M1088 camper conversion

[Coffey1]

Yes lol.

 

[Coffey1]

Now let's get back on topic.

 

[ckouba]

Sometimes I feel compelled to have models of my vehicles. In searching for the M1088, I only found a M1083 and it was in 1/35 scale and $85. A little too small and a little too rich for me. What to do...

Poking around the internet, I saw a cheap RC 6x6 which seemed to have the correct wheelbase/axle spacing and width, so I picked it up. Taking it out of the box and measuring, sure enough it was almost spot on for 1/18th scale for the 1083/1088. Seeing as our bodywork is pretty simple, the next step was ordering some sheet styrene and scratch building a body for it.

I printed out some pictures in the appropriate size, cut them out and traced them on the styrene, cut out the styrene, and started gluing it all together. The end result is something like this:

I also intend to add lights to it, and it still has a LOT of detail work to be complete- fuel tank, intakes, stairwell, batt box/air tanks, etc... and I should probable re-do the front bumper, but it's certainly in the ballpark. It does fine on the hard flooring and OK on carpet, but not so much on loose terrain outside. That's OK though, because it was really only meant to be a static model. Here it is underway though:

It's been a fun little thing to work on if I don't have enough time to work on the big one.

 

[chucky]

Sometimes I feel compelled to have models of my vehicles. In searching for the M1088, I only found a M1083 and it was in 1/35 scale and $85. A little too small and a little too rich for me. What to do...

Poking around the internet, I saw a cheap RC 6x6 which seemed to have the correct wheelbase/axle spacing and width, so I picked it up. Taking it out of the box and measuring, sure enough it was almost spot on for 1/18th scale for the 1083/1088. Seeing as our bodywork is pretty simple, the next step was ordering some sheet styrene and scratch building a body for it.

I printed out some pictures in the appropriate size, cut them out and traced them on the styrene, cut out the styrene, and started gluing it all together. The end result is something like this:

I also intend to add lights to it, and it still has a LOT of detail work to be complete- fuel tank, intakes, stairwell, batt box/air tanks, etc... and I should probable re-do the front bumper, but it's certainly in the ballpark. It does fine on the hard flooring and OK on carpet, but not so much on loose terrain outside. That's OK though, because it was really only meant to be a static model. Here it is underway though:

It's been a fun little thing to work on if I don't have enough time to work on the big one.

I did your first thought and built the 1083 1/35th scale and the 1082 trailer and they also had a 1/35th 20ft conex box and it all cost me a benjerman but i almost went blind building it all 4 to 500 little pieces to glue togeather but what you said it gives you something to do on the non big truck days

 

[ckouba]

Life has been keeping me occupied lately, but some progress has been made with framing things in. The windows and door are now mostly framed in. I've been framing things in triangularly as much as possible instead of the classic right angles to get the structural integrity from the tubing and not relying on the shear panels. So I know it's not like everyone else's that I've seen, but I think the extra effort is worth it. I can feel the difference as I progress with adding metal. Not terribly flashy progress but it's progress none the less.

This is where the dinette will be located, but it will be elevated for storage underneath and windows which are useful for both seated and standing viewing. The intention is to make it large enough to get bins of some type under as well, plus storage in the benches themselves.

 

[Reworked LMTV]

Wow! Looks great! As someone who welds quirte a bit , I see a TON of work here!

 

[mauinate]

What springs and rates are you using on your captured setup? Thanks for the info!

 

[Third From Texas]

Look back starting around pg 5 of the thread.

 

[ckouba]

Look back starting around pg 5 of the thread.

Except I don't think I ever explicitly said what I used.

What springs and rates are you using on your captured setup? Thanks for the info!

Hey Nate,

Mine might not match up too well for the weight of your rig, but these are what I used:

Front - 974 #/in
Middle - 653 #/in
Aft - 584 #/in

Tried to stagger them as well as possible given what was available. Would have preferred something a little softer in the aft position but believe this will be an effective solution. Math was based on calculations of habitat weight, perch locations, a defined max vertical displacement, and the desire to try to evenly distribute any xfr'd load across the length of the subframe (not concentrate it at either end).

 

[ckouba]

Also, stumbled across this today from a FB group:

A Step By Step Guide To An Awesome Powerful Fully Off Grid 12v Set Up

Hi everybody, we are back again with another full set up and today we have an awesome one for you. If you don't know anything about 12v electrics it can be a very confusing but it is something you are going to need to get right first time round so you can move on with your build. In this post we...

www.vanlifeuksurvivorsguide.co.uk

Have not been through it yet but curious if anyone has and would care to validate its recommendations.

 

[TJ4man]

Also, stumbled across this today from a FB group:

A Step By Step Guide To An Awesome Powerful Fully Off Grid 12v Set Up

Hi everybody, we are back again with another full set up and today we have an awesome one for you. If you don't know anything about 12v electrics it can be a very confusing but it is something you are going to need to get right first time round so you can move on with your build. In this post we...

www.vanlifeuksurvivorsguide.co.uk

Have not been through it yet but curious if anyone has and would care to validate its recommendations.

