Meet Big Red - 1966 Custom Camper

[cru_zn_29]

Big red is looking good. I think i have seen that shell before ?

[jocko]

Looks great Bruce, thanks for posting an update. How's the slide-in coming along? It's one of my favorites. Any sneak peeks??

[oem4me]

I just deleted my recent post regarding a non-invasive mounting system for a camper shell. Better pics and a simple step-by-step description will help illustrate the process a little better. My apologies to those who took the time to read through that rambling post before I deleted it.

[yelmer]

Looks great Bruce . i was in my garage today i looked at my clock i thought you might like the picture since you are in the camper mood

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by cru_zn_29

Big red is looking good. I think i have seen that shell before ?

Ya think so? I can't imagine where..?? Ha ha.

Originally Posted by jocko

Looks great Bruce, thanks for posting an update. How's the slide-in coming along? It's one of my favorites. Any sneak peeks??

No sneak previews. Coming soon to a thread near you.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by yelmer

Looks great Bruce . i was in my garage today i looked at my clock i thought you might like the picture since you are in the camper mood

Cool!

[sodly]

Looking good!

[LT1 Burb]

That truck is awesome and those wheels top it off, love it.

[oem4me]

Another pic. I like these "road" shots.

[plainred65]

I somehow missed this thread, love this truck.

[oem4me]

I think the white shell looks awesome on the red truck, but in no way is it a permanent install. in fact, it's been on and off three of my trucks since I've owned it.
Not wanting to poke holes in all my bed rails, I came up with a non-invasive mount system that utilizes hardwood blocks in the factory stake pockets.
No drilled holes in the rails and no clamps to come loose or get in the way.
I've not seen it done this way before, so I thought I'd share.

If you google "bed bolts", you'll see similar hardware is readily available, but I made my own special "nuts" fairly quickly.

It's pretty simple, yet super secure. I'll let the pictures tell the story.

[oem4me]

Secure each block into it's pocket with a through bolt (or heavy screw in the rear pockets), and you are good to go.

[factorystock]

Thanks for the updates and photos of your C.C. I spotted the wheel change before you mentioned it. They look great, the correct offset and smooth flow really complement the overall look of the truck. You have proved if your serious, you can find these hard to find parts. You'll have no problem selling the flatter style to the '56-'59 Napco guys. The period topper and clamping idea is a winner!

[sodly]

Wow! Really interesting idea.

[oem4me]

Well, as much as I liked the shell, it got bumped for something bigger. Alot bigger! Some of you may remember that awhile back I nabbed a period slide-in camper off CL. Nice on the inside, slightly rough on the outside, that camper didn't stay on the truck long. I took it off for a quick "twenty foot" restoration (looks good from 20 feet), but then life happened and the quick part evaporated.
No worries though, we as a family were getting tons of use out of the camper just sitting on a low dolly in the backyard. With a window A/C unit plugged into the side, it became an awesome sleepover fort/ x-box gaming clubhouse for my boy, a guesthouse for drop-ins, spare office, and occasional sanctuary for me or the Mrs. when the other was't quite seeing straight (you married guys know, Lol!).

[oem4me]

The restoration did eventually get completed in a matter of a half-dozen consecutive weekends, and it came out way better than expected. Had I known it would look as good, I would have taken more time and used better materials. Being budget minded, I mostly used mixed paints and primers leftover from past house and auto projects.
Briefly, in order: Power wash, scrape, sand, wash, total seal/caulk, mask, prime, scuff, paint, roof coat, mask and stripe.
Next came a complete plumbing system redo with a new water tank, supply lines, faucets, 12V pump and switch, and drain.
Not much was needed electrically, but I did add a few battery operated led interior lights and replaced the exterior marker lights, front and rear.
Sadly, the near-mint appearing 3-way ammonia absorption fridge that came with the camper failed to get cold, so a vintage Coleman ice box (another CL find) was swapped in until I can get that sorted.
Lastly, a first ever visit to Wal-Mart yielded a new porta-potti, a small indoor safe propane heater, and propane bottles.

[oem4me]

We now had ourselves a decent looking self-contained little house on wheels that would allow the three of us a good amount of comfort and maximum spontaneity while on the road. All this for under a grand total dollar output, and a bit of grunt work.
So far, no structural mods or repairs have been completed, but some are due for the lower rear hangover area when I get time. .. Well, maybe. Ha ha.

[oem4me]

Immediately noticeable upon setting the camper on the truck was the lack of visibility with the standard West Coast Jr. mirrors. Even adjusted for maximum reach, they still fell way short of where they needed to be. I really didn't want any cheesy clamp-on type mirrors, and couldn't stomach the idea of drilling more holes in the door for big mirrors with long arms, so I thought I'd try to fab up some longer extensions to replace the short factory L brackets.
I found some flat stock, then marked, cut, ground to shape, then drilled some holes, made a few bends, and followed with a little welding. Voila! Factory Jr. arms and mirror heads that stick way the heck out there. Ok, I'll admit the look is a tad goofy, but hey, they work! No excessive vibration either!

[oem4me]

Another Improvement made shortly after mounting the camper was adding a pair of vintage NOS chrome stabilizer struts. These are a neat period shock absorber that mounts up under the big cabover section of the camper, and lands somewhere down on the front of the truck. On our era truck, the perfect landing spot is on each cowl extension. It's great that these cowl pieces are easily removable, making it possible to simply pull the originals and put them away for safe keeping, while modifying some spares. (I thank Kelvin LT1burb for these). Some fun fabrication work made for perfectly fit landing brackets that kinda look like they might have been there for 50 years. Ya think?
They actually do help slow the camper movement down a bit over bumps and what not, but mostly I just think they look cool.

[oem4me]

And all painted up for a dead match on color and shine.

[darkhorse970]

Very nice work! That looks like a great camper, and I've never seen those shocks/supports. Great job!
Posted via Mobile Device

[jocko]

YES! That is so cool Bruce, thanks for the pics, I've been looking forward to seeing what it looked like when you got it painted and on the truck. Looks perfect. And great idea with the strut brace plate.

[Clyde65]

Man that is such a nice truck and camper! You did an awesome job my friend!

[Chevy Fleetside]

If I am ever in Burbank I would love to come check out your collection.

[sodly]

Great work! Wow! Impressive stuff.