Traveler 4bt build

[TR Watts]

Thanks for the pics Randy, Its on my bucket list to drive an IH across the U.S. You guys did a bang up job on the traveler. It would be pretty sweet to have a modernized IH. Maybe oneday when the Kids move out and I have some extra cash laying around, but seeing as my family has just started its gonna be a while.

Later,
TR

[TheDon]

I started by cleaning the underside of the hood and applying a simple weatherstripping around the perimeter of the hood. It might not make any difference at all, but there's a groove there so why not try? The existing silver stuff is the initial round of sound deadening that GRC applied. It was NOT easy to have that professional of an install, I can tell you that from having to install similar stuff on the firewall.


Then all careful-like, trace out the shapes of the hood inserts. Take care to trace correctly "L" and "R" side shapes... Yes, they're the same on both sides, but the sound deadener is directional.


The sound-absorbant material, all cut out:


And being smart about it, had some reasonably sized pieces for applying elsewhere:


Peel and stick. It's not as sharp or tidy as GRC's install of the initial stuff, but I wasn't too worried. The adhesive is pretty unforgiving too, so be purposeful:


I didn't take any pics of the firewall, but use your imagination. it looks like a hodge-podge of the same material that you see in the finished hood above, and there's a similar initial layer underneath.

[TheDon]

Did a bit more for sound levels, can't think of much else to do... Got interior idle down to 74dBA and normal driving around 84dBA. Can find 91dBA if I try.

Previous tank of fuel was purposely spent very conservative with the throttle and driving manner, doing everything reasonable in traffic and with respect to other drivers to make it stretch... Probably 85% in town driving at 45mph or less, lots of stop and go. Got 28.3mpg!

Then filled up, took the top off to enjoy the weather, and commenced to thrashing it. Same breakdown but... High rev take-offs from red lights, passing people on hills, aggressive merging, etc. Right at 23mpg!

I haven't been up on the highway much, and since the rig ws geared for that I'd think the results would be favorable. Just gotta talk honey into an all-day highway run in blazing sun and 99deg heat.

[kelly groenhof]

How's the cabin noise with no top? Driving it like a high school kid and your still double the mileage of most scouts.

[TheDon]

Free field is a bit quieter, but without the top you really hear the reflected noise from adjacent cars, fences, etc. Probably about the same in the end.

[jhnyct]

28.3!?! That can't be too far off from the Mini. That's awesome. I bet you taste the diesel after a day riding around topless. Does it feel alot lighter minus that 300ish pound top?

[TheDon]

Nah, I actually don't smell too much. It runs pretty clean and only puffs black smoke when I really goose the throttle. Only time I've really noticed it was bringing home a long box from the store, with the top on but liftgate open. The exhaust was drawn back in and escaped the cab via the open driver's window (and therefore right across my nose).

It does seem to be a bit more spirited with the top off, but that could be that I'm getting re-acclimated to driving a Scout on a daily basis and driving with more zeal. And it is kinda fun to blast past people with the stereo up on my drive home!

The Mini (Cooper S, not modified) was sold about two months ago, but you're right--the mileage isn't too far off. When driving that wheels off the Mini and with the bike rack on I typically got 27mpg. With the rack off and taking it easy I could get more like 32mpg.

[Red_SC]

Originally Posted by TheDon

Previous tank of fuel was purposely spent very conservative with the throttle and driving manner, doing everything reasonable in traffic and with respect to other drivers to make it stretch... Probably 85% in town driving at 45mph or less, lots of stop and go. Got 28.3mpg!

Then filled up, took the top off to enjoy the weather, and commenced to thrashing it. Same breakdown but... High rev take-offs from red lights, passing people on hills, aggressive merging, etc. Right at 23mpg!

Nice!

[TheDon]

On the way home from work yesterday, cleared 5000 miles since build completion! The top is still off, but I think it'll have to go on soon. I don't care about cold, but it will rain eventually as the winter approaches.

It's had a few minor glitches, but nothing that I can't deal with or get fixed eventually. With a project of this scope, bugs were expected. In retrospect, I might have done a few things different on the design but I don't regret doing it. It's a great daily driver, with smooth acceleration, strong brakes, and two-finger steering. Fuel stops sting (33gal tank @ $4+/gal), but I'm only filling up once a month or so.

Anyway, good times. Just wanted to report the milestone.

[Grey Wolf]

Don,

Thanks for keeping us informed