Vehicle Specifications

EarthCruiser is built on a FG84DC Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 4x4 cab light truck chassis. This platform is a commercially proven 4x4 truck capable of loads up to 6000Kg GVM, yet transformed into an EarthCruiser, the all up weight is under 4500kg allowing superb power to weight ratio and economical fuel consumption.

The Fuso cab brings dramatic styling, with plenty of head, leg and elbow room, easy to read instrumentation, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, adjustable seating and dash-mounted gear shifter. In its standard form it offers two comfortable seats with a third drop-down centre seat.

For touring, the seating position and the large windscreen offer panoramic views of the surrounds, and the forward control cab position provides excellent visibility over rough terrain.

Engine

Mitsubishi FUSO 4M50-3AT7 (ADR 80/2)
4 Cylinder In-line DOHC, Turbocharged & air to air Intercooler.
Displacement: 4899cc
Power: 110Kw @ 2700 rpm
Torque: 471 Nm @ 1600 rpm

Fuel

Diesel with main filter and water separator. Standard 125Lts + Optional 90Lts

The optional fuel storage extends the travelling range from 650Kms to 1300Kms for highway driving or in severe cross country driving from 450Kms to 900Kms.

Fuel consumption will vary according to driving style but the following can be taken as a guide only:

• Road@100KPH 18Lts/100Kms (15.5MPG)
• Road@80KPH 16.5Lts/100Kms(17MPG)
• Tracks@20-80KPH 17.5Lt/100Kms (16MPG)
• Sand Dunes/Hard 4x4 21Lts/100Kms (13.5MPG)

Transmission

A 5 speed gearbox with a two speed transfer case. A PTO outlet is available on LH Side of the transmission.

Front Axle

Full Floating Hypoid with Constant Velocity Joints, Mechanical Locking Free Wheel Hubs, 2600Kg capacity.

Rear Axle

Full Floating Hypoid with Positive Locking Limited Slip Differential, 4200Kg capacity.

Suspension

EarthCruiser is delivered standard with our ‘Hard Road/Soft Ride’ suspension modification. Both the front and rear Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs are each lengthened from standard by 100mm. On the rear, the standard auxiliary secondary load carrying springs are retained to maintain the load carrying capacity of 2600Kg over the rear axle, and to also take up any severe rear wheel articulation. Heavy duty double acting shock absorbers and greasable pins on the leaf springs replace the standard configuration.

The above combination gives EarthCruiser its renowned soft ride over hard terrain and supreme wheel articulation over rugged ground.

Tyres/Rims

The Fuso Canter 4x4 is delivered from the factory with standard 32 inch tyres and dual rims at the rear. Duals tyres are useless off-road!

EarthCruiser changes the dynamics of the Canter by equipping it with five 36” Michelin XZL 255/100R16 Super Single tyres that track exactly front to rear. These military specification tubeless radial tyres are designed to perform in the harshest of terrains and offer significant off-road ability. The rims are 16 x 6.5

Compliance:

The tyres are stamped with a load carrying capacity of 3530Lbs (1596Kg) at 65psi which is well over the maximum axle carrying capacity/tyre. They are also DOT approved. The rims carry a manufactures certificate that they are made to on road tolerances as per the Tyre & Rim Association of Australia, and that they meet the requirements of Code E3 of the Code of Practice for Heavy Vehicle Modification VSB6.

Rear Protection Bar and Tyre Carrier:

EarthCruiser’s rear protection bar includes a 3500Kg tow bar, allowing you to comfortably tow a large boat, horse float, or significant work equipment. On the left hand side, the standard spare tyre carrier incorporates an operator easy tyre lowering device. The right hand side is available for the optional secondary spare tyre carrier, a bicycle carrier or an outboard motor mount.

Dimensions:

Performance:

EarthCruiser is an easy vehicle to drive. The seating position, large windscreen and standard motor vehicle width makes for easy highway and off-road driving. The new 4.9Lt motor is responsive and has heaps of torque particularly as the base vehicle will never be at its maximum designed load capacity.

The larger diameter Michelin tyres have an increased rolling diameter of 13%, effectively reducing the rpm at any set speed by this amount. At 100KPH EarthCruiser revs at 2425 rpm, making very economical running at highway speed. With the maximum power band at 2700 rpm and redline at around 3000rpm there is still significant power to pass heavy road transports. The lower revs also make for quieter engine noise at cruising speed. The odometer and speedo have been re-calibrated to suit the increased tyre size.

The Fuso Canter has a very low 1st High hence even with the increased tyre size, it is still very easy to move off in 2nd High gear on flat surfaces. With the transmission in low box, the 1st Low gear a very effective crawler gear, particularly considering the low GVM and the 471Neutons of torque available.

Further information is available from Fuso trucks at www.fuso.com.au/Article.aspx?ID=63 and www.fuso.com.au/Docs/Website/Product/Canter/4WD/Canter4WDSpecSheet.pdf

Camper Frame Assembly:

The EarthCruiser camper module is attached to the torsion elastic vehicle chassis using a Kinematic stress-free arrangement between camper module and chassis.

The chassis in the Canter and other serious 4x4 vehicles are designed to flex. The camper module is attached to this flexible chassis via 8 engineered designed and ADR (Australian Design Rule) approved truck strength spring mounts. This allows the full chassis movement and any tension created is taken up within the springs. The frame upon which the camper sits is engineered to 5G’s

Vehicle Options:

Suspension Seating: Upgrade of seating to one or two Stratos 3000 XT LTSS Suspension Seats in cloth or leather. See www.stratos.com.au/products/ltss

Bull Bar & Winch Frame: A purpose built alloy front end protection bar incorporating a winch frame suitable for a 15,000Lb Premier winch.

15,000Lb Electric Winch: Heavy duty 3 stage planetary Premier electric winch with rotating gear free-spool, and heavy duty sealed solenoids. Contains 27 metres wire rope. attach PDF link

Additional 90Lts Fuel and Water: Designed to extend the fuel range and water storage when travelling off–road.

Secondary Spare Tyre & Carrier: Mounts onto rear bar

Endless Air Compressor: Endless Air compressors use proven auto air conditioner technology to provide an extremely strong, versatile, and cost effective unit designed to run off the fan belt of your engine. See www.endlessair.com.au

Rear Locking Differential: Replaces the LSD with a no-spin differential.

Front Air Locking Differential: Available late 2009

LWB and Crew Cab Options:

We have had many requests for these options and although EarthCruiser will fit onto the rear of a Crew/Twin cab and a lengthened version of EarthCruiser has been designed for the LWB, these options will not be available until late 2010. Our significant demand in the short term is the very versatile SWB EarthCruiser.