“Ice cube” A custom square drop camper

[lx450landcruiser]

Well after many other life “projects” I'm back with my next overland build. The family is getting bigger and more space is needed for all the gear

The basis of the camper starts with a fun craigslist find.

This is an astrobody from supreme corp. These were built for Chevy Colorado or GMC Sonoma trucks and quite well made! Five Star Crash Rated and aerodynamically designed and GM wind tunnel tested.

I hauled it home on my little utility trailer but it will sit on a custom new frame with Timbren suspension and electric brakes.

Let the build begin!

 

[billiebob]

What an awesome starting point, definitely watching.
What are the dimensions and need a rear photo to see the door(s).
Gas cap cum water tank filler....
Comes with a rear bumper.
Fits pretty perfect on that flat deck trailer.

What will be towing it?
Price.... I'm betting this is the cheapest trailer starting point out there but yeah, what did it cost... for a sealed, weather tight easily cleaned ice cube.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Gas filler will feed the 26 gal fresh water tank that will sit flush under the floor. Rear bumper will be removed and a steel one integrated into the frame will replace it (with integrated hitch for a bike rack) I removed the interior shelving and am in the process building a bed platform. Plan is to tow it with my 97 lx450 and my wifes Metris van depending on the trip.

 

[billiebob]

Gas filler will feed the 26 gal fresh water tank that will sit flush under the floor. Rear bumper will be removed and a steel one integrated into the frame will replace it (with integrated hitch for a bike rack) I removed the interior shelving and am in the process building a bed platform. Plan is to tow it with my 97 lx450 and my wifes Metris van depending on the trip.

You could not build a better box, I'm sure the doors seal better than any of the custom box systems out there. Awesome buy !
It'll look incredible behind a "vintage" LX450.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Could you share some internal dimensions?

Looks like an amazing start to a cool build. You hit the easy button!

 

[Louisd75]

Gas filler will feed the 26 gal fresh water tank that will sit flush under the floor. Rear bumper will be removed and a steel one integrated into the frame will replace it (with integrated hitch for a bike rack) I removed the interior shelving and am in the process building a bed platform. Plan is to tow it with my 97 lx450 and my wifes Metris van depending on the trip.

On your third picture, is that a hatch in the roof? It's a square on the ceiling in the upper left of the pic.

Also, been a looooong time since we met at the first NW rally. I think you had a conqueror back then. Looks like you're coming full circle on rig builds

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Internal dimensions (roughly) the size of a king size bed (80” long by 76” wide)
I will be adding an additional “back pack” box in front of this box which will house the drawer kitchen and possibly a “mini” bunk for one of the kiddos

The square in the roof is actually an interesting design feature. They intentionally created a single fiberglass thickness square section and did not gelcoat that square on the outside so it created a small “sky light” when inside. I will likey be cutting it out abd adding a roof fan (maxx fan or similar) in its place.

It has been awhile since my conqueror trailer days (many builds ago!)

Fame is off to powder coat!

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Ready set roll…

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Windows cut and box mounted. I will need to do some window frame modifications to ensure a perfect seal but its coming together nicely.

 

[Louisd75]

Windows cut and box mounted. I will need to do some window frame modifications to ensure a perfect seal but its coming together nicely.

That window probably cost more than the fiberglass body ?

Looking good!

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Progresss

 

[billiebob]

Beautiful !! I love windows and light..... well done.

This is mine..

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Time for a photo dump. Its been a busy 6 months so progress on the trailer has been slower then I had hoped but we have been using it as is this summer so it wasnt a total bust.

Some shots of building out the sub floor. This creates a king sized bed with a rear 60” drawer fir storage underneath. There are also 5 additional storage compartments below that will house the battery system, charging, water pump, diesel heater, etc

 

[lx450landcruiser]

The aluminum front box is done. Now on to “grafting” it on to the fiberglass box. The difficulty here is there are no flat surfaces on the fiberglass box. This means alot of “custom” work to be done

 

[lx450landcruiser]

After much cutting and welding we have connection! It is both adhered and fully mechanically attached. Fiberglass to aluminum connections can be tricky!