dustboy wants to build a camper...

[dustboy]

Here's the latest. Got some primer on the bed and the backup light cut into the bumper.

Rear pullout framed. Washtub on the left, campstove right. Waiting for my 500 lb slides to show up.

Built a box to carry the water tank. All plumbing is accessible from the side box, water pump and air compressor will be installed here.

I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger on the shell, the leading edge above the cab is what is holding me up. With my limited fabrication tools, I can't figure out how to get a rounded corner that doesn't look totally hacked.

edit: I just spent some time on the off-road-schmiede website, who built sonke's FJ. They did a build on a Hilux here that looks pretty good, and it's very boxy. It's even got me reconsidering the cabover idea. Building stuff is the easy part, it's making up your mind that is difficult.

Drawer slides just arrived. These things are heeeeaaaavvvvy! No doubt they will support 500 lbs.

 

[adrenaline503]

Not to insult your fab skills in any way, but would it be way easier to get a shell and modify or mount it to your flatbed? Build the sides up and bolt/weld it down? I have a flatbed myself and have often thought that would be easier in the long run. Plus it would already have windows...

 

[dustboy]

Got the pullout put in.

Added some .125 x 3" flatbar to support the slides.

slide tacked in place.

pullout mounted on the slides.

 

[dustboy]

Somebody over on offroadfabnet.com just showed me this website, and apparently all my ideas have been built before, almost exactly like I imagined. I'm very very stoked to see photos of my ideas in action, these Ozzies are pretty darn clever, and beautiful fab work to boot.

http://www.metalink.net.au/

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Those are some amazing slide on's and I'd be on one like mad if they were accessable here in the states. Reminds me of Something Aluminess Products would build if they were to step into that sort of market

I also thought it was funny how the same website has dumpsters on it right beside the custom boxes

 

[dustboy]

Been a while since the last update, I got caught up in some paying work.

I'm really stoked because usually when I go to the scrapyard, the pile is pretty rusted and picked over..but while I was standing there today the forklift pulled up with a huge stack of nice clean steel..I wanted to take it all. You can never have enough steel laying around.

Here's the front hoop, 2 x 3 x .125 tube.

Hard to see, but I notched the 2 x 3 so it runs all the way down the side. It will make the hoop a little stronger and gives some side protection to the cab in a flop.

Finished height is about 10" above the cab.

 

[dustboy]

More:

 

[4cruzer]

looking stellar man...

Loving this
GB

 

[dustboy]

I f'ed up. The other day I saw a tire mark on the inside of my fender, so at full flex the front of the tire is hitting the inside of the wheel well. Dang. I designed the size of the well based on the axle sitting on the bumpstop, and added a couple inches. I didn't realize how much more the wheel moves up when the opposite wheel is flexed downward.

Here is the wheel, not fully flexed but you can see it will rub.

So rather than hack up all of my hard work, I think I will add some 1" spacers, like a body lift. Right now the new bed is sitting directly on the frame, and there probably should be some flexibility between the bed and the frame. Plus, the top of the wheel well could use some clearance anyway.

I found some rubber spacers at McMaster-Carr, has anybody found a better product for this purpose?

In other news, I framed out the windows. It's starting to really take shape! I'll be putting the skin on in no time!:wings:

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Looking pretty sweet man. Sucks about the spacer issue, but sometimes you have to build it before you find stuff like that.

Are you sure 1" is going to be enough?

 

[dustboy]

Are you sure 1" is going to be enough?

No, not sure, and it would need more if I ever move up to 33's, which is likely...So the other options are to either move the front of the well forward or put a kink in it.

 

[chris_the_wrench]

I found some rubber spacers at McMaster-Carr, has anybody found a better product for this purpose?

What's the McMaster part number your referring to?

I was thinking of using a similar product for under my flatbed to help deal with frame flex.


-Chris

 

[dustboy]

Bike Mech, I was thinking maybe this one: 64865K97

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE GYM.

 

[dustboy]

Built the rear door. 16 ga 1x2
Notches at the bottom are for the paddle latches.

 

[Cabrito]

Nice work there Evan!

you are insane!