Frame Welding

[Oscarvan]

Thanks, that helps.

[Kenn]

Michael I looked into the shaveble rivets and read some reviews that made it sound like they were hard to make look good. Also one reviewer said that the cutters needed to be replaced often. Could be that they did not get the tool adjusted right. Thanks for sharing your experience. Kenn

[mmmc101]

Kenn,
The review is correct to some extent. I used about 2 dozen rivets getting the tool adjusted and practicing making the head look correct. The center of the shaved rivets have a freshly machined appearance while the rest of the head are slightly oxidized. I think once the machined area weathers a little you will not be able to tell they are pop rivets. So far I have installed about 100 rivets and the cutter seems to be holding up just fine. I am using alum rivets though. Not sure how it would do with steel rivets.

Your coach is really looking nice. If I don't get after it your going to blow right by me.
Michael

[Kenn]

I have been doing some plumbing on the holding tank. I used 3/4" PVC to feed the two turbo flushers that go through the top. The small 1/2" valve is for the water into the motorhome. I got the shower/tub so I can be sure of the placement of the drain lines. Some of the lines would be hard to install after the lower unit in on the truck. I also finished all of the compartments.

[Kenn]

I mounted the dump valve to the holding tank. I changed my design a bit so I could remove the valve without breaking the seal to the tank. I made a stainless plate that screws to the bottom of the tank and the valve bolts to the plate. The pictures show from left to right the 3M 5200 marine sealant, the mounting plate, a plastic ring I made to keep the rubber seal round, the upper seal, the valve, the lower seal and the flange to mount the drain hose to. It all went together pretty good. I will wait several days for the sealant to cure before I do any leak test. Next up is to buid a fresh water tank out of an old fuel tank.

[Bob86ZZ4]

Looks good.

[Kenn]

I cut the donor tank and riveted a flange inside the long end. I took 6" off the length and if needed I can take out another inch. I am waiting for the plastic water tank to arrive before I make the filler cover. I made a cowl to cover the front jack and it will be painted white when I paint the truck.

[Kenn]

The base unit is done for now and I put it on my work trailer. I will try to add some plastic and tape to help protect the bare metal from the weather and then park it outside. Next up is to finish the fresh water tank and paint the truck.

[#90-GTSC]

Originally Posted by Kenn

I cut the donor tank and riveted a flange inside the long end. I took 6" off the length and if needed I can take out another inch. I am waiting for the plastic water tank to arrive before I make the filler cover. I made a cowl to cover the front jack and it will be painted white when I paint the truck.

Are you making a water tank out of the fuel tank? or turning the fuel tank into a dual purpose tank. I'm confused. Is the tank sitting on end the same one installed on the truck?

Thanks!

Dick

[Kenn]

I will be putting a plastic water tank (23" D) inside of the 26" truck tank. The tank on the truck is the one standing on end. I will need to take the end off to get the plastic tank inside and cut a large hole (6" ? ) in the top of the fuel tank. The plastic water tank has a 5" screw on cap. I will also cut a hole in the bottom of the fuel tank for the water tank 3/4" female pipe fitting to conect pex tubing to the water pump. I will need to fab up some kind off aluminum cover that I can lock. It is taking longer to get the water tank than I expected. I think I will start sanding and polishing the tank while I wait for the plastic tank to arrive.

[rockcrawler]

Just joined this site and I am thrilled I found it, I thought all my Ideas were crazy and someone might think I was nuts. But you guys are already doing everthing I ever thought of lol.Im doing a general clean up on a retired 79 pete big cam 350 13 speed, 270 goosneck, I would like to end up with a sleeper back on the truck, day cab now.First time out not a truck driver, Im wondering about the frame rails when they are not steel, what are the hurdles to adding things, have heard not supposed to drill them or heliark on them.I want to move some brackets and other items around....Thanks for your input.

[Oscarvan]

Hi, welcome. No you are not nuts.....we all are.

What material are your frame rails?????

[#90-GTSC]

Originally Posted by rockcrawler

Just joined this site and I am thrilled I found it.

Im wondering about the frame rails when they are not steel,

Did you get a truck with a wooden frame?

[I just couldn't resist!]

[rockcrawler]

no I was scared to spell aluminum wrong and its a three axle,everything is aluminum but the fifth wheel and holding rack which is bolted through the rail tops, no front brakes on the truck, read somewhere they dident appear till 1980.Dont want to start out doing something wrong to the frame, general painting and primer going on now...

[gochenour 799]

I would like to say as a fab guy... your attention to detail and workmanship is first class.. cant wait to see more pics... hopefully i will be starting mine soon... just finishing a new shop large enough to do a project like this... 60x96x16 ...

[Kenn]

gochenour 799, thanks for the kind words. Your shop will be six times the size of mine, just right. If my shop was larger with a taller door (mine is 10'), I would have built the motorhome all at once and not needed to be so creative. Good luck with your project. Post some pictures of the shop.

[Kenn]

I have been working on the water tank. I got the plastic 55 gal water and have been cutting holes in the fuel tank for the filler and the drain. After I cut the holes I used aluminum from the extra fuel tank to made a cover for the filler. It all seems to fit good. I spent several hours polishing the fuel tank and today I started putting foam in between the two tanks. I ran short of foam so I will order more.

[bushpilot]

Very nice ! I like it !

[Kenn]

I finished the water tank the pictures show the two part foam I used, a dam I made of cardboard to keep the foam off the end of the tank, the tank after all the foam was poured and the foam trimmed with a saw.

[Kenn]

The next four pictures are foil on the end of the tank for the Tech-Edge tank monitoring system, the copper tabs on the foil, the wires extended to reach to the outside of the tank and the tank with the end back on. This was a big project that I think will pay off in the long run.