Project Yotahome (84 single cab custom camper)

[ryanmachus]

Ok so I bought this 84 single cab pickup 3 years ago while in the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC.

It was good to me as a mudding truck for a couple years and I certainly had fun with it.

This past winter I tore into it initially as just a restoration project. Redid the rear axle, rear disc swap, added a leaf to the rear pack, built flip kit, beefed up the rear end of the frame, grease-able shackle bolts. I pulled the cab off and pulled the tired old motor. Then I coated the entire frame with Por-15. Then I put a fresh built 22re in.

But then I started researching on here and got the itch to build a camper for it. My requirements were to keep it fully capable off road, yet have close to full amenities available. I have since decided due to time and money availability, that I will build it in multiple phases. I won't implement all I want until further down the road when resources permit. Mind you, this is all a learning experience and a very "build as you go" style project.

Bought a bunch of aluminum square tube:

Initial floor layout

It fits!

Wheel well arches added

Pulled the old windshield to fix some rust on the a pillar

It's not perfect but it will certainly do

Light coat of bondo

New windshield

Framing the walls

Pop top ceiling framed

The rear door framed

And that's where I'm at right now. I'll as some more pics later when I get them off my old phone

 

[Haf-E]

Good job and the rusteration and for diving into the camper build. Looks like a great start.

So are you doing the welding with a spool gun or just pushing aluminum wire through the welder tube? I've only used a spool gun type but wonder about welding aluminum without one.

Did you glue in the new windshield instead of using a gasket?

Keep posting more pictures!

 

[gmacmt]

this looks very promising.

 

[tanglefoot]

Wow!! :Wow1:

 

[Derek24]

Very cool! Can't wait for updates!

 

[4runnerteq]

That looks like its gonna be sweet as heck

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Wow super cool man! I would love to do something like this one day. Will be looking forward to updates!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rcintx]

Subscribed!

 

[ADVW/Liam]

dangit...

Gotta subscribe to this one too! very intersting, cant wait to see the end product!

 

[conifers4]

Following... Very cool

 

[JasonRedwood]

Loving this build.

 

[kpredator]

very nice start,what about frame flex????
keep it coming.

kp

 

[ryanmachus]

Good job and the rusteration and for diving into the camper build. Looks like a great start.

So are you doing the welding with a spool gun or just pushing aluminum wire through the welder tube? I've only used a spool gun type but wonder about welding aluminum without one.

Did you glue in the new windshield instead of using a gasket?

Keep posting more pictures!

Yes I've done everything so far with a Eastwood mig 175 with a spool gun. It has done a great job so far. I doubt it could handle much more then 3/16" but it has good penetration on 1/8"

I had someone install the windshield. They glued it in with a universal rubber moulding around the top and sides...I will figure out a moulding for the bottom.

 

[ryanmachus]

very nice start,what about frame flex????
keep it coming.

kp

As of right now I am planning to use some poly body mounts to hold the camper to the frame. I am not sure if it will be too stiff or not. My only concern is that if it is too stiff, it will stress the welds on the camper frame over time.

 

[ryanmachus]

Fresh goodies coming in!

That's a victron mppt charge controller, 4 100ah LIFEPO4 cells, xantrex 2000w pure sine inverter, 150a breaker, 200a contractor, and a couple LED flood lights. Not pictured is 2 renogy 100w panels for the roof.

And here's a bunch of 3003 sheet metal to skin it in . I'm gonna rivet and 3m 5200 the exterior, and use rivnuts for the interior.

Input, questions and concerns are welcome!