Hello. First post for me here. I have been reading a bit and I have been thinking a lot about building a low budget expedition truck based on an M1079 Stewart & Stevenson.
I am in the initial phases of finding a truck but I am one of those guys that try to plan ahead and like to visualize things. I want to go with an M1079 because it already has a box on it and although it is a bit small I think it can work pretty well with good planning.
Planing for the usual things.
- Solar panels for battery charging.
- Small generator for extra power (when batteries are low or you need A/C or heating) under the box. Probably next to the exhaust.
- Install A/C in cab.
- GPS and entertainment system in cab.
- Casette toilet in a wet bath (no black water tank and fuss).
- 2 burner stove.
- Fridge
- Folding dining area that can turn into a 65 inch bed (can fit a child's mattress).
- Relocating the original box windows (depending on what type of box I find).
- Adding a folding "balcony" in the back (later stage).
- Adding storage under the box and behind the wheel for propane tanks (simple and you can get it anywhere).
- Adding small storage boxes where possible.
- Check the possibility of a pass through to the original van box.
I'm only in the initial stages and checking the possibility of even taking on such a project.
And this is my plan for the box. I made rough measurements based on what I found online. Any comments are welcome.
The dining area will fold into the wall while transporting and if you need more room. I'm also planing to make the inside bench fold in half (to seat one person) so you can pass through to the bathroom area even if the dining table is open. The table will also drop to the bench level to make a bed platform or about 65" long or fold al together so you can lay a mattress.
I am in the initial phases of finding a truck but I am one of those guys that try to plan ahead and like to visualize things. I want to go with an M1079 because it already has a box on it and although it is a bit small I think it can work pretty well with good planning.
Planing for the usual things.
- Solar panels for battery charging.
- Small generator for extra power (when batteries are low or you need A/C or heating) under the box. Probably next to the exhaust.
- Install A/C in cab.
- GPS and entertainment system in cab.
- Casette toilet in a wet bath (no black water tank and fuss).
- 2 burner stove.
- Fridge
- Folding dining area that can turn into a 65 inch bed (can fit a child's mattress).
- Relocating the original box windows (depending on what type of box I find).
- Adding a folding "balcony" in the back (later stage).
- Adding storage under the box and behind the wheel for propane tanks (simple and you can get it anywhere).
- Adding small storage boxes where possible.
- Check the possibility of a pass through to the original van box.
I'm only in the initial stages and checking the possibility of even taking on such a project.
And this is my plan for the box. I made rough measurements based on what I found online. Any comments are welcome.
The dining area will fold into the wall while transporting and if you need more room. I'm also planing to make the inside bench fold in half (to seat one person) so you can pass through to the bathroom area even if the dining table is open. The table will also drop to the bench level to make a bed platform or about 65" long or fold al together so you can lay a mattress.