Brett's V8 ML Triton. "WRONG"

[NowForThe5th]

Hi Guys, I have been floating around the forum for a while now, gathering info and advice, posting pics of things I've done to my Triton. I thought I'd put together a build thread. Sorry if I bore you all. You have probably all seen a Silver GLX-R Modified in the same fashion as I have done, however hopefully I may have had an idea along the way that is different to those of others.

I've owned my Triton for about 3 years now. The first two years I used it mainly to get my family around and tow my boat.

Earlier this year a mate and I decided that May 2014 we would do the Simpson. This meant that we had 12 months to plan the trip and have the cars ready for the trip. We both have 3 kids each as well (2x7yo, 2X9yo and 2x12yo), this will make planning a little more important.

Enough Typing for now, here are some pics from the beginning.

I have to say a big thanks to Shannon and Tony and PRO4X4 at Queenstown, SA. for all their help with the build.

[Bilbo]

In the early days.



I was stoked back then to upgrade my tyre to 265x75 r16's
and a set of roof racks.
Family ride days with friends were common and still are. We added an awning and bought a clip up tent that sits under the awning.

[Bilbo]

This is when the plan was hatched to do the Simpson and set the Triton up for some long range family touring.

I've tried to do thing once through my build. This way I like to think that I have saved some cash.


Body lift first.

I completed this in my driveway at home.


This is where we hooked up with Shannon and Tony at PRO4x4. (These guys are a terrible influence.)

A new deluxe Flexiglass canopy.
A mate and I fitted a snorkel. What a job, I think I'll pay some one to fit it next time.

[Bilbo]

fitted up a basket and some accessories.


Time for some bigger treads, 285/75 R16 Cooper S/T Maxx on ROH Blak Trak rims.
This could be the only thing I might change. I may swap back to alloys to shed the extra weight of the steel rims.
Very happy with these tyres.
Back to PRO4X4, Xrox front bar fitted, Xrox rock sliders fitted, light bar and LED driving lights fitted. I went with Xrox because you can order them to suit a 50mm body lift.

[Bilbo]

I also had a Tigerz11 roof top tent fitted and a Domin8tor 12000lb winch. Check out how low the GLX-R tow bar sits after the body lift.
getting there.

LED light in canopy.
I bought small inline switches with the light strips, they dim the lights as well as stobe, on and off.
UHF fitted, it's a split system. I mounted the head unit in the sunglass holder in the factory over head console. The pic is a shocker but you get the idea.

[scalvert]

I don't mean to be a bad influence, i've just got loads of great ideas!

[Bilbo]

the next fun bit. Building a twin rear wheel carrier. (As light as possible retaking its strength.)


I got this far, then off for a trip to the Flinders.

[Bilbo]

the girls thought is was great in the tent, while the boys swagged it on the ground.




back home and finished off the rear bar.

[Bilbo]

3 inch exhaust fitted by Well Hung Exhausts ant Lonsdale. They have done a magic job weaving the exhaust between the chassis and the body. (To date no heat issues through the body.)

[Bilbo]

back to Shannon at PRO4X4, this time for a suspension lift. In the front, King springs and Drive Tech shocks, 50mm lift. In the rear Custom Leaf spring by Adelaide industrial Springs built to Shannon's specs. Drive Tech shocks currently 60mm lift. (Waiting for more weight in the tub. Hopefully the back will come down a little.)

ipad holder installed, Hema maps app, works a treat.
Deep Creek on a Sunday arvo.

the sunset over a dam on our way home.

[Bilbo]

an arvo BBQ at Myponga Beach.

rewired the tub. Now it is functional.
Also installed a dual battery set up.
made up a fridge slide and rack for storage.

[Bilbo]

Now my current project. A long range tank to replace the spare tyre. When finished it will hold 150lt. I will make a twin filler through the original filler. I plan to have a small pump to move fuel through to the original tank. I'll have a desperate filter for this tank to ensure any fuel picked up in the out back is filtered before entering the original tank. I'm also working on a three way switch on my dash to be able to flick my fuel gauge between tanks.

[Bilbo]

a day out fishing.

[knotty5170]

MATE-
Lovely build up!!!
One caution though- refer to a MN owner who bent his chassis rails up the arse end due to excess weight over hanging/ Cantilevering the tub- i.e. the 2 spare wheels, and all the load in the tub inc. of roof load. He was also towing a camper trailer too, through the simpson- with all the dunes ups and downs motion the static weight becomes live load. although he weighed his truck and it was under 1T and the camper trailer was only 900kgs or so, the live load with momentum can range up to 5 times greater.
Just keep an eye on your chassis rails- maybe even have it looked over by ARB or someone of the auto engineering field (I am not sure of your background- so apologies for any offence), to see if theres any creasing, and that it will hold.
We would hate to see you come home and report any disasters!!

