I put this link under the projects but don't think everyone goes there and I wanted to share the build. Shows how much work actually goes into a ground up build and this one happens to be first class for a home job!
Enjoy it as its kind of interesting.
http://s1203.photobucket.com/user/Goldbus/library/Truck%20Build
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Nice! Congrats Ace! :)
Some high quality welding in the frame, that's for sure. Didn't skimp on the weight in the interior either, nice high quality wood furnishings. Nice deal.
Brian
Nice-all those pictures explain why I also went with a truck conversion. The only thing I would be concerned about is the structure between the tandem wheels hanging down so low (for the wheel well skirts). There maybe a time you have to go over a curb-and that is low enough to hit. Otherwise, looks like a good construction!
I had American Truck Body build my box. 32ft x 102wide with a 13ft garage in back and the bedroom over. They used 1.5" square tubing .125" thick welded on 16" centers. The box alone weighed 10,000lbs. Having this kind of construction makes it easily fixable. You're not going to believe how much easier and nicer it is to work on a truck. I've been REALLY enjoying converting my truck, as compared to my first transit bus. Keep us in the loop! Good Luck, TomC
Tom id have to check but that size square tubing sounds about the same as what was used here and same 16" centering.
I can't believe the computer generated blueprints I found on this build. Simply amazing!
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Looks like it was very well built Ace. Love the interior finish.
Nice score. I can see why you keep going back to this one.
Thanks Bill & Krank! I keep asking myself why this took so long and why would the seller sell this truck since he used it on a weekly basis pulling a 33' loaded stacker? He still has the stacker but no way to pull it! He put so much into it but never finished it. Why? Gumpy thinks he got it to a point of assembly that was useable and just used it and gave up on finishing it. Is there something hidden that I'm not seeing in the build? The guy spent over $10,000 on misc hardware and over $10,000 on the solid oak cabinets. Over $8,000 on the frame stretch and $20,000 on the used truck back in the day. I have no idea what he spent on materials such as mild steel tubing for the box. The very bottom of box is stainless steel tubing as is the bay's and floor material in the bay's. All the aluminium skin, the VHB 3m tape that went on the box tubes before the skin, the insulation, and Oh, he rented s shop and he paid a crew to do all the work bringing the total he spent to over $115,000 and it's still not done!
Yea I think I got a pretty sweet deal at $52,000
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Quote from: Ace on December 10, 2014, 08:00:10 PMThanks Bill & Krank! I keep asking myself why this took so long and why would the seller sell this truck since he used it on a weekly basis pulling a 33' loaded stacker? He still has the stacker but no way to pull it! He put so much into it but never finished it. Why? Gumpy thinks he got it to a point of assembly that was useable and just used it and gave up on finishing it. Is there something hidden that I'm not seeing in the build? The guy spent over $10,000 on misc hardware and over $10,000 on the solid oak cabinets. Over $8,000 on the frame stretch and $20,000 on the used truck back in the day. I have no idea what he spent on materials such as mild steel tubing for the box. The very bottom of box is stainless steel tubing as is the bay's and floor material in the bay's. All the aluminium skin, the VHB 3m tape that went on the box tubes before the skin, the insulation, and Oh, he rented s shop and he paid a crew to do all the work bringing the total he spent to over $115,000 and it's still not done!
Yea I think I got a pretty sweet deal at $52,000
Sounds like a good deal and a super place to start your finishing process. Keep us informed, please.
Yes...Sounds like a really good deal. Hope you enjoy it... :) :) :) :)
Looked at the pictures-pretty nice! Only thing-I saw a gear shift lever in the cab. It is still a manual transmission? Course, a truck 10spd or 13spd is completely different then a very limited 4spd bus transmission. Good luck, TomC
Tom yes it's an Eaton 10 speed but there has been recent discussion started for a possible install of an Allison world transmission but that might be spring time!
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At least if you do change the transmission, it will be 10 times easier then on a bus. Good Luck, TomC
The demolition has begun!
Here's Susan cutting open the first of four cushions so she can recover them with something she likes!
