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Hello from 4x4 Coaster!

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05 Aug 2013 19:20 - 05 Aug 2013 19:22 #1 by 4x4Coaster
4x4Coaster created the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
G'day Oka owners,
as you can see from my avatar, I don't have an Oka.
I have a fully custom built Toyota Coaster 4x4 bus.
I've been a long time admirer of Oka's and custom built 4x4's all my life.
I am a carpenter by trade and in my early twenties worked for a company called Sunchaser Motorhomes in Braeside Vic.
Even then I saw the potential for a 4x4 motorhome/camper and dreamed of starting my own business doing custom conversions.
Travelled around Australia for 14months over '83 to '84 in our CFL Bedford van, which was heavily modified of course, and fell in love with the outback travel scene.

Some of you may remember that Fred Black from 'Out of Town' & 'Loneranger' built 2 4x4 LWB Coasters around '99, 2000. The first time I saw one I new I had to have one and eight years later made a start on my own conversion. It took every weekend and weeknight after work for about 14 months to get it running & engineered, and 4 years later I'm still tinkering and changing things as I go.

I look forward to sharing with other forum members and hopefully joining in on trips/gatherings when possible.

regards,

Glen.

4x4Coaster

'87 SWB Toyota Coaster
2007 F250 Superduty Front & rear axles, 5R110 5speed Auto, NP273 transfer case
Cummins 12v 6b T/D from '94 Dodge Ram
Front coil suspension with custom radius arms
Rear coaster leaf springs with Airbags
All work done by owner
Last Edit: 05 Aug 2013 19:22 by 4x4Coaster. Reason: add text.

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05 Aug 2013 19:36 #2 by Hal Harvey
Hal Harvey replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Welcome here Glen, sounds like you'll fit in just fine. We need more photos! And whereabouts are you based

Principal advisor to the Minister for Tourism, Liza Harvey MLA
... OKA 260 ... "I'm not leaving any sooner than I have to!"
www.byles.net/OLDportal/members-vehicles-public/5-oka-260

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05 Aug 2013 19:48 #3 by 4x4Coaster
4x4Coaster replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Hal Harvey,
thanks for the welcome, I'm Geelong based.
I've got hundreds of pics of the build up and trips since, as well as some video on Youtube - easy to find if you search for Toyota Coaster cummins 4x4.

here is one at the start of the build, wondering how I'm going to get that monster of a motor in there!


4x4Coaster

'87 SWB Toyota Coaster
2007 F250 Superduty Front & rear axles, 5R110 5speed Auto, NP273 transfer case
Cummins 12v 6b T/D from '94 Dodge Ram
Front coil suspension with custom radius arms
Rear coaster leaf springs with Airbags
All work done by owner
Attachments:

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05 Aug 2013 19:57 - 05 Aug 2013 19:59 #4 by TH
TH replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
G'day Glen

Welcome.

I was stopped in front of the Caltex in Dongara a few weeks back when a tricked up 4wd coaster came past with a friendly wave. It had a name, which I didn't catch and underneath "Made in Australia" which did catch my eye. Looked like a decent set-up.

What diffs do you use in the front?

Cheers, Tony
Last Edit: 05 Aug 2013 19:59 by TH.

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06 Aug 2013 08:21 #5 by Rick Whitworth
Rick Whitworth replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
G'day Glen,
you must be just back from the Cape
How was the trip?
Rick

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06 Aug 2013 08:24 #6 by Rick Whitworth
Rick Whitworth replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Glen lives just round the corner from me and his 4x4 Coaster conversion is the best you will see anywhere.
Brilliant mechanicals and great finish

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06 Aug 2013 10:40 #7 by Outback Jack
Outback Jack replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
I remember reading the conversion on another forum. Intresting conversion.

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06 Aug 2013 16:04 #8 by 4x4Coaster
4x4Coaster replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
TH, front diff is dana 60 as used by Ford from about 2006.
Interesting that you mention Dongara (WA I presume) because one of Fred Blacks Coaster conversions was purchased by a guy from WA last year so that is possibly the one you saw.


G'day Rick,
thanks for the praise!
Yes, just got back from the Cape but not how we planned.

We did the full Tele Track and the bus handled it better than any observers could have imagined! sure surprised a lot of people.
We made it to Bamaga and went to the 'Tip' but when we headed south things turned ugly.
About 50k south of the Jardine ferry crossing, the auto let go all together, lost every gear.
The recovery process is a long and drawn out one I'll save for another day but the short of it is the bus goes by barge from the port at Seisia down to Cairns, then by road transport home to Geelong and will take up to 3 weeks.
We had to fly home only taking bare essentials with us.

I've spoken to Aaron at DTM automatics in Fyans st and he thinks that to lose all gears it has to be either main shaft break, failed pump or failed torque converter. If it was an electrical problem I should still have some limp mode mobility.

We also had some fun at Pennefather inlet north of Weipa. Got caught on a dead end track in the sand which was mostly drift sand. When I tried to reverse down, the bus slid sideways on the loose sand and very nearly rolled on to its side, very scary few seconds!
I'm sure glad I fitted that winch now! We spent 2 hours with 2 winches, 2 shovels, 3 snatch blocks, 2 extension straps and 2 tree trunk protectors getting it out. It was 29deg and no clouds, lots of sweat involved.

Here is a shot to give you an idea...




Outback Jack,
yes it is in the 4wd Action forum under member build ups.

