Retro fitting '85 FWC hawk to a '08 ram 2500

[Duckdawg1]

So I just picked up an '85 fwc hawk for $200. The bones are in great shape and the canvas is not ripped besides a few screens and the inside liner. My plans are to gut it rebuild it my way. The most difficult problem is to make it fit my hemi 2500. The hawk is 64" squared and my truck bed tapers front to back 65"-60.5". I plan on cutting 2.5" from each side to insure fitment. It looks easy to tackle but I will have a little sheet metal work to do once I cut the wood. Does anyone have any experience doing this or have any links to similar projects? Thanks.
P.s. this is not my first build. I rebuilt a '57 terry trailer a few years back and we are still enjoying it.

 

[Duckdawg1]

 

[leelikesbikes]

Why not build a flat bed for the truck and take advantage of the storage space on the side of the camper and some under bed boxes too? I've got a hemi 2500 with a northstar and a flatbed with lots of storage is high on my list.

 

[Duckdawg1]

Why not build a flat bed for the truck and take advantage of the storage space on the side of the camper and some under bed boxes too? I've got a hemi 2500 with a northstar and a flatbed with lots of storage is high on my list.

I have thought of this option but this truck is my everyday driver and work truck. I really like the idea of a flatbed and may change my idea if the rebuild takes too long. Do you have any pics of you rig you can post? Thanks

 

[Duckdawg1]

FWC rep just called back and fave me a quote of $2100 to have the canvas replaced and $4500 for the roof and canvas. Everything has to be custom made and installed by fwc. It's an option but really don't want to spend that type of cash.

 

[AZ_Nick]

When you narrow the floor pack you will also need to narrow the front and rear aluminum frame. I have attached the best picture I could find of what you will find when you remove the skin. Fortunately, it's only welded on one side and is 0.040" wall thickness so it is easy to take apart. The Hawk doesn't have a lot of storage so the flatbed option with tool boxes is a good one too.

 

[Duckdawg1]

I had a chance to start dissecting the camper yesterday and found that the framing will slow my idea down. Leaning more on picking up a flat bed. A flatbed with side boxes will benefit my camping hobby but also be a great addition for my plumbing and contracting work.

 

[shellbackcva59]

This fellow thread covered exactly what you want to do. Unfortunately the pics are missing now due to the curse of photobucket. I have PM'd the fellow with questions, and he has always responded. Perhaps if you contact him, he could email you the pictures. http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/four-wheel-camper-rebuild.1053662/

 

[Duckdawg1]

^^^^ Thanks. That's exactly what I'm doing

 

[leelikesbikes]

I do have pics of my rig, I'm not sure how to post them in a reply though. I don't have a flatbed now but want to build one soon.

 

[Duckdawg1]

I do have pics of my rig, I'm not sure how to post them in a reply though. I don't have a flatbed now but want to build one soon.

To post a pic, you can hit the tree icon above the reply box and pull the pic off your phone or computer. It will give you the option of URL or computer. Hit computer, choose pic and hit upload.

 

[Duckdawg1]

So far, I started gutting the camper and this is where I am.

 

[Duckdawg1]

Update...
Sold the hawk and made a $100 profit on it. Bought an early 2000 model grandby. Far better than rebuilding the old.