Want to get started building a truck, but need advice on choosing the platform

[JonnieBlaze]

Hey everyone,

I've been playing with the idea of an expedition style truck camper setup for a couple years now. Its really been just thoughts in my mind and I've never started any sort of design on paper. I'm getting to the point where I want to turn this thought into a reality and I'm having a hard time deciding how to start. I'm just a middle class working guy just starting out. I just got out of college and started working full time a little over a year ago. I don't make enough money to go out here and buy a $250,000 pre-built camper so I'm going to have to build it on my own little by little.

At first, the camper will just be used for basic camping and travel around the US on my vacation time from work (I'm an application developer). But as time goes on I'd like to find a career that would allow me to travel while working. Ultimately, I'd like to save enough money and take an extended trip internationally.

I first need to decide on the vehicle to build up.

One of my big requirements is the truck that I choose cannot be limited to just camping use. I'd like the camper to be removable so the truck can be used for other purposes. I feel since I can't afford to buy a specific vehicle designed solely for expedition style travel, that I should not build one that can only be used for that as well. But that really does not limit my vehicle choice too much, usually the vehicle is built up then the camper is installed and integrated into the truck. Basically I'm saying I'm not interested in buying a van and outfitting it as a camper van. So I will just build the truck to have multiple uses (carry the camper, basic work truck for home use...like going to lowes and getting lumber, brick, gravel, whatever, etc)

Another requirement is global serviceability. I see a lot of people that say they chose this or that because it is globally serviceable, but how did they determine that it was? How do they know? That is a bit of confusion I'm running into.

Complexity - I'm really interested in the diesel motors that are purely mechanical and have basically no electronics...something like the cummings 12v or similar. I dont know if any vehicles come standard with engines like that or if that's something I'm going to have to install on my own. Again global serviceability is a concern..are there any that are globally serviceable? Also I'm not sure what kind of gas mileage (diesel mileage?) they get.

I will also need 4x4 whether it comes like that from the factory or I have a built it on later.

Obviously I won't be buying anything new. I don't have a budget yet, but I know "new" is out of my budget.

Things I've considered:
Ford 350-550 crew cab: Not sure which model I'd go with. Obviously I'd be upgrading the suspension regardless so I guess the only other differences are gearing and frame strength. Other things like transmission coolers, etc, that are only on the 550 can probably be added to the lighter trucks. I would look for one with a blown motor or really high mileage so I could get it cheaper and install a simple diesel motor. But is anything on this chassis globally serviceable?

Ford Van 350: I would convert this to a van truck. I like the van a little better than the Ford truck because the shorter front end would give a shorter overall vehicle length. But the same concerns I have for the truck I also have for the van as well as whether a large diesel motor will even fit in a van.

Fuso crew cab: Again, I would need to install a simpler diesel engine. The engine access in the crew cab concerns me and I'm not sure how difficult it would be to work on the engine. I like the short front end but its a much taller body. Cab over campers on Fuso chassis look awkwardly big. So choosing the Fuso would make me reconsider what type of camper I"d be looking for. The Fuso is a truly globally serviceable chassis right?

Can anyone offer any tips on vehicle selection for my intended use both for right now in the US and my hopes in the future of travelling internationally? Does anyone know what engine I should be looking for that would be both globally serviceable and a simple non-electric design.

Thanks and sorry for the extremely long first post.
--Jonnie

 

[eugene]

I went with a normal full size truck myself, for some of the same reasons. Smaller trucks don't really get any economy advantage anymore for one thing and the cost is nearly the same (unless you do get a diesel). Newer diesels are getting more expensive due to the stricter standards so consider that if your looking at new vs used.
I liked the flippac idea thinking I could leave it on the truck all the time and just make my interior removable to be able to haul things but it wasn't enough for a family so I went with one of the popup truck campers. those are easy enough to unload and lside into a normal garage so its always home with me ready to go. If you can afford it a 4 wheel camper seems ideal to me.

 

[thecarman]

Things I've considered:
Ford 350-550 crew cab: Not sure which model I'd go with. Obviously I'd be upgrading the suspension regardless so I guess the only other differences are gearing and frame strength. Other things like transmission coolers, etc, that are only on the 550 can probably be added to the lighter trucks.

Axle weight carrying capacity is another difference, as well as rated GVWR - how much weight you can legally carry without being considered overloaded by the law or by insurance companies. (Not trying to get into the discussion of what is legal, just wanting the note the different axle and overall vehicle weight ratings available. Check out how your local laws and your insurance company interprets them.)

