grendel Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. This is where the problem comes in... I am a gear head. I can't have normal anything. Everything gets modified. I bought a dually crew cab Denali. Guess what, with five kids it's not that comfortable, even though it will tow just fine with it's 415hp 900ft lb Allison backed Duramax. Kids have to go to bathroom, get hungry, etc. Dog is not comfortable and I can't even seat everyone. DId I mention I can't have anything normal? I couldn't find a HDT I like. I sort of like Pete 379's but the sleepers are ho-hum. So, my friend RoosterBooster and I are building a HDT based RV to pull my camper and race car stacker. Enter in "Diamond Jim". A 1958 Diamond T model 923 re-built in the mid 1970's by "Junky Jim" to haul (of all things) rail road cars. Yep... 1970's Mack chassis with buck board springs, 22" tires, 2 speed rear, Road Ranger 13 speed, Cummins 250, 44 ton winch and a hydraulic system to run the boom mounted on a big Dayton hitch that hydraulically changes height. The design for the truck has evolved as the canvas presents itself, but we have that figured out now. 300" WB. Yes, you read that right. We're using a custom Adams 100psi steel frame. Peterbuilt Low air leaf rear suspension from a 2014 Peterbuilt 386 Glider I bought. Same Pete 386 front springs, but on 1994 Peterbuilt 379 front frame horns, with the variable ratio steering box from a later 379. Cat 3406B in 650hp spec. Yep, no computers. Super 10 transmission. Dual Eaton 38K rears with 3.30 gears and lockers in both axles Super single rears. 13.5' custom sleeper designed to haul 7 people comfortably, but camp 2 for 2 weeks. It's based on 1950's Spartan trailers, but built with 1/8" aluminum and 1/4" huckbolts. My kids call it Fortress Jim now. It will have a fridge, stove, bathroom and all amenities of a high end coach but still haul anything I want. My wife wanted a tiny house. This is my version of it. Rooster says it's his truck's bigger brother. This is where we are today, attaching the cab to the sleeper and installing the drive train. It will have a custom bed on the back that follows the lines of the front and blends the sleeper into the over all profile. Some of you have seen this on another rougher site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldFlySwatter Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Well.... I ain't never... and further more, couldn't if I wanted to. WOW!, IMPRESIVE. Keep up the good work, can't wait to see the end results. Like we say around here..."You ain't skeered of nothing." Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted December 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Well.... I ain't never... and further more, couldn't if I wanted to. WOW!, IMPRESIVE. Keep up the good work, can't wait to see the end results. Like we say around here..."You ain't skeered of nothing." Ed It's taken a bit of custom tooling... a military crane, a bunch of custom (RoosterBooster Built) benders, z flanged aluminum, 6'x12' aluminum 1/8" thick sheeting, one 1955 Spartan Imperial Mansion for detail parts. Oh and a bunch of crazy dudes to put it all together. Most stuff is one off, but built for the long road ahead. The tail end of the sleeper: Side detail: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdonlybob Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 WOW...just plain WOW. Keep us in pics. Cheers, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollytrolley Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Are you sure that a Volvo is not hiding in there somewhere.......... Keep bucking those rivets...... Drive on.........(Old timer.......late model) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted December 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Are you sure that a Volvo is not hiding in there somewhere.......... Keep bucking those rivets...... Drive on.........(Old timer.......late model) I am positive there's no Volvo in there. Almost installed a Volvo air ride front but my friend needed it more than I did. We're using a Huck bolt, so no rivet bucking... the gun does it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Welcome to the forum nice build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Welcome and WOW ! That is a nice project. Hope to be able to see it in person some time. Keep up the good work and post more pics! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 LOL. Rougher site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncohauler Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Awesome looking build! you can always tell Rooster Boosters custom ART work. Please keep the pictures coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyA Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 The original truck pic indicates a lot of TLC prior to your ownership. Really neat! Power Steering, air conditioning and HID headlights in the works too - I hope? How many hours are currently in the build? I think your project goes beyond simple gear-head classification . Glad to learn you still have a wife. How did you find time to have the kids? Welcome to the dark side. You know we love stories about projects such as yours. Looking forward to more pics as your project progresses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted December 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 The original truck pic indicates a lot of TLC prior to your ownership. Really neat! Power Steering, air conditioning and HID headlights in the works too - I hope? How many hours are currently in the build? I think your project goes beyond simple gear-head classification . Glad to learn you still have a wife. How did you find time to have the kids? Welcome to the dark side. You know we love stories about projects such as yours. Looking forward to more pics as your project progresses. Full APU, full LED lights, including JW Speaker LED headlights. Probably 400 hours. My wife thinks it's great, I am never far from the house, not drinking at bars, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beyerjf Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 You have a lot more energy than I have. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTPA Announcer Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 That Sir looks fantastic !! Please keep us in pictures so we can watch this "one-of-a-kind" come alive. Congratulations, and as was said before Welcome to the dark side.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenacres Posted December 26, 2015 Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 I think I can hear another Johnny Cash song in the making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 " Like " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldRush Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted December 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 I think I can hear another Johnny Cash song in the making. One piece at a time works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky242 Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 Very Cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 Awesome! Subscribed and looking forward to more updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gell Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 Wow! Please post lots of photos for us to drool over. I would also like to see it in person when you finish. Glad you joined us here on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevekk Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 Nice. I am subscribing too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblr Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 Like everyone else, all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!! Now if it was only ready for the ECR what a way to show it off. Good luck and keep the pictures coming, great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Wilma Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 You came to the right group for therapy but you have a severe case and the treatment will require many sessions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Refuzn-To-Grow-Up Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. This is where the problem comes in... I am a gear head. I can't have normal anything. Everything gets modified. I bought a dually crew cab Denali. Guess what, with five kids it's not that comfortable, even though it will tow just fine with it's 415hp 900ft lb Allison backed Duramax. Kids have to go to bathroom, get hungry, etc. Dog is not comfortable and I can't even seat everyone. DId I mention I can't have anything normal? I couldn't find a HDT I like. I sort of like Pete 379's but the sleepers are ho-hum. Grendel - Not meaning to hijack your post, but have you seen this post. http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=112608 I, like you, have too many projects (but not enough time). Sadly, the GEAR HEAD RESTING PLACE has taken a "back seat" to all of my other projects, for now. BTW I love your project. I hope to see it some day, on the road or at a rally. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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