[Fight the couch!!]

I've rendered my couch useless and decided it's time to sell or store it. I plan to build a bed with storage that will fold up and take up much less space. The only problem is how do I get the thing out? The 21ft Sunland's door is in the rear on the side. Not sure it will fit around the corner, through the kitchen, and out the door. Does it need to go out the window!? Sure am ready to throw it out! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

And if anyone wants to buy a nice red velvet couch (no tears) that folds down than send me a message.

I'm interested in the couch. I live in Colorado. Where are you at? I need a good road trip to get away from work for a while.

Thanks,

Wes

[Convert Toyota RV From 2WD To 4WD]

Hey Wes. Looking at starting a similar project myself. I'll start gutting my '78 Chinook this weekend, still thinking about and looking for the truck to move it onto.

Your question about the insulation caught my eye. The Chinook also has curved/angled walls so I am going to looking into spray foam insulation. I know its kind of spendy but if it can serve multiple purposes, i.e. can it be smoothed out and coated directly removeing the neccessity of paneling, it may be worth it. Just a thought, haven't gotten close enough to look into it yet.

I, like you, have welding experience but no fiberglass experience. Looking forward to learning something new. Hows the project coming along? Throw up some pics.

Good luck, Kevin

Hi Kevin

Your idea of using spray foam is a really good. A better insulation R value, sound deading, no air gaps, added strenght, and good backing for the paneling. Diffently need your wiring and plumbing in place.

Finding a good long wheel base 4x4 is not easy. Most 4x4 are short wheel base and most long wheel base trucks are 2wd. Have fun looking.

Oh, I found a web page where is guy is doing a Chinnock onto a Toyota Tundra that you might might want to ckeck out. http://forum.ih8mud.com/expedition-builds/291292-expedition-camper-irbisoffroad.html

I'll get some pictures up in a few days. My camera and computer do not like talking with each other.

Later, Wes

[Convert Toyota RV From 2WD To 4WD]

Hi Greg,

Thank you for your input about your 86 Sunrader 4x4. If the IFS can handle your 6800# Sunrader, I think my 3900#, weighted just a couple of days ago, Bandit should be no problem for the IFS. I won't be doing any serious 4x4 with my RV. Like you said, serious 4x4 trails requires flexing and a cab attached to a RV shell could be damaged. Looking forward to doing the White Rim Trail in Utah with the Bandit some day. Your average 4x4 with clearnace can do the multipal day trail. Just wanted the lower gears of the transfer case on hills in the back country and the 4x4 for bad situations. I got a 85 Toyota 4x4 for the serious Colorado back country trails.

The only mounts I will need to reproduce out of the eight used, is the two added to the frame extension at the back.

The "Put the sawzall down" project has some great ideas. I especially liked the addition of a rear sway bar from a 1991 4runner. The 88 Toy IFS already has a front sway bar. The 85 Toy leans a lot in the corners, even if it lighter and less top heavy. Also was not sure how to lift the Bandit shell from one truck to another until I saw the front end loader and strips in the one picture.

Gutted the Bandit interrior this week and found water damage to the bottom of the wood cabinets. Got too find out how the water got inside. There was no damage to the shell since it is all fiberglass. Looking at insulation for the walls since it did not have any from the factory. With the curved walls of the shell I do not know if the ridge foam insulation will work. Redoing the cabinets, walls, and roof looks like a big project. I'm thinking of getting any wrecked RV and putting the stuff into the Bandit. Welding I can do, but this fiberglass repair stuff I have never done.

Thanks again for your input, this is a great web site.

Wes

[Convert Toyota RV From 2WD To 4WD]

Hi! Has anyone done this conversion before? I'm looking at using 1988 Toyota 4x4 long bed V6 automatic. Take the long bed off the 1988 and remove the Bandit shell from the 1985 2wd Toyota chassisy and drop it on the modified 1988 chassisy. Are there any issues or mods to make before installing the Bandit shell? Besides making the frame longer for the bumper?

[rear axle gearing question]

Hi Eniclerouge,

Your 1983 Toyota is already under powered for hauling a RV and the 3.90 gears will make it even worst. You will be down shifting for power even more to maintain speed.