DIY truck camper, possible build series...?

[superduder]

Okay I bought the plans for a truck bed camper for Small (courier/datsun/luv) pickup that I've wanted for a long time.
Since my cousin and I had one that came on a 74 Datsun pickup back in the early 90s
stayed in said camper through a blizzard in SW Ohio actually, which I guess is why I've wanted one so bad.
Anyhow, thinking of posting a build series, depending on if anyone wants to see it that is.

I only ordered the plans because nobody makes a slide in camper for small trucks (plymouth arrow, ford courier, chevy luv)
and IF you Do happen to find a used one they cost an arm and a leg AND are usually water damaged so badly they're unusable.
The estimated weight of the camper is 550-750lbs, I'll be shaving weight wherever possible,
And working on a budget having to improvise certain parts, and accessories should make it slightly interesting.

So anyone interested?
And yes that's a 1973 ford courier in the picture.

Jay

[EBuff75]

I love reading about builds of just about any type, mostly to live vicariously through people who have space/time/knowledge to do this sort of stuff!  On a good day I'm able to hang a shelf or change the spark plugs in my car, but not much more than that! 
 
What type of truck is this going on?  Do you still have the Datsun, or will it be on something a bit more modern?  I've seen some slide-in campers which go on more recent small/mid-sized trucks, but if you're doing this for an older mini-truck then those would still be too large.

[superduder]

Strangely enough,
I'm talking to a guy locally about getting a '73 Courier "long bed" like in the picture,
and Same as the Popular Mechanics feature article from Mar 73 (archive dot org has it) which is how I found out there even were plans.
The one we stayed in I always thought was manufacturer built, but it was Glen-L a hundred percent diy.

As far as the "space" part, I live in an apartment.
So it's being built in the bed, and in the parking lot.
Or maybe I can get a friend to let me use his carport, or may have to rent a storage unit.
Looking at the materials list it's looking like it will be around $1K to maybe $2500
depending on how much material I can get from salvaging scraps, and rooting through CL.

Not sure what the stance on posting a pdf of the magazine is, but this is the cover.
Jay

[Halfapint]

So anyone interested?

Not only yes, but FAAK yes! The wife and I have a 2018 f250, with a short box, while granted it can carry a HELL of a lot more than the mini trucks. We don't like any of the campers they make that fit it. So we are thinking of making our own! So I would LOVE to see what you come up with!

[boskone]

So anyone interested?

Not only yes, but FAAK yes! The wife and I have a 2018 f250, with a short box, while granted it can carry a HELL of a lot more than the mini trucks. We don't like any of the campers they make that fit it. So we are thinking of making our own! So I would LOVE to see what you come up with!

At that size, why not look for something like a used Geo Pro, or similar trailer?  A 250 would pull those like there's nothing behind the truck.

[Halfapint]

So anyone interested?

Not only yes, but FAAK yes! The wife and I have a 2018 f250, with a short box, while granted it can carry a HELL of a lot more than the mini trucks. We don't like any of the campers they make that fit it. So we are thinking of making our own! So I would LOVE to see what you come up with!

At that size, why not look for something like a used Geo Pro, or similar trailer?  A 250 would pull those like there's nothing behind the truck.

We really don't want a trailer. We want something that's right behind the cab. We have a canopy we were thinking of converting to a mini camper.

[superduder]

Same here, The whole reason behind the camper is my job is 125mi away from the house.
And I can park a compact pickup at work during my shift, $20-$30 per day in fuel makes the job less than profitable...
but a trailer (even a small one, or pop up)I would have to leave unattended on public (dispersed/free camping)
Or state park (paid camping) land for 8hrs while I'm at work, And risk being locked out when I get off work at 11pm.

Also, I found a picture of a fellow builders Toyota on the site I got the plans from,
I'm really liking the way these look... given that one has the skill to build it, I may not, or may mess up.
Jay

[RoneKiln]

Also, I found a picture of a fellow builders Toyota on the site I got the plans from,
I'm really liking the way these look... given that one has the skill to build it, I may not, or may mess up.

You don't need the skill. You get to develop the skill while building it. Of course you're going to mess it up. Then you get to fix it.

The process of screwing it up and learning from the experience is as important as the finished product.

The screwups will make better stories anyway.

[Crosscut]

And working on a budget having to improvise certain parts, and accessories should make it slightly interesting.

I'd like to see it, if nothing more than just for those reasons alone.   

[Tony D Tiger]

Go for it!! 

[superduder]

Okay, got the '73 Courier.
Drove it 6hrs in 107 degree heat from Vegas to Phoenix where it now sits.
The "Frigette" (read J C Whitney) air conditioning was disconnected by the previous owner.
Reportedly, nohing was wrong with it, he disconnected it for "restoration reasons".
Good news, all the components are there, so it should be repairable at least,
Also it's rated at 12,500BTU so it should work Awesome, even in the AZ heat once fixed.

The engine is strong, it has the stereotypical worn out throttle linkage which every mazda truck I've owned had.
separate post on a cheap/improvised fix for that coming soon.
New clutch installed by the previous owner,
new brakes (4 wheel dual cylinder drums) done by a shop in Vegas
The factory Philco AM radio is still in it (needs reconnected), looking for either a kraco am/fm/cb, or maybe a GM version to replace it.
It needs the seat re-padded/Re-Upholstered thanks to leaving the door open and having an untrained dog.

And to top it off.
It already had a slide in type camper in it before, so I know it'll handle it now.
So let the repair segment of the project begin!
First picture is in the P.O. garage.
Second is the first pic in Phoenix.

