Jack's new truck

[Imurphy907]

Okay that makes sense. Guess I missed that on the first video. I was to focused on "hey that compartment is shallow" instead of looking at the truck.

[Jack Mayer]

Correct...it it the fuel tank. The battery-based APU is the root cause. And I'm not getting rid of that, although there was thought given to putting in a mini-split system and selling the apu. But in the end, we kept the apu. We shot completed video yesterday.....stay tuned. The bed came out about how I wanted. It pulled together nicely. I'd tweek a few minor things, but this second gen bed worked out well.  Lots of innovations in it.

[Jack Mayer]

Here is a link to a photo album with an overview of the bed.  LINK

Any questions, feel free to ask.

[Sculptor]

12 minutes ago, Jack Mayer said:

Any questions, feel free to ask.

You made 2 of these, correct?   

 

Beautiful job Mr Mayer!!

[Jack Mayer]

Just now, Sculptor said:

You made 2 of these, correct?   

 

Beautiful job Mr Mayer!!

This is the first one. We will build a minor variant of this for anyone that wants one.  On the "two", you may be thinking about drom boxes - those we're building two more of at the moment. 

[Sculptor]

1 minute ago, Jack Mayer said:

This is the first one. We will build a minor variant of this for anyone that wants one.  On the "two", you may be thinking about drom boxes - those we're building two more of at the moment. 

I meant 1 for ME.   Would help some if I owned a truck to put my new box on though.   

[Av8r3400]

Once you go "full production" we should see the price drop down to $1200 for one of these, right?

 

[Darryl&Rita]

Not a fan of the latches mounted on top of the rear latches, water tends to accumulate, and overwhelm the shaft seal. Same with the tie-down rings. Unless these are meant to be used as wet storage. What's the intent of the expanded metal lath inside the rear storage bays? What goes into the reinforced holes in the doors?

[Jack Mayer]

Just now, Darryl&Rita said:

Not a fan of the latches mounted on top of the rear latches, water tends to accumulate, and overwhelm the shaft seal. Same with the tie-down rings. Unless these are meant to be used as wet storage. What's the intent of the expanded metal lath inside the rear storage bays? What goes into the reinforced holes in the doors?

Correct, it is wet storage on this bed.  In future beds we may tighten up the water seal, but it is hard to fight water coming in around top seals. So it will always be best as wet storage. We intended to hold off on this specific compartment on this build, but did it because it eased some of the welding access. Plus got us the compartments we wanted. So it was a mid-stream change. In the future it will be all solid metal bottom - no expanded metal. Latch will still be on top since it is wet storage, but there's enough room to put it on the face of the rear. The other wet storage is under the hitch. That really comes in handy for a bunch of stuff.  The tiedown rings will not be in the lid in the future. 

The holes hold the grab bars for the steps. I should post a picture of them. The steps actually work quite well, and really don't take away any storage in this design. 

This bed is pretty embellished with features. It is a demonstration of "possibilities". But simpler versions can be done.

[HERO Maker]

Looks pretty sharp Jack!  Nice job.

[Darryl&Rita]

Honestly, the expanded metal is perfect for these 3 locations. I had a service body with a couple damp boxes that used it for the floor. Never had to worry about moisture accumulating, and causing rust or mold. The only negative is once it starts to get beaten out from carrying too much weight, the floor becomes wavy in a hurry.

[Jack Mayer]

8 minutes ago, Darryl&Rita said:

Honestly, the expanded metal is perfect for these 3 locations. I had a service body with a couple damp boxes that used it for the floor. Never had to worry about moisture accumulating, and causing rust or mold. The only negative is once it starts to get beaten out from carrying too much weight, the floor becomes wavy in a hurry.

No chance of too much weight in there. The floor was powder coated; base primer and two top coats. It should hold up...it is pretty scratch resistant. Having driven through some rain already, the box stayed pretty dry. I was surprised how well it resisted water. Of course, it will always have some in it and has plenty of drainage. 

