picked up a Callen yesterday, let the fun begin!

[jeep-N-montero]

So over the last couple weeks I have been checking the classifieds for raised/taller aluminum truck shells because I want more space than my current fiberglass shell, more or less just casually looking until yesterday. The seller didn't have it listed as a Callen and didn't know what they had, it was listed as just a truck shell that had come with the truck he recently bought and didn't need or want it, the listing had been viewed over 600 times so I had my fingers crossed it wasn't sold already. I asked them to text me a picture of the manufacturer label and it said Callen Campers, I had never actually heard of Callen before this and of course a quick search led me to a few builds on here, so I was already sold before I even called to look at it or pick it up. Doesn't appear to have any water damage and all seals look good.

Plan is to replace all of the old paneling and possibly replace the insulation, anyone know how well these were initially insulated? Haven't decided on a sleeping platform yet but might just pick up a used carpet kit/bench kit and recover them with gray marine/auto carpet for a more modern look. This would be for our 1995 long bed Chevy diesel. One small issue though is that the camper was on a 95 Ford f150 that is about 2.25 inches wider at the tailgate and I will need to trim some steel to make it fit, or I might just cut out that section and weld in a new piece to it's still boxed and rigid.

A few pictures from the seller's ad:

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Oh, and it didn't come with the rack but there is evidence that one was mounted at some point.

 

[mtnbike28]

Since I drive small trucks - wow that is a ton of space! Great find congrats!

 

[chet6.7]

A good find,I would buy another one if I knew it would be built on time.
I ordered an A.R.E. DCU,hope to get it in the next few weeks.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

A good find,I would buy another one if I knew it would be built on time.
I ordered an A.R.E. DCU,hope to get it in the next few weeks.

Callen has been out of business a few years from what research tells me, but there are usually a few used ones for sale.

 

[Czechsix]

Callen's still in business, just hard to deal with.

You got a nice one there! Very similar to mine, except mine has more height. I added in a couple of almost full length fold up bunks too, and it's pretty handy. Of course, we almost never camp in it now LOL. It's pretty much a tool and goods hauler, but it works great.

 

[mkitchen]

Nice

Very nice looking shell. Do you know yet what you are going to do on the inside? I love all the room that my shell has provided me.
Here is a shortcut to my build; http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/57673-1971-F-250-4X4-is-Back-Home

Not as nice as yours but I sure do love getting out in it.
Mikey

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Very nice looking shell. Do you know yet what you are going to do on the inside? I love all the room that my shell has provided me.
Here is a shortcut to my build; http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...4-is-Back-Home

Not as nice as yours but I sure do love getting out in it.
Mikey

Your link didn't work, but I have read just about every thread on here with the "Callen" keyword in it over the last week. As for the interior of the shell itself we will likely just update the paneling. Right now I am measuring things out, the camper was built for a 65.5 inch Ford tailgate and the tailgate on my Chevy is about 60 inches, I will either trim the doors and re-box the steel supports or sell the camper.

 

[C5dad]

A real beauty!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Took some closer measurements today and think I can make it work, have some 1x1" scrap in the garage that should work perfectly.

 

[mkitchen]

Your link didn't work, but I have read just about every thread on here with the "Callen" keyword in it over the last week. As for the interior of the shell itself we will likely just update the paneling. Right now I am measuring things out, the camper was built for a 65.5 inch Ford tailgate and the tailgate on my Chevy is about 60 inches, I will either trim the doors and re-box the steel supports or sell the camper.

Sorry, I don't know what happened. The above is changed to the correct thread. Kind of long winded but near the end, it shows what I did inside the bed/shell to make it comfortable for Mo and I.
Mikey

 

[adrstout]

Cool! That's a lot of space!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Haven't done anything with it yet, been trying to sell off the old shell so I can put the Callen on the truck.

 

[ejdcrew]

is the callen still for sale?