| Sent
in by Jack Witmer from California. |
| Name |
|
Casa
Azul |
| Time
to build |
6
years off & on |
| Chassis/cab |
|
1984
Ford F700 |
| Engine |
|
Detroit
8.2-liter diesel |
| Gearbox. |
|
Manual,
synchro, 5 speed |
| Drive
train |
|
Rockwell
223 transfer case, Rockwell 90 axles |
| Suspension |
|
semi-elliptic
leaf springs |
| Steering |
|
Power
assist |
| Drive |
|
4x4 |
| Wheels |
|
Custom
made Supersingles
BF Goodrich 385/65 R22.5 radials, one 11R22.5 spare
|
| Brakes |
|
Hydraulic
engine assist, split system |
| Electrical |
|
12v
truck, 230ac/110ac/12v house |
| Dimensions |
length
hieght
width |
25’(7.58m)
12’(3.6m)
8’(2.4m) |
| Weight |
|
approx.
8 tons |
| Ground
clearance |
body
diffs |
26"(660mm)
13”(340mm) |
| Angles |
approach
depart
rampover |
54
30
145 |
| Fuel |
|
Diesel
100gal(378L), Gas 10gal(38L) for boat |
| Range |
|
approx.
900 miles (1450km) |
| Recovery |
|
A
shovel, sand ladders, tequila |
| Water |
drinking/
general
grey
black |
75gal
(283L)
18gal (68L)
none |
| Power |
solar
genset
home
truck
inverter |
2
x 100watt Siemans
Yanmar 5.5KV
4 x 12V gelcell 800AH
2 x 12V gelcell 400AH
1800watt
Complete electrical monitoring
12v
truck, 230ac/110ac/12v house |
| Appliances |
fridge
freezer
cooktop
oven
microwave
aircon
hot water
|
Norcold
digital 7.5cuft 2 way
?
Underwood propane 3 burner
?
?
?
10gal(38L) propane/110ac |
| Shower |
|
indoor/outdoor
|
| Toilet |
|
Porta
Potti 555 |
| Gas |
|
propane
30gal(113L) |
| Cladding |
|
? |
| Body |
cab
house |
steel/composite
Aluminum 4.5”(115mm) thick |
| Storage |
|
Extensive |
| Comms |
AM
CB
UHF CB
HF radio
Sat phone |
yes
no
no
soon |
| Other
features |
The
truck was originally modified for 4 wheel drive
by Pathfinder in 1984 then delivered to a specialty
truck body company in Los Angeles and was fitted
with a box specifically designed for remote electronic
surveillance for one of the many US governments
spy agency’s. Due to some mishap (possibly
Iran/contra) it and 3 other trucks were not delivered.
In
1996 I purchased the truck with 212 miles on her
after she was delivered to me 210 miles from the
plant.
I
modified the truck to be a rolling showroom for
my bicycle component company and added the Studibaker
so that it would not be mistaken for just another
race van. This became sort of a blessing in disguise
when I started taking her to Mexico because their
military get very suspicious of any vehicle that’s
military in nature…of course no mercenary
in his right mind would drive with a old car melded
into his tactical truck.
In
1999 I stopped using the truck for promotions
and began to add the bits and pieces to make her
our second home.
Features:
- All
internal framework and structures made from
aluminum tubing
- Designed
to keep center of gravity low
- Storage
provided by industrial cargo containers
- Bug
mesh door and window coverings
- Custom
cabinet for tequila/shot glass collection
- Table
lowers to make second bed
- Floor
and gray H20 tank a single unit
- High
power fans in nose of Studibaker for cooling
- Headlights
in Studibaker are marine searchlights
- Vault
- Old
gun port used for stove fan/vent
- Heavy
duty roof storage with quick release mounting
system
- Roof
mounted 12’ rigid hull inflatable boat
- Internal
storage of 25hp outboard
- Lockable
storage racks for boat fuel tanks
- Mounting
rack for firepit/barbecue
- Genset
on sliding rack system
- On
board air compressor
|
