Elmo's Camper Build

[elmo_4_vt]

Looks like a nice build. Your Bronc is sharp. I can't believe you found a reading bed in aluminum and only 350 lbs. Most of them are steel and heavy as a tank lol.

Thanks for the compliments. I spent a lot of time and money on the Bronco last year. The body/chassis only has 50k miles on it, the engine only 10k, and was replace right before I bought it. I completed a 6" lift with a solid axle swap and 16" of travel at all corners, ARB lockers front and rear, on-board air, bumpers and a bunch of other smaller stuff. I'm still not done, but I need to get some other projects done for the summer, and will pick it up again next winter (rear roll-cage, more gauges, Atlas transfer case, soft top, etc).

As far as the utility bed, it was really just luck. I was actually looking for a 7ft Ford Ranger pickup bed to do the same tent idea with, but when I saw this, it was the best of both worlds in my opinion. This one was actually bought on e-bay for $200, and the Ranger doner frame was $10 off of Craigslist, so I couldn't beat the prices. I still keeping a look out for another one so that I can use it solely for construction/tools, but I haven't seen one for a while. For that, I'm probably going just modify a small 4x8 utility trailer with some regular tool boxes or underbody boxes.

Don

[elmo_4_vt]

Finally getting around to posting some pictures from this past weekend.

Didn't get much time to work between house/yard projects, but here's what I got accomplished.

- Got the rear lights mounted
- Got the main frame cut and temporarily mounted. I'll still need to pull it up for the roll on bed coating and for fit where the door will be
- Got the old, non-functional latches out and the new ones mocked into place
- Got the tongue box set and drilled (still need to tap the holes and find a rubber isolators.
- Started cutting the frame for the rear tail gate/porch )
- Bought most of the alum. for running along the wood seams, and steel for building the frame out for the rear jacks, rear tow hitch, and lid support for when it's opened. This weekend I'll have to head back to get a little more steel to make a Grill mount and some other misc. angle for bracing
- Got a bunch of other misc. parts, like new hubs for the 5 on 5.5inch spacing to match the bronco's wheels, stainless piano hinge and some interior push button lights

This weekend between family stuff, I'm going to start setting up and cutting the top. I ordered a Kraig pocket jig set for the attachment of the roof spars, so I'll have to practice with that a bit to make sure I don't screw anything up (bad pun, I know).

I also picked up a 4x8 sheet of alum. diamond plate and will lay that out to cover the front of the bed, behind the tongue box.

On with the pictures:











Enjoy!

Don

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[highlandercj-7]

Nice work man. I like the Stainless latches. You painting it to match the Bronc? It ought to look sweet in that burgandy.
If you need to find some rubber isolators for that toolbox mounting, try looking for a set of Jeep TJ spare tire bumpers that mount to there tailgates. IIRC they have a center hole are perdy flat and about 2x3" as a bonus most folks pitch them when they put on a rear bumper and tire carrier. I mounted my toungue box solid to the fame and have never had any issues with cracking or anything.

[StumpXJ]

I just found another box exactly like what you have on Craigslist... $200.00 bucks. I am going to pay for it in a couple weeks when we get to the states. It was mounted on a ranger rear, but I will be building my own frame rails. I also will just build a small rack for my RTT to mount on. I amd glad you are doing this one ahead of me...

Where did you get the new latches? The box I am getting has no keys, but I am wondering if it would be cheaper to get keys cut for it or buy new latches.

looks the same (very similar) to me?







~James

[R_Lefebvre]

That's a really slick idea guys. What do those things weigh anyway?

[StumpXJ]

Don says his is around 350 pounds since its made of aluminum, I am not sure of the weight of the one I posted, but I hope it is very similar. I will know in a couple weeks...

I figure its a great place to start from since the boxes and doors are already built for you as well as fenders etc.

~James

[elmo_4_vt]

I just found another box exactly like what you have on Craigslist... $200.00 bucks. I am going to pay for it in a couple weeks when we get to the states. It was mounted on a ranger rear, but I will be building my own frame rails. I also will just build a small rack for my RTT to mount on. I amd glad you are doing this one ahead of me...

Where did you get the new latches? The box I am getting has no keys, but I am wondering if it would be cheaper to get keys cut for it or buy new latches.

looks the same (very similar) to me?

That's a heck of a deal on the utility body. It does look very similar, however yours has the longer top box on both sides, where mine only has the long top box on the starboard side. I guess it just means you have to plan your space differently. Is the one pictured Aluminium? It's always hard to tell from pictures.

If it's Aluminum, it weighs in at 350lbs, the steel version is about 750lbs, at least the "Reading" brand beds like I have.

The stainless paddles are from a place called Easternmarine.com. They have a store front about 20 minutes from me here in Delaware and they were on sale for about $12, normally $15. Sure beats the $65 price from the utility body manufacturer. My paddles were worn, and mostly non-functional, so I just replaced them all.

Don

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[rain76king]

Hey guys, I'm loving this thread! I had been thinking of doing this for a few years now. When I was looking for a m416 I kept seeing a few homebrew utility style trailers and was so tempted. I did find a m416 but I as well will be doing one of these builds hopefuly over the fall. Can't wait to see the results, maybe we'll cross paths as New Englanders! Stump, can't wait to see your build, I loved the xj thread, hell it's saved in my favorites!

[StumpXJ]

Thanks! I need to update the XJ thread....

The 'little old lady' doesnt know if its aluminum or not, but I will find out. Its a good deal either way. I just cant imagine this thing weighing 750 pounds...

~James

[450 DUDE]

Did you ask her to go out to it with one of her refrigerator magnets ?

If its aluminum that would be sweet!



ken