2009 Chevy Medium Duty 4x4 Kodiak Ambulance conversion
- Thread starter Mattersnots
- Start date
Mattersnots
Adventurer
That was going to be my next option if the beads don't do it. Hey, since I've got your eyeballs. Can you pm me the details of those wheel mount dohickies you posted a while back. The ones that center the wheel when mounting. I haven't been able to find them. Also, the yellow tank is yours. Just have to get it to you.
Mattersnots
Adventurer
I've custom made portholes for the front and back middle using double pane glass and frames made from starboard. I'll post pictures soon.
Ozrockrat
Expedition Leader
You have to check the stud size and the lug hole diameter to make sure they fit your wheels. They didn’t fit on Bob’s 8 lug Freightliner.
https://www.amazon.com/SPC-Performance-32111-Wheel-Centering/dp/B005BHRKYQ
https://www.amazon.com/SPC-Performance-32111-Wheel-Centering/dp/B005BHRKYQ
Mattersnots
Adventurer
Thanks, I'll check measurements.
Mattersnots
Adventurer
The tires do have internal beadlocks. That would be great if I was balanced as is. We will know in another month or so.
Mattersnots
Adventurer
My camper doesn't have windows in the front or rear. Thought it would be nice to take a peak out back at night if necessary and extra light in the bathroom would be good too. I came up with this idea. Ordered some dual pane glass with tint that matches the other windows. The frames are made out of Starboard so they will outlast all of us with no upkeep.
With some minor trimming the rear one is mounted.
Looks good from the inside but will need to be trimmed out.
Looking through the hole of the window at the hole for the window. The most exciting part of these is they represent the completion of dealing with scene lights. Happy to be done with that phase.
With some minor trimming the rear one is mounted.
Looks good from the inside but will need to be trimmed out.
Looking through the hole of the window at the hole for the window. The most exciting part of these is they represent the completion of dealing with scene lights. Happy to be done with that phase.
Mattersnots
Adventurer
Windows Phase 2.
My friend Mike is visiting. He recently sold his home and went full time in an RV. Follow his exploits at askmikemoore.com Mike graciously offered to help with the project. With some friends, that would normally mean hanging around talking and occasionally getting a few items checked off the list. Not so with Mike. He walked into the house the first morning at 7am dressed for work and hasn't stopped since. Together we have made some serious progress in a short amount of time.
I have 4 big windows going into the truck. They will all be mounted up high so you can see outside without bending over. This has always bugged me in other campers so it's time to address it here.
First step was to cut out the larger window on the drivers side so we could use the plug to fill the window hole on the right side. Here's a shot of the hole after new supports are welded in.
And the new look from the outside.
Now for the passenger side. Old window out first.
Next, measure 14 times then cut the plug to fit the new space. You wouldn't believe the amount of aluminum flying around this place right now.
We were very careful and got the plug in with only a 1/16th inch gap in most of it. Then Mike came up this this great idea to tack it in flush. We drilled several holes between the two pieces of metal and bolted a piece of steel on the outside and piece of aluminum on the inside. I then welded the inside piece in place and the plug was flush.
And now the plug is in and solid so lets cut some of it back out.
Here's a shot of the framing that went back in. The 2 x 2 aluminum is all attached to the skin with vhb tape so it's near impossible to remove without bending up the skin. Because of that we left the bracing intact and added to it. I really wanted to put more bracing in there to make it look better but it just wasn't necessary. We made sure the loads were distributed properly without adding more weight.
Passenger side finished except for the gap sealing on the plug. Looking kind of busy on this side but certainly moving away from the ambulance look.
My friend Mike is visiting. He recently sold his home and went full time in an RV. Follow his exploits at askmikemoore.com Mike graciously offered to help with the project. With some friends, that would normally mean hanging around talking and occasionally getting a few items checked off the list. Not so with Mike. He walked into the house the first morning at 7am dressed for work and hasn't stopped since. Together we have made some serious progress in a short amount of time.
I have 4 big windows going into the truck. They will all be mounted up high so you can see outside without bending over. This has always bugged me in other campers so it's time to address it here.
First step was to cut out the larger window on the drivers side so we could use the plug to fill the window hole on the right side. Here's a shot of the hole after new supports are welded in.
And the new look from the outside.
Now for the passenger side. Old window out first.
Next, measure 14 times then cut the plug to fit the new space. You wouldn't believe the amount of aluminum flying around this place right now.
We were very careful and got the plug in with only a 1/16th inch gap in most of it. Then Mike came up this this great idea to tack it in flush. We drilled several holes between the two pieces of metal and bolted a piece of steel on the outside and piece of aluminum on the inside. I then welded the inside piece in place and the plug was flush.
And now the plug is in and solid so lets cut some of it back out.
Here's a shot of the framing that went back in. The 2 x 2 aluminum is all attached to the skin with vhb tape so it's near impossible to remove without bending up the skin. Because of that we left the bracing intact and added to it. I really wanted to put more bracing in there to make it look better but it just wasn't necessary. We made sure the loads were distributed properly without adding more weight.
Passenger side finished except for the gap sealing on the plug. Looking kind of busy on this side but certainly moving away from the ambulance look.
Mattersnots
Adventurer
I need to keep up with the Jones's (Ozrockrat) it's time to install the toilet. Mine needs to roll in and out of the shower so first step, build a frame that moves.
To avoid dumping the pee tank manually I made this sculpture which will divert the yellows to a tank under the truck.
The sculpture mounted.
The new frame and rails going in.
How it looks now. Yes, some blue going in there as well. I'll post more about that soon.
Toilet in the business position.
To avoid dumping the pee tank manually I made this sculpture which will divert the yellows to a tank under the truck.
The sculpture mounted.
The new frame and rails going in.
How it looks now. Yes, some blue going in there as well. I'll post more about that soon.
Toilet in the business position.
Ozrockrat
Expedition Leader
Keep up. Hell you left me behind a long time ago.
Looking forward to seeing this truck someday (hopefully soon). Some great ideas going on here (that I will plagiarize in the future ?)
Mattersnots
Adventurer
The wheels are from roller blades.
Mattersnots
Adventurer
Thank you. Comments like this help to keep me motivated. Appreciate it.
Mattersnots
Adventurer
Hey Bob.
Could you check your messages, I sent you a pm. I'm now considering getting rid of the Hoseline system. It appears that I only have the engine driven compressor so no option for rear cooling without the truck running. I'd like to see what you have to say about adding components or deleting entirely and installing something more simple. Temperatures are now in the mid 90's here so the a/c has become a priority.