Ford Van 350: I would convert this to a van truck. I like the van a little better than the Ford truck because the shorter front end would give a shorter overall vehicle length. But the same concerns I have for the truck I also have for the van as well as whether a large diesel motor will even fit in a van.

The 6.9L and 7.3L Ford diesels were offered in vans (and the 6.0 is now), so at least *those* diesels fit. And there are higher-rated vans (box trucks, ambulances) available, like E450.

From the high-level description of your intended use, it doesn't *sound* like you would overload an F350 or E350, but add up your weights to see, including base vehicle, camper, people, gear, supplies, and any hitch weight (bikes, rack, trailer tongue weight if you plan to pull anything), etc.

The other thing - it will be easier and cheaper to find a 4x4 F350 if that works for you, than buying or converting a 4x4 van or 4x4 in any of the higher-rated trucks. Although there are some deals out there depending on where you live - do a lot of searching, and maybe have to travel to get something.

 

[Overdrive]

For what you've outlined, I'd look for a Cummins equipped '94 thru '98 Dodge. Cummins engines are used around the globe.

You wouldn't have to mess around with an engine swap, which will have emissions laws consequences if you put a 12V in something newer than '98.

On edit: Here's a crew cab Ford/Cummins already done for you! 20 hours left on ebay! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979...amp;pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2eae908134

 

[rusty_tlc]

I like that your are thinking long term.
My suggestion is to start with a basic 4x4 Chevy/Ford 1/2 ton pick-up with a simple canopy/topper. Build a sleeping platform/storage system, add a foam pad and your ready to go. If you start with a minimalist set-up you can evaluate which things are must have and what you can live without.

Read as much as you can here and elsewhere. Get out and use your truck as much as you can, nothing beats real world experience. You may find a full size truck is to big for the places you want to go, or can't carry enough gear.

After a year or so start shopping for your ultimate truck. I think after reading here you will find that most of us have been through several different trucks searching for our perfect vehicle, or simply as switched rides as our needs changed.

My wife and I went from a full size truck with a travel trailer to tent camping then to a small pop-up trailer as our family size and interest changed. We are fans of a truck trailer combo because it allows for a lot of flexibility. As the trip conditions dictate we can; leave the trailer at home and tent camp, set up a base camp with the trailer and make day trips, or pack up the trailer and move every day.

 

[JonnieBlaze]

I know I haven’t posted any replies to those that have tried to help me figure this stuff out, but I’ve had to switch my focus to finding a replacement vehicle to my daily driver that I’m going to be selling soon. But getting back on track….

I like the idea of starting small and working my way up until I find what works. I kinda feel like I’ve already done that. Starting when I was probably 5 years old, my family has done week long camping trips several times a year. We started with a tent, then a popup, 20 foot camper, 28 foot camper, fifth wheel, back to a tent, then a 35 foot camper, and finally back to a tent again. Aside from that, I’ve been on many camping trips apart from the family with just a tent, then I built a sleeping platform in my chevy blazer big enough for two people and we used that to travel around West Virginia in the winter. I also get out on weekend hiking trips along the Appalachian Trail. Basically, I feel like I’ve experienced most of the different camping styles and have a good feel for the type of vehicle I’d want to stay in for an extended period of time. I don’t want to sleep in the vehicle anymore so that rules out SUVs. I’ve done a lot of cold weather/snowy camping lately so I think something without fabric popups would be best. But now we’re getting more into the camper itself. I need to figure out the truck first….

I think I’ve ruled out my idea of a van truck conversion. It would be too much cost and work.

Now I’m trying to compare a Ford truck (350, 450, 550) with a Fuso crew cab.
• I think I could find a fuso with lower miles cheaper than a ford truck.
• I think the ford truck would be easier to work on unless I could find a writeup on making the fuso crew cab tilt.
• I’d have to convert the fuso crew cab to 4x4…not sure how much work that would involve or if I could just get the parts from a donor fuso 4x4 and switch things out easily.
• The fuso would be globally serviceable
• I like the cab forward design of the fuso better than how the cab of a Ford truck sits behind the engine bay.
• Buying aftermarket parts like racks and bumpers for the Ford would be easier.
• Using a flatbed, I could utilize both vehicles for duties other than camping, however I’ve read the fuso is going to be extremely uncomfortable without any weight in the back. I’d have to find a way to fix this?
• No matter which truck I get, I’d have to do a single rear wheel conversion.

