The Countdown begins

The Christmas holidays are coming up, and Dan and I both have it off. We are going to have a working spree on the truck. I have arranged the use of Jaco's workshop, tools and possible some much apreciated advise. We are aming to complete the exterior. That is alot of work. We need to build the new luton and paint the exterior. To get it ready for painting we first need to finish the lockers, move the windows and build the new luton.

I have had to work out all the materials I require as most of the suppliers are closed over the holiday period. Today I signed the order for the new windows. This is a new window for the bedroom/luton and one for the bathroom. I found Fairview Aluminium very helpful and well priced.

The Countdown begins, I'll keep you posted.

End of an era

Today I sold the van. Goodbye Fred! It has been fun. We have been a fair few places, never had any major issues and had heaps of fun. However it had to go to make way for the truck project. It is money to be used on the truck and if we have time to go away in the van we have time to work on the truck.

I bought the van of a backpacker and refitted it and cleaned it up.
Here are a few pics of how I bought it followed buy how it is now.

Good-bye Fred.

Update

Finally made some more progress, drove the truck to town on Monday to get the towbar installation certified by the engineer. The good news is that he is happy and all is approved.

In the weekend I started reconstructing the rear lockers. I have the frame of the LH one finished but the RH one was getting a bit rushed and is a bit crooked. I intend on cutting off the wonky bits and doing it again but straight this time.

I have also repaied the rust on the cab steps. I went to get in one day and the driver one collapsed on me. All fixed now and stronger than ever.

More pics

At last, signs of change.

Removed the last of the furnture now and most of the wall linings. The rear wall is t&g timber but has been painted reddish brown. I decided it would look nice to strip the paint and then varnish. I went to bunnings and got a can of Selly's quick strip. Worked wonders, would reccomend it for similar applications.

Here are some pics.

More destruction and a little progress

Just got the truck back from the Engineers after getting the towbar manafactured and fitted. Thanks to Alan Williams at MGE Engineering Ruatangata for a good job.

Now I will be able to make up the brackets to hold the fresh water tank. The tank will live in the centre of the truck running length way's between the diff and the new towbar.

The space on the left and right of the towbar at the rear will be made into lockers for storage and gas bottles etc.

I have begun stripping the wall lining on the inside, it is too shabby for my liking so it will all be replaced when the new interior is fitted. 

It also allows me to inspect the frame for any rust and attend to it now before it causes any problems. Here is a picture of me standing in the truck to give an idea on roof height and the space in general.

Photos

Finally put some batteries in the camera and took some photo's

As you can see I have removed that daft box from the back. Looking much better now.

I have to move the water tank from the current location to allow the towbar to be fitted, I will then finish off the back end to make it look more complete.

I got an oven at the weekend for the truck, courtesy of my Aunti. It is lpg hob and oven with a grill function. Its going to be perfect.

Here's a couple of pics with the interior mostly removed.

The next few steps include getting the towbar fitted, painting the cab and the luton extension. So in the meantime I am drawing up the extention so I can take it to an engineer to make sure it will be strong enough.

Roof height

Currently I am pondering raising the roof and additional 400mm at the front above the bed to give us enough room to sit up in bed. I am able to do this myself at a fairly cheep cost. So the only thing left to decide is if 3.1m is too high as this will be the total height afterwards.

Progress

Did a fair bit of work at the weekend. The storage box on the rear has now been removed and I have demolished the bathroom. Must take pics at the weekend before I do more.

I took the truck into Kamo today to see the Certifying engineer about getting a certified towbar design. They will have to modify the standard design slightly so that the towbar will be clear of the body. I also found out that it will require me to move the fresh water tank as it is currently right where the towbar will go.

Next weekend I will remove the kitchen bench and the water tank provided I get the time. Next on the list will be to move the bathroom window to the other side of the truck.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog, the purpose of this is to Document the progress of my house truck build.

I've just bought a 1982 Ford Trader fitted witha box body with crawl through. Its was convered around year 2000 into a motorhome by some unknown person. The standard of work is not on par with what I would like so it calls for a rebuild.

I'm not worried about doing this rebuild as it will be lighter on the pocket than buying something pre-built. Also I would like it to be unique and not look like one of those 'off the shelf' commercially built cabovers. Also I havnt found a layout I like yet.

So I will figure alot out as I go, but I have a fair idea on how I would like this layed out and it I accomplishable.

Anyway enough for now and here is some pics of how she is now. (If I can work out how)