 |
|
01-20-2016, 01:46 PM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
What was I thinking?
I figured it's about time to start showing progress. this is my first attempt at a build thread for any of my projects. So bear with me. It started life as a line haul truck for I believe Watkins. Was stretched and converted into a 28 ft box truck for a plant nursery. I bought it out in Arkansas and drove it all the way home with no problems at all. 315k miles, 435 n14 cummins, super 10 trans.
__________________
|
|
|
|
01-20-2016, 01:55 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
I needed to move the box forward 18 inches and add a sleeping loft for my daughter. I also needed to replace the fiberglass roof with aluminum.
I bought an old travel trailer for the windows, doors, and the slide mechanism. and set up and framed the 12 ftx43 inch slide out.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
01-20-2016, 02:01 PM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
I cut and spliced the top rail 9ft back from the front and spliced in a 12ft section to add the 36 inch loft. I also framed everything up with 1x2 inch 1/16th wall box tubing. Much stronger that the z studs Supreme used and still fairly light.
All of the skin that has been removed is being replaced with new aluminum. I was planning on a repaint anyway, and why half ass it at this point.
Here is a pic of the left side with the skin replaced and windows.
|
|
|
|
|
01-21-2016, 09:17 AM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Where my trailer is sitting!
Posts: 251
|
You must have been thinking "This is an easy project and will be done quickly!".... Cool project and looks good!
__________________
For now 1996 Dodge Ram 5.9 Cummins 365HP 830TQ pulling a 2006 28' Dutchmen Fifthwheel and at times a 16' boat behind that!
|
|
|
|
|
01-22-2016, 08:10 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 146
|
Nice work so far, looking forward to seeing more progress pics.
__________________
2005 Kenworth Showhauler 45 ft total length
twin screw, 450 hp ISX, 10 speed Ultrashift
|
|
|
|
|
01-22-2016, 11:04 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tomball
Posts: 1,414
|
very nice !!!! don't stop now !!!
__________________
Don R.
'04 Haulmark (M42386) 42', 2 slide, 10kw - Pictures
'04 F350 CrewCab Longbed 4x4, 50g aux tank & gear vendors dbl over
|
|
|
|
|
01-24-2016, 08:41 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Rockford
Posts: 490
|
What are you doing for rear bumper?
|
|
|
|
|
01-25-2016, 08:18 AM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
I'm currently planning on using a "Texas" front bumper on the rear. I'm planning on running the receiver tube for the hitch through the foot hold opening (since they are designed for the front)
http://www.4statetrucks.com/bumpers/...78-379_400.asp
|
|
|
|
|
02-15-2016, 08:56 PM
|
#9
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Victoria BC
Posts: 2
|
Wow! That's quiet the undertaking!
__________________
Expedition Truck Specialist, Globe traveller and owner of www.totalcomposites.com supplier of fiberglass composite panels and truck bodies.
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2016, 09:49 AM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
Update
After finishing the left and right side paneling, I decided that roof should be the next project. My wife decided that a skylight this big was just going to leak.
The new roof is rolled .060 aluminum. It is sold by the foot. This is a 35 ft roll.
We used the forklift to lift it up to the roof. Centered it up at the front and let it fly. Wish I had a video, It was cool to watch. I then welded up a quick "attachment point" to the fork lift and clamped the rear of the roof to it to "stretch it" This will keep it from billowing as you go down the rood.
Once stretched. We used new J molding and buck rivets to fasten it to the top rail. We used butyl tape between the roof and the top rail. We used grey Manus to seal the J molding. This should be a lifetime roof.
The walls of the truck body are actually held together by the roof. Without it they are very flimsy and sway back and forth. The body is much stronger now.
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2016, 10:02 AM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tomball
Posts: 1,414
|
Love the creative use of E-Track and vice grips 
VERY nice progress!
__________________
Don R.
'04 Haulmark (M42386) 42', 2 slide, 10kw - Pictures
'04 F350 CrewCab Longbed 4x4, 50g aux tank & gear vendors dbl over
|
|
|
|
|
02-24-2016, 10:14 AM
|
#12
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
I bought our local harbor freight (I didn't want to leave my nice ones out in the weather)out of vice grips twice. The lady said they're ordering system was based on sales. I think they are going to be overstocked shortly 
|
|
|
|
|
05-31-2016, 09:59 AM
|
#13
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
Status report Mr Sulu
After much work with no noticeable progress. I finally have some pictures.
Now that the roof was on. I had to finish the bunk area above the cab. I slid the box back 4 ft. And installed a sheet of 16 gauge stainless to the bottom of the bunk area.
Once we got that in place I got a sheet of 16 gauge plain steel and built the front of the box.
Then I gutted the sleeper and cut my hole.
|
|
|
|
|
05-31-2016, 10:01 AM
|
#14
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
|
|
|
|
|
05-31-2016, 10:04 AM
|
#15
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
Once the paint dried (and 5 more inches of rain) We moved the box back forward and bolted it down for the last time ( I hope). Here is how she sits now. Awaiting the sleeper boot.
|
|
|
|
|
05-31-2016, 10:18 AM
|
#16
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tomball
Posts: 1,414
|
looks good - possibly the best looking sleeper cab I've ever seen converted
__________________
Don R.
'04 Haulmark (M42386) 42', 2 slide, 10kw - Pictures
'04 F350 CrewCab Longbed 4x4, 50g aux tank & gear vendors dbl over
|
|
|
|
|
05-31-2016, 10:18 AM
|
#17
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
Holy cow Batman, This thing is long!
|
|
|
|
|
05-31-2016, 11:08 AM
|
#18
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tomball
Posts: 1,414
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by solo318
Holy cow Batman, This thing is long!
|
how long is it??
__________________
Don R.
'04 Haulmark (M42386) 42', 2 slide, 10kw - Pictures
'04 F350 CrewCab Longbed 4x4, 50g aux tank & gear vendors dbl over
|
|
|
|
|
05-31-2016, 11:19 AM
|
#19
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 127
|
40ft nose to tail. 29 ft box with a 3 ft attic. 102 inches wide.
|
|
|
|
|
05-31-2016, 11:40 AM
|
#20
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tomball
Posts: 1,414
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by solo318
40ft nose to tail. 29 ft box with a 3 ft attic. 102 inches wide.
|
ok well not all that long....many are 45 feet (we are 42).
your width is standard, i suggest measuring to the mirrors....just so you know (in case you get into a tight spot.
I have some reminders on both sides of the overhead console...i tell my passengers they have some responsibility to help and watch out too.
__________________
__________________
Don R.
'04 Haulmark (M42386) 42', 2 slide, 10kw - Pictures
'04 F350 CrewCab Longbed 4x4, 50g aux tank & gear vendors dbl over
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
