Build Our PanAm rig build thread

[FlyAddiction]

I built a set of jacks to lift the camper off from the truck. This will allow me to work on the camper at ground level to complete the finishing work and roof. More room in the garage. It will also let me complete the body work on the cab more easily.

 

[FlyAddiction]

Now I can work on finishing the camper

 

[FlyAddiction]

I finished the fiberglass reinforcement on all the rounded off outside corners. I will paint them with white raptor liner. I also fully glassed the overcab section to add rigidity and protect from large rock chips.

 

[FlyAddiction]

I also welded up the aluminum chanel that will be bonded to the top of the walls. This part adds rigidity and gives me something structural to mount the roof lift mechanism to. The aluminum frame that will constitute parts of the roof along with a composite panel is also bent and welded up. I will send both of these to powdercoating.

 

[HoustonFj80]

Nice progress, I’m looking forward to seeing how you detail the pop top seal and securing the tent fabric.

 

[FlyAddiction]

Quick test fit

 

[FlyAddiction]

Both frames came back to powdercoating. Top of the wall is bonded. And all the bits and pieces needed for the roof lift are received. Prior to bonding the top frame, i carved out some of the foam to run brake and signal lights.

 

[FlyAddiction]

The roof panel was bonded to the aluminum frame and I fabricated all the lift mechnisim hinges. Roof is on and going up and down effortlessly!

 

[FlyAddiction]

Roof is on

 

[HoustonFj80]

Any updates?

 

[FlyAddiction]

Lots of small things got done on the camper, seals latches etc… I is going to the canvas shop next week. It is the small details that seem to take the longest.

 

[FlyAddiction]

On the truck side, i finished the water tank install , disassembled the doors and fenders and started the body work in preparation for paint.

 

[FlyAddiction]

Picked up the truck from the canvas shop. The whole thing has 1” of synthetic insulation sandwiched between 2 layers of marine canvas. I also sprayed epoxy primer and single stage white on the jams, windshield frame and roof. I am using a fuji turbine spray gun setup.

 

[clrussell]

Crazy awesome build

 

[HoustonFj80]

Man this is looking so good! How much water storage are you going to have and where did you end up mounting the tank?

I got to take my interim camper out for a quick trip on father's day weekend. Here is some motivation for you. I have another 80 that I plan to do a very similar setup to yours with the extended wheelbase and full pop top. The wedge style just doesn't have the space I want.

 

[FlyAddiction]

Man this is looking so good! How much water storage are you going to have and where did you end up mounting the tank?

I got to take my interim camper out for a quick trip on father's day weekend. Here is some motivation for you. I have another 80 that I plan to do a very similar setup to yours with the extended wheelbase and full pop top. The wedge style just doesn't have the space I want.

View attachment 4165086

Wow, nice build! I have 100L behind the original gas tank. The space was created by the frame extension. I had to use 2 tanks side by side to get the dimensions i needed. Ill take a few pictures and add them later. The main goal with my build is to have very few systems in the camper itself to maximize space and keep the weight as low as possible. Diesel air heater under the driver seat, tank between the frame rails, battery in the engine bay…

 

[FlyAddiction]

Here is a few pictures of the tank setup