motorhome convert to pickup

[muddstopper]

I have seen a ford camper to flatbed conversion before. I dont know who did the actual conversion, but they did a really good job of closeing in the back of the cab. What they did was found a old ford truck, of same year, and cut the back of the cab off and welded it to the camper cab. If you didnt know it was a conversion, it was hard to tell it wasnt a original ford truck cab. They built a flatbed and put on the chassis and made a really good hauler. A chevy van might nto be as similar to a regular cab as the ford cab was, so it might not be as easy . As for the chevy camper, I think you will find that the rear axle is actually a little narrower than a standard dually axle. Not as wide as a standard dual wheel ton truck either. This is going to make it harder to put a dually bed on unless you use adapters/spacers. This will vary according to year, but something you need to measure before spending money. As long as you can do the body work, converting it to a flat bed isnt that bad of a job, but paying for body work might make it un-economical.

 

[stevecobb76]

the van cab is NOT going to stay.. I am a pick up guy and I want the cab space mostly so I can put my office back there and or crawl in and take a nap!

priorities:
1 get camper body off & floor off
2 get fuel pump rubber hose thingy fixed without dropping tank (again)
3 test drive and check for dependability for a month or so (2 x 55 gallon barrels of water for traction)
4 remove van body and install pickup body (I dont care. I will do the paperwork.. vans suck)
5 install flatbed (angle iron & expanded metal welded)
6 install sliding removable 5th wheel hitch & goose neck hitch & reese hitch

 

[franklin2]

the van cab is NOT going to stay.. I am a pick up guy and I want the cab space mostly so I can put my office back there and or crawl in and take a nap!

priorities:
1 get camper body off & floor off
2 get fuel pump rubber hose thingy fixed without dropping tank (again)
3 test drive and check for dependability for a month or so (2 x 55 gallon barrels of water for traction)
4 remove van body and install pickup body (I dont care. I will do the paperwork.. vans suck)
5 install flatbed (angle iron & expanded metal welded)
6 install sliding removable 5th wheel hitch & goose neck hitch & reese hitch

I didn't know you were getting rid of the van body. Are you sure this is possible? I thought the steering was different, you are pretty much sitting on top of the front wheels in a van, the engine is beside you. Lots of things are different.

I hate working on vans, some things are not very accessible. But look at all the cargo space you gain by putting your self up front with such a short hood, and all that area behind you for all types of uses.

 

[stevecobb76]

I didn't know you were getting rid of the van body. Are you sure this is possible? I thought the steering was different, you are pretty much sitting on top of the front wheels in a van, the engine is beside you. Lots of things are different.

I hate working on vans, some things are not very accessible. But look at all the cargo space you gain by putting your self up front with such a short hood, and all that area behind you for all types of uses.

yes I will have to change the steering box and shaft but I can get it off the truck that I get the body from. I hate working on vans too.
they suck...

and if cargo space is any kind of issue, I am pretty sure that I could pull a trailer without any issues.

I just found out that a buddy of mine had a seizure and cant drive so he is selling me his early 90's chevy 2500hd.

 

[BHD]

I would suggest take the van put the back on it and sell it and then buy a pickup of your choosing,

 

[bindian]

I would suggest take the van put the back on it and sell it and then buy a pickup of your choosing,

That ain't no fun. Projects are for fun and to make something useful.
hugs, Brandi

 

[CNC Dan]

That ain't no fun. Projects are for fun and to make something useful.
hugs, Brandi

'Atta girl.

 

[BHD]

I have not tried a van to pick up conversion, but the few "conversions" I have tried, were a lot more complex and expensive than ever expected, more problems than ever expected,

your talking about reliably, and usability, if you wanted to swap parts (engine etc.), I could under stand that, but your biting off a big chunk, and looking for a lot of challenge,

 

[hr3]

son and I are cutting down a 70's motor home and are making a car carrier out of it.. What you are about to do is a piece of cake and should be fun..

 

[bindian]

'Atta girl.

:laughing::laughing::laughing: I really don't understand folks that tell others they shouldn't do a project. That just makes me more determined to do it.
hugs, Brandi