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the XM971 "command camper" build

jdknech

Active member
1,095
6
38
Location
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Also you might want to pull the front porch off it can get into the spare tire mounts on the truck
I noticed this.. i think i am just going to move the spare tire rack up to the back of the cab, and get rid of the muffler, and move the exhaust stack to the side of the cab.. It shouldnt be too loud because i am adding a turbo sometime soon (before haspin rally)
 

Matt1970M35A

Member
258
2
18
Location
Charlestown In.
We drilled out a million rivets and their still more to drill out. This will be one nice MV RV.
My neighbors think Im nuts. Theirs a M35A2 a M813 a M932A0 a M149 a XM971 and one way cool S280 all at my place.
 

jdknech

Active member
1,095
6
38
Location
Jeffersonville, Indiana
We drilled out a million rivets and their still more to drill out. This will be one nice MV RV.
My neighbors think Im nuts. Theirs a M35A2 a M813 a M932A0 a M149 a XM971 and one way cool S280 all at my place.
THINK?? dude, you are nuts!! lol but the good kind... at least you dont run your cummins dodge up... and down.... and up... and down... and up..... and down.... your driveway all day lol
 

Matt1970M35A

Member
258
2
18
Location
Charlestown In.
No I just drive my Kubota RTV like a mad man all over the place. And I hit a deer back in the woods one my over to check things out today. Thats the 2nd one Ive hit back in the woods.
They should install running lights on deer. LWOL
 

jdknech

Active member
1,095
6
38
Location
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Welp, I gots a update!! We have been busy over the past 2 days.. Got one wall insulated and the white panels installed..
Next order of business is a stand up shower, and run the electric.. At some point I need to figure out what I am doing for A/C.. That will make a difference on how i wire it.. And I really need to start working on the master bedroom.. (Carpet, full bed, lighting, walls, and some storage..

Well, here is the pics.. (Matt is in some of them)
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1365979756.191022.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1365979782.113598.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1365979808.862306.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1365979839.248036.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1365979876.793867.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1365979903.293196.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1365979942.094512.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1365979981.362100.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1365980005.178625.jpg
 

jdknech

Active member
1,095
6
38
Location
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Your build is looking great.. it is the big brother to my little project.. I have subscribed and looking for updates as you come along.
I also have been following your thread for your M931.. I like the mods you have done... if I wasnt going to use my M932 as a tractor, I would have borrowed (stole lol) some of the ideas you have used!

I was looking at the trailers like yours (m373?) but i liked the air-ride but the 971 came along for the right price at the right place.. so i went with it.. :)
what are your plans with your trailer?
 

Tornadogt

Member
720
6
18
Location
Adkins, Texas
I also have been following your thread for your M931.. I like the mods you have done... if I wasnt going to use my M932 as a tractor, I would have borrowed (stole lol) some of the ideas you have used!

I was looking at the trailers like yours (m373?) but i liked the air-ride but the 971 came along for the right price at the right place.. so i went with it.. :)
what are your plans with your trailer?
Yes I believe it is a M373, the data tag is missing (if anyone know where else on the trailer I can look for a serial number and manufacture info for getting the SF-97 it would be appreciated) It is empty inside and looks like it was only used as a storage container. Plans are pretty much same as yours.. Command Camper. Master bed room up in the tongue maybe some bunks, shower ect. I went with the shorter trailer because of weight. I was thinking the M939 series would pull the smaller trailer better and be a bit easier to get around tight spaces with it. I did pick up a m934A2 and am planing on removing the expandable box and turning it into a long wheel base Tractor with either a Sleeper off a Commercial Semi or maybe even using a S-250 Shelter as a sleeper like Sonni (M920) did on his Modified M920. Looking at the frame length of the M934 I just noticed today that from the back of the cab to the axle trolly set the frame has a support added the double the thickness and extends about 5 inches lower then the original frame just that much stronger for the length in my opinion.
Not trying to hijack your thread once again looking great and this time it will be my turn to "borrow" your ideas ... with that said my new term for Copying someones hard work and ideas is "Tribute", it seems a lot of guys in the car world are making clone of rare or specialty cars. The term Clone turns people away, Tribute gets a smile and even a chuckle sometimes.
 

jdknech

Active member
1,095
6
38
Location
Jeffersonville, Indiana
i was really looking for a M928 to convert to a 4 door tractor... but the price was right on the m932.. but i like the sleeper idea.. but why a sleeper if your pulling a camper? just a question.. lol
 

Tornadogt

Member
720
6
18
Location
Adkins, Texas
i was really looking for a M928 to convert to a 4 door tractor... but the price was right on the m932.. but i like the sleeper idea.. but why a sleeper if your pulling a camper? just a question.. lol
The M373 is not the only trailer I plan on pulling.. if I am pulling a flat bed or low boy with maybe another "M"truck on it or other cool military finds I might still want a place to sleep.. And sometimes I travel with a "crew" you know how people love going for road trips in MV's. I though of doing a crew cab 4 door set up but think there will be more room in a sleeper to stretch out...
 

jdknech

Active member
1,095
6
38
Location
Jeffersonville, Indiana
The M373 is not the only trailer I plan on pulling.. if I am pulling a flat bed or low boy with maybe another "M"truck on it or other cool military finds I might still want a place to sleep.. And sometimes I travel with a "crew" you know how people love going for road trips in MV's. I though of doing a crew cab 4 door set up but think there will be more room in a sleeper to stretch out...
gotcha.. if you do much pulling, you might look into a engine swap.. I am putting a small cam 350 in mine... i was all the way down to 28mph on the interstate in some places pulling the 971.. that is to me a safety hazard at night.. so i just want to be able to maintain 55mph..
 

Tornadogt

Member
720
6
18
Location
Adkins, Texas
gotcha.. if you do much pulling, you might look into a engine swap.. I am putting a small cam 350 in mine... i was all the way down to 28mph on the interstate in some places pulling the 971.. that is to me a safety hazard at night.. so i just want to be able to maintain 55mph..
Mine is a A2 with the 8.3 turbo the military rates them at 260 hp and around 700 lbs of torque (my numbers maybe off but close).. I plan on doing the 350 hp Marine injectors/pump/turbo upgrade... see where that gets me.. I was told the torque would be between 1000-1100 lbs if done right... we will see. It did tow the trailer empty pretty well didn't notice much drag at all pulling it home 160 miles but it is the smaller trailer.
 

jdknech

Active member
1,095
6
38
Location
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Mine is a A2 with the 8.3 turbo the military rates them at 260 hp and around 700 lbs of torque (my numbers maybe off but close).. I plan on doing the 350 hp Marine injectors/pump/turbo upgrade... see where that gets me.. I was told the torque would be between 1000-1100 lbs if done right... we will see. It did tow the trailer empty pretty well didn't notice much drag at all pulling it home 160 miles but it is the smaller trailer.
do you know what the empty weight of your trailer is?
 

Tornadogt

Member
720
6
18
Location
Adkins, Texas
do you know what the empty weight of your trailer is?
TM says 9,430 empty shipping weight, max payload 16,000, 12,000 off road payload, gross Vehicle Weight 21,430 not sure how that works out on gross weight. How much do they rate on the trailer axle and how much on the 5th wheel???
 
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