[EBuff75]

Okay, got the '73 Courier.
Drove it 6hrs in 107 degree heat from Vegas to Phoenix where it now sits.
The "Frigette" (read J C Whitney) air conditioning was disconnected by the previous owner.
Reportedly, nohing was wrong with it, he disconnected it for "restoration reasons".
Good news, all the components are there, so it should be repairable at least,
Also it's rated at 12,500BTU so it should work Awesome, even in AZ the heat once fixed.

The engine is strong, it has the stereotypical worn out throttle linkage which every mazda truck I've owned had.
separate post on a cheap/improvised fix for that coming soon.
New clutch installed by the previous owner,
new brakes (4 wheel dual cylinder drums) done by a shop in Vegas
The factory Philco AM radio is still in it (needs reconnected), looking for either a kraco am/fm/cb, or maybe a GM version to replace it.
It needs the seat re-padded/Re-Upholstered thanks to leaving the door open and having an untrained dog.

And to top it off.
It already had a slide in type camper in it before, so I know it handle it now.
So let the repair segment of the project begin!
First picture is in the P.O. garage.
Second is the first pic in Phoenix.

Very cool!  Is it as clean as it looks, because I don't really see any dents/rust on it in those pictures.  Here in Michigan, that's not actually possible unless a vehicle lives indoors, is washed at least once a week, and is never taken outside in the winter...

[superduder]

I'm officially the second owner, The son-in-law had it for the past year.
It does have a pretty decent dent in the drivers door, garage incident, it should be repairable without too much metal work.
There's some pretty serious sun fade/bake, and sand wear on the paint, pics of the interior will show the original shade of red.
It's been a Las Vegas truck it's whole life, and only has around 65K miles on the clock.

I wish (not a joke this is sincere) J.C. Whitney was still around.
Anyone else remember when you could order complete bench seats, or padded re-upholstery kits from them?
I'll post more pics tomorrow to better show the condition of the truck.
J

[flybynight]

https://www.carparts.com/vehicle/1973/Ford/Courier/Base/4_Cyl_1-dot-8L


I miss J C Whitney too. Did not even know they were gone till a couple years ago. Which kinda explains why they are gone.

[superduder]

https://www.carparts.com/vehicle/1973/Ford/Courier/Base/4_Cyl_1-dot-8L


I miss J C Whitney too. Did not even know they were gone till a couple years ago. Which kinda explains why they are gone.

Sorry,carparts (dot) com isn't even helping.
I'd stand a better chance talking to someone at Jo Ann Fabrics.

[flybynight]

Sorry  you mentioned headliners and I saw they had them

[Nyte]

Okay, got the '73 Courier.
Drove it 6hrs in 107 degree heat from Vegas to Phoenix where it now sits.
The "Frigette" (read J C Whitney) air conditioning was disconnected by the previous owner.
Reportedly, nohing was wrong with it, he disconnected it for "restoration reasons".
Good news, all the components are there, so it should be repairable at least,
Also it's rated at 12,500BTU so it should work Awesome, even in AZ the heat once fixed.

The engine is strong, it has the stereotypical worn out throttle linkage which every mazda truck I've owned had.
separate post on a cheap/improvised fix for that coming soon.
New clutch installed by the previous owner,
new brakes (4 wheel dual cylinder drums) done by a shop in Vegas
The factory Philco AM radio is still in it (needs reconnected), looking for either a kraco am/fm/cb, or maybe a GM version to replace it.
It needs the seat re-padded/Re-Upholstered thanks to leaving the door open and having an untrained dog.

And to top it off.
It already had a slide in type camper in it before, so I know it handle it now.
So let the repair segment of the project begin!
First picture is in the P.O. garage.
Second is the first pic in Phoenix.

That looks like a hell of a fun project!

[superduder]

I know I said "tomorrow" but I got busy.
I've decided that (after being ordered to wear a mask at an open air tetanus factory)
that I will be re-covering my own seats.

For my base/foam retention layer I'm using a wool blanket left in the truck when I bought it.
This layer is put on the frame or springs of the seat to help the longevity of the foam or other padding used on automotive seats.
I'll also be using a moving blanket under the foam, the foam is the only part I have to buy new.
So a trip to Jo-Ann will be happening.

Attached to this post are pics of the seat back "before" And "After"
as well as pictures of the zip ties (yup, using free zip ties to re upholster my truck seat.)
"craft clips" from Dollar Tree which I used to "hem" the fabric (blanket) while tying it to the frame,
Which would normally be done with twistix, or hog rings, but I'm too cheap to pay for a hog ring kit.

I can post more pics if anyone needs any more info on how this was done.
Report filed, hope this can maybe help someone.
J

[RoneKiln]

That's a big improvement.

I saw a little mazda truck the same color as yours sitting on the side of the freeway the other day and wondered how this project was going.

[superduder]

That's a big improvement.

I saw a little mazda truck the same color as yours sitting on the side of the freeway the other day and wondered how this project was going.

Other than everything costing like 3-4X what it would have cost eighteen months ago, Pretty good.
Seems like the only thing cheap or free on this project is my physical labor.

Scrounging for ingredients for this mechanical stew is definitely challenging.
After the seat, title, smog, and registration, I really need to do something about the 4 wheel drum brakes...
And the lefty tighty lug nuts on the (tries to remember which side Left or Right... cue Jeopardy music...) one side of the truck.
Big plans, hopefully Big successes ahead as well.
J