LMTV / Bliss Mobil 15′ Standard – Progress Report

Our LMTV / Bliss Mobil expedition truck project is making slow, but steady progress. Here’s a quick update and some photos of the project thus far (as of May 2017)

Bare bones. A lot to do.
Looking Good!

Done

LMTV To Do

  • Additional storage boxes
  • Extruded aluminum rack for 3x bikes (on motorcycle carrier)
  • Satellite receiver mount on rear of unit or cab rack (for Internet / TV)
  • New seats in cab (two air-ride, one center folding)
  • Install pass-through from Bliss unit to truck
  • Paint cab
  • Bolster front sway bar
  • AC unit on cab roof
  • Air filter unit to replace stock LMTV
  • Front brush bars, light bar and roof rack
  • Winches (probably two on the front)
  • 2nd fuel tank on port side of truck
  • New Rims and tires
  • Height detector/warning (prevent driving under too-low branches, structures)
  • New mirrors
  • Hitch receiver
  • Ignition key in cab
  • Cab sound insulation, paint
  • Cab console above windshield for storage, CB radio, AM/FM/Satellite radio

Some of the cab work I’ll do once I get it to California.

We’re shooting to be finished in mid-June 2017. Lots to do before then…

Observations

It’s tall – 12’ 4” (3.8 meters). Yikes! Definitely will require some careful route planning to avoid low-hanging branches and structures.

It feels a bit top-heavy. Adding boxes, second fuel tank, etc, to the frame and subframe will help a bit. Jay is also looking at other options to increase stability.

It’s Coming Together

Here’s some photos; most of these are from our CORE visit in January 2017.

Aggressive stance of the LMTV.
Aggressive stance of the LMTV.
Bliss Mobil 15' Standard motorcycle carrier.
Bliss Mobil 15′ Standard motorcycle carrier.
Bliss Mobil 15' Standard motorcycle carrier.
Bliss Mobil 15′ Standard motorcycle carrier.
Bliss Mobil 15' Standard motorcycle carrier.
Bliss Mobil 15′ Standard motorcycle carrier.
Outdoor kitchen box attached to LMTV.
Outdoor kitchen box attached to LMTV.
Rear storage box attached to LMTV.
Rear storage box attached to LMTV.
Bliss Mobil pass through to LMTV (cut and attach on to do list).
Bliss Mobil pass through to LMTV (cut and attach on to do list).
A bit of a stretch for the pass through from LMTV to Bliss Mobil unit.
A bit of a stretch for the pass through from LMTV to Bliss Mobil unit.
Gap between Bliss Mobil unit and LMTV from port side.
Gap between Bliss Mobil unit and LMTV from port side. Clearly visible are the radiator overflow tank, transmission and oil dipsticks.

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Relaxing in his new Bliss Mobil 15' Standard.
Relaxing in his new Bliss Mobil 15′ Standard.
Bliss Mobil 15' Standard with one super happy kid.
Bliss Mobil 15′ Standard with one super happy kid.
Jay and I share a laugh.
Jay and I share a laugh.

Stay tune for more updates! (I won’t wait so long for next update…)

10 comments

  1. Was there a mismeasurement in terms of installing the sub frame? Why was there such a gap between the box and the cab?

      1. Can you provide more photos and details on how you reconfigured the air intake assembly? I’ve been looking at one of these builds and would much rather go with a 15′ than a 13′.

        Thanks in advance!

        1. Greetings Chism! I’ll dig up more details on the air intake assembly. I’m sure you know this but another option for the 15′ or larger would be a M1088A1 6×6. Could leave the spare and air intake as-is which would, obviously, reduce the complexity of the build. Downside is the pass-thru becomes a bigger issue, if not a no-go. Thanks for following the blog, let me know if you’re documenting your build and feel free to reach out any time.

          1. Darrell,

            Thanks for the response! Yes, I’m aware of the option of using a longer version of the FMTV. However, for the sake of installing a pass through and optimizing space, I plan to move the spare, and am mostly concerned about a well thought-out solution for intake relocation.

  2. Pingback: Sau Lawsky
    1. Greetings! The sub-frame is manufactured by Bliss Mobil and sold separately from the habitat. Jay Couch at Couch Engineering in Denver assembled and attached the sub-frame. It’s on a three pivoting points and very effective. I’ve been on very bumpy terrain and watched it work in my mirrors. A little anxiety-provoking watching it twist away from the truck but I know it’s doing it’s job.

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