I have half the floor up and material for new walls ready to go up, then new flooring, then by the time all that's done, Susan should have matching valances ready to go up.
Whew!
Then maybe in the mean time, water tanks, toilet, and a re-make of the shower that imo was put in wrong!
Sleeper area and central A/C are the biggest but maybe by the time it's hot again (like today) those will be done too!
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1203.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb394%2FGoldbus%2F2014-12%2F1C5E83C2-525F-4D75-8587-FD6EF35C9A9D.jpg&hash=9c3980468c052d70ac5165e882fa36dbb34a7bb4) (http://s1203.photobucket.com/user/Goldbus/media/2014-12/1C5E83C2-525F-4D75-8587-FD6EF35C9A9D.jpg.html)
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What about the truck sleeper area? That seems like a miniature redundant living room. What do people do what that area? I've often thought, in my next lifetime, I'd like a truck. . . but often wonder about that sleeper area.
The sleepers come off, separate from the cab. I would think you wouldn't want a sleeper left on a truck conversion
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There are many truck conversions where the sleeper stays on. The space can and has been used as a mobile office, an extra Br, a large his/her closet, a tv room or just plain storage.
A lot of them keep the sleeper due to the aero affects to cut down wind resistance where as just having the nose of the box where they usually put a bunk is pretty straight up, flat and square.
Personally I like the looks of the sleeper versus without! The upper portion of my sleeper is all original and barely used. On each side there are upholstered storage boxes with vertical grab handles and the handles still have plastic from the factory on them.
The bottom half? Not so much original. It's been stripped out but it still has the sleeper a/c & heat and a couple more upholstered storage boxes that may stay or become removed!
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Hmmmm the ones I have seen had no sleepers, thought they looked much better, but that's just me
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You must not get out much huh? :)
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Fortunately I travel more than most but owning semis makes me turn a blind eye towards those conversions I guess. To me the Prevosts are the ultimate in RV's and I don't pay much attention to the rest. A good looking Eagle will always get my attention tho, but like I said to each his own. I am impressed with the build quality in yours, you are lucky for all the documentation
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Lee if you'll notice Ace's is built on a Freightliner FLD 120 which is also nicknamed "a condo" which has the integrated sleeper/cab it's all one piece so removing the sleeper on this one would not only be much more difficult to do but would be BUTT UGLY if it's been hacked up to do so!
Now on the trucks with a separate sleeper I could see going with or without a sleeper.
;D BK ;D
My friend Doug at Powerhouse Conversions does them both ways using a day cab or sleeper cab.what transmission is in the truck Ace I don't see a pad only a shifter
Quote from: luvrbus on December 15, 2014, 08:40:28 AM
My friend Doug at Powerhouse Conversions does them both ways using a day cab or sleeper cab.what transmission is in the truck Ace I don't see a pad only a shifter
Clifford he has the regular Eaton 10 spd manual right now but he's considering the swap to an auto!
;D BK ;D
On my Kenworth 90" Aerodyne cabover I'm using, I took out the sleeper bunk that was not a fold up-major cutting and such. Am creating an office out the 32" wide space. Driver's side will have a desk mainly for the computer with a 120vac plug and passenger side will have a small filing cabinet. I'm taking the truck driven A/C out of the sleeper (it is actually just a booster fan pulling air through a duct from the front A/C) and using the existing duct for a 8,500btu basement 120vac A/C. Good Luck, TomC
Tom did you make your sleeper a pass thru to the living area? Was wondering how you would seal it off when you tilt the cab for service.
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I made a 18" wide by 48" tall step through. Because the box has the 24" basement, the floor level of the back box and the cab sleeper are just about the same-so easy step through. I have rubber accordian that unbolts when I need to tilt the cab. But-tilting the cab is only necessary for major engine work. Oil changes can be done without tilting the cab. Good luck, TomC
Tom you must be pretty skinny with an opening only 18" wide! LOL
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Actually, I'm not-I'll have to remeasure the opening for sure.