4spdragtop
Well-Known Member
LOL, yep I think thats what Del is planning. No way that thing can be towed anymore..LOL!
Cool project Del! Post pics of what its going in....Dakota??
My Gawd I'm stupid, I guess
- Thread starter 67Dart273
- Start date
-
LOL, yep I think thats what Del is planning. No way that thing can be towed anymore..LOL!
Cool project Del! Post pics of what its going in....Dakota??
LOL. It will simply sit on top of the bed rails. When down, it's 33" so it only sticks above the cab about 10" or so.
Got a tiny bit more done tonight. Only had to make one cut on the black locker panel, it will fit right on, LOL. Tomorrow I'll cut the drip angle to length for the corners and the "now front" should be "done."
Thanks, that what I thought. Well that you weren't going to tow it anymore. That's better than any top for the bed. We're getting to damn old to be climbing in and out. Park and raise the top, and no bending over.
LOL I really wanted a small camper but "lo budget." Options are very limited, because all the "big three" are now playing "musical bed sizes." Do you know? that the 94/ later Dodge isn't even parallel front to rear?
I want to be able to pull the car trailer. This way, there's lots of room under it for other junk, and I'll rig a way to lock the tailgate. This thing is sposed to way 950 empty. I've dropped at least 200 off that, axle, both beds, tongue, spare tire, and extra cabinet for the sink.
I might get ambitious and put an electric actuator on the top, LOL but for now I just want to get it functional so I CAN FINALLY START ON THE DART LMAO
4spdragtop
Well-Known Member
What a cool idea Del! Looking forward to seeing progress.
Thanks Steve. It will be no "thing of beauty" LOL. got it mounted on the "white whale" today, which is a bit ugly all by itself. New "used to be the rear" panel is installed, and it's bolted down. It is FAR from done. Next project probably will be a new door. And tonight I figured what to do with the tent, as the bed extensions are gone. I'm simply going to bolt the tent supports to the end rails where the beds rolled, and the tent over the cab will be a bit sloppy and balloony, but I can still unzip the screen.
For what is now the rear, I think I'll just trim the canvas down, and stitch it to the side canvas, and drop it straight down and screw it to the molding rail.
So I have to get that done, remount the cooktop and sink, rework the drain and LP gas piping and build a bottle support.
Build a cover for the exposed remainder of the pickup bed, and figure a way to lock the tailgate.
And, of course, rebuild the rear panel like I did the front.
It sticks up 33" when closed, about 8" or so above the cab or a bit more. My beat-up 5' ladder works well for entry LMAO.
For what is now the rear, I think I'll just trim the canvas down, and stitch it to the side canvas, and drop it straight down and screw it to the molding rail.
So I have to get that done, remount the cooktop and sink, rework the drain and LP gas piping and build a bottle support.
Build a cover for the exposed remainder of the pickup bed, and figure a way to lock the tailgate.
And, of course, rebuild the rear panel like I did the front.
It sticks up 33" when closed, about 8" or so above the cab or a bit more. My beat-up 5' ladder works well for entry LMAO.
Well the front tent section is done, such as it is. Took the bottom factory edge and tucked it under some aluminum angle, and screwed it to the bottom rail. Reworked the mount for the original top bow (originally hooked to bed) and for the loose corners, just folded them over at the bottom factory seam, made holes through the original grommets, and ran a bolt through!!!
For the back, I cut off much of the bottom section. This originally went over the expandable double bed. Same deal as other end. Fastened bottom under some aluminum angle, and screwed it down. Now I have to find somebody?? LOL to stitch the two corner seams together, about 3 1/2 --4 ft long each
I've now decided what to do with the "almost a kitchenette" LMAO. I'm just going to improve the counter-top which is actually the old "middle" of the hinged cabinets. I'm not even going to install the cooktop or a sink. For "sinks" I'll just use rubber-maid tubs. For water will simply be gallon store bought water. for the cooktop, which is "in a box" anyway, I'll simply stow it in the cabinet below, pull it out (has a hose) and set it on the table. See? EASY LOL
The "mess" sticking out the front of the cabinet is the "furnace." I could not figure out why they just didn't use a thermopile (millivolt or self powered) gas valve, they use a 12V gas valve. Now, it becomes obvious. The "furnace" actually has a FAN on 12V LMAO. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot get out of the HVAC business!!!
