Here's a picture of the conversion as of last week. They now have the floor down and about to skin the sides. But thought you'd like to see the skeleton. The floor is 2x2 steel tubing on 16" center, and the walls are 1.5x1.5 steel tubing also on 16" center-both are .120" thick metal. The outside skin will be rivetless taped with 3M high adheasive double sided tape. It is coming along really well-and the truck body company (American Truck Body, Fontana, Ca) is probably going to use this as an example to go into RV bodies. Good Luck, TomC
Tom, I did not realize you were using that classic truck...good for you!
Is there a web page we can look at the progress on?
I always LOVED those trucks!
Jack
PS, it is looking good!
Youtube video would add alot to the process. I cant wait to see the end results. Best of luck
Don't forget to install the slideouts before sticking the skins on.
Jeremy
Jeremy- the truck body is 102" wide-we decided not to do any slide outs because of the cost ($15,000.00 ea X 2) and wanting to keep it simple. Good Luck, TomC
Tom, I applaud you for wanting to keep it simple!
We are going to do our interior in a 50's motif...very simple.
Jack
Looking good, Tom.
The last time I saw the truck, the cab was sitting sort of caddy-wumpus -- has that been straightened out?
-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com
Tom, what year is the truck cab?? I worked for freightliner Pomona as a welder lead man from 1965 to 1970, back when we produced ten trucks a day.>>>Dan
A friend of mine just got his truck conversion on the road. He used a Volvo chassis, and built the box himself with some design help from the people who build Kingsley's. It's freakin huge! He used the 3M tape to put the side skins on. Put 3 slides in it. I haven't seen it up close since he put the cabinets in, but he got it out of the shop finally and took it to NM last week. Puts my bus to shame, but then again, he has more money than I do.
Here is a site that a friend of mine in Idaho Falls owns that converts trucks he uses only Volvo for the ones he converts to sale http://www.powerhousecoach.com FWIW he will deliver free of charge. good luck
Tom, that is looking great! I know you'll be pleased with your conversion.
We have had ours now for over 8+ years and 107,000 miles. Also, 102" wide and no slides. Keep it as simple as possible with as few "automatic" systems and you'll have a reliable, dependable motorhome that you don't have to worry about. Keep us updated on the progress.
Here is the link to our truck conversion: http://www.ustruckin.blogspot.com/
GaryD
"USTruckin"
Anyone been on the road in one of these ? Im curious how the ride is in the "coach" section while going down the road...
TF, they ride like a dream in the coach end but a little rough up front in the drivers area in the ones I have rode in.
I would compare it to any bus with a straight axle in the front.
I never rode in one made from a cabover I would think it would be a little ruff ride in the cab sitting over the front wheel
good luck
Clifford,
I notice your friend does not include the prices on the for sale coaches. Is this because they are so cheap it is not worth mentioning?
Sean- On the left front, I took two spacers from the top of the axle and installed them in between the spring and axle straightening the truck out for the build. If it still is weird, I'll have new springs installed.
The rear suspension is 8 air bag and rides well. The front rides pretty well too since I mostly rode with my air seat exhausted (like to low ride) for the 1.2 million miles the truck has on it. If it still doesn't ride well, I'll install the Donvel air bags on the front that are controlled from the cab so you can adjust it while driving to get the best ride. Thanks all for the complements.
We're leaving Wed for Mammoth lakes, Calif gold country, and a run to the bay area for 12 days in the AMGeneral. Will keep the bus until the truck is done (I'm estimating about 2-3 years). Good Luck, TomC
The truck is a '85 Kenworth 90" Aerodyne cabover with a Cat 3406B Jacket water aftercooled 400hp with Allison HT740, 3.55 rears on 11R-24.5 rubber. 1800rpm @ 65mph. The frame was stretched from 235" to 283" wheelbase. Good Luck, TomC
Lin,I think he has prices I know they start at around 300 grand.
I am going to see him soon to have some work done on a overhead TV cabinet, also to get away from the heat here and I'll ask.
Is it hot were you are we been 111 for 4 days now good luck
Cliford,
Since we are at about 3000 feet, we are about 10 degrees cooler than you. I was down in the Imperial Valley yesterday, and that 10 degrees makes a lot of difference. We are waiting for Don to finish with the bus and hope to look for some cooler climes then. As is, I do not go out much during the day except for some hiking starting at between 5 and 6. I just want it light enough to watch for snakes. Enjoy your trip and don't worry about getting me the prices unless it's under 40k. Anyway, I am dangerous enough in a 35 footer. Who knows what kind of damage I can do with 45'?