This truck is an ideal compromised truck size with unique independent suspension which allows a continuous unit from the habitat to the driving cabin, making it much more spacious. It is only 2m wide so it will go almost where a 4x4 pickup can go!
Play the animation video below to see the different phases of the conversion or orbit in the 3Dmodel at the bottom of the page.
You can stop the video anytime to look at the different scenes in details.
Base Truck – 6x6 Bucher Mowag Duro
The truck was totally unbuilt and with no running engine. As it was a left-hand drive, it was not possible to import it in Namibia, so the truck is registered in Swaziland.
clearance 38 cm
wheel base 353+115 cm
front angle 45 degre
rear angle 36 degre
power 120 -> 240* hp
torque 340 -> 600* Nm
weight 4 T -> 8* T
speed 90 km/h
fuel consumption 20 l/100 km (5 km/l)
* with Cummins 6BT engine
Conversion
For a complete story on the Duro and day by day challenges, follow the Utopia Odyssey build on Instagram: @paulgodard_utopiaodyssey.
Here is a list of the work to be done on the truck:
second hand Cummins 6BT
new straight-6 injection pump
new starter motor 24v/2KW
new alternator 24v/110W
new turbo as spare
new 24v electric fans (front & back of intercooler)
new seals & some new pistons on front & middle axles brakes
new seals & ball-joints on all suspension arms
4-speed auto Allison gaerbox overhauled (after breakdown)
all propshafts checked & re-newed where necessary
all 6 Bilstein shocks serviced & tuned to 8T
radiator services (small leak fixed)
several water/oil/air pipes replaced
steering box serviced (small internal leak)
chassis & metal parts re-sprayed black
8 coil springs sparyed Utopia green
all trailer air/hydraulic brake components removed
and the driving cabin:
extra brackets under pivot hinges & coil bases (to raise cabin by 16cm)
floor engine box cut off & lowered to 5cm
adding seat 5cm spacers (to create enough space for 2 new swiveling seats)
extending steering column by 16cm
reinforcing floor with fiberglass layer
gear/hand brake consol remodelled
ruber layer on floor
3cm sound/heat insulation under floor
rear panel cut for bigger openning with habitat
ceiling cut off
extending cabin walls to habitat height for better aerodynamism
complete new dashboard with VDO instruments, android navigation system, TPMS, AC outlets & controls...
new ceiling compartment with AC & VHF/UHF 2-way radio Radioddity DB-25G
2 speakers in door panels
extra insulation in door panels
2 new seats with armrests, hydraulic suspension, electric back massage & speakers in headrests
electric central door locking with remote control & alarm
electric windows
new head beams (original replacement)
extra long-range Hella lights
new LED ceiling lights
extra air horn
extra tiltable frame for 2 e-bikes on front bumper
and some extra on chassis:
4 hydraulic 2-stage jacks on separate hydraulic unit (to level or lift the whole truck)
6-wheel spider air hose with valves (to inflate/deflate all 6 tyres at the same time)
extra 240l diesel tank in middle of truck above chassis (to give about 2000km range)
new exhaulst pipe staright up along driving cabin right door with heat protective plate
extra air intake with Donaldson cyclone pre-filter in habitat
new radiator water tank above air filter on side of habitat
base plate for 24v/11T electric winch in front between chassis
single & double wheels arches
protective plate under engine & steering arms
Then comes the habitat:
60x40x2mm steel subframe directly fixed on 10 original brackets
This truck is an ideal compromised truck size with unique independent suspension which allows a continuous unit from the habitat to the driving cabin, making it much more spacious. It is only 2m wide so it will go almost where a 4x4 pickup can go!
Play the animation video below to see the different phases of the conversion or orbit in the 3Dmodel at the bottom of the page.
You can stop the video anytime to look at the different scenes in details.
Base Truck – 6x6 Bucher Mowag Duro
The truck was totally unbuilt and with no running engine. As it was a left-hand drive, it was not possible to import it in Namibia, so the truck is registered in Swaziland.
clearance 38 cm
wheel base 353+115 cm
front angle 45 degre
rear angle 36 degre
power 120 -> 240* hp
torque 340 -> 600* Nm
weight 4 T -> 8* T
speed 90 km/h
fuel consumption 20 l/100 km (5 km/l)
* with Cummins 6BT engine
Conversion
For a complete story on the Duro and day by day challenges, follow the Utopia Odyssey build on Instagram: @paulgodard_utopiaodyssey.
Here is a list of the work to be done on the truck:
second hand Cummins 6BT
new straight-6 injection pump
new starter motor 24v/2KW
new alternator 24v/110W
new turbo as spare
new 24v electric fans (front & back of intercooler)
new seals & some new pistons on front & middle axles brakes
new seals & ball-joints on all suspension arms
4-speed auto Allison gaerbox overhauled (after breakdown)
all propshafts checked & re-newed where necessary
all 6 Bilstein shocks serviced & tuned to 8T
radiator services (small leak fixed)
several water/oil/air pipes replaced
steering box serviced (small internal leak)
chassis & metal parts re-sprayed black
8 coil springs sparyed Utopia green
all trailer air/hydraulic brake components removed
and the driving cabin:
extra brackets under pivot hinges & coil bases (to raise cabin by 16cm)
floor engine box cut off & lowered to 5cm
adding seat 5cm spacers (to create enough space for 2 new swiveling seats)
extending steering column by 16cm
reinforcing floor with fiberglass layer
gear/hand brake consol remodelled
ruber layer on floor
3cm sound/heat insulation under floor
rear panel cut for bigger openning with habitat
ceiling cut off
extending cabin walls to habitat height for better aerodynamism
complete new dashboard with VDO instruments, android navigation system, TPMS, AC outlets & controls...
new ceiling compartment with AC & VHF/UHF 2-way radio Radioddity DB-25G
2 speakers in door panels
extra insulation in door panels
2 new seats with armrests, hydraulic suspension, electric back massage & speakers in headrests
electric central door locking with remote control & alarm
electric windows
new head beams (original replacement)
extra long-range Hella lights
new LED ceiling lights
extra air horn
extra tiltable frame for 2 e-bikes on front bumper
and some extra on chassis:
4 hydraulic 2-stage jacks on separate hydraulic unit (to level or lift the whole truck)
6-wheel spider air hose with valves (to inflate/deflate all 6 tyres at the same time)
extra 240l diesel tank in middle of truck above chassis (to give about 2000km range)
new exhaulst pipe staright up along driving cabin right door with heat protective plate
extra air intake with Donaldson cyclone pre-filter in habitat
new radiator water tank above air filter on side of habitat
base plate for 24v/11T electric winch in front between chassis
single & double wheels arches
protective plate under engine & steering arms
Then comes the habitat:
60x40x2mm steel subframe directly fixed on 10 original brackets
