Nuckin Futs............ Tow Rig Build Planning, Ideas welcomed

[Dieselwrencher]

I'm getting really tired of hauling my car around in my 05 Crew Cab Dodge due to it's limited cab space. I love the truck as far as hauling and everything else, but I want to expand a little. Seeing how I am on a very limited budget with everything going on, I'm trying to come up with a low budget hauler build. I would really like an old semi, but they get pricey and licensing is getting more strict on these. Also with air brakes, you'd have to have at least an air brake endorsement on your DL, so that limits who can drive on the trip as well. I have a class A CDL, but very few people I know do. I also want something older looking so I can take it to Good Guys as well. I'm having no luck finding any pre 48 Chevy trucks, and no luck finding any pre 80's semi's in my budget. I'd love to have an old Diamond T or Diamond Rio, but good luck finding one of those. But I did find a 47 Dodge 1.5 ton truck that is really cheap. Here are some pics of what one looks like.

[Allensracing]

how about an old bus?
I have always wanted an old hauler bus, and usually they are easy to register as a motor home

(picture from google)

[Dieselwrencher]

Here are my plans so far:

I found a 1995 Ford school bus to use the frame from. It is 33' from front to back. Since I'm sure locating another cab to build a crew cab from will be hard, and not to mention time consuming, I'm planning on building a sleeper like seen on furniture hauling semi's. I'm thinking at least 8' of sleeper. Then I can put a bed and maybe enough for seating for 4 people comfortably besides 2 up front.

For the bed of the truck, I'm thinking of making a wedge back hauler bed. I want it to be long enough to load up a crew cab long box truck because some of the events we go to has pulling and racing. It gets very hard trying to get 2 vehicles to an event sometimes. Not to mention the cost of fuel. Due to high steel costs, I'm planning on a 2"x6" wood floor covered in anti slip paint. The sides will be steel or aluminum, we'll see how it goes.

The suspension is still up in the air because I need to get it home and figure out how high it sits now. I have found a set of axles from a IH 4700 truck I want to use. They are hydraulic brakes, but have 22.5 rubber. I'm planning on putting air ride on the rear for sure, and maybe regular spring in the front permitting time and money maybe air there as well.

Drive train right now will be a 5.9 cummins but could be a DT408 IH. The engine will have a small set of compound turbos if it is a cummins, and either way it will be intercooled. At this point I'm guessing it will be a cummins to keep the price down. I have a cummins already, so that helps a little. The trans I'd like to have a 9 speed or 10 speed money permitting.

I'm planning on having a very large fuel tank mid frame under the hauling bed, behind the sleeper. I also plan on installing departments in the sides of the bed for tools and such, and a generator etc. I also will have a receiver and goose neck hitch on the rear to haul my enclosed trailer when going to a big event.

If anyone has any ideas on this build throw them out here. This hopefully will go smooth, but I'm guessing could get interesting. My shop is only 30' and this truck might end up being 40'. As soon as I get pics of the actual truck, I'll post them up. Here is a pic of the type of sleeper I would like to replicate in a smaller scale. I am also planning on 8" stacks to make this thing look like a mini semi.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Allensracing

how about an old bus?
I have always wanted an old hauler bus, and usually they are easy to register as a motor home

I actually thought about that too and then using my bus body to put the car in. But, I can't find any old enough buses that I'd want to use. When I do find one, they are expensive, or junk, or both.

[72BlckButy]

Great build idea Ryan!

I will think about this for a bit and see what I can come up with for you.

[Allensracing]

I have seen some of the old peterbuilt sleepers on trucks.
I just found this interesting article.


http://www.customrigsmag.com/half-pint-peterbilt/

you can buy this conversion kit for an f250

[Dieselwrencher]

That ford cab and pete hood is sweet and I guess is a possibility as well. Thanks for that link!!!!!

Yeah, those lil petes are sweet, but I don't have the $10k just for their basic kit.

[rambler]

I always like your posts! you always have some great ideas...

I saw a few years ago, where someone took a old school bus, cut the frame down and put a standard truck bed and cab on it, and made a 3 ton truck, he used it for hauling trailers and his welding equipment. I'm searching to see if I have a picture of it...

[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks, my wife says that is one of my biggest problems. I have too many ideas. The guy that has the 47 Dodge, told me to cut down the school bus body I have and run it. He said he knows a guy that cut the rivets off the back panel, cut the bus body and got the length where he wanted it, and then re-riveted the rear panel on. But that isn't really the look I'd like in the end. To me the newer school bus bodies aren't too hot rodish, and I want this thing to be dual purpose so to speak.

[thirdstreettito]

You could do something like this:



And as always, 6x6 trucks!

http://www.govliquidation.com/auctio...&convertTo=USD





It expands to this:



Or get(or build) one like Soni Honegger has



http://www.fourwheeler.com/featuredv...8x8/index.html

[Dieselwrencher]

Man those military truck haulers are sweet! But that is way out of my budget. I'm not set on the bus body hauler, it works and would be the cheapest, but not for me at this time. It may be a last resort.

[Dieselwrencher]

OK, here are some pics for starters. I will put more up when I can get the computer to not be so dang picky. The truck is in over all better shape than I expected. I am going to try to find a different LH front fender, LH door, and maybe the LH hood panel. The cab on this truck has almost 0 rust, which I couldn't believe. It has some pieces missing, but for what I am doing, it won't effect me. The RH sheet metal is pretty dang nice, and the running boards are nice as well. I'm waiting to see if there is a title for it, but I think we have a winner. I got him nailed down to a price of $350, which to me seems like a steal. On with the pics!

[thirdstreettito]

Off to the soda blaster!

[Dieselwrencher]

First I have to get it unstuck from the ground and home. I might start mock up before I do body work because I don't want it rusting while it waits on me.

[thirdstreettito]

Moving truck?

http://fortdodge.craigslist.org/cto/2108235871.html

[Dieselwrencher]

That would be sweet, especially with a crew cab.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

This has been a dream of mine for a while cant wait to see what you do.. My problem has always been budget as in there was none..

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

This has been a dream of mine for a while cant wait to see what you do.. My problem has always been budget as in there was none..

I have the same problem. Something always comes up. For instance, last night I went and picked up a customer's truck. Right when I pulled in my drive way, my torque convertor stayed locked up. So as of right now, I atleast need a new torque convertor. That's great right before Christmas. I guess I'll be driving it until it won't drive anymore.

[1985-GMC]

Very cool idea! Here's another one: http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/cu...pic-heavy.html

[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks for that link. Too bad it is on that site, I hate that site!

[1985-GMC]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Thanks for that link. Too bad it is on that site, I hate that site!

I remember you saying that.

[thirdstreettito]

If you get something to pull this... Cabair unit's etc for the trailer, plus room upfront for a truggy or atv's...

http://www.govliquidation.com/auctio...&convertTo=USD

[Dieselwrencher]

That's pretty cool. And it's even in Alaska!

[Dieselwrencher]

Well, this project may not make a hauler. It may end up a street rod toy for my Dad instead. We'll see.

[spudz]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Well, this project may not make a hauler. It may end up a street rod toy for my Dad instead. We'll see.

Thats what I would do... I'd make it a traditional style hot rod. red ram hemi.... etc. lol. I want it! and at $350 that was a good deal!