I've now decided what to do with the "almost a kitchenette" LMAO. I'm just going to improve the counter-top which is actually the old "middle" of the hinged cabinets. I'm not even going to install the cooktop or a sink. For "sinks" I'll just use rubber-maid tubs. For water will simply be gallon store bought water. for the cooktop, which is "in a box" anyway, I'll simply stow it in the cabinet below, pull it out (has a hose) and set it on the table. See? EASY LOL
The "mess" sticking out the front of the cabinet is the "furnace." I could not figure out why they just didn't use a thermopile (millivolt or self powered) gas valve, they use a 12V gas valve. Now, it becomes obvious. The "furnace" actually has a FAN on 12V LMAO. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot get out of the HVAC business!!!
Had a good day today. Got a big taco salad downtown, and just got "in" here at 9:30. Tore apart the Coleman "furnace" and blew out the pilot orifice and main burner, and test fired it on the bench. "IT WORKS!!!!"
It's a cute little sombeech. About 10" wide and maybe, a foot or a little more high, 12,0000BTU in, 9K BTU out. So about as much heat as 1 1/2 portable 1500 watt heaters LMAO. It's even got a (12V) blower!!!
It's a cute little sombeech. About 10" wide and maybe, a foot or a little more high, 12,0000BTU in, 9K BTU out. So about as much heat as 1 1/2 portable 1500 watt heaters LMAO. It's even got a (12V) blower!!!
sireland67
Well-Known Member
Sounds like you got a good deal on the camper.
I have a 96 Palomino Philly that I got off my neighbor years ago cheap, like $500. because he bought a motor home.
AC, heat, stove, refrigerator.
He had just renewed the tags for 3 years, let me drive it on the tags until they ran out.
I still use the old camper to this day, it is starting to show alot wear on it, but I have not even spent a penny on repairs.
I have a 96 Palomino Philly that I got off my neighbor years ago cheap, like $500. because he bought a motor home.
AC, heat, stove, refrigerator.
He had just renewed the tags for 3 years, let me drive it on the tags until they ran out.
I still use the old camper to this day, it is starting to show alot wear on it, but I have not even spent a penny on repairs.
I feel better about it after getting some stuff done. Geez some of that stuff is overpriced "for what's there."
I am "in the middle" of building a new side door, need to build a mount for the LP bottle which I've decided to put in the rear corner of the bed, and of course the new rear cover panel.
Need to stitch up the canvas in two corners. it's getting close to "useable." Got the cooktop and furnace workable. I'm not gonna mount the cooktop, just "throw" it in the cabinet (it has a hose) and set it on top of the cabinet when using.
Things slowed way down today, my energy is way down.
I am "in the middle" of building a new side door, need to build a mount for the LP bottle which I've decided to put in the rear corner of the bed, and of course the new rear cover panel.
Need to stitch up the canvas in two corners. it's getting close to "useable." Got the cooktop and furnace workable. I'm not gonna mount the cooktop, just "throw" it in the cabinet (it has a hose) and set it on top of the cabinet when using.
Things slowed way down today, my energy is way down.
Just now, finished up the new side door. This is only for transport, the aluminum "regular" door goes in there when set up. Once again, my favorite locker material!!! A couple were just the right width, all I had to do was trim the top to length and bend it to clear the lid inside. Cut some slots at the bottom which engage two bolts I welded in. Put a narrow waste strip in the bottom for filler. The side aluminum angles are remnants from the new canvas hold downs inside. Makin progress!!!
To remove or install the door just leave the top up about an inch from seated, tip it out and lift it off the slots
To remove or install the door just leave the top up about an inch from seated, tip it out and lift it off the slots
Well, ALRIGHTY then!!! Bought a thrift store sewin' machine for twenty bucks, and a couple of bucks at a different thrift for some needles and thread. This is a JC Penny "made in Taiwan" by Nelco, whoever that is / was, LOL
Anyhow, it came with the manual!!!! Spent a couple evenings trying to get it to work and finally figured out the damn poor destructions (with postage stamp photos) left a crucial step out of threading the thing!!! After playing with tension adjustments, and cleaning the shuttle / bobbin area with carb cleaner, LOL, it actually works.
