Diesel stealth truck idea

[Malibusurfer]

On the way home today I saw a service truck and thought of a idea I might kick around for a bit. Get a dodge diesel 2 or 4 WD long bed. Make or buy a used Knapheide service box with all the drawers that open up from the outside or make your own out of mild steel.. Make a big high angled top like the Knapheide KUVcc ( they have a website). Make all the drawers false (weld them shut ) and do a complete interior inside. They are wide as they sit a few inches over the back wheels and 9 ft if you have 9 ft. Bed.. I feel you would have one of the ultimate stealth urban vehicle. Throw a ladder on top and hide your fantastic fan and any other contractor items to blend in....
This of course if you have the time, money, energy and ability... Unfortunately I only have 2 of those at the moment I have the ability and energy, but the rest is unattainable at the current time ....
What do you guys think??? Like I said, just kickng around ideas for stealth and decent gas mileage..

 

[Lucky mike]

Since ability and energy is what you have to work with and you want diesel......a Bradley fighting vehicle would give you twice the room and with boondocking in mexico , the drug cartels wouldnt bother you!!!

 

[Malibusurfer]

Ha, ha... I think that may be a little too much metal

 

[Blue]

like the idea but... I think those rigs with the shelving are expensive, welding all that together would get costly fast... I mean it would work n all and definately give you massive stealth, but uggg... high cost.

 

[spd2918]

It would be far more rugged than, say, an AWD van. It would be better than those really high 4WD vans, too, and the truck chassis means parts are easy to get.

The Turtle Expedition used heavy 4WD Diesel Fords more than any other vehicle. They know what they are doing: http://turtleexpedition.com/

They are not stealth, but they need to advertise their corporate sponsors. One could make something similar as you described in all white with a ladder rack.

 

[Blue]

stealth fail definately, do you really need 4wd?

 

[Malibusurfer]

Oh yeah, I'm not saying this would be a cheap endevor by any means. Like I said I saw one on the road and my creative juices got flowing...
I love my vans, but quite a few mechanics say outright they do not, or will not work on vans due to engine placement, etc.... This is really just a truck with a big box in place of the bed...
Blue, if your asking me about 4x4, having one in Oregon is a great bonus, but not entirely needed... My old 99' Dodge extra cab 4x4 dually cummins got about 21 mpg!!! I didn't think that was too shabby for a gigantic tank!!

 

[Patrick46]

guys....don't be a killjoy!!!

 

[Malibusurfer]

Just looking briefly at utility boxes on Portland, OR craigslist, a full size utility box ranged from $400-1000 for a full size..
I am a welder, painter, fiberglass guy, fabricator, and own a hot rod shop, so this would be very do-able for me...
Killjoys are fine with me Patrick... Personally I would like no one else having one but me . But like I said, my van suits me fine for now, I was just openly writing my thoughts here...
I personally cannot think of a negative to this, other than startup cost and time... We all put time in our rigs, but yeah, this one may be over the top... I like a challenge if I decide to do this

 

[Lucky mike]

How about a boston Duck boat!!!!.................its diesel , might stck out a little on the stealth factor.....but land or see is a good thing!!!!

http://www.bostonducktours.com/tour.aspx

 

[Malibusurfer]

Ok, I'm officially getting my balls busted here.....

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Here's to dreamers
Without them where would we be today??

 

[Bdog1]

Okay Malibu... Get your service box, cut the drivers side tool box off, flip it around and weld it back on so the doors are inside. Leave the pass. side for outside storage?

Better still, just open up the inside on one side and call it done.

There are vans with service box cutaways too, there taller but that kinda defeats the easy service edge you mention.

Are there really professional mechanics that won't work on a van? Must be making way too much money where you are! Those same guys prob. won't work on a 4x4 with a service box either!

 

[Malibusurfer]

I'm not talking having the service boxes work at all, they are faux.... Just the appearance they are in working order.. Full on interior inside with a high top like Knapheide sells...
Yes, I know mechanics in the area who do not work on vans. They will work on trucks and cars, they just don't like vans cause they are not easy to get to stuff in the engine bay...
I guess from now on I'll just leave any ideas or tips or anything I have to say to myself... Sorry to have bugged you all.....geez....

 

[GotSmart]

Keep up the ideas. A crazy idea leads to discussion, and more crazy ideas, in which there is usually one or two winners.

I like my van because you can take the doghouse off, and have complete access along with a comfortable chair to sit in.

 

[Patrick46]

Hmmmmm...I kinda like that idea of welding the cargo doors shut and gutting them from the inside.

now we're talking Stealth!!

 

[Lucky mike]

I'm not sure I would weld all the doors shut......they would make great screen ventilation areas and the top ones would make nice outside table area's during a boondock excursion!!

 

[Patrick46]

yeah...keep a few in regular operation.

make one into an outside serving wet-bar!!

 

[Malibusurfer]

A outdoor flat screen for beach camping in one, fold down BBQ- stove, one for propane, battery storage maybe.....
What I like about these boxes is they are wider and taller ( any height I want ) then a van, can be taken off when needing a truck bed....
I was thinking some PVC pipe on a rack ( inside one PVC pipe a awning, etc...) , ladder.. Just a plumber looking rig..
Mind you guys I am not a full timer, just go on surf adventures and park in neighborhoods for a few weeks every 4-6 months....
Thank you for seeing my crazy vision
Don't get me wrong, I love my van ( posted pics in my intro thread ), but cummins trucks get phenomenal MPG for the weight and room they have and go forever!!

 

[Patrick46]

I had a rack inside my stepvan I made using PVC piping for carrying my surfboards. Worked great!