Hello from 4x4 Coaster!

Welcome here Glen, sounds like you'll fit in just fine. We need more photos! And whereabouts are you based

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!

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?

G'day Glen,
you must be just back from the Cape
How was the trip?
Rick

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

I remember reading the conversion on another forum. Intresting conversion.

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.

Hi Glenn,
Welcome to the group,very interesting rig you have built!! what tranny did you couple to the Cunmmins?
Cheers,Joe

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

did you miss this one?

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/fingal-bay/campe...campervan/1019555584

Wasn't actually looking for them. Just came up in an unrelated search. That orange unit looks nice

check out this website, they do conversions of all kinds for mining & tourism

www.bus4x4.com.au/

Hi Glenn,
Good feeling to have the bus back home?were you relocated by the RAC all the way?
Cheers,Joe

4x4Coaster wrote: check out this website, they do conversions of all kinds for mining & tourism

www.bus4x4.com.au/

That's the logo I saw on the one in Dongara, very OKAish.

This is what I always wanted until I realised that it couldn't go where an OKA could. Costs a bit more than an OKA too. Quoted me about $140,000, not including the MAN truck


Amesz

They do a first rate fitout. An Amesz OKA would be interesting. One Powerball.