1124 AF Double Cab

Toby3

Member
Hi, been around for a while on the forum, got a Merc 1124 AF that's been slow progress and on hold as a project for a while as other projects got in the way. We ended up sticking a roof tent on top and camping out of it but now kick starting it again. Its due to go in in the next few days to get stripped down, extended and box built.
Interested in thoughts, truck is for family of four, currently a 3.7m wheel base with a 2.9m extend fire engine cab. Its very easy to drive but given the length of the cab, doesn't give that much space for us to work with for the cabin so looking at extending the wheelbase to 4.8m with a 5m cabin. With spare wheels / motorbike on the back that should put us at about 8.5 - 9m
 

Toby3

Member
Hi Neil,
I know, not done yet. Finally light at the end of the tunnel. Off to Atkinson Vos to make it happen.
All good with you?
Cheers Tobias
 

mog

Kodiak Buckaroo
Off to Atkinson Vos to make it happen.
They certainly have some beautiful trucks!
It would be great to see some 'before' photos of your truck so we can track the progress.
Looking forward to your build.
 

Toby3

Member
Hi, cool first picture. It's an ex UK South Wales fire engine, had it about 5 years I think now. Came through same route as some of the others on this forum via Merthyr Tydfil auctions. 4 speed auto, rear and centre diff locks. Fixed up the cab so all the gas tank frames in the back out, LR Defender seats in the back, re did roof lining etc. Put roof tent and side awning on it, used the lockers for storage and toured a bit with it in the UK

Truck 1.jpg
 
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Toby3

Member
Hi, couple of pictures, this one with the roof tent on top. Worked okay just camping with it, more space than the Land Rover
 

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Toby3

Member
Also interested if anyone has any good storage layouts - want to take some kit with us once built so bulky items are 2 x spare wheels, 4 x kayaks, 4 x mountain bikes and 1 x motorbike. Most straightforward option looks to be kayaks on roof rack on cab, they are white water ones so length is okay and roof rack lower than cabin. 2 spare wheels plus motorbike on carrier on back of cabin, either on hydraulic lift or winch powered slide down frame, 4 mountain bikes in garage assuming front wheels and peddles off to get them to fit a bit better.

Had looked at other designs, really like the Unidan slide out wheel photo below) but only looks to deal with one wheel, the other is on the roof rack. Also look at whether to have a slightly longer cabin but with the motorbike and wheels inside a back full height garage section. Benefit of being more secure, out of sight and less dust etc on motorbike but cabin longer again and more complicated
1606338243808.png
 

Geo.Lander

Well-known member
Also interested if anyone has any good storage layouts - want to take some kit with us once built so bulky items are 2 x spare wheels, 4 x kayaks, 4 x mountain bikes and 1 x motorbike. Most straightforward option looks to be kayaks on roof rack on cab, they are white water ones so length is okay and roof rack lower than cabin. 2 spare wheels plus motorbike on carrier on back of cabin, either on hydraulic lift or winch powered slide down frame, 4 mountain bikes in garage assuming front wheels and peddles off to get them to fit a bit better.

Had looked at other designs, really like the Unidan slide out wheel photo below) but only looks to deal with one wheel, the other is on the roof rack. Also look at whether to have a slightly longer cabin but with the motorbike and wheels inside a back full height garage section. Benefit of being more secure, out of sight and less dust etc on motorbike but cabin longer again and more complicated
View attachment 627253

Firstly, nice truck!

Ive only had mine a couple of weeks but I have the same storage dilemmas (2-4 enduro mtb, kite gear, ski touring gear, climbing, hiking and camping equipment). So we figured a large under bed garage is essential as well as a rear lifting bike garage. Plus plenty of tie downs on the roof aft of the solar..

I am also in the process of designing chassis storage bins for non bulky items. Planning to relocate the pneumatic tanks centrally and house a 400l diesel tank on passenger side (LHD) and one large alu storage box drivers side. Should provide around 900ltrs of storage for tools, recovery equipment and odd piece of gear..
 

