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Building a climbing truck

Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440

There are pros and cons to the home built setup and the Decked setup. The Decked setup is good if you don't have any building experience or even tools, but still want a solid setup, however, the cons are the lack of customization of the product. On the flip side, the home built setup pros are its customization and versatility and price, while the cons are, it takes your time and effort, and if you overdo it, it gets heavy fast. Both have there places

Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440
Finished product outside

I dub Thee Clifford

Finished product open window

Finished product drawers closed

Finished product drawers open- side view

Finished product drawers open- front view
This is the finished product except for mounted solar panels. About 30 sq/ft of "living space" up top, and about 28 cu/ft of storage space below in drawers and hatches and cubbies. Its been an awesome project, I will soon have a blog up about it on the evolv blog page if yiu want to read a more in depth article on how to, or what to do and what not to do! I want to thank everyone for the support and the ideas, without y'all, it would look a lot different and be much heavier with less features. Hope you enjoy, and keep posting ideas for anyone who may want to build out their truck in the future! Climb on
Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316

Nice man! What was the cost and time of the bed/storage structure? Is it four-wheel drive? You are going to have some fun in that thing.

Craig Childre · · Lubbock, TX · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 4,860

My only suggestion. Consider swapping out that cab height topper for an elevated one. I'm a big fan of being able to sit up and the extra head room and storage that wouldn't effect the gas miles a ton in a rig like yours. You might agree after a few months. Nice work.

Tim Fry · · Charlotte NC · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 15

Nice work!! Now go get that thing dirty and stinky. Make sure to lose an apple and maybe a couple sweet potatoes way in the back somewhere. This works better if you live in the south.

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316
Tim Fry wrote:Nice work!! Now go get that thing dirty and stinky. Make sure to lose an apple and maybe a couple sweet potatoes way in the back somewhere. This works better if you live in the south.
Funny that you said that. I just came back home after a week of being away and I opened the door to the sweet aroma of cheesy funkness. I searched around, emptied the trash, did a cleanin on of the kitchen drain but could find it. The next day I opened the drawer that houses sweet potatoes and I found gnarly oozing jelly-fied remains. After dry heaving my way through cleaning up the syrupy black saucefest it still stinks!
Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440

I'll put up a cost list for the entire project:

Wood for structure and drawers: $125 (5 2x12s and 4 19/32 sheets of ply)
Bed/Bedding: $130
Containers: $15
Truck cap: $1500
Solar kit: $300
It had an all around cost of approx. $2000.
The time I spent on it was probably 10 hours over the course of a month or so, the time could be cut down with more experience, and definitely would have been cut down without drilling the weight saving holes. The actual building and sanding and cutting time was probably 6 hours for a pretty inexperienced kid. It is definitely a fun and worthwhile project.
It is a four wheel drive truck. I plan on having some fun starting later this summer! I've also thought about the extra height cap, but don't currently have the money to get anything else, as I'm an 18 year old student. I may change my stance on that in the future. I definitely live in the south! It wont be hard to get it stinking and its working on getting dirty anyways!

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316

Nice man. Good job. I will post some pics later of the rig I am working on right now. It's still needs some work but it's getting there.

Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440
Mike Brady wrote:Nice man. Good job. I will post some pics later of the rig I am working on right now. It's still needs some work but it's getting there.
Good luck, man. Hope you gained some ideas from the thread, and hope it turns out like you want it
Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316
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Van Diesel is coming together nicely. After spending next week in Leavonworth/Index we will be installing a ladder rack that will house the solar panel and a storage pod. We went with two Exide Marathon 155aH batteries. Cant wait to hook up the fridge and water pump!! After the accessories are installed I am looking for to doing the finish work. We are planning on doing cork flooring and some dark hardwood trim.
Craig Childre · · Lubbock, TX · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 4,860

SLICK!!!

Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440

Dude, that's impressive, I wish I had the chance to build that out

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316

This is a blog the wifey started when we first began the build. She hasn't done anything else but it show the initial part of the van.

machinescienceandvanlife.wo…

Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440

Does anyone have any ideas on air conditioning for the truck cap space? I cant remove the back glass, but I have seen some interesting home made stuff using coolers/buckets and fans

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180

Dometic makes enclosed truck cab AC's. I don't know if you have a budget but this would be ideal. Less than ideal would be a makeshift swamp cooler or simple roof exhaust fan. I've seen truck caps with crank up roof vents from utility trailers or RV's.

dometic.com/USA/MS-9629-Tru…

TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

Thought you might like this...

redneckAC

llanSan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 130

Real dirtbags don´t AC.

Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440

Then I'm not ready to be a real dirt bag yet, at least not on 115° 90% humidity days. As for the picture, I think that will go nicely, thank you TBlom! And Ray, thanks for the link, those look awesome but expensive.

Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440
Tim Fry · · Charlotte NC · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 15

What's the black thing on top of the cooler? I'm hoping it's a small fan..? If not, you should add a small fan.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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