BlueCoyote
Observer
Having owned various RV's, toyhaulers,etc - none of them were the ideal combo for off road camping, exploring, hauling and off road race support. Sure, an Earth Roamer would be ideal, but not in the current budget. Wanted 4 doors - wife , dogs, stuff hauling. Has to be 4x4, able to tow 5-7k, sleep 3 people and 4 dogs, cooking, showering, TV, AC, warm, dry, rugged, simple, budget. So here is my attempt at a capable tow- camp- off road - support build.
Truck - first choice was a Dodge CTD 4x4, 6speed crew cab. (Had one, but sold it). But any decent CTD 4x4 fetches big $ around here. After all this is budget, so gotta think simple. Looked at 7.3 F350s - but my luck with Blue Oval has not been good. And with the limited use this will get, the extra $ saved can go to gas. So looked around for a K/V30 bow tie (also had one and sold it). After looking at some real winners came across a local guy with a 1990 V30 Crewcab/ 454TBI, 4x4, TH400, D60/14b, duals with a 10' flat bed. Odo sez 84 - it was a service truck, and interior is very clean, so it might be original. Silverado edition, all the electrics work, AC blows cold, has new brakes and decent tires. Really wanted a manual- and the seller had a 465/205 combo and 2.5 lift kit he threw in. Done deal.
Next - shorten bed to fit, lower bed 2", fabricate rear hitch extension. Get camper mounted.
Next 2.0 - Fabricate side cargo boxes, install lift and prep for manual swap.
Shell - considered building a shell, but after adding it all up, thought again and considered a camper as the donor. Since this is the NW, water tight and rugged is a priority. So kept an eye out for an older Bigfoot. Found a lonely moss green 11.5 ignored in a backyard in the Portland area. It had some missing roof vents, dead fridge, and the typical old Bigfoot issues. But under all the moss and issues was a decent starting point, A/C, - and the price was right. After several hours to get it out of its hibernation spot; another done deal.
I know, it's loaded all wrong but that was only way it was coming home. Even so it rode smooth and drove straight.
Got the bleach, hose, scrub brushes out and went at it. After a few hours it cleaned up nicely.
Already remounted the front jack mounts, fixed the rear side issues. Powered it up, A/C works, pump works, some lights work.
Next - new roof fixtures, fix bowed roof (a/c weight), reseal.
Next 2.0 - Rebuild the rear door and add a window. Add wiring for TVs, istuff, LED lamps etc.
Truck - first choice was a Dodge CTD 4x4, 6speed crew cab. (Had one, but sold it). But any decent CTD 4x4 fetches big $ around here. After all this is budget, so gotta think simple. Looked at 7.3 F350s - but my luck with Blue Oval has not been good. And with the limited use this will get, the extra $ saved can go to gas. So looked around for a K/V30 bow tie (also had one and sold it). After looking at some real winners came across a local guy with a 1990 V30 Crewcab/ 454TBI, 4x4, TH400, D60/14b, duals with a 10' flat bed. Odo sez 84 - it was a service truck, and interior is very clean, so it might be original. Silverado edition, all the electrics work, AC blows cold, has new brakes and decent tires. Really wanted a manual- and the seller had a 465/205 combo and 2.5 lift kit he threw in. Done deal.
Next - shorten bed to fit, lower bed 2", fabricate rear hitch extension. Get camper mounted.
Next 2.0 - Fabricate side cargo boxes, install lift and prep for manual swap.
Shell - considered building a shell, but after adding it all up, thought again and considered a camper as the donor. Since this is the NW, water tight and rugged is a priority. So kept an eye out for an older Bigfoot. Found a lonely moss green 11.5 ignored in a backyard in the Portland area. It had some missing roof vents, dead fridge, and the typical old Bigfoot issues. But under all the moss and issues was a decent starting point, A/C, - and the price was right. After several hours to get it out of its hibernation spot; another done deal.
I know, it's loaded all wrong but that was only way it was coming home. Even so it rode smooth and drove straight.
Got the bleach, hose, scrub brushes out and went at it. After a few hours it cleaned up nicely.
Already remounted the front jack mounts, fixed the rear side issues. Powered it up, A/C works, pump works, some lights work.
Next - new roof fixtures, fix bowed roof (a/c weight), reseal.
Next 2.0 - Rebuild the rear door and add a window. Add wiring for TVs, istuff, LED lamps etc.
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