[lappir]

Great looking truck

 

Rod

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

The Viair pump-  To air up the truck or for checking tires and such?

Nice layout.  The boxes pulling out of the back make great use of otherwise wasted space.

[RickS]

Jack......truck looks great!! The built in steps are a great idea and should work good when trailer is not connected but may not be that good with the overhang of the 5th right in that area.

[lockmup68]

vi-air compressor? Looks sweet. So are you in Kansas now? 

[lockmup68]

Sorry, saw the pics after I posted on the Viair. 

Are the led lights on the steps marker and stop lights? If so, where can I get them? Come in Amber? Need a mid turn signal on the long bed.

[Jack Mayer]

Yes it is a Viair compressor. It is plumbed into the wet tank. I also have output/input to the tanks from the quick connect air chuck you see in one of the pictures. The "intent" is to:

1) allow the Viair to keep the suspension up on an overnight boondock stop. That would allow you to drop your trailer legs for stability if you wanted, without the risk of hanging the truck from the trailer. I'll admit this is not something you would do with the Viair if it was the only use for it (or not something I'd do)

2) The Viair can supply air via the tanks without running the truck. Essentially using the truck tanks for storage.

3) You can fill the tanks with shop air - there is an "input" quick connect

4) you can use the tanks for output air via a separate quick connect. 

The lights in the steps are LED marker lights. Single function, mini-lights (3/4"). These are red, but they come in clear/red, clear/amber, red, amber. Available at 4 States and lots of other places. I know of no 3/4" multi-function lights. If anyone has seen those please let me know.

[lockmup68]

Thanks for the info. Agree, can't find small marker/turn led's. 

[ALLOY]

Truck looks fantastic!  The 3 LED in a black background along with the taillights make for a great look. Thumbs up for the cut down sides on the back drawers.

[Chad Heiser]

Very nice.  I'm looking forward to seeing your ideas on a "short bed" version for those of us who don't want to haul a Smart.

[Rick & Alana]

10 hours ago, Jack Mayer said:

Yes it is a Viair compressor. It is plumbed into the wet tank. I also have output/input to the tanks from the quick connect air chuck you see in one of the pictures. The "intent" is to:

1) allow the Viair to keep the suspension up on an overnight boondock stop. That would allow you to drop your trailer legs for stability if you wanted, without the risk of hanging the truck from the trailer. I'll admit this is not something you would do with the Viair if it was the only use for it (or not something I'd do)

2) The Viair can supply air via the tanks without running the truck. Essentially using the truck tanks for storage.

3) You can fill the tanks with shop air - there is an "input" quick connect

4) you can use the tanks for output air via a separate quick connect. 

The lights in the steps are LED marker lights. Single function, mini-lights (3/4"). These are red, but they come in clear/red, clear/amber, red, amber. Available at 4 States and lots of other places. I know of no 3/4" multi-function lights. If anyone has seen those please let me know.

Jack -Truck Lite 33203R    Red dual function with black grommet. They have some other flange options. last I knew a yellow dual function was not available. My internet connection is too slow to check right now. 

[Jack Mayer]

6 hours ago, Chad Heiser said:

Very nice.  I'm looking forward to seeing your ideas on a "short bed" version for those of us who don't want to haul a Smart.

I have a LOT of ideas on that, Chad, since I've owned such a truck. Ours was a daily driver 610 with a 182" wheelbase. We used it for three years as our only vehicle while fulltiming.  I'd LOVE to build a modern version of that truck.

Actually, just shortening up my existing bed would make for a pretty cool look. I don't know if the steps being ALL bedlined would be as appropriate on the shorter version. Maybe just the treads of the steps. But the rest should "translate over" intact. 

Here is my 610. It was a great truck. I owned it for 10 years, and put VERY little money into repairs. 

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

And add a Drom for extra storage.

I love, within reason, our short 610.  There have been times though that having a longer wheelbase would smooth the ride some.  

[Jack Mayer]

For sure I would include a drom. And you could still carry a motorcycle.