich......enough to get this done I will get this done Packing System, with Water storage. Not sure yet if I want to still go this route, as I'm looking at an Echo trailer Branding Way behind schedule, but are trying to get this sorted asap.
Mcnoogle
Firstly I HATE CLOWNS!!!!
Secondly you are on a move hey, no time to waste, please keep us posted (with pic's)
Firstly I HATE CLOWNS!!!!
Secondly you are on a move hey, no time to waste, please keep us posted (with pic's)
Thanks for the note Pajeroman,
did you know, you can actually hire people dressed as scary clowns to stalk/follow you around,
people actually do this to get over their fear of clowns.
Anyway, I will try, work tends to get in the way, but hopefully I'll update more often than I have been.
did you know, you can actually hire people dressed as scary clowns to stalk/follow you around,
people actually do this to get over their fear of clowns.
Anyway, I will try, work tends to get in the way, but hopefully I'll update more often than I have been.
OK,
Finally, the time has come, a few pics, due to some minor tweaks and work done over the week-end.
1stly, moved the trailer wiring loom socket from on the extension plate, to mount directly on the bumper (no longer necessary to disconnect it when removing the extension plate.
Old & New Mounting point:
New mounting point:
(I needed to file the socket base profile, as the bumper had a slight curve to it.
Finished product (no more disconnecting the cable when removing towbar extension plate)
Then, added my Stickers, Gel sticker to the rear:
And Finally tackled the Banner sticker, which looks AWESOME.
Also finished re-routing my Winch control box to the engine compartment, complete with new wiring, so now its no longer on the bumper, instead I have an irritating hole on the cover place, that's rusting (not to self: get this welded, sand blasted & re-sprayed / powder coated)
Now Bismark looks like this:
Finally, the time has come, a few pics, due to some minor tweaks and work done over the week-end.
1stly, moved the trailer wiring loom socket from on the extension plate, to mount directly on the bumper (no longer necessary to disconnect it when removing the extension plate.
Old & New Mounting point:
New mounting point:
(I needed to file the socket base profile, as the bumper had a slight curve to it.
Finished product (no more disconnecting the cable when removing towbar extension plate)
Then, added my Stickers, Gel sticker to the rear:
And Finally tackled the Banner sticker, which looks AWESOME.
Also finished re-routing my Winch control box to the engine compartment, complete with new wiring, so now its no longer on the bumper, instead I have an irritating hole on the cover place, that's rusting (not to self: get this welded, sand blasted & re-sprayed / powder coated)
Now Bismark looks like this:
OK,
So, reality has set in, certain thought processes have changed, and need to re-work my list
It stands as follows:
Mods completed:
Hannibal Roof-rack in place, now to start thinking in terms of bracket designs.
Opted for 31x10.5x15 Cooper Discoverer STT's, 4 new,as they look great.
(still need 2 for the Spare & 2nd Spare)
Acquired another 4 rims, 1 for my 2nd spare, 2 for my trailer, and one extra (for now) (long term will need another 4 wheels (so I can fit 4+1 with HT's / AT's for Off off-road.)
FINALLY got my branding sorted, banner on the front, Gel on the back
Stuff That I want do do soon, capable on a mediocre salary
Bull-Bar Refurbishment. Sandblast & Re-Powdercoat (2 coats) in Satin black Bull bar (1st need to weld two mounting nuts for my Spotlight plate)
Winch Plate Refurbishment - Sandblast due to rust starting, and Powdercoat in Yellow.
4 Spots on the front.still not fitted, in fact I've now lost the relays etc, yet to manufacture the mounting plate, but I think its about time I get started (now gone into fabrication mode) so a good time to make it.
Rear Recovery points (Busy with my recovery points on the back (too little time this year, so will only be finished next year) Will also be blasted & Powder coated in Satin Black, and yellow to match my D-shackles.
CB Radio System - Also next on my to do list.
Replace back shocks, and upgrade springs.
Increase / change flow of air-intake to radiator
Haven't even begun to think about how to do this
Dual Battery System (When the bank manager allows me to do this. 
Snorkel.
Not yet, bank manager says not yet...
Suspension heightening
Need time, patience, and space, preferably a buddy who knows what hes doing better than I, and a few beers
Rear Bumper upgrade - improve exit angle
One day.....
Rear Diff Lock.
When I'm rich......enough to get this done I will get this done
Packing System, with Water storage.
Not sure yet if I want to still go this route, as I'm looking at an Echo trailer
So, reality has set in, certain thought processes have changed, and need to re-work my list
It stands as follows:
Mods completed:
Hannibal Roof-rack in place, now to start thinking in terms of bracket designs. Opted for 31x10.5x15 Cooper Discoverer STT's, 4 new,as they look great. (still need 2 for the Spare & 2nd Spare)
Acquired another 4 rims, 1 for my 2nd spare, 2 for my trailer, and one extra (for now) (long term will need another 4 wheels (so I can fit 4+1 with HT's / AT's for Off off-road.) FINALLY got my branding sorted, banner on the front, Gel on the backStuff That I want do do soon, capable on a mediocre salary
Bull-Bar Refurbishment. Sandblast & Re-Powdercoat (2 coats) in Satin black Bull bar (1st need to weld two mounting nuts for my Spotlight plate) Winch Plate Refurbishment - Sandblast due to rust starting, and Powdercoat in Yellow. 4 Spots on the front.still not fitted, in fact I've now lost the relays etc, yet to manufacture the mounting plate, but I think its about time I get started (now gone into fabrication mode) so a good time to make it. Rear Recovery points (Busy with my recovery points on the back (too little time this year, so will only be finished next year) Will also be blasted & Powder coated in Satin Black, and yellow to match my D-shackles. CB Radio System - Also next on my to do list. Replace back shocks, and upgrade springs. Increase / change flow of air-intake to radiatorHaven't even begun to think about how to do this
Dual Battery System (When the bank manager allows me to do this. Snorkel.Not yet, bank manager says not yet...
Suspension heightening Need time, patience, and space, preferably a buddy who knows what hes doing better than I, and a few beers Rear Bumper upgrade - improve exit angleOne day.....
Rear Diff Lock. When I'm rich......enough to get this done I will get this done Packing System, with Water storage. Not sure yet if I want to still go this route, as I'm looking at an Echo trailer
Thanks for the pics - that's my next job...Mcnoogle wrote:OK,
Finally, the time has come, a few pics, due to some minor tweaks and work done over the week-end.
1stly, moved the trailer wiring loom socket from on the extension plate, to mount directly on the bumper (no longer necessary to disconnect it when removing the extension plate.
Maybe (if it reaches) I will put it om the RHS, to reduce risk of someone stepping on it.
Anton
Thats a really good point (pity I've already drilled the holes), I think now it would be better on the other sidetonton wrote:
Maybe (if it reaches) I will put it om the RHS, to reduce risk of someone stepping on it.
Anton