rokguy's rock truck build part1.

[rokguy]

<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: small"><EM>Hi Everyone,<BR>I hope this post isn't to long as I'm only learning here. hence part 1.<BR><BR>&nbsp;I thought I might post this thread on my half truck half motorhome build.<BR>As someone who has been working and living on the road for quite some time I dreamed up this idea for my perfect vehicle. The idea started back in 2010 when I bought myself a cheap ex city delivery box truck (we call em pantecs here).<BR>The Ford trader truck (rebadged Japanese Mazda) &nbsp;had approx. 300 000km on the clock but was in really great shape.These trucks make great conversions due to their removable bodies, strong running gear, modern economical diesels, 5/10 speed gearboxes, exhaust brakes and various wheelbase versions. Did I mention reliability ! !<BR>Mine is a 92 model, 3.5 litre Diesel 10 speed around 10 ft wheelbase. The box was a refrigerated pantec (make a great home as it is) now my shed.<BR><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888"><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/ford_trader.0409-417x286.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>A</SPAN></EM></SPAN>s bought.<BR><EM>I removed the body and started planning on what I had and what I needed, I love Kenworth trucks and had the idea of building my own sleeper based on a 60 inch KW one. With 60in out front (5ft) that left me with tray lenght of 6ft 6in legally. (60% overhang of wheelbase laws&nbsp;in Oz)<BR>Wanting a reasonable tare weight of 2.5tons 4.5 ton GVM gross) I decided to build my sleeper from marine ply and aluminium framing with alloy cargosheet cladding self laminated.<BR>Cargosheet is what they use to skin alot of buses, its alloy sheet anodised with a glossy colour (mines ultra violet white a good colour for heat reflection here)&nbsp;<BR>First thing was to detail the chassis repair anything now while it was easy to get to.Alloy fenders were fitted. I found a great aluminium from a local supplier using as many offcuts as I could. The supplier had marine alloy sheet stock left over from the railways doing a major upgrade in the area.<BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/rear_guards_ready_for_flatbed-386x281.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>chassis detailed and homebuilt alloy</EM> fender<BR><EM>The marine ply was sourced as leftover off a boat project from a mate. I mocked up the sleeper off the truck to get it right, then epoxied all the ply surfaces before laminating the alloy sheet to the surfaces.<BR>While the laminate panels were&nbsp;setting I set about building my tray. The tray is built from form ply used in the concrete construction industry. There are three layers (2 1/2 in thick) on the actual tray area (one is a replaceable layer because of the Granite I carry.)<BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/littlpod2.tray.guards-409x301.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>heres the tray almost</EM> complete<BR><EM>Now it was time to assemble the sleeper, I had already figured on paper where to place stringers and ribs for interior fitting so I didn't have to put holes in the outside sheeting. The things I wanted the most were.... 1. a folddown single bed above the crawl through window to the cab.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. a table built in under the crawl through window.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. a lounge big enough to sprawl out on (well 5ft)&nbsp; along the RH side storage under<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4. a gallette (tiny galley) LH side with cupboard and storage under. sink folds away.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. a toilet compartment. storage racks behind and clothes hanging space. LH side<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6. TV DVD computer radio CB radio. efficient LED lighting.<BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/littlpod2.mock_up_of_sleeper-292x210.jpg" rel="lightbox">&nbsp;<IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/littlpod2.roof_done_looking_at_back-266x209.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>assembly of the sleeper<BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/littlpod2.reaer_view_sleeper_on-423x312.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>taking shape<BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/littlpod2.tailgate_up-410x309.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>working out the lift door arrangement<BR>After working my drawings a few times I did manage to fit all stuff in.<BR>The sleeper uses wooden and alloy ceiling beams notched into the side panels to ensure rigidity, I learnt a lot from converting a old wooden trawler and my first old truck years ago. The sleeper is built like a modern epoxied boat hull.<BR><BR>This is a long topic so I better not drag on. This can be part 1. Ask me anything you might be curious about. Part 2 next.</EM></P>

 

[bk2valve]

This is sweet. I have been thinking and talking about this style truck here in the States...they are plentiful and not too expensive used.<br>Bri

 

[rokguy]

Hi Bri,<BR>Thanks. Yeh they are plentiful here too, alot of the newer ones are all turbo charged aswell. (20-25mpg is not unusual) The best thing I like about it is the tilt cab, you stand next to the engine when you want to do maintainance. no climbing over bonnets etc.<BR>&nbsp;Part 2. to follow.<BR>Geoff

 

[bk2valve]

It sounds like you do rock work...that would be cool to see a pic or two of some of that...do you have a blog or photo account to look at? I LOVE rock work (to look at, not to do)...I had the pleasure of seeing some stunning work in Cuzco and elsewhere in Peru....Mexico has some excellent rock workers as well....<br>Bri

 

[rokguy]

Yeh Bri,<BR>The trucks sort of give it away as to what I do.<BR>Here's the link to my website<BR><BR><A href="http://stonemasoncarver.com/index.html" rel=nofollow>www.stonemasoncarver.com<BR></A><BR>Geoff

 

[bk2valve]

Wow! I am very impressed and will spend some time looking through you photos....you do beautiful work Geoff. Thanks for showing me....maybe you could go back into the post with the link and throw an a in mason cuz it won't get there from here....<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>Best ...I'm hitting the rack for the night but will check back mañana after I get back from a day trip to Mexico....<br>Bri

 

[rokguy]

Hi Bri,<BR>Thanks for your kind words. OOPs yes I just noticed that.<BR>If you have trucks you might like<BR><BR><A href="http://stonemasoncarver.com/trucks" rel=nofollow>www.stonemasoncarver.com/trucks<BR></A><BR>Fixed now. and part 2 is there now.<BR>Geoff

 

[cyndi]

What a sweet ride/home that truck will make, rokguy! Checkin out your website, now.

 

[KatnCarl]

That looks great. I love the idea of starting from the chassis and working up from there.