Int. S1654LP Retired UHAUL Build

[bydesign]

OK, here we go...

This Toter is for the sole purpose of moving a jeep around to wheeling events and venues and allowing me to sleep in AC on a real bed! I am no going cross country or living in her full time. The Jeep is an '04 TJ on 3/4 ton axles... on 35s. The idea is to keep this on a budget of under $8K.

The starting point:

1989 International Harvester S1654LP with a 7.3, 5 spd and 217K on the clock. ($3000) purchase and reg/Tag (remanned motor aprox 30K on it)



Ditch the bench seat in the cab for used air ride seats cut a pass thru.($100 seats used $100 to recover and $65 accordian gasket)

http://www.accordionboot.com/





set a ramps #5000 each ($500)

http://www.discountramps.com/truck-trailer-ramps.htm very nicely built and super light!

[bydesign]

Here is the basic game plan:

Bed over cab

Insulate forward 10' of the box

divider wall between garage and living area

pop a few used / new RV windows

basic galley

AC / DC wiring in living area (already have a genset)

maybe a shower and pota potty in the garage area when the TJ is not there...

[bydesign]

Tune up:

oil change
fuel filter
air filter
glow plugs
injectors
return plumbing (injectors)
relaced power sterring pump bracket (recall issue)
fuel tank sending unit
cleaned up the wiring on the batteries

about $350 and two days under the hood

[Kenn]

Looks like a cool project. Keep in mind that rv windows that open are made for the drivers side or passenger side. They will leak if on the wrong side. You might think about sealing any place you cut through the FRP walls to make sure water won't get into the plywood. Good luck and keep the pictures coming and I like the way the passenger bucket seat matches the uhaul paint. Have fun Kenn

[expensivehobby22]

bydesign, you probably already are aware, but there are a handful of S1654 conversions on Pirate4x4. I am in the process of doing one myself, and have similar plans for a layout. If nothing else, you should start a thread over there so those who have gone before you can chime in.

Sounds like you did pretty good on the price. Mine was 3500, but ended up needing a bit more than a simple tune up.

My pass-through idea is the same as yours. what are you planning to do to seal between the box and cab? Are you going to include a shuttable door?

-ray

[expensivehobby22]

I re-read your post, and I see the bit about the accordion gasket. Any chance you can post pics of your finished pass through?

[bydesign]

Originally Posted by expensivehobby22

bydesign, you probably already are aware, but there are a handful of S1654 conversions on Pirate4x4. I am in the process of doing one myself, and have similar plans for a layout. If nothing else, you should start a thread over there so those who have gone before you can chime in.

Sounds like you did pretty good on the price. Mine was 3500, but ended up needing a bit more than a simple tune up.

My pass-through idea is the same as yours. what are you planning to do to seal between the box and cab? Are you going to include a shuttable door?

-ray

Just a curtain... 500D black cordura... snap in place have checked out the Pirate 4x4 toters...

[bydesign]

Originally Posted by expensivehobby22

I re-read your post, and I see the bit about the accordion gasket. Any chance you can post pics of your finished pass through?

will try to get some pics this weekend... taxes put a hurting on my developement budget...

[bydesign]

here is a shot of the inside... you can sort of see the gasket





the bottom needs to be trimmed...

[bydesign]

Originally Posted by expensivehobby22

I re-read your post, and I see the bit about the accordion gasket. Any chance you can post pics of your finished pass through?

will get better pics this weekend

[expensivehobby22]

Thanks for the pictures. It looks really good, and like what I'm hoping to do.

What size opening did you go with?

A lot of my box modifications are going to have to wait until later this year. Like I said, my truck needed a bit more work than I expected, so I ended up just going through it and doing all the preventative maintenance (and then some).

Cheers,

[bydesign]

Originally Posted by expensivehobby22

Thanks for the pictures. It looks really good, and like what I'm hoping to do.

What size opening did you go with?

A lot of my box modifications are going to have to wait until later this year. Like I said, my truck needed a bit more work than I expected, so I ended up just going through it and doing all the preventative maintenance (and then some).

Cheers,

aprox 2.5' x 4.5' fits nicely betwteen the airrides... I am 6' tall and a solid 275 pounds... and I can duck thru no problem

[expensivehobby22]

Thanks for the info.

What exactly was the power steering pump bracket recall?

[bydesign]

Originally Posted by expensivehobby22

Thanks for the info.

What exactly was the power steering pump bracket recall?

The brackets cracked and the belt would hop off... I think the replacements can be found for about $35 at the uhaul truck parts place...

[bydesign]

Got a fair amount accompliahed this weekend...

Last two windows are in (second one in the loft and one in the living room)

also located the poor connection at the the starter for the glow plug relay which had been giving me intermnittent hard starts... $0.45 parts... hours of fun!

here are some close ups of the passageway... cab to box




secong window in the loft...





and I do most of my work in flip flops! it is South Florida!

[bydesign]

more progress...

and the final window in the living room...



TJ in the background is the reason for this whole project!

and of course cooling off after a long day working on the toter with Helen...and a few cold ones...!

[expensivehobby22]

Looking good. I'm really digging the pass through.

[SparkyRnD]

good looking build. I have similar ramps, but mine has the 90* turn down at the upper end and we built channels for them. Will be watching this thread

[bydesign]

So the door that came on her was plywood cr^p! and that just would not do... the guys at Diamond hooked me up big time... what a great company to deal with... Thank you for the fantastic service... New door with hardware...$430 and another $100 or so to get it to my door... two man job but manage to get her in...





then it was off to play in the evergaldes!



next week will be busy... CL buy $20 for a CB and another $100 for a used headliner and overhead consol with sun visors... to mount the CB in!

[bydesign]

So the rainy weather has slowed down some of the progress... I did manage to get the patch installed on the FRP on the passanger side of the box... bought a piece from the UHAUL truck store online... pretty cheap...

I did find an overhead consol from 4300 for cheap... had to drop the head liner and install a brace (3/4" alm angle) from side to side... so I could secure the consol... cleaned it up and rattle canned it tan...



some new elastic on the storage pouches and good as new!