Truck Camping

[bassman018]

Alright, I am going to be driving soon and my dad is going to give me his 87 Chevy Custom Deluxe. I has a chipping spray in liner and, and old board in the bed, I want to fix it up some and camp in it, I only have a few hundred bucks and want to build a platform and shell for it, can any one help me with this? also would I be better of with buying a cheap used shell, i just cant find one that would fit my truck. Also does any one have a way to clean the bed out and get all the gunk and peeled paint out of it?

[Bassn Blvd]

You mean something like this?

[bassman018]

nah, Its like a 1/2 or 3/4 ton. but seriously, any one have some tips for a homemade shell ond to clean up the bed?

[Stasher1]

Alright, I am going to be driving soon and my dad is going to give me his 87 Chevy Custom Deluxe. I has a chipping spray in liner and, and old board in the bed, I want to fix it up some and camp in it, I only have a few hundred bucks and want to build a platform and shell for it, can any one help me with this? also would I be better of with buying a cheap used shell, i just cant find one that would fit my truck. Also does any one have a way to clean the bed out and get all the gunk and peeled paint out of it?

Why limit yourself to a shell? They're a pain to install by yourself, a pain to remove by yourself...and you'll have to take the dang thing off way more than you'd expect. If you expect to be able to actually haul anything in the back of your truck, it'll have to come off.

Pick up one of these: http://www.tentsfortrucks.com/ and a decent air mattress. You could be camping comfortably for less than $250.

I have the SUV/Minivan tent shown at the bottom of the page.

[bassman018]

I want the shell so that way I can show up to camp and walk to the back of the truck and have every thing setup, also you need to clear out the whole bed for some of the tents.

[Lund Explorer]

I want the shell so that way I can show up to camp and walk to the back of the truck and have every thing setup, also you need to clear out the whole bed for some of the tents.

First thing I'd do is take a hard look at how much rust this truck might have.... Visible and up underneath it.  My Son-in-Law still has my old '86 Chevy, and he simply bought a replacement box for it.  It was a lot cheaper than doing all the repair work.  I'll have to ask him where this place was (KY I think).  But it was in like new condition, primed, and ready for a paint job.

If you decide to just repair, I'm pretty sure you'll need to sandblast the interior of the box to remove a spray on bedliner, and then either prime/paint it, or respray in a new one.

Also, back in those model years, they called those shells "Toppers" around here.  Most were made with aluminum, so I'm thinking most have hit the recycle yard by now.  You might have to build from scratch.  In that case, I'd look around for plans for the older style truck campers.  They might show you the secret to framing with 1"x4" stock to keep the weight down.

[bassman018]

well, It has your typical amount of rust, just some be the wheel wells, and a little in some holes in the bed, Would a liner be a good option, How much are they? and Also I was considering making my own shell, that way I could make in higher in places. for more head riim, I also saw some plans for the Platform. And how should I make the cap water tight to the bad? Rubber strips? And I saw on youtube tha a guy attached a cap to his truck with small C-Clamps. Is that a good Idea? Thanks for the help guys.

[Senkoman12]

well, It has your typical amount of rust, just some be the wheel wells, and a little in some holes in the bed, Would a liner be a good option, How much are they? and Also I was considering making my own shell, that way I could make in higher in places. for more head riim, I also saw some plans for the Platform. And how should I make the cap water tight to the bad? Rubber strips? And I saw on youtube tha a guy attached a cap to his truck with small C-Clamps. Is that a good Idea? Thanks for the help guys.

my dad used c clamps for years to attach his cap on his 92 and 97 dodge dakota and never hand a problem

[bassman018]

Alright, thanks senko man, And does any one know how or if it is a good idea to build a shell?

[Lund Explorer]

well, It has your typical amount of rust, just some be the wheel wells, and a little in some holes in the bed, Would a liner be a good option, How much are they? and Also I was considering making my own shell, that way I could make in higher in places. for more head riim, I also saw some plans for the Platform. And how should I make the cap water tight to the bad? Rubber strips? And I saw on youtube tha a guy attached a cap to his truck with small C-Clamps. Is that a good Idea? Thanks for the help guys.

I talked to him at lunch and he said he paid $450 for one.  Not rust, no bondo, and fully primed.  He said there are a number of places south of the "rust line" that have them.  Maybe West Virginia?

As far as creating a seal between the box and the topper, I used 1" wide foam that had a sticky side that went onto the box.  C-Clamps are easy, just one in each corner.

When you get ready to get started, post some before and after pics.

[Lund Explorer]

Alright, thanks senko man, And does any one know how or if it is a good idea to build a shell?

You might get a good idea by simply typing a google search: "Pennsylvania truck caps".  It wouldn't hurt to visit a local dealer to see how they are made and give you an idea of what you'll need to do.

[bassman018]

Thanks for the tips guys!