I noticed a pic with your front L wheel in the creek- was this the track from Blinman to Parachilna?? I love that track- so many creeks!
And another
A couple of pics at the beach- was that Myponga? if so I surfed there only a few weeks ago- My home town is Maslin Beach S.A. but I live in Newcastle now.

All the best mate, I'll be in Birdsville next yr for the races, and we are taking the simpson route home to..

Adam

[Bilbo]

MATE-
Lovely build up!!!
One caution though- refer to a MN owner who bent his chassis rails up the arse end due to excess weight over hanging/ Cantilevering the tub- i.e. the 2 spare wheels, and all the load in the tub inc. of roof load. He was also towing a camper trailer too, through the simpson- with all the dunes ups and downs motion the static weight becomes live load. although he weighed his truck and it was under 1T and the camper trailer was only 900kgs or so, the live load with momentum can range up to 5 times greater.
Just keep an eye on your chassis rails- maybe even have it looked over by ARB or someone of the auto engineering field (I am not sure of your background- so apologies for any offence), to see if theres any creasing, and that it will hold.
We would hate to see you come home and report any disasters!!

I noticed a pic with your front L wheel in the creek- was this the track from Blinman to Parachilna?? I love that track- so many creeks!
And another
A couple of pics at the beach- was that Myponga? if so I surfed there only a few weeks ago- My home town is Maslin Beach S.A. but I live in Newcastle now.

All the best mate, I'll be in Birdsville next yr for the races, and we are taking the simpson route home to..

Adam

Hi Adam, Thanks for the heads up. A few people have mentioned the weight factor. I'll keep an eye on it and see how we go. I'm trying to distribute the heavy weight evenly throughout the rest of the tub. I do understand the potential weight issues and the lever effect that could be caused. We plan on quite a few short trips before the Simpson to test everything out.

You are on the money on both accounts, Blinman to Parachilna, and also Myponga Beach. Myponga beach is a 10min drive from home so we quite often take the kids there to have some fun, or head down to Deep Creek.

Cheers Brett.

[Cowboy Dave]

Bash plates? I noticed the stock ones still on in some of the photos.

[13b bp]

Nice another SA member and you look to be in the same area as me if you go to pro 4x4 they are a customer of work

[Bilbo]

Bash plates? I noticed the stock ones still on in some of the photos.

Yep Bash plates are definitely next on the list. Then I'd like to have a play around with my diff ratios to counter act the 33's. May look into Pajero diffs to see if we can make any fit.

[Bilbo]

Nice another SA member and you look to be in the same area as me if you go to pro 4x4 they are a customer of work

Thanks 13b bp. Pro4x4 are about an hour away. I'm down at Sellicks Beach, a beautiful part of the world.

[13b bp]

I'm in the Woodville area, I do like the southern area great beaches, camping etc

[macca002]

I am liking your tank idea. What are your plans for baffles?

[Bilbo]

I am liking your tank idea. What are your plans for baffles?

Thanks, the tank is the reason I built the twin rear wheel carrier. The tank is 800 wide. I'll have one baffle cut out the same as the side plates you see in the pics. I'll cut the corners out before welding it in. My main issues will be plumbing the whole thing. Allowing for equaliser tubes above the tank where it wraps around the spare wheel carrier. Fuel filters etc. I look forward to the challenge.

My fuel economy is shocking, being an auto, with roof top tent and 33's etc. I think I'll have about 1200km range burning 16lt/100km. I look forward to that too.

[hvac guy]

track down some higher ratio diffs that will sought our fuel out more as well, do u run air bags i would love a rang of 1200 km

[Bilbo]

track down some higher ratio diffs that will sought our fuel out more as well, do u run air bags i would love a rang of 1200 km

changing diff ratios is definitely high on my list. I have been considering converting a paj diff. Cutting off the coil mounts and replacing them with leaf spring mounts. I measured up a 94 paj the other day. The diff was 4.875 and the whole assembly is 1500mm wide. Not that different to the Triton. The front diff seams to be the easy change.

No air bags. I have read lots about them and have come to the conclusion that if used they can contribute to a bent chassis. My rear springs are rated at 400kg above. Hopefully they will carry the weight ok.

Cheers Brett

[Pearcie45]

Great read and even better looking truck!

Must have been quite a task doing the build thread all in one hit!