New to forums, changing my build direction

[stomis]

My rig is a 1987 Chevy k10 some short specs below.

355 TBI, SM465 Granny gear 4 spd, 208 clocked flat under frame
d44 front, DOM hi steer, 3.73s, Lockrite locker, towered shocks, 52in springs
14b SF rear, 10.5 ring, lockright, 3.73s, inboarded shocks, 56in springs

This truck is built with the typical chevy low center of gravity rock crawling/trail truck items. It currently has 36in TSL radials but as I move towards an expedition direction I'm gonna TRY to find (cross my fingers) some 9.00R16 XZLs to replace them with.

So the new idea is to adapt the tube flat bed I've built into a sleeper/storage unit. I plan on basically boxing in the bed even with the roof of the cab and ditching all but one of the side tool boxes. I'd like to make a compartment to house the spare and tools/recovery gear under the sleeping compartment.

I know it will be a small compartment but this wont be used for any huge trips at least not in this stage of my life. The idea is to turn my truck into something a little more street worthy via stiffer springs and use it for weekend get aways/trail rides.

I plan on boxing the bed with 2x3 box tube that I used for the bed. I dont know what the panels will be made of but I did come up with the idea of "double panning" the panels sorta like insulated windows. Right now I'm thinking I will use wood for the inside pane and some sort of composite for the outside weather proof one.

Some sort of water tank, burner/grille and interior lighting will definitely be a must.

Some pictures below. I'll post an MS paint picture of the tube work when I get it done.

 

[stomis]

And the rough idea of what I want to do. Looking at the pictures and forgetting I want to add wheel well reliefs means the tool box has to go.

 

[boellis87]

Hey, I really like the look of your truck. Definitely one of my favorite body styles. I'm a big fan of the regular cab short bed setup. Not everybody's idea of the perfect expo rig, but it's great for me right now, plus it's a little more manageable on tighter trails than an extended or crew cab. (Love the crew cabs in your body style too though). I like your ideas for the bed. Only thing I would recommend is making sure everything is tight and well insulated if you're planning to sleep back there, but it sounds like you've beat me to the punch with your "double paning" method. I'll be keeping up with this build for sure. Like the color scheme too:ylsmoke:.

 

[stomis]

Thanks man. I plan on sealing everything up really good with good stuff cheap housing foam sealer.

I'm still at odds for what to use for the outer panels... Some sort of plastic or something... Any ideas?

 

[xpndbl3]

Looks like a great buildup so far. I had 3.73s in my suburban with 35ish tires and the truck was a dog taking off from lights with the th400. Swapped to 4.10s and it might a slight improvement but I'm definitely going to jump up to 4.88s shortly. I like your tubework ideas thus far and will be checking this for updates.

 

[stomis]

Looks like a great buildup so far. I had 3.73s in my suburban with 35ish tires and the truck was a dog taking off from lights with the th400. Swapped to 4.10s and it might a slight improvement but I'm definitely going to jump up to 4.88s shortly. I like your tubework ideas thus far and will be checking this for updates.

Yeah 3.73s are more than enough with a manual. 456s or 488s are the typical with 35in tires with an auto.

I'm thinking about using wood for the panels and getting some good boat type paint and laying it on really thick.

 

[xpndbl3]

If you did wood I would look into marine grade, or pressure treated lumber. Not sure if it would be a good choice of material in general but I'm sure more knowledgeable people on here could help you with that. I beat the system by starting with a suburban so I already have a hard top to sleep in the back.

 

[boellis87]

I know some guys have used plastic cutting board material as a slippery/tough skid plate (backed by steel plate for that application though I think) and I believe you can get it in large sheets, maybe even 4'x8'. May be expensive, but I've not actually checked myself. Should be extremely tough for fending off trees and the like, and you wouldn't see creases and stuff like you would with aluminum skins. Not sure of the thicknesses available and not sure if it's easily painted though I would think so. Would be pretty unique I believe. Probably some other good options too and if I think of any I'll chime back in.

 

[adrenaline503]

Look into FRP for the exterior. Its Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic. Usually its found in bathrooms and kitchens, you've seen it everywhere. Liquid Nails makes a special adhesive for it as well.

Also, when you get rid of those tool boxes let me know. They appear to be exactly what I have been looking for but been unable to find.

 

[boellis87]

FRP is probably a good choice. Only thing I'd watch for is this stuff being on the brittle side if you whack it with a heavy tree branch. I've seen holes busted through this before, but it was typically from a decent blow. If you're not scraping through trees and rocks a lot, it might be the ticket depending on price and availability.

 

[inked33]

nice truck. i have been thinking of doing something similar with my dodge, looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

 

[stomis]

Look into FRP for the exterior. Its Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic. Usually its found in bathrooms and kitchens, you've seen it everywhere. Liquid Nails makes a special adhesive for it as well.

Also, when you get rid of those tool boxes let me know. They appear to be exactly what I have been looking for but been unable to find.

Problem with my side boxes is that I bought cheap ones. 2/3 hinges have frozen on the pass side box and since they are such light material the door opens right up and removes the hinge connection....

If your interested in them we could work something out but the middle box is cut and fitted to the side ones so its gonna get scrapped regardless.


By the way on the panel material I need something not obscenely expensive.

 

[stomis]

WOW! the FRP panels are much cheaper than I thought! $40 for a 4x8 panel .10 thick.

Should be perfect for the outside waterproof layer and use some 3/4in ply for the inside.

 

[1leg]

sweet build.....:sombrero:

 

[Jean-Seb]

Looks really good already ! Can't wait to see more as it comes along.

One can build pretty much anything up to be a great expedition rig, so keep it up !


And welcome to the Expedition Portal !