So that’s where I stand right now. I think ultimately getting the fuso is a step in the right direction, but I have to figure out all the things I question in the points above. The main issues I see are 4x4 conversion for the crew cab, cab tilt mechanism, suspension upgrade so it’s more comfortable when it doesn’t have a load, and single rear wheel conversion. If I could figure those out and determine it’s not going to break the bank or my back solving those problems, I think the fuso would be the winner hands down.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Hi,
You might want to check out the Turtle expedition and its various iterations. While their current setup is a f-550 with a custom nidacore(or similar) sided camper. (Basically a cab and chassis setup) They used and abused a pickup/4wheel camper setup for a rather long time.

I think a ford 7.3 crew cab with your choice of camper, be-it a lance, 4wheel or otherwise, is a very good way to have a family car, a work truck, a tow-vehicle and a reliable expo truck, all in one.

Its what I'd pick, anyways.

-Cheers,
Brian

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Found in the for sale section, although not from an ExPo member:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48821

 

[deminimis]

Jonnie,

For us, it was all about versatility and not having a single-purpose rig. We had a Sportsmobile, but went with a truck camper setup for many of the same reasons you have outlined. Lived in it in Baja for a couple of weeks and numerous other outings (Moab, etc.). I did a number of suspension mods (as well as a tank mod) to the truck to make it fit our bill. We've been very happy with our decision to go this route and we freak'n loved our Sportsmobile. I suspect if you get a one-ton pickup and a good slide-in camper, you'll be happy too.

 

[78Bronco]

I can suggest buying a Ford Bronco/Chevy Blazer and a small trailer. Drop the trailer, tonque lock with pitbull and go play in the convertible multi function sport ute.

Where are you going to wheel with a giant camper on the back end?

If you are willing to invest a decent amount of money than by all means F550, giant camper and flat tow a bronco. That's like $100,000 worth of toys or to me a sizable down payment that can be put toward a home. Different aspirations I guess.

I can wheel a bronco with a trailer for less than $5g's and still have a great time.:chef:

 

[805gregg]

Any Dodge Cummins. Best truck and engine out there.

 

[BajaBus]

Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about! :sombrero: (Is that Playa El Burro or Coyote?)

A used diesel pickup from eBay with a camper is tough to beat on many levels.

 

[deminimis]

Requeson. We enjoyed it a lot.

 

[dare2go]

If you really want to go traveling internationally NONE of the US vehicles will give you any service network or parts availability (our experience in South America, which is not so far from North America.)!!

Full Stop

Mitsubishi Canter: maybe, but the Hackneys, who post here a lot, had to limp home from Ecuador (on a ship) with a broken frame... Not much of an advertisement for that base vehicle.

Other Japanese: yes, but NOT US-specific vehicles like Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan - nobody in the (sane) world wants trucks with such specs. If you're lucky you might still find an old Toyota Hilux somewhere, but most get snapped up by people from Central America, even totally run-down examples, because everybody knows they last... With that you have to go for a very small and light camper, probably without bathroom.

Ford in South America: the F250/350 is hardly available with 4x4, only engines officially offered in SA are the 5.4 liter gas guzzler, and a 3.9 liter CUMMINS Diesel. I've seen on our trip more Fords with Kia and Isuzu Diesels fitted than with our 7.3 liter International diesel. That should tell you something about parts availability... Cummins engines can be found all over the world, but then almost every company is attaching custom parts (like sensors, injectors, etc.), so all you might get is a bearing or piston to fit.

I walked into a large Ford dealership + garage in Southern El Salvador, and asked to have my fan belt changed. "Yes, of course we can do that. Do you have the part?" They didn't. I had to wait 6 weeks to get it through a Goodyear outlet in Costa Rica. Lucky I noticed wear before it broke. And all this happened in Central America, which still has road connections to the north...

 

[Ozarker]

Although I did not read about any plans to travelthe world, I saw the requirement for global support. What about a used vehicle? I would think that there would be some used rigs that might have been in the 120K 150K range that could be had for under 100K, still with low miles.

I kinda went through this with boats, building a better boat than I could buy, but found out, by the time it's all said and done, making a few repairs on a nicer, solid yacht is alot cheaper and time saving than building one.

How long do you think it will take to build a rig? And what are the costs of buying the assessories and parts, having custom welding done and fabrication? If it were me, I make those guesstimates and then double them, especially the time. I'm thinking buy now, go this summer.