Sitec

Adventurer
Hello! Welcome to the forum.
Re your final length, I'd try and keep the vehicle total length under 8 meters. A few on here and other platforms have suggested to me that a max length of 8m, max width of 2.5m, and a max height of 3.5m seem to be the 'golden figures'... I tend to agree. Also worth bearing in mind that the family will grow and want to be on their own adventures soon after 15 and 16 years of age, so I'd be building your box for two people and two guests, (with the view of having a lot of free space in the back of the cab to be utilised later). I'd mount a pair of roof tents and storage boxes atop the cab for the younger two... Make the tents and boxes 'their space' and responsibility, and then when they buy their own vehicles and go camping, you can gift them each their roof top tent and box so they are set for their solo adventures, and use the space left for a roof rack (Kayaks etc).
I have cut the twin spare wheel carrier and wheels into the back of our body to keep ours under 8m total length (7.8m), and we have large side access to an under bed storage locker which also houses one of the two water tanks. The verge side locker will house the outdoor kitchen, and the road side locker will house the tools, spares etc etc that are hopefully less used. Look to a Natures Head or Air Head composting toilet so you negate the need for a black water tank full of nuclear waste that requires emptying often... and they'll also save on water usage. I'm also looking at/considering recycling showers... (which has Wifetec horrified!!). My build is on here, and may or may not present some useful ideas. Keep asking the questions. We all have different answers, but most of the answers end up very similar. The other thing I often suggest is to mock up your proposed living space in the garage or lounge... Then see if you are happy with it, and can live in it...
Sounds like you are not too far from my old home in Herefordshire if you bought the truck from Merthyr Tydfil. Good luck in your build!
 

Toby3

Member
Hi, thanks for all the comments.

Yes very similar to Lowly, came through same auction house. They have sold a few off over the past few years. Good to see there are a number of 1120 / 1124 builds going on. Previously when I was looking at what to do (posted under Toby2, just lost the login details so switched to Toby3), there weren't many around. particularly double cabs.

thanks SITEC, agree, trying to keep to those sort of dimensions. Close on the height, I'm 6ft 5 so having the cabin tall enough takes me close but should work. On the length, can keep the core truck under, its just accomodating the extra kit - ie wheels could go on roof rack not withstanding weight up high but then trying to find place for kayaks. Like the ideas re the kids, they aren't seeing it that way. They have been in a roof tent for a while, thinking they are getting in the main cabin. I'll have to keep working on that one. Definitely like idea of trying to future proof the space

Sounds like you are not too far from my old home in Herefordshire if you bought the truck from Merthyr Tydfil. Good luck in your build!

Yes near Stratford upon Avon so not to far. Used to be out in Aus, lived in Sydney but travelled quite a lot, 2 mates came out and bought 3 camels and we used my Land Rover as a support vehicle going from NSW to Alice over a few months plus some time in SA, VIc, Perth, NT etc
 
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Toby3

Member
Firstly, nice truck!

Ive only had mine a couple of weeks but I have the same storage dilemmas (2-4 enduro mtb, kite gear, ski touring gear, climbing, hiking and camping equipment). So we figured a large under bed garage is essential as well as a rear lifting bike garage. Plus plenty of tie downs on the roof aft of the solar..

I am also in the process of designing chassis storage bins for non bulky items. Planning to relocate the pneumatic tanks centrally and house a 400l diesel tank on passenger side (LHD) and one large alu storage box drivers side. Should provide around 900ltrs of storage for tools, recovery equipment and odd piece of gear..

That's great. Similar challenge, I'd listed some of the more bulky stuff, assuming I can get the ski touring, climbing and other bits largely in lockers. How are you thinking of doing your lifting bike garage, do you know yet? I keep looking at ideas for the wheels and motorbike, the lifting options look straightforward but quite a lot of weight so looking at what works best given rough roads etc so it doesn't break over time
 

Neil

Observer
Toby.

I wouldn't really worry about all the extra seats and fitting the kids in.

We first spoke about this in circa 2012 in Germany .

By the time you finish the project the kids will be grown up and have their own trucks.

Only joking , good luck with it and don't forget to get some pictures on here

Neil
 

Geo.Lander

Well-known member
That's great. Similar challenge, I'd listed some of the more bulky stuff, assuming I can get the ski touring, climbing and other bits largely in lockers. How are you thinking of doing your lifting bike garage, do you know yet? I keep looking at ideas for the wheels and motorbike, the lifting options look straightforward but quite a lot of weight so looking at what works best given rough roads etc so it doesn't break over time

I had an ideal to repurpose a Zepro unit, you can get the medium sized ones here used almost for free. A bit of a challenge adapting it to horizontal load i suspect ill end up using a specialist truck builder (PTO here in oslo) and consult with them about my options. We want it to be able to handle a light motorcycle too for longer trips dun south ;)

something used like this is is dirt cheap..
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