1985 FWC Fleet Refurbish

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Had to post up a few pics from my last trip with my brother our dogs and my 8' Valco Jon boat strapped top the camper. Gives you a good idea of what it looked like before paint and before my truck had the winch and bumper.

 

[tanglefoot]

The battery should be wired between the charge controller and the switch panel.

That's quite an electrical plan. 100W is a lot of solar for a truck camper. I think 50-70W is usually enough for an electric compressor fridge-equipped camper. I have a very simple electrical system (no fridge, furnace, stereo, etc) but a single 10w panel keeps up just fine.

Great build--I almost went and looked at an old Fleet before I found the Four Seasons.

 

[subterran]

I forgot to ask: Is your camper wooden or aluminum frame?

About your electrical considerations - I have a few comments / suggestions: I've never heard of your charge controller supplier, nor do I have any idea of the price (I only saw it on the manufacturer's site) but many folks, including myself, like Morningstar, and there are some really good deals out there on PWM controllers right now:

http://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-S...UTF8&colid=RREJ15JCDLRL&coliid=I3OD9QMYKE13DZ

They don't have an actual meter, but they do have a green - yellow - red charge indicator, and meters themselves are cheap..

Also, if you think you'll never need to remove your solar panel (because you don't always park under trees..) then the stick-on Unisolar's are reasonable, while you can still get them, considering there are no mounting issues - they stick on:

http://www.amazon.com/Uni-Solar-PVL...sr=8-3&keywords=unisolar+flexible+solar+panel

I own both a morningstar MPPT controller, and one of the Unisolar 68 watt panels. The controller I have used quite a bit, and it's great, but the panel will be going on my rig shortly, and I have not had time to test it. It's the same one Phoenix (and maybe others) use in their solar kits and many folks seem to like them. The appeal being simplicity of mounting, and very light weight for having to lift up your top. The only thing I don't like about the Unisolar panel is that it has a bit of texture, which I worry will get all kinds of tree-funk on / in it around here. My other camper has 2 aluminum and glass panels. When they get all funky, they are very easy to clean. Since you live out west, maybe not such a concern for you..

Another consideration might be to hook your camper battery to your truck's charging system. I just completed doing that with mine. I used a Magnum Power Smart Combiner:

http://www.amazon.com/Magnum-Energy...sr=8-1&keywords=magnum+power+battery+combiner

That way, the battery charges when the truck is running, but when you're stationary the solar kicks in. Down south here, it's hard to rely on solar much, as we always park under trees, as I have discovered with my other camper. It makes me long for Utah, for sure! No problems harvesting as much solar as you want out there!

I LOVE your paint job - you mention rustoleum, were you able to get such a nice finish with rattle-cans? You're making me want to paint...

Keep it up, it's going great!

 

[Overland Hadley]

I have some 12v outlets that are in my pile of extra parts. PM me if you are interested.

 

[bimmeryota]

Such an awesome find and I love the new paint job. I had a question on your rear suspension as someone who just added an eagle to the back of a pre tacoma pickup. I have a downey leaf pack and airbags, how are the timbrens and did you ever consider airbags to supplement the all pros? I'm considering swapping springs if the rate is higher to lessen the pressure in the airbags so I may do all pros if they make them for my truck.

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

I forgot to ask: Is your camper wooden or aluminum frame?

About your electrical considerations - I have a few comments / suggestions: I've never heard of your charge controller supplier, nor do I have any idea of the price (I only saw it on the manufacturer's site) but many folks, including myself, like Morningstar, and there are some really good deals out there on PWM controllers right now:

http://www.amazon.com/Morningstar-S...UTF8&colid=RREJ15JCDLRL&coliid=I3OD9QMYKE13DZ

They don't have an actual meter, but they do have a green - yellow - red charge indicator, and meters themselves are cheap..

Also, if you think you'll never need to remove your solar panel (because you don't always park under trees..) then the stick-on Unisolar's are reasonable, while you can still get them, considering there are no mounting issues - they stick on:

http://www.amazon.com/Uni-Solar-PVL...sr=8-3&keywords=unisolar+flexible+solar+panel

I own both a morningstar MPPT controller, and one of the Unisolar 68 watt panels. The controller I have used quite a bit, and it's great, but the panel will be going on my rig shortly, and I have not had time to test it. It's the same one Phoenix (and maybe others) use in their solar kits and many folks seem to like them. The appeal being simplicity of mounting, and very light weight for having to lift up your top. The only thing I don't like about the Unisolar panel is that it has a bit of texture, which I worry will get all kinds of tree-funk on / in it around here. My other camper has 2 aluminum and glass panels. When they get all funky, they are very easy to clean. Since you live out west, maybe not such a concern for you..