Interesting link / writeup. Seems to break it down as simply as most I have read, and I have earmarked it. Started doing some thumbnail calculations and scratching out some things on paper for work over the winter. This summer is exterior setup while the weather is nice.

The electrical setup will definitely not be my strong point, so taking my time going through this.

TJ

 

[Bill Nutting]

Hey TJ4man,
Welcome to the site... When I saw your avitar I thought you stole mine. Turns out we just have the same truck. I converted mine to a motor home. I took a couple years working on it after work and on week ends. It continues to be a work in progress but I am able to live in it. In 2019 I took it on the MVPA convoy and lived in it for about 5 weeks. I bought a 16' camping trailer that had like new appliances and a rotted out floor. It donated the water system, water heater, stove/oven, furnace, power distribution panel (12v and 120) refrigerator (120 v and propane) shower, bathroom vanity and some other small stuff. I didn't use the toilet or black water set up. I went with a porta pot instead. That saved me some room under the truck for more important stuff. I made what looks like tool boxes and mounted them under the van body for the water tank (25 gal) and pump, dual 20 lb Propane tanks, water heater and one for tools and generator storage. This way all of the cabinet space inside the van box is storage. I can give you some tips on the wiring if you want. While the M934 is still 24 volts, the "camper" section is 12 volt dc and 120 volt ac. One of these days I should do a photo tour of this truck. On thing I would suggest is be very mindful of the weight you are adding to your truck. It adds up fast. While these look like they can handle as much weight as we want to pile on them, they have limits. If I had it to do over there are a few things I would do different to shave off weight.

 

[TJ4man]

Hey TJ4man,
Welcome to the site... When I saw your avitar I thought you stole mine. Turns out we just have the same truck. I converted mine to a motor home. I took a couple years working on it after work and on week ends. It continues to be a work in progress but I am able to live in it. In 2019 I took it on the MVPA convoy and lived in it for about 5 weeks. I bought a 16' camping trailer that had like new appliances and a rotted out floor. It donated the water system, water heater, stove/oven, furnace, power distribution panel (12v and 120) refrigerator (120 v and propane) shower, bathroom vanity and some other small stuff. I didn't use the toilet or black water set up. I went with a porta pot instead. That saved me some room under the truck for more important stuff. I made what looks like tool boxes and mounted them under the van body for the water tank (25 gal) and pump, dual 20 lb Propane tanks, water heater and one for tools and generator storage. This way all of the cabinet space inside the van box is storage. I can give you some tips on the wiring if you want. While the M934 is still 24 volts, the "camper" section is 12 volt dc and 120 volt ac. One of these days I should do a photo tour of this truck. On thing I would suggest is be very mindful of the weight you are adding to your truck. It adds up fast. While these look like they can handle as much weight as we want to pile on them, they have limits. If I had it to do over there are a few things I would do different to shave off weight.

Bill -

Thanks for the response! Sounds like you are about 2 years ahead of me, or I am following right behind you in your wake.

We are making our M934A1 "Atlas" into an overlanding vehicle to live on for extended trips. I was able to purchase it with some of the essentials already started (stove, solar panels, charge controller, refrigerator, washer/dryer!) in 12v and propane combos. Some interior work had been completed as it had been used as a camper.... so I was not starting from complete scratch!

I have a long list of projects currently in progress, and like you, am working weekends mostly and a few after work hours.

Major projects completed / underway:
- Remove tire carrier, build / mod a sleeper cab to add to the truck cab with pass through into the van body
- Lifted van body approx 5.5" to make room for super singles
- 16.00r20 super singles
----------- now I will have an eye on the overall stance and height
- Adding under body cargo boxes
- Adding second fuel tank for extended range
- Adding water tanks (drinking, fresh, grey) between chassis rails, helped by van body lift, to keep weight lower

I have a slew of projects, but my focus this summer is to get these major items finished up, so we can focus on the interior over the winter and work in the enclosure. I appreciate the heads up on weight as yes!... it adds up quickly for sure. I am trying to keep an eye on that, and minimize some interior over-building to compensate for the essential requirements. I want to do a few light engine mods (fuel rail, investigate air flow improvements, etc) that will help with power. I have to add some creature comforts to keep my Commander happy!

TJ

 

[ckouba]

Finally something worthy(-ish) of posting- I made tail light pod. I didn't want brake lights so high *that* people wouldn't be paying attention to them, but I also didn't want them down too low- which meant they needed to go somewhere on the door. I took some measurements, did some trig for angles, drew up the components in 2D CAD, had them laser cut, welded them up, and ground down the beads for a more finished look. I think they came out pretty well.

They are designed as two pieces (the plate with the lights on it bolts to the pod) to facilitate the actual mounting the pod and then installing the lights and wiring them. I will construct a base on which to mount on the doors at a height I feel appropriate (eye level when seated in a car?).

Lights are standard 4" dia LED units, DOT approved. After matching speeds with traffic the SW recently in our van, I am concerned about the disparity of highway travel speeds when driving this rig and have added some amber LED flashing units to the mix as well. They were inexpensive enough and I figure cheap insurance when your top speed is ~60-65 and the speed limit is 70 or even 80 (ID, UT). The extra vis can't hurt...

