My 2013 Tacoma Access Cab Chinook build in progress

Thank you John!

 

Yeah, what he said!

How much longer till this is all up and running? I am sure it will be a forever project, like the rest of us have.

 

Great progress on the wiring... all the 12 volt is wired and the house battery wiring is well under way. Did find and confirm the green/yellow wire for the starter circuit to tie into the isolator...thanks again Left Coast Nerd! I am able to tie in to it inside of the main fuse panel box which makes for a clean job! The #1 battery cable is in plastic wire loon and mostly run... still a bunch of split loom and a couple million wire ties away from calling the wiring done. The battery switch gives me the option of having the house battery completely off so no drain when not in use and to combine the batteries for jump start if needed.

 

I am really close to done Cfayne! After the wiring I will glue on my wall finishes and button up a bunch of little crap but all very manageable! All the upholstery is done and stored... I will be traveling from end of December to mid February so will have another lull in progress. My wife and I are wandering Asia a bit. Vietnam, Cambodia and finishing in The Philippines for some scuba diving....

 

The electric is all connected and tested. The 2 battery system is connected through the isolator and the house battery is mounted in the back bumper. A milestone! The interior finish is pretty simple from here. I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

 

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See if you can spot any Mandarin fish in the Philippines. I realize it’s old hat to you but I’d love to see details of the fabric finish work if you can.

 

I will take some good photos with my 35mm when it is done Scott! .... pretty sure we will see some Mandarin Dragonettes in the Phillipines! also going to get to dive some WWII Japanese wrecks sunk in Caron Island,Palowan...

 

The coolest one was a leafy dragonfish on the last day. I envy you your wreck diving, didn't get to do any that trip.

 

jaybashant i have a chinook slide in camper and i want to remove 12" from the front which will make the top longer and will make it fit on my truck better. i saw you did this same thing. any information you can throw my would be very helpful ive never fiberglassed before so any info will help thanks

 

Do some research on fiberglass work ... you can use polyester, vinylester or epoxies resins. Make sure you grind all the surfaces that you are laminating or you will not get a good bond. Grind off all of the Gelcoat to bare glass...after you make your cut, use a piece of plywood and drill and screw the pieces where you want them from the outside and then glass the inside first.... good luck!
Attached are some not great photos of mine at that stage...
PS...fiberglass work sucks! Cover up really well when you grind. Wear a respirator and eye protection. Baby powder the crap out of all your skin and it helps keep the itchy shit out of your pores!

 

I’m back from my epic journey! 5 weeks in Vietnam and the Philippines... I am getting back on it next week and am gonna get er done!

 

THANK YOU

 

did you use mesh and resin or just resin? also did you just put the two pieces together after you removed the 10", resin and mesh from the inside only? also did you leave a gab between the two cut pieces or did you butt them together? sorry for all the questions

 

Welcome back. I have about 30 years till I can get out and roam the world like you are. I'm just a little jealous.

 

Thanks Dan...I hope you have a chance to see some world! I have made it a priority since I was a kid.

 

The cuts were butt together and then we had to make the 10" section over the cab....used both fiberglass matt and woven cloth for strength. Also to fill in where the window configuration was changed... see if you can get a boat or body shop guy to help or coach you.... it may not be the best first fiberglass learning project... it is pretty major.

 

I have been having a hard time getting back to my project between travels and life... I have just started a power catamaran project to boot... I have travel plans now extending into next year so I am thinking of selling her... anybody have any thoughts on what this off road camper might be worth in its almost done state? Would love to hear your thoughts...or maybe someone out there would be interested?

 

how much?!

 

Low side $20k
High side $50k

You've done all the legwork to make it leagal so... $38,500 is where's id start asking if you're in no hurry to sell.