Life's Changes

[draginmopars]

92 5 speed 11'bed
spent the last 4 years getting the bugs out, as time and cash allowed.

never drove far, just a few miles to the river to get 450 gal water tank filled
last trip it made out of state, it ran fine.

compared to when purchased.
I wondered why the po insisted on driving the truck to my house for me, luckily only 5 mles away.

hardly any brakes, death wobble inching along..lol.


That's the short version that brings us to present.

I recent trip to help my friend Todd's son, haul a truck back for him (120 mile)

started acting like "death wobble" coming back.
At first I thought the tires were flat spotted from sitting.

But as we came to a stop, at the exit,
dang steering wheel got ripped out of my hands.$%&%^*^&(

Right front tire had a massive sidewall budge.
change tire, go home.

buy a new pair for the front. STILL shakes....

Had a bad tire (new one)
figured it out after replacing center link, tie rod ends, pitman arm and rotors/pads.

Since they were replacing that tire, decided to complete the full set.

 

[draginmopars]

this is where to change happen
going to use the truck more, for fishing , hunting, still dragging the car trailer. also haul the Harley

so, built a winch operated sliding ramp.

Next building a sleeper, plus lot's of storage on the sides, under the bed (10" canopy, pair of chairs etc.)
water tank for shower / wash hands.

most of the topic will be pics.
they worth a 1000 words ????

 

[draginmopars]

sleeper time. I've slept on the plan of
Thinking out side the box. but , I keep going back in. trying to picture and use ALL space, where to put the coolers,
for now, lets add A/C

First we need a second wall.
I wasn't going to put A/C in yet, But , My friend Ray, gave me the A/C and some 1" x 2" tubing, to help the shack hold up to 70 - 80 mph winds...
unexpected, back to my plans of moving the spare tire rack, and how to mount the water tank.
maybe by then have an idea where to put the A/C

 

[draginmopars]

most parts used on the sleeper, is items collected over time, at the time, didn't ready, know what , I going to do with them.
either bought at a good price, or someone want to get rid of it.
like the tubing, A/C and plywood, insulation, misc bolts and screws.

 

[draginmopars]

next hardest item is the door, where to place it,
so, while thinking about where to put a cooler , is above the door.
So cooler height determined - door height. lol

View attachment 11585

 

[draginmopars]

now I need a step to get in...lol

to make it a Real sleeper..
Ya got to use some "Bed Frame"

made the step slide on the "Bed rail.
like a drawer..
can be pulled out and removed, for storage somewhere else.

Feel free to comment or open to ideas.
sleep time for me.

 

[65 sporty]

Interesting project

 

[draginmopars]

Interesting project

Thank you

 

[draginmopars]

the last pic> where did the step go ?
It slides out and rides on the head ache rack.
while cutting the tubing, noticed a chain and pin I never used BEFORE...lol
The pin now is along for the ride to keep the step from sliding out

 

[draginmopars]

finished framing the interior and electrical.
made 6 slats so far, can move them where needed, even up stairs...lol

 

[draginmopars]

now that everything is fitted
yep, take it all apart for installing vinyl walls and 2" Styrofoam
paint the metal parts.. lol

 

[draginmopars]

took the latches off a useless gate.
to keep the door shut on the under bed storage compartments ( 80's commercial airliner food tray storage boxes)

 

[7mopar]

That has to be move than a 144" wheel base considering the 11 ft bed? Is that a 350 or a 450? Surprised you did not put the door on the bed instead of mid air. Myself I would have just crawled threw the back window or removed it and put in a boot. But the boot would mean a perminate sleeper.
How did you mount the underbed boxes?
Other than all my questions its looking good.

 

[draginmopars]

wheel base 158"/ 350
I have a fuel tank to add, it was going to mount behind the sleeper area. would had blocked the door.
But thinking about the position of the door, I can squeeze the tank between the headache hack and the sleeper, turn the sleeper 90*.
so that the door is facing the rear bumper, then can mod the bike ramp to fit beside the sleeper on the passenger side.
Then won't be pushing 8' of box in the wind, just half...
thanks for mentioning the door position.
The storage boxes are secured with 4 - 3/8" carriage bolts thru the bed

the fuel tank is from a diesel portable generator.
just need pressure wash / paint

 

[7mopar]

I have 2.5 ft of lift gate to contend with. 40 mph winds and above it gets layed flat. On dry pavement when gust hit it I can feel the front of the truck move.
Your not that far above the cab.

 

[7mopar]

Instead of turning it sideways. Is it possible to move the bike to the drivers side? Tank under the air conditioner and put a door in place of the back window?
Depending on the tank size and bike weight it may balance the load better. Like it matters. I can put 1000 lbs on one side and hardly tell its there.
At 158" is that a 3 piece drive shaft?

 

[7mopar]

I have a friend with a Dream Liner. If I get time to get a picture I will post it. If you have never seen one its intresting.

 

[LocuMob]

I have a friend with a Dream Liner. If I get time to get a picture I will post it. If you have never seen one its intresting.

I forgot Dodge made those, well didn't forget just saw a Ford version last month. Those are cool.

 

[draginmopars]

At 158" is that a 3 piece drive shaft?

2 piece

 

[draginmopars]

got the last wall stuffed with Styrofoam.
now Where to put the tank.
Since the sleeper/ bike ramp won't stay on the truck.
Think am going to mount it on the drivers side, since the original tank also fuels from that side,
and want to mount a generator under the bed on that same side. water tank is on the passenger side.

Haven't decided what to do with the spare, used to mount it under the bed