Recent content by Tomadoggy

Very slow progress, but have finally removed the partial frame reinforcements that were badly rusted out and fabricated new plates. Got them mounted up yesterday and now just waiting for new leaf spring pivot bolts and bump stops. Next is to remove the cab rear window and replace with a metal...

I have owned a number of small businesses and just don't feel comfortable sharing prices. Staz is just a phone call away and a very responsive business owner! I had my quote from him while on the phone. The centers he machines and are bolted to the MRAP rims just like the military wheels. I...

No inserts yet as from my reading I will be able to run the Pirelli's quite low without them. If you are going to roll a bead it will very likely be the fronts. Easy enough to add them later if needed. The tires I went with (mainly due to a good deal) are the Perelli PS22's, 335/80/20. Staz...

Indeed, those were an entirely different design. These are modified MRAP rims with the standard 14 bolts.

Indeed...I am leaning towards a center rear pivot with some kind of locking mechanism for keeping the box more stable during road drives. Lots of good examples out there....now all I need is a plasma cutter, that likely won't happen :)

I have also seen the old videos/articles about some of his earliest wheels and the bolt failures. The ones I have are an entirely different design which simply uses a newly machined inner plate that uses the stock MRAP bolts to the rim. When mounting I did check all of these bolts and they...

I have read countless threads about the pros and cons of various composite walls and construction methods. Suffice it to say that I am undecided and plan on finishing the design first, then determining the one that is right for me. I have owned 11 different campers and certainly understand the...

I disagree about the quality/strength of Styromax...Have a look at this: StyroMAX DIY Workshop- How strong is the glue? - YouTube Also I am not a fan of the Total composites look/corners and lack of internal routing for utilities and strength reinforcements.

Still a thought in progress. I had everything designed up prior to purchasing the truck, but now am in rework mode as where I had the entry door is directly over the rear tires and I want a pocket below the door for stow-away steps. I am designing in Fusion 360. I am very much leaning towards...

There are a lot of very informative videos available that will get you going quite easily. I used an old Pi-3 that I had laying around for the "server" very low power and dependable which is a necessity in any rig. I did not find it hard to use at all. You do NOT need to know how to program...

Also...Have about 20% of the camper automation built using Node Red for the user interface and a Raspberry Pi on the back end with SQL database for logging. A bunch of wireless light switches, cameras, climate sensors. Working on the undercarriage cameras (so I can see what I am about to hit...

And I have my new custom MRAP wheels from Staz, and have Pirelli's mounted.

Progress is slow...Day job is demanding right now. I have most of the interior stripped out and nearly ready for Raptor lining. Since this was a Florida work truck the amount of sand in every nook and cranny was astounding! Without exaggeration, I vacuumed out >10 pounds of sand! Most of the...

Taking the old work bed/rack off...A bit of a chore to plasma cut through where they welded the rear of the bed directly to the frame. Also a bit sketchy lifting it off and driving out from underneath, but no injuries!! Some bad rust between the wrapped frame reinforcement L-beams as again...

Oh yea, it is in the truck and the other was a core. No spare for me!