Used Can Opener on Ranger

[adsm08]

Thats a really cool thing you did.....i like it....but...

Not exactly what I was thinking.

Wont that seriously comprimise the structrual integrity of the cab and box?

This is closer to what I was thinking.

 

[Blown]

I did consider structural integrity. I am sure cutting it out did reduce the strength, however I did make large radius corners with 1/8" flat steel welded to the existing sheet metal. That in effect triangulated the corners. Then I ran a 4" strip across the bottom of the cab and glued/riveted a 4" wide strip around the inside of the shell. It is pretty solid. I have considered putting in a smallish diameter roll bar, but am not worried about it. If you rolled with an intact cab it's going to come in on you without a roll bar anyway. The side impacts should be absorbed by the piece I welded across the bottom. I did this to my first vehicle, a Chevy Luv, which I drove for years and inspected visually for cracks in the sheet metal and such. It lasted till I finally scrapped it.

I found that Home depot has "Sound Choice" a sound dampening material in 1/2" X 4' X 8' sheets for $11.97. It also has an "R" value of 1.32. I was going to use plywood for the sides but now think I will get a couple of sheets of this stuff, one for the bed and one for the sides. Then I will see if I need to do something with the fender wells.

I sniffed the "Peal and Seal" and found all but one had an asphalt smell. It was thinner so I do not think it would work so good for sound dampening. I'd like to get a hold of some stuff like they put on the front of the front of the bed. It's 1/8" and was obviously put there to deaden noise from that large sheet metal panel. I am going to weld-in a support under the largest panel in the bed. I can beat on it like a huge bass drum, cutting it to helf the size effectively should reduce the sound level and lowness of the note.

I am 6'2" and can now stretch-out as well as have access to all the goodies I keep in the cab of the truck without getting out. I can also step between the seats and enter the back without opening a door.

 

[Blown]

Sweet build.

Makes me miss my camper van. It's nice to be able to pull in somewhere and climb in the back to sleep without having to climb over seats, or exit the vehicle.

Ed Zachary

I like it, but I can imagine wanting to be able to curtain it off this winter.

Thanks!


This is the cab section I cut out:

This is the structural member I cut, Note it is not double thick. It only appears that way because that is where the sides tied-in:

This is the goo with metal backing Ford used to help with sound on the front of the front of the bed:

 

[Blown]

The foil backed goo for roofing contains asphalt, so it stinks. I found window wrapping is not as stinky so has more butyl rubber. It still has a bit of asphalt smell so I won't use it inside. It is much less expensive than automotive products but also much thinner. I am going to try it by doubling it up.

 

[Blown]

The shell itself is making a large bass sound, I give, it's not bad.

Feast your eyes on the sin bin!

It's the size of a double bed, of course the fenders wells are under the blanket.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I made a sliding shelf for my work truck. That could give you extra storage room while leaving the bed usable.

 

[Blown]

I also thought of that, seems pretty simple to do, but I don't think I would use it. It would have made a bigger sleeping bed as well, but I would lose the head room. I also don't haul stuff often. I did today though, threw a tarp in the back of the truck and hauled 8 bags of bedding soil today. I can remove the foam, sound board, and carpet if I want to do so, but no problem hauling what I did today. I also got my sound board in the truck with the tailgate and shell closed, a full 4X8 sheet.

The sound board helped a bit with the noise. Now the roof of the shell is the noisiest. I am thinking a roof rack would help break-up the large area, to dampen the sound a bit and would be useful. I have one off of the old Explorer. Of course it would also serve for longer camping trips with more gear.

 

[ford4thot]

What if you just glued a large fitted sheet of that foam board to the roof of the shell

 

[Blown]

Really? The sound dampening material I got cheap was best behind sheetrock in the interior of a building. I is like low density particle board and melts in water. I pulled it an am back to using floor matting under my pad and carpet.

I got side tracked by good weather and built a Center Console and Woofer Box:

Today I got the sides done the corner cut-outs are for the stock tie downs:

It still needs the interior boot wrap, and I may add some little shelves

 

[Doofy]

I'd glue the thin speaker-box carpet to the ceiling of the canopy and call it DONE ! Very nice job.

 

[Blown]

Thanks
The Shell is carpeted.
I don't know if it will ever be done, I am always tinkering.

 

[chewy012]

That looks dope! I've always wonder what doing something like would look like. How did you seal the gap?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Blown]

That looks dope! I've always wonder what doing something like would look like. How did you seal the gap?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

I am digging it for quick overnight camping trips.

I got a butyl rubber accordian boot seal.


I used 1/8" X 4" steel plate to round out the corners, match the shell opening and cab opening to each other, and to provide structural riggiditity to the openings. I welded it to the sheet metal and bonded the shell plate to the fiberglass with construction adhesive.

trimmed and accordian seal installed

__________________
AWD, Part time 4X4, Banshee Blown 4.0, "F" torsion bars & cut leaves with air shocks, 3" widened track, walk through too camper shell, Explorer rear axle (disk brakes) and custom center console.

 

[chewy012]

Welp, I'm convinced. Some truck, some day, I will do this. That looks awesome.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Blown]

To be safe, like with a van, you got to be responsible in containing and tying down what you are hauling. I have always been one to strap down stuff in the back of my truckreal good. I rolled a fullsize Bronco and everything stayed put, wel, 'cept for a large toolbox, ripped the ratchet straps on a hard 90 corner and it came loose.