My 550 build The "Ford Escape"

Fatboyz

Observer
Can't wait to see what you come up with for those doors. I have some bolts that just refuse to come out. Not sure if uhaul used some type of impervious locking compound. I must have dropped 40lbs. of dirt, and rust when I removed my box.

Got a younger fella here that has a CAD run aluminum plasma cutter etc at his shop. I'm going to yank the old doors right off and He's going to weld in 1" aluminum tubing in the back where the doors went. He also does colored aluminum skin like cargo trailers. It will be glued and riveted to the tubing. The old hinge supports on the box will be used as partial support for the ladder, spare tire/roof rack that will fit in there. Going to tie it to a nice 8' X 6' roof top carrier. Did you do any extra reinforcing to the under frame? I am missing a few of the angle iron cross pieces that came out from the frame and were mounted through the floor with counter sunk bolts. Those will get replaced next. Going to wire wheel the box frame and paint it. Sand blast and paint the truck frame.
 

pappawheely

Autonomous4X4
I have not added anything, yet. I am mounting the propane tank under the left front corner of the box, and a gray water tank on the other side. Those mounts will also add structure for the items sitting over them inside the box. The fridge is on one side, and the bathroom on the other. I am trying very hard to keep the back of the box wide open. It will have some type of seating but the plan is to have it fold up against the wall. I want to haul my bike back there. I hate having stuff mounted outside in the elements and available for thievery.
 

Fatboyz

Observer
Didn't get much done this weekend, Had five swiftwater rescues since Friday afternoon. Got a rain gutter over the door and got the Furs in on the ceiling. Also started to rough run the 12v wire so I can spray foam.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1030.JPG
    IMG_1030.JPG
    2.7 MB · Views: 134

Fatboyz

Observer
Got things arranged to take the truck next week to the welding shop. Young guys there have done lots of truck decks and some RV haulers. They'll take the box off. Do some reinforcing, build new mounts and front spring mounts. Will be closing in the back and doing the frame to close in under the cab over. I'll be spray foaming and they will skin the overhang. While the box is off, truck frame is sand blasted and painted, cab gets painted too. Hope to replace the rear springs then too. This is a major part of this summers work. Then I can take my time with the inside!
 

Fatboyz

Observer
Trucks heading to the upfitter this morning. Box is coming off and rear doors are gone and will be closed in with aluminum. Propane tank and tool box mounts built. Heavy duty aluminum roof rack and solar panel racks.
 

Fatboyz

Observer
Still waiting for the upfitter to get to my truck and get the box off. Repainted my propane tank and mounts in between two more swiftwater rescues this weekend. Our local Audio Video shop closed down so got a great deal on a new deck and dash fittings. Will have bluetooth and XM capability now.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1117.JPG
    IMG_1117.JPG
    2.5 MB · Views: 75
  • IMG_1118.JPG
    IMG_1118.JPG
    4.5 MB · Views: 77

Fatboyz

Observer
Upfitter got the box off and I got the Chassis home. Of course its been 100 Degrees all week and now it rains on the weekend. Got up at 5 and wire wheeled the chassis and got it painted. When the rain moved in this evening I started installing the new stereo.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1122.JPG
    IMG_1122.JPG
    3 MB · Views: 166
  • IMG_1119.JPG
    IMG_1119.JPG
    2.2 MB · Views: 165

Fatboyz

Observer
Had the truck at the heavy duty shop while we were on holidays for the week. They installed the new rear springs, got the broken bolts out of the AC compressor mount, got the battery draw fixed, and checked my glow plugs and solenoid. Tomorrow I finish sanding the cab and hopefully get it painted Sunday Afternoon.
 

Fatboyz

Observer
I lucked out. My friend offered me his shop to paint the truck today! Done! I was going for "Espresso and Baileys" for a color! I even get to leave it there overnight then unmask it tomorrow.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1150.JPG
    IMG_1150.JPG
    2.6 MB · Views: 116
  • IMG_1151.JPG
    IMG_1151.JPG
    2.2 MB · Views: 118
  • IMG_1153.JPG
    IMG_1153.JPG
    341.8 KB · Views: 121
  • IMG_1154.JPG
    IMG_1154.JPG
    1.8 MB · Views: 133
  • IMG_1155.JPG
    IMG_1155.JPG
    2 MB · Views: 133

Fatboyz

Observer
I stopped by the upfitter today. They finally got a start on my box. He's doing a nice job and convinced me to re-skin the whole outside. He's going to add it on right over the existing. There was a few patches I had put on over some tears which will be removed and covered over. My windows weren't sealed yet so that will work out perfectly. Figured if I'm doing all this work might as well make it 100%. Now I'll have to prime that new aluminum before I paint it. Glad I have access to that shop to paint it! It was snowing here today.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,533
Messages
2,875,605
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top