Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
NASTYZEN, your work is 'Al-RIGHT'! 
Topkick fifth wheel hauler project
- Thread starter NASTYZEN
- Start date
Looking good Claude! You're bound to get some referral work on that one, I'm sure there are others that would like to bring an extra two wheels along.
Hey thanks Robert. If I ever take another on like this, it will have to be over a longer period, say 6 months turn around. I've been working 7 days a week util 9 for a little over 3 months and I'm getting a little tired...I can't even lurk on here like I would like.
Well, it's back in the shop today and it's got to be done by next week, cause I'm taking a holiday no matter what.
Thank you.
Yes, that's what I'll do for the doors with frames. I'll just bend up another for the rear box.
Thank you, yes the owner is ******* himself happy.
He tell's me people would come over and ask questions and comment about it all the time when he pulled over for gas. People were asking him for my business card...
NASTYZEN, your work is 'Al-RIGHT'!
Thanks man.
Zengineer
Well-known member
Any chance you can find some "help" when you get these big projects? Even if you can flip someone a few bucks cash to be an extra set of hands here and there to help speed you along on the bigger projects...
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
I forgot to look when I last got an update email... Some fine work there sir! It really came together!!
So is that airplane glue okay with the welding heat? It must be. That's pretty cool to see, I figured you would have to weld all the frame support sections individually from the bottom - PITA, to impossible depending on location!
Great work!!
So is that airplane glue okay with the welding heat? It must be. That's pretty cool to see, I figured you would have to weld all the frame support sections individually from the bottom - PITA, to impossible depending on location!
Great work!!
I've got my 17 year old helping me for the summer. That has helped a whole lot.
Thanks Sigma, no, the glue stinks and is not fine with heat!
We tried not to put any where we had to weld.
Here is how far I got this session.
Final welded the rh door frames.
Fit some skins. Has to be segmented. I can't bend all around or I couldn't get the skins on the doors.
The seal made the door real tight, so we had to bend the lip in a little and remove the inner lip of the door skin to get a proper fit.
The owner is pitching in and installed all the door handles.
I'll post some more when I get a minute.
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Strouty
Well-known member
It is looking awesome, can you post some overall pics when you get it out of the shop? I like the hinges too. Is it going to be color matched to the truck or is he painting it a different color?
musgofasta
Well-known member
How do you even begin to Bid/quote a price on something like this?
Number of hours + cost of materials?
Number of hours + cost of materials?
Glammers37
Well-known member
Nice work, been watching this build since the start.
Just got back from a short holiday and had a little time to update but imageshack is having issues. Later then.
Going to be black all over. For sure going to take shots when I'm finally done.
First you quote, then a bit later you throw all that out the window and double it. Then add a couple more weeks....We made a deal.
Thanks. I appreciate all the positive comments I've been getting all along this build. It helps.
Not even a, why the hell didn't you put the door on the other side man?? Or I know some one who does it this way or something.
Keep watching, there's gigs more.
Going to be black all over. For sure going to take shots when I'm finally done.
First you quote, then a bit later you throw all that out the window and double it. Then add a couple more weeks....We made a deal.
Thanks. I appreciate all the positive comments I've been getting all along this build. It helps.
Not even a, why the hell didn't you put the door on the other side man?? Or I know some one who does it this way or something.
Keep watching, there's gigs more.
jvitez
Well-known member
You Sir, are the Michaelangelo of aluminum! Simply spectacular! Many thanks for posting such a detailed thread. Magnifique!
Thank you jvitez. I wish I were more versed in story telling to properly narrate the build with words. Good thing I don't have to make a living out of it!
A little bit rested up after some R n R. Something to change a mans state of mind a little.
So on with the build.
With the bike and side doors done, it was time to re bend the rear box door with a 3/16'' gap all around for a better look. I had to match the contour which was a bit irregular or out of 90 on the sides after all the welding and gluing. A bit hard to do on a finger break.
One has to bend a little on one side, then a little on the other, gradually getting to 90 deg.
On a ram type press brake this is a piece of cake but a little tricky on a finger break.
Sides complete.
Long bends
Le door, toute plier
Test fit. Much better this time, but not perfect. I tried it on the other side for fun. Perfect fit!?
YES!
So I re bent the cover door, with a few tweeks and welded up the corners and added gussets to get a proper seal.
Made some drain holes and added some plastic tubing to rout out the water.
Hinges in place and ready for a door handle.
With the rear cover doors in place, it's now time for the left hand cargo door. Built in place to get the right fit.
Once the skin in place I used the Mig with a heat sink to weld the seams ,instead of Tig. I use the back stepping method.
This, so as to keep the distortion to a minimum. I would of destroyed it using Tig, much to slow. Mig is instant heat and you can travel quickly without inducing to much heat into the part.
This is how it looked at the end of this session.
So off he went on holiday again, blinding every one on the highway
with the unpainted Alu.
When He comes back, we'll finish up the fine details and rear bumper.
The man also needs side steps for the rig.
But, one more week of holiday first. Sanity break!
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Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
That is 'Oh so slick'!
So, is your customer going for the full polish finish? lol
So, is your customer going for the full polish finish? lol
MP&C
Well-known member
Looks good Claude, can't wait to see it in black paint!
e-tek
Well-known member
At risk of repeating what everyone else says - WOW! How much of that is from a pattern and how much is free-hand?
At the risk of also repeating myself thanks for the words guys.
Ed, I'm not sure I understand your question.
If you go back to post#01 You will find the picture that inspired the project. Pretty much went with that as a general design plus the needed physical space to fit the bike as a base. Built everything else around that envelope.
Made patterns and cut the parts out to fit. I guess all the hammer and dolly is free hand. No cnc here
I've never made one of these before most likely will never build another. In my line of work there,s no telling what the next phone call will bring in the shop.
