Project Cummins Build

redthies

Renaissance Redneck
I did a little write up for you in post #49 on page 5 of wonderfulremarks thread "Looking to buy a fullsize truck". It should answer all your questions. But it can be worth looking in the US. There are so many more trucks to choose from if you are willing to go for a drive. Who among us on ExPo isn't up for a drive?
 

EXP-T100

Adventurer
Also putting a steering box brace on helps a lot. This will eliminate a lot if not all the play in the steering from the box moving/deflecting. I just put one on my 05 3500 over the weekend and i could tell the difference right a way, got it from Hell Bent Steel.
Spencinator you got a sweet build going, I dig it. Where did you get your sway bar spacers?
 

Spencinator

Adventurer
EXP-T100- The Sway bar spacers came in my KORE suspension kit.

As for the above statements on the front suspension/axle, they are true. I have already replaced the steering box and one hub. The axles are strong. With the KORE suspension on the truck it rides so much better and I have actually jumped the truck twice. I need to build some limiting straps now :D
 

Spencinator

Adventurer
Got a little bit of time today to take some measurements. I have wood left over from my quickie bed platform from last year so I will be using most of this to build the new, more permanent platform. Here is a pic of the first version that I built in about 20 min. I was leaving for a trip that day so it had to be quick and easy.

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This is with my old leer. It was easy to crawl around in but the hard part was getting in. The new one will have a small space at the back for taking off shoes and climbing in. The new ARE canopy has about 6-8 more inches of head room so it will work out great.

I also got material measurements for modification of the dirt bike hauler. I decided to load the bike and see what clearance I had. Also took a picture just because I think the whole setup looks awesome! :)

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The two things I'm worried about is weight and the handlebars sit right next to the rear window when loading. I will have to be careful loading and unloading to not loose my balance but I think it'll be fine. The hauler already weighs around 75 lbs now. It will probably be atleast 100lbs after modification to make it swing out. At this point, Im thinking I might just leave the hauler on the truck at the campsite. It will stay swung outwards and I could put a piece of wood over it to use as a table.

Im hoping this weekend I will be able to make a trip to home depot and pick up that pink foam board for insulation. Next will be getting more material for the bed platform and material for the bike hauler. Any input is always welcome and appreciated!
 

xdbx

Adventurer
What's your take on your tail light visibility with the bike on the tray?

I've gone back and forth with my single tray hauler like yours. This past winter, I scooped up a dual tray hauler, and a test fit led me to believe I'm going to need to get some aux lights on the tray itself....
 

lstzephyr

wanderer
I really like the looks of your truck especially as a bike hauler. I am very interested in what you do with the swingout as that seems like an excellent idea!

I have added lights to my tray hauler. I used a couple cheap trailer lights and wired up a plug. It seems to keep the idiots off my bike because at night it is more visible. I also painted it bright red at the same time.

Here is a picture of my hauler with the cheap trailer lights. I built the thing in a day so it isn't perfect but it has been across the US a few times already.

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Spencinator

Adventurer
Xdbx- Good point. Yes I have thought about it. It helps having a third brake lamp on the canopy but I will probably add a brake lamp to the hitch material of the hauler.
 

Spencinator

Adventurer
Lstzephyr- The hauler should be pretty straight forward. I'm using 2x2 .250 wall for the swingout frame, tapered bearings for the joint and 8" of 1.5x1.5 solid for the section of the hitch material that will seperate. This will add strength to the section of the hitch material that seperates. Love the bike by the way, looks like its had some serious mileage put on it!
 

Spencinator

Adventurer
I have a little bit of an update. I have been pretty busy so I finally got a little bit of time to work on the rig.

First off is wheels and tires. I ordered up some 315/75/16 Yoko Geolander ATS' to replace my 50k mile General Grabbers. I would've stayed with the grabbers but they were on back order and I needed tires. I LOVE the grabbers, best AT I have used. I chose the Geolander because of good reviews, tread life, and its tread pattern. I will lose a little in snow/mud traction but should gain in tread life. Before I had the new tires put on I decided to paint my wheels. Here is the truck with new tires and reworked wheels!

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Next is the new bed frame. I just got started with the frame so this is where its at now. Molly decided to try out her new space to make sure she approves.

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Saiyan66

Adventurer
Looking good with the painted wheels and new tires. Can't wait to see your progress on the shell. Great job so far.
 

redthies

Renaissance Redneck
Awesome truck. I miss my 94 12v... We are headed for Rockaway Beach on sunday, staying out in the Tillamook area till wednesday. I'll be lookin for that nice white rig when we are in Oregon. If you see some guy in a silver Rubicon 4 door with BC plates waving, that'll be me:)
 

Spencinator

Adventurer
Thanks for the comments! Have a fun trip, hope your ready for some rain! haha. Actually I think sunday is supposed to be pretty nice so hopefully the weather turns for ya. Are you gonna get some Tillamook cheese?? :elkgrin:
 

Revco

Adventurer
Very cool. I've been looking for a similar camper shell for my F250, with plans to remove the tool storage as well.

You might want to look into Lizard Skin as an insulation coating, instead of the sticky bubble wrap stuff. Lizard Skin is a ceramic coating that is sprayed in. I've used it on hot rods several times and it's amazing how much it reduces interior temperatures.

For an example...I had a '54 Ford car that I was driving every day. With all stock interior, on a 105-degree Texas summer day, it was miserable to drive in. I always keep a thermometer gauge in my vehicles, and the gauge was typically showing 125-degrees parked. Over the next winter, I gutted the interior and laid in bubble/foil water heater insulation, held in place with spray adhesive and metal tape. With the stock interior back in place, and the same Texas summer heat, it was still hot as hell, but the gauge never read over 110-degrees. So that summer, I stripped everything back out to replace some weatherstripping and paint the interior, so I sprayed Lizard Skin on the floors, doors, kickpanels, and underside of the roof. Re-installed the interior and on a 108-degree day, the interior temps were showing 90-degrees, even after sitting in the sun with the windows up for several hours. Anyway, I have a gallon of the stuff just waiting to do the interior of my F250, and the inside of the bed/camper shell.

Great looking truck BTW!
 

chilliwak

Expedition Leader
Redthies, have a good trip and remember to POST LOTS OF PICS!:Wow1: Spenc, the trucks looking great:Wow1:with new painted wheels and I think Molly is truly happy about her new spot in the canopy!:)
 

redthies

Renaissance Redneck
I'm taking the camera for sure. I don't think there will be much expo content as this is a wife organized trip. We have a beach house rented that is 100' of dune grass away from the water. Dogs should be loving it! Tillamook cheese is a definite plan, as is the taco truck by the farm feed store on the north end of main! I think I have her talked in to a trip to the air museum, so a little rain won't be too bad.
I will be looking at an F350 just outside Portland, so I'll get some pics of it. The idea is that it will become the next travel rig. The Rubicon only gets 10-11mpg when towing our trailer, so we might as well have a bigger hammer type rig so as to not beat up the poor Jeep with tow duty.
 

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