Boy Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Not sure where to post this but sorry if its in the wrong section. Well the start of the story is that i been looking into buying a rv recently but my family has 2 toy pickups. One is as a backup which is the one used for this project A little background on the design. I wanted to convert to a dually but cant locate the parts needed. I use some metal scrap and mostly new square tubing for the upright frame. The truck will need to be use for work when not on vacation traveling so i am building it off a flatbed/steak bed design. Also i designed it to be able to mount on a newer tacoma double cab w/ long bed for future vehicle choice. The upright structure slips into 2" receiver tubing and will be bolted down. Here are some pics for now and more to come as I make more progress What I have for the rv: Honda eu2000i Eccotemp l5 water heater shurflo water pump thetford porta pottie airlift airbag suspension add tranny cooler and new radiator all maintenance are taken care of new fuel pump since the truck bed is off Construction steel tubing as i do not have a tig welder capable of welding aluminum aluminum sheeting for exterior walls secured by VHB tape 2x8 for the floor deck Styrofoam 1.5" sheeting for insulation no windows to keep cost/weight down homemade shower pan I am planning to do a ~4k miles trip in less then a month form Los Angeles, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and lots of in between for 2 weeks. My biggest question is there anything you toy owners think i should add or can't live without? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aktundra Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 Awesome build! Keep posting pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 My luckiest find yesterday! A dually rear end. it just too bad that the motorhome is not as wide as the dually setup. the wheels will stick out 3" on each side. My uncle and I went to pull it off 1 hour ago. It has 130k miles off a utility bed truck. Just need new tires. Also here is a update on my status w/ the rv making. I am sick so i stop working on it for a couple of days now. don't mind the interior since i used the truck to haul the rear end home. I'm just glade i didn't paint the 2x8 wood yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 Do anyone know where i would be able to obtain the speed sensor to correct my MPH speedo? I converted the truck and it is off roughly about 10 miles so 50 mph reading = 40 mph. Also i would like to extend my pickup wheelbase. I know there were motor-homes that were extended. Anyone know where i can source some pictures? Didn't have time to update my process before i made my trip. It is still not complete yet. I want to make the basement compartment to store stuff and i need to finish off the cabinets inside before my next trip. Started in Los Angeles Las Vegas Zion National Park Bryce National Park Capitol Reef National Park Salt Lake City Grand Teton National Park Yellow Stone National Park Rapid City Mt. Rushmore Crazy Horse Badlands National Park Denver Arches National Park Las Vegas Again Back Home Drove about 4k miles below are some pictures of my rig at a couple of campsite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nam Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Impressive work! did you ever try to weight the RV? does not look like much and what are you getting for MPG? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidadro Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 You are truly a metalsmith! Pretty darn impressive work and your frame will no doubt last till the next millennium! Keep us posted on your continued progress. Maybe attach some custom made side flares to the rail just above your rear tires to cover the width of the dual rears. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe some states do have a requirement for unprotected tire protrusion. You have an awesome custom build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted October 12, 2012 Author Share Posted October 12, 2012 Impressive work! did you ever try to weight the RV? does not look like much and what are you getting for MPG? The rv weights 4800 lbs loaded with one passenger. Went to sell some metal before my trip at a local metal scrapyard and got the weight. The truck got roughly 18 mpg which i think is great for a 280,000 miles on the 22re beast. You are truly a metalsmith! Pretty darn impressive work and your frame will no doubt last till the next millennium! Keep us posted on your continued progress. Maybe attach some custom made side flares to the rail just above your rear tires to cover the width of the dual rears. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe some states do have a requirement for unprotected tire protrusion. You have an awesome custom build! Thanks, I'm planning to build boxes to place under the bed before my next trip but its wont be for awhile. Currently the box is being used as my shed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajadulce Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 hey sorry missed your thread. That looks like a lot of fun! Are you using this primarily as a work truck? Just wondering why no windows? I could use some boxes for under my truck as well. fun stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 hey sorry missed your thread. That looks like a lot of fun! Are you using this primarily as a work truck? Just wondering why no windows? I could use some boxes for under my truck as well. fun stuff. The truck currently sitting with the regular truck bed for my side jobs. I plan to make another flat bed to accommodate the dually rear end. I just got too many projects up my sleeves so it will be awhile till i get to it . I had only 6 full weeks to finish the camper project for the trip plus upgrade/service the truck. Gotta thank my uncle for his help after we got off work 5pm till 11ish at night for the 6 weeks. If it wasn't for his help I wouldn't meet my deadline and will have to cancel the trip due to campsite reservations. I would love to have window but since it was a last minute vacation I used what i was able to source. Eventually it will have windows. Who knows i might keep the current one as a shed and make a new one on an extended chassis For those who might be interested i spent roughly 1,000 in materials to build this camper for how it looks now. Not bad but i also got away with a 1/8" aluminum sheet and 1.5"x3" c-channels for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajadulce Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Ah so the shell comes off the camper. For some reason it looked like the shell's frame was permanently tied into the frame. That's smart. I really enjoy homebuilt campers and have a lot of respect for you. @building a 2nd shell: Well your 2nd go around will be alot easier to be sure. I like the overall shape, but it prob could use a little "styling". Maybe the overhead cab area could use some different lines as it is a tad boxy up there. All of this is just aesthetics. Tho more angles up front would prob cut through the wind a little easier? Have you seen the supercamper? Might