Took the cut down section off the "neu" camper, and sewed up the corners!!! I didn't bother putting the aluminum door in for the photo. THIS THING IS DONE as far as "function" goes
Anyhow, it came with the manual!!!! Spent a couple evenings trying to get it to work and finally figured out the damn poor destructions (with postage stamp photos) left a crucial step out of threading the thing!!! After playing with tension adjustments, and cleaning the shuttle / bobbin area with carb cleaner, LOL, it actually works.
Took the cut down section off the "neu" camper, and sewed up the corners!!! I didn't bother putting the aluminum door in for the photo. THIS THING IS DONE as far as "function" goes
Cool! Good job. If you're happy with it, then to hell with any naysayers. LOL
And what did you give up, extra 2 beds? Tell them to get a motel.
And what did you give up, extra 2 beds? Tell them to get a motel.
Dammit Del, if nothing else,you are one of the handiest guys ,I have ever seen.
LOL. Well last night I pulled the top loose, had the neighbor hep me lift it over to the car trailer, and power washed it. Hell I thought the brown stuff was imbedded dirt or some'thin. Nope. Anyhow, turns out the pressure washer "washed" off some patches showing up as ?? knife wounds ?? Some kid?? so now I need to research how and what to use to patch those, figure out what to do with the middle seam, which might not be leakin' at all, LOL, and then coat it with a bedliner like material. Meanwhile, LOL, it reposes under the carport with the obligatory blue tarp
73 Swinger 8
Well-Known Member
Pretty cool idea, moving along nicely!
bighammer
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Well done Del! You never cease to amaze!
very cool idea with a ton of thought and work. you could have prob bought some materials and built something similar for less but what fun is that and it would have prob been heavier.
i have seen some that are kinda like that but are narrower at the bottom and fit in the truck the other direction so dont have to climb so high to get in and out of the door. kinda like this but great work and creativity so rock on and keep the pics coming
View attachment popup1.jpg
i have seen some that are kinda like that but are narrower at the bottom and fit in the truck the other direction so dont have to climb so high to get in and out of the door. kinda like this but great work and creativity so rock on and keep the pics coming
View attachment popup1.jpg
Doubt very much I could have scratch built something for less than I have into this. I originally had found a pop up camper called a "four wheel camper" that would have been perfect........cept won't fit this truck!!!!
Also, as far as the "high" part, this has turned out to be a blessing. I can use the entire bed underneath for storage. I don't have anything heavy to haul into the camper, and I can still "teeter" up the ladder, LOL, so that is OK. I ran some errands for a week or so, it is not at all noticable so far as "top heavy."
I don't have the tail lights done yet, but it will be pretty much "fully convertable" back into a trailer. The new tongue goes on / off with 6 bolts, and a whole two!!! bolts to install the axle. It's back on it's wheels now
Well LOL "once again" the Coleman "beckons." Turns out the top is in fairly bad shape, so I'm forced "to do something" just to make it weathertight.
The top and sides are a "sandwich," of a thin outer aluminum skin, painted with "something". Under that is perhaps 5/8" styrofoam, and on the very inside is (was) some sort of composite laminated long strand "wood."
So once again I get out the "free locker doors." I'm running pretty low on these!!!. Cut them with an angle iron "fence" and the plazma. The first one is in place. slid it up under the lower extrusion with "some difficulty" and appropriate "words." I'll screw it and the top angle in place, and re--install the tent groove extrusion. You can see it's pretty torn up once I "got in there." Should be one HECK of a lot stronger.
Then, I'll put 2 or 3 1" square tube crosswise up against the ceiling for more support there, and tie that to the "new" side pieces.
Last, fix the top, the knife wounds, and paint it with a snow seal compound was recommended on some of the trailer forums.
The top and sides are a "sandwich," of a thin outer aluminum skin, painted with "something". Under that is perhaps 5/8" styrofoam, and on the very inside is (was) some sort of composite laminated long strand "wood."
So once again I get out the "free locker doors." I'm running pretty low on these!!!. Cut them with an angle iron "fence" and the plazma. The first one is in place. slid it up under the lower extrusion with "some difficulty" and appropriate "words." I'll screw it and the top angle in place, and re--install the tent groove extrusion. You can see it's pretty torn up once I "got in there." Should be one HECK of a lot stronger.
Then, I'll put 2 or 3 1" square tube crosswise up against the ceiling for more support there, and tie that to the "new" side pieces.
Last, fix the top, the knife wounds, and paint it with a snow seal compound was recommended on some of the trailer forums.
-
Similar threads