Wouldn't that checker plate come in handy on top of the box? It would give some texture/grip to the structure in case someone needs to climb on top of it to fix something -- especially in wet conditions.
Been a while since I checked in. I have two things to say. .
1. It looks great, an awesome job.
2. I must apologize when you were trying to figure out how to do the doors, I should have posted some pics that I have on PB, it may have made it easier or gave you ideas. Sorry man.
Just a few random from the trucks at the FD. If you do anything else and want better pics of doors/seals just let me know. I do not want to hi jack but to give you idea of pics I have. . .
1. It looks great, an awesome job.
2. I must apologize when you were trying to figure out how to do the doors, I should have posted some pics that I have on PB, it may have made it easier or gave you ideas. Sorry man.
Just a few random from the trucks at the FD. If you do anything else and want better pics of doors/seals just let me know. I do not want to hi jack but to give you idea of pics I have. . .
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
WOW its definitely coming together! Nice work!!
Any progress ?
sberry
Banned
I get tired just looking at a few pics.
He's going to use anti slip tape here and there.
A little update.
Rear bumper time. Already had it bent by another shop because I'm limited to 4 feet with my brake. asked them for 120'' long and got 112' ! Grrrr! So I had to bend one of the corners anyway.
So now with the bumper bent into a U and knowing it's exact dimensions. I projected lines on the floor and laid up some cut lines.
Pre fit After tacking the ends on and some notching to clear the frame.
Once it was located I used 3 x 3 x 1/4 angle to mount it to the truck.
Le bumper!
Next up, side steps.
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aggierailroad
Well-known member
I guess we can add to the saying "one can never have enough clamps" to include "...or jacks"
Great work and even better use of jacks to align the bumper!
Great work and even better use of jacks to align the bumper!
ilovevocs
Well-known member
Another nice addition. Looking forward to seeing it finished as I am sure you are as well. Very nice work.
rslaback
Well-known member
No plans for a bumper hitch? Seems like a shame to not toss one on there.
Oggy
Well-known member
There's a receiver under the bumper, it's difficult to see because of the shadow the truck is casting.
Strouty
Well-known member
It is looking really nice, what color is it going to be painted?
Yeeha! Just finished!
Time for a few cold ones.
Don't worry, I took pictures, I'll be posting them later.
You can never have enough clamps or jacks. So true!
Thanks man.
Good eye Oggy!
Black, it's going to the paint guy tomorrow morning. Now I can get on with the rest of my life again!
He promised to come back to show me the finished product. That will be at least 3 weeks cause he's going on vacation again..
Cheers!!
Time for a few cold ones.
Don't worry, I took pictures, I'll be posting them later.
You can never have enough clamps or jacks.
So true!Thanks man.
Good eye Oggy!
Black, it's going to the paint guy tomorrow morning. Now I can get on with the rest of my life again!
He promised to come back to show me the finished product. That will be at least 3 weeks cause he's going on vacation again..
Cheers!!
Strouty
Well-known member
Congrats on finishing! Now you can go on a vacation. You have given us some awesome tips and ideas. I can't wait to start mine. It won't be nearly as nice as this one, but it is a work truck.
Sent by carrier pigeon.
Sent by carrier pigeon.
PCO6
Well-known member
Beautifully done Claude.
Stew
Stew
madjack
Well-known member
It has been a pleasure watching you work!
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
So, knowing what you know, would you do it again ? I am amazed at the work! Be kind of a shame to cover it all up in paint!!
Thanks, All done with the holidays already but the work load is down for now. I'll relax and upgrade the shop a little.
I look forward to seeing your project. Hope my rendition inspires more members to build stuff in there garages.
Beautifully done Claude.
Stew
Thank you Stew.
Glad your enjoying this.
I would change a few things having learned from this one. It would have to be over a longer period of time so as not to burn myself out but, yes, I'm such a *****, I would probably do it again...for more money.
The black paint should actually make the trimmings and hinges pop. We'll find out in about 3 weeks.
Check out the sophisticated lighting system on the existing side steps. Kind of a WTF!
We decided to more or less go with the same design but with a deeper bottom step. This is the first bend test.
After giving myself a hernia.
I got my teenager to help for the rest of the bending.
End plates.
Final assembly.
Pre fit.
Final welding of mounts.
Le side step.
Next up tail gate and finishing touches.
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michel
Well-known member
Wow, very much impressed Sir.
Only words that come to mind is
''Crisse de belle job!''
Only words that come to mind is
''Crisse de belle job!''
p_mori7
Well-known member
Beau Travail Claude !
Will that box end up costing more than the truck itself ?
Will that box end up costing more than the truck itself ?
Wow, very much impressed Sir.
Only words that come to mind is
''Crisse de belle job!''
Beau Travail Claude !
Will that box end up costing more than the truck itself ?
Hey, merci les gars.
Thank you guys.Not quite half.
Are you ready for the grand finale?
Cuz here it is.
Tailgate assembly on the bench.
Installed on the truck.
Even made it removable.
Finished up the latch assembly for the upper doors. I used solid rivets to attach the handle brkt.
The underside.
The adjustable striker plate.
Made some covers to hide the holes under the saddle.
And finally, a little trim.
The lighting was right.
The best picture of all! Aux revoir!!
Next up, the paint job...Not me
Thanks for watching guys!
Now I could get back to some unfinished threads I started, like the triplets of Belleville.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Absolutely amazing work my friend. A beautiful work of art. The client should be ecstatic with it.
Mike.
Mike.
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
Wow that turned out fantastic! Nice work doesn't even cut it.
lilscorpion
Well-known member
Hot-damn, freaking sweet!! You got skills.
It's gone ? I was waiting for you to fab up some kind of license plate bracket with naked ladies on each side.