ExpoMike
Well-known member
In following with some other "Turtle" builds like Turtle Expedition and the Mountian Turtle M1010 build, I bring you Desert Turtle, our '84 M1010. Actually this is my second M1010. The first build got started but at that time I decided to go a different route and bought a Dodge Ram and FWC popup camper. It was a great rig but some life changes a few years later had me selling that rig. Between that rig and our Kamparoo trailer prior, we learned a lot of what we liked/didn't like. Fast forward a few years and we are back to wanting to get out again. At this point what do we want? Must be 4WD, must have a real bed and must have some of the amenities we liked in previous rigs (heater, fridge, hot water, etc.). It also needs to be fairly capable out on the trails and comfortable for highway traveling. Oh and in a budget we can afford! Really liked the 4WD Sprinter vans and there are some amazing builds but since those started being imported to the US in 2015 and are in high demand, they were way out of our price range. Love the Fuso/camper setup but again out of our budget. Really liked the FWC flat bed setups but again with a proper truck and the camper, way out of our budget. Hummm.... what to do?
I had always had a longing to have built my first M1010 and it has been burning in my mind for the last 10 years. Over the last year or so, I would do searches for them for sale. They popped up from time to time but the prices were really getting up there. For a rig where there is almost zero driver/passenger comforts (i.e A/C, Cruise, power anything, etc.) I just couldn't bring myself to drop what the asking prices were. I just kept looking. Back in March of this year I ran across one on Steel Soldiers site that looked to be in good condition and was priced right. It was in Detroit, MI and I am out in San Diego, CA. A lot of back and forth with questions and pictures, I felt I would make the leap (ironically, both M1010's are the only vehicles in the 55 I have owned, I did not see in person before buying). Getting it shipped was another ordeal, given the height. Finally found a shipper and a few weeks later it arrived. Overall in good shape but a little rougher than my first one. Now the build starts...
Loaded up and heading to San Diego
Arriving! Black soot on upper corner of box was from the big rig exhaust hauling it. Think they might want to turn their fuel down a little. LOL
More to follow....
I had always had a longing to have built my first M1010 and it has been burning in my mind for the last 10 years. Over the last year or so, I would do searches for them for sale. They popped up from time to time but the prices were really getting up there. For a rig where there is almost zero driver/passenger comforts (i.e A/C, Cruise, power anything, etc.) I just couldn't bring myself to drop what the asking prices were. I just kept looking. Back in March of this year I ran across one on Steel Soldiers site that looked to be in good condition and was priced right. It was in Detroit, MI and I am out in San Diego, CA. A lot of back and forth with questions and pictures, I felt I would make the leap (ironically, both M1010's are the only vehicles in the 55 I have owned, I did not see in person before buying). Getting it shipped was another ordeal, given the height. Finally found a shipper and a few weeks later it arrived. Overall in good shape but a little rougher than my first one. Now the build starts...
Loaded up and heading to San Diego
Arriving! Black soot on upper corner of box was from the big rig exhaust hauling it. Think they might want to turn their fuel down a little. LOL
More to follow....