so, my idea is this: I have a 1985/86 Toyota EFI pickup...it's a small one, but it's a 1 ton. the bed & tailgate are getting pretty beaten up, & the engine need some serious love, as the people I got it from are what I like to call Automotively Retarded...anywhoo, what I plan is to remove the bed, replace it with a flatbed, & build it into a gypsy caravan-styled motor home, complete with kitchenette, wood stove, toilet, cabinetry, convertable furniture, & cabover master bed. I will have to look into figuring out how long I can make it without chassis modification, but I am hoping for 12 to 16 feet. & will be insulated & appointed for 4 season use, as I fully intend it's primary function to be for snowboarding trips & summer camping trips. I will post updates as the project progresses.
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Washington
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Re: my own conversion plan.
Mon, January 28, 2008 - 2:43 PMHey, how's this plan coming? If you're not already a member, you might want to check out the DIY tribe
do-it-yourself.tribe.net/threa...ef6fa0
As I recall, I found a couple of good links and posted them there.
Keep us posted!
:)
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Re: my own conversion plan.
Mon, January 28, 2008 - 4:21 PMAs I recall. those are some realy small rear wheel bearings on that thing. and you'll most certinly have to go to duelies, also presents problems for the bearings due to geomitery changes.
I'd think weight would be the #1 concern when you start adding all that stuff, and make every thing out of wood. As far as lenght, you can't add more than a foot or so, and then not much over hang weight. The weight ratio, front to rear, needs to be retained as much as possable to insure proper stearing in all conditions.
The engin power is questionable too. If you're going up in the mountains, you need plenty of ass to haul all of that weight , and I doubt that truck has it. In fact , I know it doesn't.
Sorry for all of the negitives. But better you should know this now than after you're done with all that work. -
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Re: my own conversion plan.
Mon, January 28, 2008 - 11:05 PMOn Mon, January 28, 2008 - 4:21 PM, Dan wrote:
>>and you'll most certinly have to go to duelies, also presents problems for the bearings due to geomitery changes.
meh, not so much. I gots OEM singles back there. He'll just have to upgrade to a heavier rear axle/spring and shock combo. I seen many w/o duelies, in fact. The Toyota Dolphins all got 'em. But they run about 21' or more. I'm only running about 5000lbs (loaded) and 17 1/2', tho.
All the so-called negatives you mention here are well-founded engineering concerns. But concerns that have been addressed by RV manufacturers for years. The chassis under most motorhomes, either a van or a pick-up truck, are identical to what you would find in many other vehicles by the same manufacturer, especially their 'industrial' or 'heavy-duty' models. I have seen them built in the motorhome and conversion plants around Napanee/ South Bend, IN.
The rest is all changeable for heavy duty parts.
J
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Re: my own conversion plan.
Mon, January 28, 2008 - 10:47 PMI have a 1977 toyota muskeet, 17 1/2', and one thing I am sure you will need to look into is increasing the compression onthe motor. It gives a heavy load a little more pick up in the low end. you sacrifice top speeds, but get a better package for hauling. Also, the rear end in mine is a 1 1/2 ton, but I still got 5 bolt lugs in the back. The springs and shocks are bigger back there, too.
J
