Little Bear Build

[dwlindsey]

I've got a thread in the FMTV forum about my recent purchase and work on an M1088 A1.

The intent is to create an Expedition Vehicle, which we've named "Little Bear" or "Ursa Minor"

So I'm starting a thread here about the build.

I expect to be 6 months or a year working on the truck before starting the habitat build, so our plans will probably evolve, but here are some images of what we're thinking Little Bear will look like:




Note the folding stairway for passenger cab access. We think we can build that, but we're still working out if the actuator will be air, hydraulic or electric. We need to take more measurements.

In the drivers side image, we've got a 100 gallon fuel tank, but no plan for the batteries and air tanks. So that will probably change.

On the passenger side, I think I can get a 75 gallon rectangular tank in place of the current one. The current one is missing part of the cube to allow for the winch cable, which I don't have and don't want. There's a Ford style 75 gallon tank that I think will fit.

I'm not sure at all about the long overhang. As usual it's a competition of ideas . . . what the wife wants and what I'd like to drive. I might shorten it up a few feet.

 

[TechnoWeenie]

That overhang makes me nervous.

 

[dwlindsey]

Yeah, I know. Little bear has a tail that will wag into something when I turn.

 

[AKPacker]

Nice, what did you use to draw that up? If it were me, I'd put a lift bed in the living area and chop 4-5 feet off the back bedroom area. You could still do a short garage/storage area behind the rear axles but your departure angle would vastly improve.

 

[dwlindsey]

It was done in Solidworks, not by me. I have a colleague who is fluent is SW and is quite interested in the build. We bought a CAD model of a 1088, which isn't quite accurate, but it's where we started

I think it does need to be shorter . . . I'll just need to negotiate with my wife

 

[dwlindsey]

Here's what happens if we just take 1 or 2 feet off the box. 2 feet gets us a 30 degree departure angle.

Before the deletion of 1 or 2 feet, the box is 22'11". I think a 21 foot box should be OK.

I don't plan on a lot of hill climbing, but I have been presented with big dips in the road, with steep sides, when traveling in my motorhome in Baha. I recently dragged my rear end on one of those. I got through it, but it was ugly.

30 degrees? Is it enough?

 

[TechnoWeenie]

If you're doing any serious offroading, you're either going to want to draw an imaginary 45* from your rear tire to about halfway up your occupant structure, or make the occupant structure end before the bumperettes.

You can fit a lot in 15-16'

 

[dwlindsey]

If you're doing any serious offroading, you're either going to want to draw an imaginary 45* from your rear tire to about halfway up your occupant structure, or make the occupant structure end before the bumperettes.

You can fit a lot in 15-16'

I get it, but might not be able to do it.

We are currently in a 38 foot motorhome with 4 slide outs. The wife is NOT going to be content with a 15 foot box. And she's not going to be happy with "serious off roading" We will probably be more on dirt roads and beaches and not serious trails.

As usual with design decisions, there's a competition of ideas. In this case the idea "keep the wife happy" is pretty high on the list.