Another consideration might be to hook your camper battery to your truck's charging system. I just completed doing that with mine. I used a Magnum Power Smart Combiner:

http://www.amazon.com/Magnum-Energy...sr=8-1&keywords=magnum+power+battery+combiner

That way, the battery charges when the truck is running, but when you're stationary the solar kicks in. Down south here, it's hard to rely on solar much, as we always park under trees, as I have discovered with my other camper. It makes me long for Utah, for sure! No problems harvesting as much solar as you want out there!

I LOVE your paint job - you mention rustoleum, were you able to get such a nice finish with rattle-cans? You're making me want to paint...

Keep it up, it's going great!

Thanks for all the info I've been thinking of changing to a Morningstar, I just liked being able to have the option of seeing my power input output and battery percentage. Its aluminum framed. Yep all rustoleum rattle can lots of prep, beer, tape, paper and patients!

I have some 12v outlets that are in my pile of extra parts. PM me if you are interested.

Thanks, fortunaley it's something I have laying around too.

Such an awesome find and I love the new paint job. I had a question on your rear suspension as someone who just added an eagle to the back of a pre tacoma pickup. I have a downey leaf pack and airbags, how are the timbrens and did you ever consider airbags to supplement the all pros? I'm considering swapping springs if the rate is higher to lessen the pressure in the airbags so I may do all pros if they make them for my truck.

Thanks, everybody likes the paint! As for the timbrens I haven't had the camper back on since I installed them to test them out. I like the all pros and with the timbrens it should be perfect. I had air bags previously with another setup and didn't like them as they limited flex.

 

[SLO_F-250]

RG! Looking great. You are going to love being on solar as well as the USB charger. I put a 140W and mine and its completely overkill. Which is not a bad thing I think. haha Keep up the good work and the picts coming! :sombrero:

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

RG! Looking great. You are going to love being on solar as well as the USB charger. I put a 140W and mine and its completely overkill. Which is not a bad thing I think. haha Keep up the good work and the picts coming! :sombrero:

SLO, thanks! I figure the 100 watt will be overkill too and like you said it's not a bad thing. I'd rather have to much then not enough. And 100w isn't much more $$ the a 70. Can't wait to have the USB so I can just plug my iPhone and ipad in and in. Hopefully gonna get the interior close to finished over the 3 day weekend and be ready to hook up solar and electronics when my amazon and eBay orders come. Pics to come as work progresses!

 

[bimmeryota]

Thanks, everybody likes the paint! As for the timbrens I haven't had the camper back on since I installed them to test them out. I like the all pros and with the timbrens it should be perfect. I had air bags previously with another setup and didn't like them as they limited flex.[/QUOTE]

I had similar concerns because I like to take my truck off road and I ended up getting the daystar airbag cradles so they weren't rigidly attached at the axle. They now allow for full droop but I think they do limit some up travel.

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Thanks, everybody likes the paint! As for the timbrens I haven't had the camper back on since I installed them to test them out. I like the all pros and with the timbrens it should be perfect. I had air bags previously with another setup and didn't like them as they limited flex.

I had similar concerns because I like to take my truck off road and I ended up getting the daystar airbag cradles so they weren't rigidly attached at the axle. They now allow for full droop but I think they do limit some up travel. View attachment 182109[/QUOTE]

That's a cool setup!

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Well I ordered up all my electronics and the will be here Tuesday so I have the weekend to get the interior finished.

Gotta cut out for sink, cut out for cabinet doors and drawer, make door and drawers, cut reflectix curtains, replace wood under couch/bed making it taller, paint interior, run new propane lines, prep for electrical.

After this marathon of a weekend and a lot of work happening on it next week I'm gonna try to get it back on the truck and out for a trip not this weekend but next.

Pics to come as the weekend progresses

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Got the layout all done time to cut out for some openings and make some doors!

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Progress!

Well I got the cabinet front panel cut today and the fridge in place, sink and faucet cut. Running to lowes in the morning for some supplies. Tomorrow = Reflectix curtains, paint interior, make and hang doors.

Progress from today:

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Quick question for those who have replaced lift panels and built them, themselves.

Does anyone have pictures?

Id love to see how the panels are supposed to go together. The PO removed the front panel and replaced it with a simple fold down panel, not a folding panel like the stock FWC panel, and the rear panel is rotting fast. I plan on making all my measurements now before the rear panel fails anymore (Thanks for the tip HunterMike). Any pics of panels being built would be great!

 

[HunterMike]

Here is a good thread: http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/3267-rear-lift-panel-fabrication-and-replacement/

If you can wait for a day or two, I will post on my build. I just finished new panel and will attempt install #2 hopefully tomorrow evening. Before I post on my build thread, I want to make sure it works this time.

Fingers crossed.

Teaser: