Recent content by Rather Diesel

This was a great project idea. I love when someone steps way outside the norm. Roy

Sorry, I haven't touched the truck since I started my new job as a CNC-machinist. With the commute, I'm doing 60+ hours per week. I have no idea how I'm gonna finish this project. Roy

I think I know exactly what you mean. I tried two versions of what you are describing, (like a compound hinge) but I couldn't come up with a design I was happy with. I have now reached the point that getting truck done in a timely manner supercedes cool ideas. It is a neat idea, by the way. Roy

If you put one stud thru a wheel hole, the other two studs on the carrier fit perfectly inside the hub hole. I'll make a plate/lock to cover the studs and sandwich the rim to the carrier.

Again, to stay low-budget, I added 2" angle to the rocker panels. I welded the angle directly to the rockers. The reinforced rocker-panels can easily support the truck weight if needed.

To keep this a budget build, I wouldn't buy the rust-repair panels to fix the rust around the wheelwells. So, I removed 3" along the entire wheel-opening, and welded a new edge to close the wheelhouse. I quick coat of filler, and I'm done. About $360 was saved.

Bed-center in "up" position. Farthest end of bed surface is not shown. The front section of the bed is actually stored in the headliner when not in use.

From rear door with bed-center in "down" position. This design conserves valuable headroom. Unfortunately, I had to install three interiors before I was happy with the design. What works great on paper, worked terrible in the truck.

From rear door looking right. Both long doors on the side drop down with storage behind. The gray will be uphostered. This seating-for-two is for when the vehicle is NOT moving or for emergency passenger capacity if required.

Looking left from the rear door. The sink will go in the corner below the secondary fuse box cover. The 12-volt fridge goes in the opening opposite the fuse panel. Microwave goes above the fridge. I have dropped the idea of a 110v fridge.

I mounted the hi-lift to the exterior on the passenger side. The exterior shower box is shown below. Locking tabs for the jack are not welded on yet.

Here's my rear heater setup. A front panel is not installed so you can see the setup. There is a fan and temp sensor mounted on the back,facing up. With the front panel installed, the hot air is forced thru the vent above the seat cushion.

Here's a shot from the passenger door looking back. All interior panels will be painted medium-gray to match the front inter panels and uphostery.

The interior panels are going in now. I decided to use fiberglass panel board because of its light weight and easy trimming. This is a shot looking back from the driver's door. The trim was not installed on the front because I'm still shopping for a side window for the third passenger seat in...

Here an air compressor mount I fabbed for my MV-1052 compressor. This is under the passenger-rear storage compartment.