2007 Dodge Cummins "Power Wagon" Camper

[rube bonet]

Ok, when it the build thread going to start on the beast in the background?

Please provide links!!

If you are referring to the M-37, it is 20++ years too late for that build! I bought that project when I was 14, I certainly didn't have a computer, smart phone, or $$$, and the few pics I have are actually pics, not files, so they are a PIA to show anyone. Not that you would want to see my work at age 14 anyways:yikes:

edit: if you are referring to the fj40 in the background...http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-land-cruiser/669068-other-woman-build.html

 

[rube bonet]

I got my grip strut material in from Mcnichols for the rocker steps, this stuff should be ideal! Very agressive open design, but the edges are rolled and angled enough they aren't uncomfortable to slide along the side of or lean on. This will be used on the rocksliders to form a step suitable for snow and ice.

grip strut


The first step was to bend up a support tube out of 1.75 DOM, I wanted it as close to the body as possible while still serving it intended purpose as a step. Overall width is the same as the outside of the body, and will be basically flush with the new wheel/ tire combo. They are full length to help with access thru the campers side window and reaching the rack on top.



Step mocked up

 

[hovenator]

Amazing build and excellent fabrication. You do great work and have very useful solutions to rectify common problems. I am sure some of us will be stealing some of your great ideas.

I love those slider/ steps!

 

[rube bonet]

Amazing build and excellent fabrication. You do great work and have very useful solutions to rectify common problems. I am sure some of us will be stealing some of your great ideas.

I love those slider/ steps!

Thanks! Truth is, I am hoping to steal some great ideas from here. I still have some areas I am unsure on which direction to head. I need to figure out a good way of insulating the interior of the camper, that will hold up to abuse. And a lot of little other "camper build" details...

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Those steps look awesome, I would just hate to see someone try and get out of the truck without shoes on

Great for Northern climates though!

 

[Xfactor]

Loving the side steps, can they be used as a jack point with a hi lift?

Also interested in what you do to the interior, you mentioned a new center console.

Are the wheels and tires mounted?

I have a mega cab, always looking for ideas

 

[Xfactor]

Btt. Rob, waiting on an update. I just got back from. Hunting trip, and was thinking about some ideas you are working on.

Love the side steps and the roof rack (although mine would be without canopy), but I like the idea of the built in crane receivers you have incorporated. I'm not keen on bolting the roof rack through the roof of my truck, it may be limited to mounting it to Thule bars, or similar.

Would you be interested in building a roof rack and possibly the side steps and shipping them?

 

[rube bonet]

Those steps look awesome, I would just hate to see someone try and get out of the truck without shoes on

Great for Northern climates though!

:sombrero:The grip strut is aggressive, but not that aggressive! It is tight enough pattern it isn't quite like walking on a bed of nails...

My other worry was dragging the back side of your legs down it when exiting, but the roll of the tube and the angle of the piercing makes that a non-issue also.

Loving the side steps, can they be used as a jack point with a hi lift?

Also interested in what you do to the interior, you mentioned a new center console.

Are the wheels and tires mounted?

I have a mega cab, always looking for ideas

The side steps ARE the rocksliders, so I imagine the 2.5x2.5 x.25 wall tubing will have no problem supporting the weight of the vehicle. The outer tubes and steps are .120 DOM, so under extremely hard hits/ wedges they would dent up, but that would take far more load than jacking the truck up by them.

I have started on the interior, console is still up in the air until I figure out the final electronics package in the cab of the truck. Mastercraft seats have arrived, and Walker Evans wheels custom built for the continental tires have also shown up.

A couple pics of the goodies.

 

[rube bonet]

Btt. Rob, waiting on an update. I just got back from. Hunting trip, and was thinking about some ideas you are working on.

Love the side steps and the roof rack (although mine would be without canopy), but I like the idea of the built in crane receivers you have incorporated. I'm not keen on bolting the roof rack through the roof of my truck, it may be limited to mounting it to Thule bars, or similar.

Would you be interested in building a roof rack and possibly the side steps and shipping them?

Sure, but due to the custom nature of my work, it is not always possible to build "long distance". The rocksliders, for instance, I supply most people with the frame mounts, and they source the sq tubing locally to save on shipping costs. The sliders are best built on the vehicle for fitment anyways, I just take care of the "hard" part. It would be the same with the rack, I could build you everything but the actual mounts to the vehicle, and if you are using the thule rack that is no issue either.:ylsmoke:

 

[rube bonet]

A few other update pics, first is the stack of parts ready for the powdercoaters.



Finished corners of the sliders


Front receiver and bumper bracing, receiver protrudes through the front lower skidplate. The bumper mounting should be enough now to stand up to some hard side pulls with the winch if necessary.


Front bumper d ring mounts were reinforced also.

 

[fcfred]

wow, looking good Rob!

 

[Wh1t3nukle]

Just saw your thread b/c of your recent bump on progress. Thanks for sharing as it's getting quite the attention. I really dig the skid plate work. Wish I had brake laying around to use for such things. lol

Have you been driving this thing with all these great additions also? Anything at this point you'd have done different, not that you'd go and change it b/c it's just fine?

 

[rube bonet]

wow, looking good Rob!

Thanks Fred!

Just saw your thread b/c of your recent bump on progress. Thanks for sharing as it's getting quite the attention. I really dig the skid plate work. Wish I had brake laying around to use for such things. lol

Have you been driving this thing with all these great additions also? Anything at this point you'd have done different, not that you'd go and change it b/c it's just fine?

I'm still in the building stage, but soon the camper will be camping.

I received a few more goodies, including the nifty little crane. It is rated to 900 lbs (!), so the reciever for it will also be getting some more bracing. At this point, I am leaning towards a removable brace down to the bumper to support the load. The crane is aluminum, but still quite a cumbersome piece to carry to the top. A nice ladder is going to be the next necessary addition, mostly for safety reasons moving up and down in the ice and snow.



Finishing the roof rack has become my next priority. The goal was to have a flush surface on the top that can be used for a variety of purposes, hold the rated capacity of the camper, and be as lightweight as possible to not take away from that capacity. I started by building the support rails that will also house the tie down rail system, and formed them out of 14 ga steel. They will surround the perimeter, and run down the center of the rack.

 

[rube bonet]

These sheet metal rails will be the basis for the aluminum deck panels mounting. This pic shows all the tie down rails in place, they just need to be drilled and mounted. The other diamond shaped lightening holes will also allow standard strap and bungee cord usage, in case the 34' of versatrack rail wasn't enough.

 

[Wh1t3nukle]

Gotcha.

Ok, please elaborate on the crane's application. Lifting game?

The aluminum inset tracks are called Versatrack? Link to share?