The start:

The finish:

Still need to be blasted and powder coated but look pretty good so far and the angles match up as they should to have the tail lights squarely face following traffic.

I've been making more progress on the habitat as well, but nothing really picture-/post-worthy. I did make a platform on which to install the water tank between the frame rails. My math has it at ~100 gallons when ~26" wide, 11" tall, and 96" long. I am hedging toward another 50-ish gallon tank as well to prolong the time we can stay out but I will address that once I have the other systems more concretely planned out.

 

[Third From Texas]

I didn't want brake lights so high people wouldn't be paying attention to them

It's been my experience that high people don't pay a lot of attention while driving no matter what...

;p

 

[ckouba]

I wasn't happy with the way the winch line rode over the carrier for the spare tires and had a desire to incorporate some pulleys to relieve the friction- and specifically the wear and tear the line might endure. I wasn't sure how to do it though, but the pulleys showed up Friday evening. My wife brought them out to me while I was tending to something else. After a bunch of staring and thinking, I tore the carrier out, did some cutting and splicing and ended up with (what I think is) a pretty effective solution:

In context:

As the carrier swings through its arc, the pulleys pick up the winch line and let it roll smoothly through the remainder of the range to drop the tires to the ground. Seems to work out extremely well.

I have latches on order to secure the carrier and am working on locking mechanisms and gas struts for the cargo bay doors as well. Getting pretty close to being able to get the structure blasted and powder coated, and even located a place nearby which can handle it- just need to finish getting it built!

 

[chucky]

I wasn't happy with the way the winch line rode over the carrier for the spare tires and had a desire to incorporate some pulleys to relieve the friction- and specifically the wear and tear the line might endure. I wasn't sure how to do it though, but the pulleys showed up Friday evening. My wife brought them out to me while I was tending to something else. After a bunch of staring and thinking, I tore the carrier out, did some cutting and splicing and ended up with (what I think is) a pretty effective solution:

In context:

As the carrier swings through its arc, the pulleys pick up the winch line and let it roll smoothly through the remainder of the range to drop the tires to the ground. Seems to work out extremely well.

I have latches on order to secure the carrier and am working on locking mechanisms and gas struts for the cargo bay doors as well. Getting pretty close to being able to get the structure blasted and powder coated, and even located a place nearby which can handle it- just need to finish getting it built!

Looks good do you have any pictures with the doors open?

 

[ckouba]

Looks good do you have any pictures with the doors open?

Not yet. It's tough to open the doors in the single bay carport. I can barely get them wide enough to get the tire rack up and down.

Next time I exercise it I will take some pic or maybe a video, but I am more focused on getting all the metal work done so it can go in for powder coat. Once that hurdle is cleared, it's all back in my control and I can start to skin the structure. That's when the real fun will start!

If you use your creativity, you might be able to imagine how they open when looking at this pic:

They are effectively two large clamshell doors, one on each side, which pivot on the bolts ~14" forward of the opening.

 

[chucky]

Not yet. It's tough to open the doors in the single bay carport. I can barely get them wide enough to get the tire rack up and down.

Next time I exercise it I will take some pic or maybe a video, but I am more focused on getting all the metal work done so it can go in for powder coat. Once that hurdle is cleared, it's all back in my control and I can start to skin the structure. That's when the real fun will start!

If you use your creativity, you might be able to imagine how they open when looking at this pic:

They are effectively two large clamshell doors, one on each side, which pivot on the bolts ~14" forward of the opening.

Yea i can see how it works now WOW thats a killer design you got there KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

 

[dbduchene]

Finally something worthy(-ish) of posting- I made tail light pod. I didn't want brake lights so high *that* people wouldn't be paying attention to them, but I also didn't want them down too low- which meant they needed to go somewhere on the door. I took some measurements, did some trig for angles, drew up the components in 2D CAD, had them laser cut, welded them up, and ground down the beads for a more finished look. I think they came out pretty well.

They are designed as two pieces (the plate with the lights on it bolts to the pod) to facilitate the actual mounting the pod and then installing the lights and wiring them. I will construct a base on which to mount on the doors at a height I feel appropriate (eye level when seated in a car?).

Lights are standard 4" dia LED units, DOT approved. After matching speeds with traffic the SW recently in our van, I am concerned about the disparity of highway travel speeds when driving this rig and have added some amber LED flashing units to the mix as well. They were inexpensive enough and I figure cheap insurance when your top speed is ~60-65 and the speed limit is 70 or even 80 (ID, UT). The extra vis can't hurt...

The start:

The finish:

Still need to be blasted and powder coated but look pretty good so far and the angles match up as they should to have the tail lights squarely face following traffic.

I've been making more progress on the habitat as well, but nothing really picture-/post-worthy. I did make a platform on which to install the water tank between the frame rails. My math has it at ~100 gallons when ~26" wide, 11" tall, and 96" long. I am hedging toward another 50-ish gallon tank as well to prolong the time we can stay out but I will address that once I have the other systems more concretely planned out.

7.5 Gallons per square foot I come up with 119 gallons