84 Fleet Rescue-First $SOLD

[TacoFWC]

hey there-

great progress! way to work with what you have...

i just wanted to throw out there that i am currently under taking a complete tear down of a mid-80's FWC (non-cabover)... it's the exact same materials/construction as yours and i currently have it torn down to the aluminum frame and lower wood "decking."

anyways, i am planning on ditching the FWC roof entirely on mine and was going to cash it in for scrap, but if you would like any of the trim pieces (the rain flashing around the top edge) and we could figure out a way to get them to you. i would be happy to offer them up for your project... same thing with the roof skin, though it may take me some time to unfasten it from the roof framing...

i realize it's probably not the same length (my roof is 97" X 81") but let me know... i am in the portland area, so getting the materials to you might be logistically difficult but not impossible.

also, i am ditching the lift panels as well, i removed them cleanly and they are in pretty good shape... (one has a crack that was repaired by a previous owner, otherwise no rot or damage). i was planning on selling them on here for $100 to be used as replacements or templates... let me know if you're interested in the dimensions.

-darin

I would definitely be interested in a couple chunks of drip rail...if you get around to pulling it apart in the not too distant future let me know and I'm sure we can work something out. Hoping to be moving on to the roof within the next 30 days or less. Just a rough estimate but definitely trying to stay on track so I can start using this thing. Thanks a bunch and feel free to PM me

 

[TacoFWC]

Slow, but steady

Made some good headway over the weekend, not a lot of noticeable progress but plenty happened behind the scenes. Hopefully I'll be able to start on the galley this coming weekend. I was able to get all the wall panels cut, drilled, and stained. I drilled and countersunk holes to install each panel with screws rather than staple it or use an adhesive. I want them to be able to come out as easy as possible in case I need to get in there for whatever reason. I installed all of the windows and the very last of the moulding. I insulated around the cab over section and started to fab the paneling, got one side done first try and I'm 3 or 4 fails into the other. Had to take a break from it to keep my cool, makes you want to spike whatever is in your hand when it breaks. My buddy works in heating and air, and he built me a new propane storage, thats a 12 pack well spent.

So something I have been having a hard time tracking down locally is some basic trim or finishing pieces. I need something to cap the top of my wall panels, and some inside corner trim to finish the vertical corners. Home Depot sells some wood and plastic corner trim but its really thick and I'm just not into it. I want to track down some plastic trim that is about 1/2" each side and looks like a piece of 90 degree bent sheetmetal. Then a similar product for the tops of the paneling, just a thin plastic channel to cap off the top. The original panels had something like this but I must have canned most of it, I only found one stick laying around. Home Dep sells a product for FRP but my panels are 1/4" thick and won't fit in the grooves. Any thoughts?

 

[bill harr]

"I want to track down some plastic trim that is about 1/2" each side and looks like a piece of 90 degree bent sheetmetal. Then a similar product for the tops of the paneling, just a thin plastic channel to cap off the top. The original panels had something like this but I must have canned most of it, I only found one stick laying around. Home Dep sells a product for FRP but my panels are 1/4" thick and won't fit in the grooves. Any thoughts?"

Your panels look great. FWC uses only 1/8 for the panels so their trim would not work. You may want to look at auto door guards they may stretch to cover.

 

[TacoFWC]

Well I just found this on Home Depot's website, I have been down every aisle at my local store looking for anything usable and never saw this on the shelf. I think I can make it work and I'll definitely look into those door guards. Thanks for the info and kind words

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Trimaco-...stic-Corner-Guard-Commercial-01184G/100118843

 

[TacoFWC]

Picked away at the galley over the weekend. Man, its slow work stick building like that. The only structure I saved from the original galley was the counter top. I used that as a template to cut out the sink and stove holes for the new counter. I decided to cut the counter short, and then build storage above the fridge. I find myself just staring at it for 20 minutes, pace around and then make a decision on the next piece. If I had a blue print, the galley would be a one day project start to finish, but Its just tough building as you go. I think it will pay off in the end and I'll end up with a product that works for me.

I used 1x2 for the framing, 5/8 sandboard for the counter and storage top. I'll end up using some leftover 1" rigid foam to insulate the fridge. The new metal box for the propane fits like a glove, really happy with how it turned out. Once I have the galley completely fabricated I'll have to break it down to finsh the countertop, stain and paint some of the other pieces, and pull all the wall panels down to paint the backsides.

I cut a couple cabinet doors and picked up some hinges that should work out. I think I have enough paneling left over from the walls to panel off the galley. I think I'll just do one door for the space under the stove and then one in the back to access the electrical. Feels good to start piecing things back together, hope to finish the galley next weekend, maybe start some wiring. I can't imagine it will take too long to rebuild the lower bed/bench frame work...then its on to the roof. To be honest, the more I think of those lift panels, the more I want to come up with another solution. I'll be doing some homework on the topic, feel free to chime in with any suggestions or info. Thanks in advance

 

[stclair]

Looking good!