4x4Coaster

'87 SWB Toyota Coaster
2007 F250 Superduty Front & rear axles, 5R110 5speed Auto, NP273 transfer case
Cummins 12v 6b T/D from '94 Dodge Ram
Front coil suspension with custom radius arms
Rear coaster leaf springs with Airbags
All work done by owner
Attachments:

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06 Aug 2013 17:47 #9 by Joseph Baz
Joseph Baz replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Hi Glenn,
Welcome to the group,very interesting rig you have built!! what tranny did you couple to the Cunmmins?
Cheers,Joe

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06 Aug 2013 18:26 #10 by 4x4Coaster
4x4Coaster replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Joe,
trans is the 5R110 which is the 5 speed full electronic trans out of late model F250/F350.
A company in the USA called Destroked make the adaptor plates and custom torque converter and supply a PCS transmission controller to make the auto work (aftermarket TCU)
It is an expensive adaption at 5k for the kit. Kit contains physical adaptor plate, custom torque converter, TCU & software, wiring harness & starter motor.

4x4Coaster

'87 SWB Toyota Coaster
2007 F250 Superduty Front & rear axles, 5R110 5speed Auto, NP273 transfer case
Cummins 12v 6b T/D from '94 Dodge Ram
Front coil suspension with custom radius arms
Rear coaster leaf springs with Airbags
All work done by owner

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06 Aug 2013 18:41 #11 by Joseph Baz
Joseph Baz replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Destoked makes excellent kits,NOT cheap but there again not many quality items are cheap,how do you find the physical size of the Coaster in the bush?
Cheers,Joe

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06 Aug 2013 19:16 #12 by 4x4Coaster
4x4Coaster replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
No doubt the quality of the machined product from Destroked is fantastic.

The coaster made it on the Tele Track but at times it is a squeeze between trees, mainly due to mirrors. I can fold the left mirrors out the way but the driver side is fixed. Height was OK but it is a good insurance policy to carry a chainsaw. Track width is ok but I only just fitted on the log bridge on the Tele Track. Mine is the short wheel base so I am reasonably ok with tight turns, a long wheel base coaster would really struggle in the same conditions but would be fine for open country touring like the Simpson desert for example.
At the end of the day it is horses for courses! There were definitely tracks on the Cape where I wouldn't take the bus due to closed in overgrowth the trouble is finding out the conditions before committing to a particular route. I fully expected to come back with some minor panel damage and scratching, all part of the adventure.

4x4Coaster

'87 SWB Toyota Coaster
2007 F250 Superduty Front & rear axles, 5R110 5speed Auto, NP273 transfer case
Cummins 12v 6b T/D from '94 Dodge Ram
Front coil suspension with custom radius arms
Rear coaster leaf springs with Airbags
All work done by owner

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06 Aug 2013 20:09 #13 by Joseph Baz
Joseph Baz replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Love your attitude!!!we always have to commit to a trip,some damage/scratching may occur but we must get to the planned point,think is like winter tyres/summer tyres,OZ is like that....desert travel..lots of room...high country travel,better get the chain saw out,all a challenge and all to do with this great country!!!
Cheers,Joe

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07 Aug 2013 16:46 #14 by Rick Whitworth
Rick Whitworth replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Glen,
real bad news about your auto, especially given the bus was going so well before the trip
will be very interested in post mortem

I'll call in over the next week or so
Rick

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24 Aug 2013 14:45 - 24 Aug 2013 14:48 #15 by 4x4Coaster
4x4Coaster replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
The bus finally arrived in Geelong on Thursday 22/8.
Transmission guys won't be able to look at it till next week but its good to have it back regardless.
still has tyres lowered for rough tracks & is covered in red dust, 2 broken headlights and 2 cracks in windscreen from being towed up the development road back to the Jardine.

A happy pic! crossing Gunshot creek



A sad pic! at the camping area south side of the Jardine


4x4Coaster

'87 SWB Toyota Coaster
2007 F250 Superduty Front & rear axles, 5R110 5speed Auto, NP273 transfer case
Cummins 12v 6b T/D from '94 Dodge Ram
Front coil suspension with custom radius arms
Rear coaster leaf springs with Airbags
All work done by owner
Attachments:
Last Edit: 24 Aug 2013 14:48 by 4x4Coaster.

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24 Aug 2013 15:51 #16 by TH
TH replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Never saw one before last month now I'm seeing these things everywhere....

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brisbane-city/ca...l-machine/1026033358

Cheers, Tony

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24 Aug 2013 16:13 - 24 Aug 2013 16:14 #17 by 4x4Coaster
4x4Coaster replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!

4x4Coaster

'87 SWB Toyota Coaster
2007 F250 Superduty Front & rear axles, 5R110 5speed Auto, NP273 transfer case
Cummins 12v 6b T/D from '94 Dodge Ram
Front coil suspension with custom radius arms
Rear coaster leaf springs with Airbags
All work done by owner
Last Edit: 24 Aug 2013 16:14 by 4x4Coaster.

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24 Aug 2013 16:40 #18 by TH
TH replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Wasn't actually looking for them. Just came up in an unrelated search. That orange unit looks nice

Cheers, Tony

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24 Aug 2013 16:49 #19 by 4x4Coaster
4x4Coaster replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
check out this website, they do conversions of all kinds for mining & tourism

www.bus4x4.com.au/

4x4Coaster

'87 SWB Toyota Coaster
2007 F250 Superduty Front & rear axles, 5R110 5speed Auto, NP273 transfer case
Cummins 12v 6b T/D from '94 Dodge Ram
Front coil suspension with custom radius arms
Rear coaster leaf springs with Airbags
All work done by owner

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24 Aug 2013 18:10 #20 by Joseph Baz
Joseph Baz replied the topic: Hello from 4x4 Coaster!
Hi Glenn,
Good feeling to have the bus back home?were you relocated by the RAC all the way?
Cheers,Joe

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