Custom Flatbed - Work Truck & Camper

Cant wait to see where tis goes

 

@Toyko Joe - Thanks for all the links man, I'm just catching up on them now. Everyone who has stopped by and commented - thanks for checkin in!
@Bajatacoma - You are correct, thats where our heads will be when sleeping + its slightly more vertical.

I've been away from TW for a few days, work during the day and burning the midnight oil in the shop at night. This is where I am as of last night - I think I can officially call this a pop up camper build!

 

hey everyone,

quick update with lots of progress (and pictures) as well as some changes in direction.

First off - got the roof skin on! 1/2" Plywood bent using kerf bending. Roof rack is just sitting up there to give me an idea of overall feel.



Got both of the exterior 'saddlebag' storage boxes built - here is the first one getting assembled. Its a mix of 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4" ply - assembled with pocket screws for ease and a combination of titebond III and PL construction adhesive. (not mixed together, used separately...)


I am really starting to get excited about this! It's no longer a drawing on paper.


Got the hatches made and also made up some MDF front and rear pieces that I shaped to give it a nicer look - they are glued and screwed with the PL construction adhesive to the ply box. I used the extra PL that squeezed out and mixed it with MDF dust to fill holes and do a little preliminary bodywork before the Spar Urethane sealer went on. Mixing with MDF turned out to be better than conventional sawdust mixture because MDF sawdust is really just powdered wood fibers. Some of you are probably wondering well why not use wood filler (dont trust it to adhere well) or bondo (bondo will come once all the wood has 3 coats of spar urethane and a coat of oil based primer)


First coat of sealer on the passenger side box!


Ive also made a big decision - color! Sticking with the original two tone idea but instead of gray/white, I'm doing a 20% gray / USAF Interior Green. Not sure what sheen yet but I did stop by Benjamin Moore this morning to talk with the paint guru about my plan. I already figured on 3 coats of spar urethane, scuffed 220 btwn coats, then an oil base primer. Going with INSL-X Prime Lock, a product I've used before. It's an alkyd based primer, has nice body to it and sands well. He suggested using an Aliphatic Urethane Paint for something that was tintable and had UV protection. Looks like an expensive option but need to do more research still....Any ideas?


Last but not least - changed my mind about the truck bed drawer system. After lots of hemming and hawing I took the good advice of you folks and deleted one drawer and added a flip out bed platform. The decision came from realizing that i'm building in a shitload of storage into this truck and dont need a second drawer. Even when I am doing renovations I am not lugging that many tools. PLUS the advantage of being able to sit down and put our feet on the floor. So here's a little sketch so far as I work out the details.


Ive done some drawings of my ideas regarding the interior building of the shell. Nothing elaborate just some shelves between the ribs. More pics of the boxes and the drawings tomorrow.

- J

 

OK Photobucket is having problems at the moment so I'll try to describe this idea that popped nto my head. It looks like you have panels that will drop into place on the driver's side with storage on the passenger's side. Have you thought about using a slat style system istead of solid panels? Think wood or aluminum slats with webbing attached underneath that collapse to about half of their extended length (Google Ikea slat bed for an idea what I'm trying to describe). All you'd need is the rails down each side, which you already need for the panels, and it should save you some space by moving it out of the way when not needed. It's something I'd thought about doing in my truck at one point but traveling solo, space isn't quite as critical.

 

Sub'd

This looks like a really fun build! Good job!

 

Okay, I'm in.

 

THis thread is awesome. Looking forward to seeing it completed

 

Hey everyone,
Been away from TW for a while, life got a bit busy but happily i have some truck updates!

Someone before suggested I delete the toolbox saddlebags from the camper. Since I already had them built I decided to modify them so that they would bolt onto my ladder rack, which is on the truck all the time. I painted these last night - duplicolor on the box and truck bed coating on the doors. hardware is from ebay. I'm getting ready for a 4 day wilderness camping trip to Maine this coming weekend so trying to get these on just in time!

I know this isnt a build thread but youll also notice the front end has gotten some love. Pelfreybilt bumper, RAD Industries grille, and some blacked out headlights. New fogs + LED bar in the bumper. Winch next....then a suspension/lift upgrade! Just gotta save some $$$...

The ladder rack was also took a bit of customization. The mounting hardware included didnt work - the radius of the J bolts was too large. So I welded up come custom bolts made from a concrete J anchor with a tab on the end to slide in the bed rail. Worked out great. Would be happy to provide detail pics if anyone needs.

Any way, onto the pics.

The new front end, after I replace the stock headlights:

 

Love that grill!!

 

nice. I applaud your fearlessness & workmanship. cant wait to see the end result. may the taco-schwartz be with you!

 

Front end looks really nice. Can't wait to see custom camper done

 

Awesome concept!
Have you considered this?
http://adventuretrailers.com/campers/toyota-habitat/
Pricey but lightweight & very functional.

 

This is a great idea! sub'd

 

Also sub'd this has me curious..

 

This is awesome! Keep up the good work!

@Overlanerd

 

Sub'd to see how this pans out.

 

Hey everyone, just wanted to post an update and some pics from a recent expedition (my first in the Tacoma) to the wilderness of Maine for memorial day weekend. Did a bit of trail driving on old swampy logging roads and camped out in the same. Got the maxtrax knockoffs mounted (didnt have to use them) and powered thru some nice mud and deep water with stock suspension, and OEM tires. Slowly saving up for a toytec lift + suspension kit with control arms and a set of bigger tires. Probably Duratracs. Anyway - enjoy the pics.

@HomerTaco - love the habitat but it is WAY out of my price range!

Hoping to get back to the camper work soon as i finish up some other work for clients in the shop!

Jon

 

This is awesome, nice job

 

What IS this??? A camper shell for ANTS????