Safari Pacific MX2 Build

[schanusa]

Current Status

Progress on the MX2 ( Before Mods | During Cab Extension | Current )

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Original Post
It's about time I started a thread for all my mods....so here it goes.... With the first set of mods already completed, I'm going to jump right into my second phase of modifications. The main goal of the second round is to prepare for a much larger adventure that I'm currently planning. To drive around the world. :smiley_drive:

First things first, removing the old camper shell. It served its function well, but its time to move on. I've crawled through the cab into the camper one to many times and have broken a few interior parts while climbing through. With a few big trips now under my belt I can see new ways to make things much easier as well, especially in gear storage. Attached are two photos. One is the last shot of the camper in use. The second is the rough concept for the new cage to fit on the bed. The new "cage" concept, for lack of better words, will have a low profile and will contain many storage compartments.

To solve my problem of crawling through windows I'm going to toss on an Eezi-Awn tent, but not in an ordinary fashion. The tent will be mounted on sliders level with the truck's bed inside the cage. When I'm ready to camp I can slide out the tent. Once pulled out on the passenger side, the tent will unfold as usual. My idea is to keep the tent lower to the ground while maximizing space above the tent when stashed away.

Storage areas will consist of:
- An upper rack, over the Eezi-Awn,
- Large enclosed box for tools and parts just behind the cab
- Rolling storage boxes under the "cage" accessible from the tailgait

Another idea I'm playing around with is to have a canvas cover made to hide everything inside.

More to come as I plan and start building.... All comments/critiques welcome

I started the most difficult part of the modifications this monday. Adding 2 feet onto the rear of the cab and building a small inner cage. I'll post photos as I start to tear into it. The extra 2 feet will contain a future closet and pantry. The exact design is not worked out yet. I'll figure that out once the cab and cage is mostly completed.

Should be fun cutting apart the cab....right? :yikes: I'm a little nervous, so wish me luck...


This is what it should look like when completed........

 

[schanusa]

H...e...r...e.... I go... Monday I started chopping up the bed without my body guys. They're a bit busy. Besides, how bad can I mess up..... First I pulled the bed of the truck with a forklift. Next came the sticker removal.

Now since I'm adding two feet onto the cab, I will be removing the front portions of the bed for filler material. Easier for keeping the body lines. Leaving 2 inches near the front allows me to keep the original curve around the backside of the bed.

These are the two sections cut from the bed fenders.

Next I drill out all the spot welds holding the boxes' backing and end caps.

Using a dead-blow and chisel I separate the two pieces.

 

[schanusa]

Backing removed.

I use a laser level to determine the exact line to cut over the wheel well and other curves in the bed's box. The lines at the bottom were measured at 48 inches.

Double checking myself and making sure the cut would be accurate near the top.

Now I simply trace the laser line, then repeat on the other side.

The bed is cut to size. In the background you can see the portion removed.

 

[schanusa]

I clean up the edges and start fitting the backing portion to the bed.

Not too shabby if I do say so myself. I'll start welding and bracing in the next few days.

 

[schanusa]

Right, back to work.... After measuring the portions removed to add onto the cab I realize, the wheel well will be 3 inches off. I'll have to scrounge some body parts from a junk yard to complete the cab.

I needed material for welding the backside to the bed, so I used the pieces intended for the cab. I cut two 1 inch strips.

The strips are placed and tack welded inside of the bedsides. This will keep the two exterior pieces closely aligned, resulting in less body filler. Got this tip from my friend.

Strip tacked in place. When I cut the bedsides I didn't cut them completely strait. Around the wheel well there is a small ridge that I wanted to keep. You may see the slight curve near the bottom of the bedside.

After the small strips are tacked in place I start aligning the backside piece.

 

[schanusa]

The seems are welded up completely.

Then ground to a semi-smooth finsh.

I refit the bed onto the chassis to start aligning new bolt holes. There will need to be a new brace build along the front as well.

The entire bed has been done by myself and its my first time doing any bodywork... Now I'm feeling confident enough to attempt the cab.... we'll see what happens...hehe

 

[compleckz]

awesome! looking forward to following this

 

[odie1969]

wow nice job. and if you need any help just send me a p,m I live right down the road, I'm not very skilled but I can learn pretty fast, and play go4. plus I only work 11days a month.

 

[DRangerd]

awesome! looking forward to following this

X2 !

Concept pic looks great, keep up the pics.........

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Looking awsome!

 

[Bray D]

very nice, looking forward to following the progress.

 

[OldRedB2_84]

looks good, ill be following too! It almost looks like you could put a extended-cab cab on it and modify it to flow with the wheel well lines.

 

[dusto2]

wow that is goin to be bad ass when done, i have always thought about putting a b2 body on a extended cab frame and graffting bed sides on to it but yours looks like it is going to be sweet

 

[Branman]

Looks good.

 

[ZMan]

cool!