get some ideas for an improved shell shape from their rig: Also, they only have 3 windows and that seems plenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 Thanks bajadulce! Great find on the link with the supercamper. The camper box will be revised for sure. Just have to save up for my house purchase at the moment. I plan to build a v6 Tacoma crew cab but just extend the frame. The bed length is lousy for that model and only want to used this model since the dually rearend will bolt right up. Just got to convert to 4x4 which is a plus. Plan b is to extend the wheelbase on the truck i have currently and do the 2jz swap. Only time will tell and my dream is too far in reach haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted September 26, 2013 Author Share Posted September 26, 2013 Its been quite sometime since i have gave my camper attention. My girlfriend and I are planing another trip for next summer to the NW. I have used the camper here and there for short trips and mainly as a shed until recently. Its back on the truck and its time for me to address the bugs before my next big trip. I will update this thread when i start my carpentry work and under mount storage space. I am building the kitchen cabinet for my uncle and there is a messed up wall mount section that i can use for my camper. Its gonna be a slow process but I'm glad i got more time this round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 not much progress on the rig itself but i got a hold of a solid front axle so i will be doing a sas. I just need to get a hold of a manual transmission and transfer case now to make a 4wd rig http://s49.photobucket.com/user/ejonemydm/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20131107_201925.jpg.html'> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 Can't believe its been over a year since I put the project on hold. It's time for me to jump start it again and I have some questions for those of you that own a 4x4 with the dually full floating axle. How did you or the previous owner manage to keep your e-brake system as the 2wd system is different? Any pictures will be appreciated. I have read about guys doing a 2wd --> 4wd with pickup trucks just using a 4wd axle to keep the e-brake but I want to keep the full floater. I will be converting it to a single wheel instead of using duallys. i have finally picked up a w56 transmission and ordered a marlin crawler adapter to have two transfer cases all I need left is manual pedal assemble since my truck is an auto clutch/flywheel clutch master/slave piece together a solid axle swap kit to keep the budget down custom front/rear driveline I will be able to achieve the same track width by using front wheels 16x8 with 2.5bs custom rear wheels from Stockton wheel 16x8 with 5.5bs as far as spare tire goes I will just have to bring along a plug kit and I have a no-mar bar I can use to swap out a loose tire aboard stay tuned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 I got my custom wheels from stockton wheels finally! I went with 15x8 instead of 16" rims. front 2.5" b.s. rear 5" b.s I believe I have sourced all my parts needed for the 4x2 to 4x4 conversion except front leaf springs and find metal for the front spring hanger. I'm still waiting for my 23 spine input shaft from marlin crawler. hopefully it will come soon to swap in the tranny and send out my order for the rear driveshaft. Anyone with pics of a 4x4 ebrake setup for the ff rear end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibs Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 this is one sick camper, kudos, I like your shell build, simple. wow, vhb tape for the skin, how is that holding up? How did you do the horizontal seams, and edge seams? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Anyone with pics of a 4x4 ebrake setup for the ff rear end? I put a FF into an 85 and a 78. Both 2WD, but the E-brake cable ends on the FF rear were the same as the trucks had with the original semi-floating rear. So hook-up was easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 I put a FF into an 85 and a 78. Both 2WD, but the E-brake cable ends on the FF rear were the same as the trucks had with the original semi-floating rear. So hook-up was easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 The tape is holding up well. I run the tape along the length of the aluminum to aluminum joints as well. As for corners I haven't attached a 1x1 angle yet but that will come. It's just silicon for now. The tape is stronger then rivets and it has been on fwy with plenty of cross wind. The ff was designed for 2wd And the ebreak lever is attached to the transmission mount that us welded to the frame. 4wd it is along the frame rail. I hope to find a pic of a 4wd with a ff ebreak setup. If not I will have to figure something out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 85diesel has a 4x4 Sunrader he's working on that has a full float. Ask him http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5676&page=1 Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 85diesel has a 4x4 Sunrader he's working on that has a full float. Ask him http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5676&page=1 Linda S Thanks I will pm 85diesel for his setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) A little update Our primary pickup engine/transmission almost is at the end of its life and needs a rebuilt. therefore my 4x4 project will take even longer. I am going to yank the blue truck drivetrain and install it in this white truck. everything is good in it I will then rebuilt a 3xx,xxx as the odometer broke, original never rebuilt before head/block out of the white pickup for the blue truck. White truck engine just get steady oil changes and timing chain PM (this will be my first 22re rebuild) yanked the engine yesterday W56 mockup just to see if i got the right flywheel and see how she looks Started stripping the engine today and put it on the engine stand gotta have the proper tools to build the engine to factory specs of course there is more to what is pictured here i am inspecting if the bore is still a circle. it is slightly oval so its time to go .5mm over and get decked Parts will need to be ordered. some will be from engnbldr, others will be from 22reperformance, and locally that's all for now. I cant wait to get a reliable rig for another 200k easily. Hope everyone rig is running smoothly Edited May 12, 2015 by Boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Posted June 3, 2017 Author Share Posted June 3, 2017 Wow its been more then two years since i posted. I purchased a 2015 dclb tacama 4x4 and ended up selling all my 4x4 conversion stuff and used the blue truck as the work truck now. Well the camper is still used as a shed and will most likely be turned into a paint booth as I don't think there will be a market for it. Stumble upon a very neat Maranda V165 shell, so this will be my new temporary camper aka cheap sunrader. I still want to built another camper for the tacoma since the layout will have more space so stay tune for that in a couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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