 

[RGingerelli2001TRD]

Damn TacoFWC campers looking really good!!

 

[TacoFWC]

Damn TacoFWC campers looking really good!!

Looking good!

Thanks for the encouragement guys, finally starting to see a glistening of light at the end of the tunnel. It shouldn't be too much longer till the camper is practically done and I can move to the roof. I have a decent plan in order for the roof, and like I mentioned before, I have every intention to build a lift system outside of the old panel method. I am sure I can get through making panels and installation, but I honestly think there must be a simpler way, and one that doesn't rot (or rot a hole in the budget). More to come on that.

 

[pappawheely]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, finally starting to see a glistening of light at the end of the tunnel. It shouldn't be too much longer till the camper is practically done and I can move to the roof. I have a decent plan in order for the roof, and like I mentioned before, I have every intention to build a lift system outside of the old panel method. I am sure I can get through making panels and installation, but I honestly think there must be a simpler way, and one that doesn't rot (or rot a hole in the budget). More to come on that.

Thinking about my '88 Keystone, I wonder how hard it would be to get more lift out of the top. I am 6'4" and my head barely clears the roof when it's up. I took one of the lights down because I got tired of hitting my head on it. I am sure they put some thought into how high the roof goes up but 6-12 more inches would make a big difference in my world.

 

[brian90744]

sink location.

maybe move the sink and range 2" closer to the walk way, if you plan on installing a sink faucet . Is the box over the refrig is that a drawer or lift storage compartment?? and you need insulation around the refrig.
great job so far.
Just FYI

 

[TacoFWC]

Thinking about my '88 Keystone, I wonder how hard it would be to get more lift out of the top. I am 6'4" and my head barely clears the roof when it's up. I took one of the lights down because I got tired of hitting my head on it. I am sure they put some thought into how high the roof goes up but 6-12 more inches would make a big difference in my world.

You must be pretty crammed. Do you have plans to get new vinyl? Seems to me the roof will only go as high as the vinyl will let it. Seems like vinyl and panels would have to be installed hand and hand. Can't imagine that a custom height vinyl would be unattainable, but then what for lift system...which is what I really hope to figure out

maybe move the sink and range 2" closer to the walk way, if you plan on installing a sink faucet . Is the box over the refrig is that a drawer or lift storage compartment?? and you need insulation around the refrig.
great job so far.
Just FYI

Thanks Brian, I plan to put the faucet in its original location which is the forward left side of the sink (as you stand looking at it) so I think the sink and range will work out where they are. I probably should have bought a faucet head before I made the counter, now I'm kind of restricted to what style I can put in without it looking goofy. As fopr the fridge, I built the framework around the fridge big enough to install some left over 1" rigid insullation on the sides and top. That covers 3 of the 4 sides that can be insulated, hopefully that will be good enough. I really don't plan to use the fridge much, my wife talked me into keeping it for whatever reason.

 

[pappawheely]

You must be pretty crammed. Do you have plans to get new vinyl? Seems to me the roof will only go as high as the vinyl will let it. Seems like vinyl and panels would have to be installed hand and hand. Can't imagine that a custom height vinyl would be unattainable, but then what for lift system...which is what I really hope to figure out

It seems like a simple mod to make wider canvass and longer lift panels. Not sure if stability becomes an issue.

 

[subterran]

TacoFWC, looking at your water tank placement: just watch out that it doesn't give you center of gravity problems. You don't want a bunch of weight behind the truck's axle. In mine, the tank is under the seat, just behind the truck cab, on the passenger side. There, it's low and well forward of the axle. I worry about your tank being so far back, and up so high sloshing around all that weight. I also relocated my battery to the same area for the same reason, it was just inside the door in the first cabinet originally, but now it's just behind of the tank on the passenger side. Try to keep most of the weight forward is what I'm trying to say.

Looking very good, sir!

 

[TacoFWC]

Yeah, I am not excited about the water tank either. I put everything in its original position to get a basic design scheme for the galley, and the water tank stood out to me from the get go. Due to its design, it won't fit any where but under the counter top. What style tank do you have? Did you buy it or is it original? I'd love to go with an alternative. As far as center of gravity....I've got bigger fish to fry haha! My truck sits high, and narrow. I hope to start a project soon that will lower my truck 4 or 5 inches, its gonna get nasty but it'll do my truck wonders. Just need to get the camper done and on the truck first so I can see what I'm working with. It will be fun to take it out on my toyota but starting to think it might be a bit more practical to build a frame for my Silverado and try that out.

 

[subterran]

Mine did come with the camper. It's roughly cubicle, and holds about 7 gallons (1 cubic foot is 7.4 gallons). You could get another one if you were so inclined. Many RV shops sell them in about any size and shape you can dream of. The higher your truck the more the COG matters...