expedition build up of my 1990 pickup.

[highonpottery]

nice expedition pickup! i really like the utility canopy you got for the back. i kinda wish my pickup had one. much better than a standard truck canopy. i think the only thing it's missing is a bottle opener on the door!

i think the rack on the top should be able to support a rooftop tent - i've seen people load up several sheets of 3/4" plywood on those types of racks w/o issue.

good luck!

 

[roamingaz]

heres a little update on the truck.


I put another fold down table on the other door, this thing is solid and adjustable to 3 feet.

loaded up everything has a place. I was going to do a drawer system but so far the pelican cases work very well, they hold spare parts and fluids, tools and the 2 small ones are for food and kitchen.

 

[fjatheart]

Nice table, that came out really nice!

 

[NorCalDoug]

very nice build!

 

[roamingaz]

a quick update on my build, I have a few other things I am going to get done this weekend and next week I will be at Overland Expo, what section would I post pics from the expo?


I have my ARB awning installed, it is very nice quality but it does take a little pratice to set up by myself. I have to say thanks to Wil at sierra expeditions , even after a shipping screw up he still was able to get me my awning in the time frame he said I would have it, awesome customer service.
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com[/URL]

I am going to get a piece of fake grass carpet to keep the dust down in my campsite:camping:

 

[Bad Mojo]

Pretty cool what you did with your truck. Looks like you'll be having some fun.

 

[cajun65]

Definitely post pics here, and there will probably be a thread on the Trails/Trips section of this forum so share their too.

Man, I love the set up of that rig. The tables are awesome and so useful. Keep rocking brother!

 

[jorgeez]

You did a very good job on your truck. I wish I could also build an expedition pickup truck like yours. We'll be waiting for your expedition pictures.

__________________
BBK X Pipe

 

[roamingaz]

I haven't had a chance to update much so here is what I have done or changed in the last month or so.

After attending Overland Expo I got to work changing around a few things, I am still not completely satisfied with how everything works I am working out all the bugs.
Thanks to craigslist I scored a brand new rear bumper from Daystar for $100.

and from a local expo member I bought a set of drawers for cheap.

They fit really well. they were origanlly a 3 stack but I cut them apart and I am considering cutting the other one and making it a flat 3 drawer system with the fridge on top, but for now it works ok.

I really like the size of these drawers. Here is a picture of the bottom drawer, it holds my PullPal perfectly as well as my Max ax, winch control, small shovel, and various big tools that dont fit my tool box.

Other drawer currently contains misc. straps, ropes, spare hoses and small parts.

The top drawer holds my entire camp kitchen. I will be adding a few more things but as of now it has a small stove, fuel, cookset, MSR plate and bowl, utensils, fold up sink,

I keep all my food items in a Pelican case to keep it water tight and also it is much easier to bring the case in to the house after a outing.

My original plans with the camper shell was to build a sleeping platform but I am simply to long to fit comfortably inside the camper so I have bought a roof top tent. I had to relocate the spare tire, the only place I could find that fit ok is inside , I used a old strap from a semi and cut it to fit. I am suprised how well it holds the tire. I also built a slide out for the fridge so removing the tire would be easier.

1 other minor thing I added was a roof rack rod holder, I found this holder at bass pro shops for less then $10, next time I am there I will get another one so I can keep all my rods inside the camper.

 

[calfj60]

looks great...thanks for all the updates and information...

 

[askeyey]

Which RTT did you go with and how well do you like it so far?

 

[roamingaz]

I bought the Camping Lab tent, still waiting for it to arrive. I recieved a email today that it is shipping today so hopefully by next week I will have it installed and of course some more pictures.
When I was at Overland Expo I had a chance to see several rtt and the camping lab looks really good and when Fernando offered some presale orders last month for $700 shipped , I couldn't pass it up.
I have the ARB awning and it is exactly the same as the Camping Lab awning but about $100 less.

 

[fjatheart]

Again, sweet set-up.

 

[nate-gk]

awesome setup. I really like that it doesn't look like a expedition rig. It wouldn't be out of place on a job site or in a parking lot.

 

[roamingaz]

awesome setup. I really like that it doesn't look like a expedition rig. It wouldn't be out of place on a job site or in a parking lot.

I was really trying to be a little different and not follow the new fad of "expedition" builds. I really like how some of these build ups turn out but some people seem to think adding a snorkle and mounting a jack and shovel on the roof rack makes it a expedition rig. I wanted a dependable rig that I could live out of for a weekend or several weeks.

Anyway here are a couple pics of my RTT mounted, I am not really liking how high up it sits so I will toss around some ideas for a small cab rack that wil divert air over the big box. I am also thinking of removing the camper shell and having someone build me a custom bed rack, they big problem with that is everything is out in the open.

 

[RHINO]

I was really trying to be a little different and not follow the new fad of "expedition" builds.

excellent statement right there, unfortunately ya got one of the biggest "fad" things on your truck now. i still like your build, and your style of doing it.

 

[Bogo]

I am not really liking how high up it sits so I will toss around some ideas for a small cab rack that will divert air over the big box. I am also thinking of removing the camper shell and having someone build me a custom bed rack, they big problem with that is everything is out in the open.

Do a custom camper shell. Give it a stout frame. Put doors, windows and access hatches where you want. As long as you keep the sides planar it is relatively easy to do. Boxy is easiest and doesn't require special extrusions (shapes). Make a perimeter frame out of Steel or AL square tube, pick one. Use automotive panel adhesive to bond sheets of steel or AL to the frame. If you did a steel frame, use steel skin and if you do an AL frame use an AL skin. This is to avoid electrolysis between the skin and frame. If you have the right metal supplier they can laser cut the top and front out of one sheet then bend it right to eliminate that seam up top. All the other sheets can also be laser cut to size and shape as well as having all openings cut out too.

The panel adhesive is also available as a foam tape. For more info go to Expedition Portal Forum and search on "VHB tape". Mickldo works at a place that does this type of construction. They double stick tape AL skinned composite panels to trailer sides. On page 5 and 6 of this thread VHB Tape comes up: More design ideas/questions - Expedition Portal Forum. Edit: There are also threads here that talk about it.

 

[Bogo]

Here is a guy actually using 3M VHB tape.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-...ty/228282-hood-support-bonding-solutions.html

 

[Baja Dan]

ilike yourrig i would of gonewith sas but hey if it worksfor you. ilikethat black camper nowyou need to paint the truck black and itll look likea swat team rig.

 

[dogcatch'n]

I think this is a good practicle build, that you can modify as you go along, and probably get alot of good use out of...I like the use of the 1990 toy..I bought one new in '90 and put 160,000 miles on it with out replacing anything but the battery, shocks/tires and one altenator...I beat that truck down , used it to haul lumber, when I sold it the bed was wasted, but mech. it was still in great shape, I still see my neighbor, who bought it from, still driving it around...I did have the exhaust manifold gasket replaced once, at about 90,000 miles, but thats was a factory recall, and didn't cost me anything..those engines are tough....and the '90 toy truck is a pretty comfortable ride down the highway....

goodluck...........