M820 RV build / M4 Van body Build

[Sirblissfull]

Who do you intend to frame out a bath room with the section of the must fold down and serve as the floor when extended. I thought most slide outs on rv's have the floor of the extension slide out as a unit. Looking forward to the pic. Maybe even a video. Thanks

We are framing in the entire slide out section and re-skinning in 1/8 steel mostly to prevent damage to the box from branches while I am off road. The floors, ceiling and end walls will now be attached to the side walls and we are adding 2 vertical braces. The 1st will be between window 1 and 2 and the 2nd will be just in front of the side doors. I am trying to use the 30 inch wide vertical walls as dividers between bunks on the drivers side and between the kitchenette and shower area on the passenger side. We will be insulating the heck out of the entire box as well as using multiple seals to prevent leaks. I will post up pictures of how we are doing that once we get some fabricated.

 

[colt45727]

Love this project....

I also like the nemesis windrunner, and is that maybe a transferable m60? or a post sample?

 

[jesusgatos]

...and re-skinning in 1/8 steel...

Whoa! You're not messing around. How much is that going to weigh? What are you planning on doing with this thing?

 

[Sirblissfull]

Colt Yes on the M60 I will PM you the shops number.

Gatos I am going to be off road / logging roads in Alaska. I have seen what happens to aluminum sheets when in contact with small branches, bears are worse. Something ripping open the side of the box like a soda can in sub zero temps with people in side does not work for me.

 

[jesusgatos]

For the weight, wonder if you might be able to do better than 1/8" steel? Maybe some type of ballistic composite laid over a lighter shell? Have you done the math? Am honestly just kinda curious, how much might all that 1/8" plate might end up weighing? Almost went the route you did, but decided to build an M109, primarily because of the size/weight. Wanted to be able to get pretty far off the beaten path and decided against a 5-ton once I figured out that I couldn't even change a tire by myself. But sounds like the places where you're planning on traveling are made for big logging trucks, so can see how that makes sense for you. Cool project.

 

[Sirblissfull]

The weight is negligible when you realize the true capabilities of these cargo trucks. The M820s have a extra steel plate mounted to the frame with a supporting beam under the normal frame for added durability. Not sure if any of the other trucks have this feature.

When you figure as an RV I am not going to be loading 10k LBS into the back of the truck and it is still rated to haul that much off road the weight of the new skin isnt that bad. With the newer engine the weight will be hardly noticed. We already pulled about 2 thousand pounds of the box with the AC, heaters, aluminum plating, damp insulation and plywood. The AC alone was 400 pounds.

I originally only wanted a M109A2 myself I was not planning on taking anyone with me when I went hunting and fishing. The wife was not interested in staying home with 5 kids while I went out playing and insisted we have room for everyone, Hence the 820s. I figured while I was at it make it accessible for wheel chairs and the project began.

Of course if a woman tells you that you need a bigger truck, are you going to argue?

 

[jesusgatos]

Five kids. Wow, you need a caravan. Have you seen this?

 

[Sirblissfull]

Soda blasted Crank and second blast on axles

Soda blasted Crank and second blast on axles.

 

[Sirblissfull]

Stripped the doors and side walls the rest of the way today.

Tomorrow the ceiling and floor are coming out.

 

[802dot1q]

Now that you have seen more of the guts of the van body than practically everyone, what do you think about making it non-expandable? Could you loose the flip out panels and permanently seal the exterior walls to the main structure? Just an idea I've been kicking around. The plan is to expand mine out for the first time this Sunday.

 

[Blind Driver]

Now that you have seen more of the guts of the van body than practically everyone, what do you think about making it non-expandable? Could you loose the flip out panels and permanently seal the exterior walls to the main structure? Just an idea I've been kicking around. The plan is to expand mine out for the first time this Sunday.

I'm guessing the whole idea of buying an expandable truck was to be able to extend the sides

 

[802dot1q]

I'm guessing the whole idea of buying an expandable truck was to be able to extend the sides

You are correct, the WHOLE idea of buying expandable truck just to expand it is a guess.

 

[Sirblissfull]

I bought the box with the intention of setting it up as a simple camping truck. Only after having seen first hand how involved the process was did I decide to convert it into a slide out.

If I did not need so much room for wheel chair access I would have done exactly that. Pull the fold out sections and seal it up. No matter which way you do it I highly suggest re doing the insulation. Especially since repairing the rust damage will help you retain the structural stability. You lose a lot of reinforcement by removing the multiple layers of side wall.

Re skinning it in thicker material is also a NEED for me not a want, however that would give you a lot of stability back as well.

 

[daddy2]

I had to make due with-out the slide outs, but it would have been nice to have the extra room with them. The back of mine has double doors to allow for a quad, dirt bikes or, like you, wheel chair access. I plan on doing some volunteer work with the Wounded Warriors. Thought the Warriors might like some comfortable off road Camping as R&R.

Did you ever think about using the sides of a shiping container box for te walls? The steel is just under 3/32" wall thickness, but having it corrigated adds a lot of strength. Just a thought.

 

[Sirblissfull]

Nearly done with the box tear down.

Nearly done with the box tear down.

More pics

 

[Blind Driver]

That's a huge undertaking. When is the projected completion date?

Or should I not ask?

 

[Sirblissfull]

Even more pics

 

[Sirblissfull]

That's a huge undertaking. When is the projected completion date?

Or should I not ask?

Projected completion date is next month.

I am not the only one working on this project, I am unfortunately nearly hands off on this one only able to take pictures.

 

[RAYZER]

Good supervision there Shane! Look foward to seeing the end results!

 

[jclaudii]

This looks pretty neat! and a extra bonus on getting to see what kind of power the new engine will lay down.