Tonks4x4 Defender 6x6 Expedition Camper

a great thread already! Looking forward to many many more updates!

Good idea with their bags !

Here is the first test video of the air bags

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5uEXKGMJFg

They look a little funny when deflated, obviously they will always have air in so will retain their shape when lowered normally with full weight on.


Tonks4x4 - The Land Rover Specialist

This thing is going to be a monster, looking forward to seeing it progress op2:

Air springs!

I can see you are the sort of man who can't just be satisfied with a 6x6. It needs air suspension too!

I will be following this thread with great interest.

Love the air suspension setup.

melon said:

love the air suspension setup.

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+1

Tonks4x4 said:

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That looks superb..

Great build please keep the picks coming !

Awesome build, watching with great interest

very imppresive

Tonks4x4 said:

I have always dreamed of building a 6x6 to use as a motorhome, I had collected many parts to create such a vehicle over a long period of time however happened across a genuine 6x6 so saved lots of time.

I will keep this thread updated as I go just in case anyone has an interest.


Tonks4x4 - The Land Rover Specialist

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Hi Tonks

Nice job, I have just purchased a 6x6 110 1996 ex army with a turbo diesel 3.9 liter Isuzu engine to be turned in to a Motor home. The diff ratio is 4.7:1 which I am planing to change. Can you tell me what ratio you have in yours.
thanks PJ

ozilandi said:

Hi Tonks

Nice job, I have just purchased a 6x6 110 1996 ex army with a turbo diesel 3.9 liter Isuzu engine to be turned in to a Motor home. The diff ratio is 4.7:1 which I am planing to change. Can you tell me what ratio you have in yours.
thanks PJ

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Sounds a bit special - think we need to see some pictures of that (on it's own thread of course). What was it's army role?

ozilandi said:

Hi Tonks

Nice job, I have just purchased a 6x6 110 1996 ex army with a turbo diesel 3.9 liter Isuzu engine to be turned in to a Motor home. The diff ratio is 4.7:1 which I am planing to change. Can you tell me what ratio you have in yours.
thanks PJ

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Hi PJ.

Was it the Perentie that was for sale in Queensland over the last week or so???

My diffs are 3.54:1 like a standard defender
I guess yours is the lower ratio for the higher load rating of 5.6t as mine is only 4.7t


Tonks4x4 - The Land Rover Specialist

I will follow this thread,
looks good so far anyway. What engine will you use ? and could you give us an idea of much it all costs as you go along

slim jim said:

I will follow this thread,
looks good so far anyway. What engine will you use ? and could you give us an idea of much it all costs as you go along

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I was going to upgrade the original 3.5 carb engine to a 3.9 EFi that I have from a late series 1 discovery, however I have now secured a 4.2 Efi from an LSE range rover.

Cost wise not including any labour it's currently just under £7k which also includes the purchase of the original vehicle.


Tonks4x4 - The Land Rover Specialist

The Australian army is selling lots of them over the next few years.
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Its interesting to hear that you have a stock diff ratio in your 6x6. Mine has 4.7, but I will change to either 3.54 or 4.11. I have to chose well, not to create a problem with first gear being to high. From the picture you can see this was a personnel carrier 8 men on the back, and an extremely heavy roll cage. I hope the motorhome will be much lighter. I am going to change the ratio once the motorhome is built, and I know the final weight. Mine is powered by a Isuzu 3.9Ltr. turbo diesel 4 speed Salisbury gear box.

Gday PJ

Not much to report, but the Recon LT85 is now painted and ready to fit....

Lickable. Looks ace that!

Well the gearbox and the recon transfer box have both been painted and now they are sat in the chassis to mock up to see what needs to be done to fit a TDCi Puma Bulkhead.



Early indications show that there is only minimal alterations required for the sticks on the V8 manual box to fit without fowling the bulkhead.

Once these modifications have been made I can send the bulkhead for blast and Galvanising.