1988 Four Wheel Camper Grandby renovation and Tundra Fit

[Vic Harder]

Nice job. I like the attachment idea. Looking forward to watching the build. jd

+1 Are the tubes attached to the camper going to be bolted to the jack supports? I'd want those corners in the camper beefed up lots. The jacks do a fine job of holding the camper up, but as those who have hit something (or been hit) with/on the jack while driving can attest, they don't handle being torqued in any other direction. Frame manglement and carnage results.

Unless they are "guides" only and there is another secure mounting method in your plans?

 

[Ourayphotography]

Basic bed frame is mostly there. What a job.
Now I need to decide on a final deck material and I can start laying out the new camper base. Aluminum diamond plate would be ideal, but $$$$$$, so searching for some used alum.
Time to design new bumpers as well.

 

[Vic Harder]

Is a deck surface actually needed? There was one fellow on here with a Mexican diesel powered Ford Ranger that had ATC build a straight bolt-onto-the-frame version of a camper for him. No framing like you did, no decking. Maybe a 1/4" sheet of marine plywood to act as a sacrificial layer/buffer between the dirt/water kicked up underneath and the camper itself is all you need?

 

[Ourayphotography]

Is a deck surface actually needed? There was one fellow on here with a Mexican diesel powered Ford Ranger that had ATC build a straight bolt-onto-the-frame version of a camper for him. No framing like you did, no decking. Maybe a 1/4" sheet of marine plywood to act as a sacrificial layer/buffer between the dirt/water kicked up underneath and the camper itself is all you need?

Hey Vic, yes that is a simple option, but I am planning to have a working truck bed since the camper will only get mounted for trips. Plywood has crossed my mind, but with the extreme weather here, no matter how it is prepped, it will not last. Pondering other plastics options, but nothing yet. thanks for thoughts

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

I am loving this build!

 

[Ourayphotography]

Ok, I would be lying if I did not say it is a slow grind, and taking all I have mentally to keep my head in it. Uncharted territory, so I am making a lot of time consuming mistakes. Constantly cutting completed work off and doing it twice. Dont they say "measure 4 times, cut 2 times"? Quite a complicated puzzle, and using light tubing makes it very difficult to keep things straight.
So, when I figure and complete the box transition for the rear section, I can pull it off and slide it under the camper to figure how to bring the 2 together. There will still be a foot or 2 of walls to build to bring it up the the remaining aluminum structure.

 

[Ourayphotography]

I am loving this build!

Thanks!

 

[Ourayphotography]

Picked up a couple of aluminum signs from the recycler, we may have a bed deck with character!

 

[Living The Dream]

It looks super professional from here so I say keep it up.

 

[shellback]

Ok, I would be lying if I did not say it is a slow grind, and taking all I have mentally to keep my head in it. Uncharted territory, so I am making a lot of time consuming mistakes. Constantly cutting completed work off and doing it twice. Dont they say "measure 4 times, cut 2 times"? Quite a complicated puzzle, and using light tubing makes it very difficult to keep things straight.
So, when I figure and complete the box transition for the rear section, I can pull it off and slide it under the camper to figure how to bring the 2 together. There will still be a foot or 2 of walls to build to bring it up the the remaining aluminum structure.

Kinda how my build went. Have a plan and execute it. Once done, you get to looking at it and realize that won't work! Back to the drawing board! I bet as many hours sitting in my build figuring how I wanted to to do things, as I did building. The good news is when you are done, it's what YOU want, not the manufacturer.

 

[Ourayphotography]

Hey you guys, I appreciate all the positive comments. Most people look at this mess and cant see any logic.
Well,tacked up the basic tub, pulled it, and got it under the camper. Tore out the last of the plywood scraps, unbolted the jacks,and looking good. I ran out of steel to finish the walls so debating to drive 1.5 hours to get 16ga as opposed to 14ga local. Every ounce counts, but at what cost. aha
The remaining shell of the FWC only feels like 4-500 lbs, I can lift one side alone. Cool.
Next,fab the final walls and see how to bolt everything together.

 

[Ourayphotography]

Moving along. Fabbed and tacked up the rear lower box sections. This should be a nice spot for storage and/or a portable toilet. Not too sure how square the camper will be compared to the new base, so pretty soon bringing them together should get interesting.

 

[klahanie]

Also watching from the shadows with interest...

Not showing the wife tho, that would blow up my, "love to but can't with out a garage" excuse.

... more props to you, brother !

 

[Ourayphotography]

Also watching from the shadows with interest...

Not showing the wife tho, that would blow up my, "love to but can't with out a garage" excuse.

... more props to you, brother !

Classic man!! DO anything possible to get a garage. I tried to swing building a small one this year, but the snow flew too soon. Wife was behind it, because she wants my rolling carport to cover her car, not the camper

 

[Ourayphotography]

Well, this is the final section to be done before marriage. About 11.5" wall. General consensus from various fabrication pages is to continue with the light steel. My local steel supply does not have the lighter wall, so I am on hold.
A few suggested putting a couple of doors on this section for access, a good idea.

 

[Ourayphotography]

Well, finally coming out of Hibernation. Went overseas and came home to some rust. Yanked the bed again and adding a few tubes and supports. The truck is unusable at this point, so plan to do a few small welding add's and try to at least get some paint on the bed and make the truck to be able to drive/tow. Tail lights next.
Hate to have to fab a whole new swing out bumper and tire carrier, so I am tryin to come up with a plan to blend the new bed and old bumper.
Still have a good amount of design block, so hopefully when the bare bed is on and usable, some ideas will come.

 

[Ourayphotography]

Progress on the flatbed.
Basic bed is done and paint today. I can start figuring how the camper will fit once we are mounted. At about 175 lbs. at this pounds, so well below stock bed weight.

 

[Ourayphotography]

Welp, we finally have a bed mounted and lights.
Been doing quite a bit of pondering how to marry the old camper structure, to the new steel base, and might have a decent solution. We shall see. I will need to have special steel formed to size here soon and do some test fit.

 

[CougarCouple]

Looking good there. Looking forward to seeing the camper mounted.
Keep up with the good work. Weather in your favor now.

Russ

 

[Ourayphotography]

Getting the skin mounted up and bed bolted back down. Need to install the top deck nutsets and we are down to the main deck. Might just run with plywood until the camper moves further along.
And yes, all the alum is sheared and re-purposed street signs from the local recycler. Couldn't help myself leaving one as-is for character!!