Cummins Built Not Bought/The Life of Frankie.

[Montecresto]

It’s pretty decent inside! Everything works good and has full bath in an 8ft which has been incredibly hard to find. Also full solar setup. Not bad.
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Wow, quite roomy...😎

 

[Admin]

 

[Coeus]

It’s pretty decent inside! Everything works good and has full bath in an 8ft which has been incredibly hard to find. Also full solar setup. Not bad.
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Nice find!! Next project?

 

[CumminsPusher]

Wow, quite roomy...😎

Ya not bad for 8ft. We will only use it for sleeping, always outside to cook and everything else. We quit using the bus years ago because it was totally unnecessary and really big going into the woods. Smaller proved better for our situation.
just wanted a bed and a s***ter. Oh and fridge is nice for food so beer has cooler itself lol.

 

[Montecresto]

Ya not bad for 8ft. We will only use it for sleeping, always outside to cook and everything else. We quit using the bus years ago because it was totally unnecessary and really big going into the woods. Smaller proved better for our situation.
just wanted a bed and a s***ter. Oh and fridge is nice for food so beer has cooler itself lol.

Will you use it on the truck you just built?
It looks to be in nice shape too!!
Does everything work?

 

[CumminsPusher]

Will you use it on the truck you just built?
It looks to be in nice shape too!!
Does everything work?

Yes everything is good. Was hoping heater and water heater out for bargaining purposes because it will get diesel heat and instant water heater. But there’s nothing I need to do for now. Brand new agm batteries too. Roof solid never any leaks. Not bad for 1500🤗
Just gotta get truck done now.

 

[NTCPrezJB]

Yes everything is good. Was hoping heater and water heater out for bargaining purposes because it will get diesel heat and instant water heater. But there’s nothing I need to do for now. Brand new agm batteries too. Not bad for 1500🤗

Sounds like a great deal.

 

[CumminsPusher]

Nice find!! Next project?

Later yes. Already have plans, t’ll be kick ass this summer. Truck done then drink beers on the trails for a few months.

 

[Russ989]

Nice work!

 

[J80]

Looking for an update on the truck CP but I will just hang out and eat some popcorn and wait patiently

 

[CumminsPusher]

Had to cut the frame off the donor truck to get bumper and hitch off. Probably been on there for 30 years and we’re seized on, once off had access to the bolts with impact. Ridgid cordless tools yet again got the job done.

Hitch is now under the new truck, it was mounted way back of the frame for no apparent reason other then maybe they had a massive camper so I’m redoing that and getting it further up the frame but before that I need a new rear bumper for placement.

The newer Chev bumper I picked up for this truck I’ve decided not to run. It looks good up there but too obvious it’s not correct. And it’s just flat out too thin and not heavy duty enough for what I want. You barely back into something and bumper destroyed.
So tomorrow I’m returning it and getting the Dodge step bumper. It’s not as purdy but will serve me better.

 

[CumminsPusher]

Went through and adjusted body and bed so everything lines up with extra gap for box movement while loaded heavy for off road.
Previous owner on my donor had made 5th wheel mounts underneath between box and frame. I went ahead and installed those. Not only will it make it a snap to install a gooseneck (probably never) but it also gives the bed an additional 6 solid mounting bolts which is never a bad move. Again all new grade 8 hardware, wasn’t installing rusty bolts.

 

[CumminsPusher]

Here’s factory door. As can see there’s barely any sound deadener. Maybe a square foot.

My door is a bit different. 9sq ft, edge to edge

then went around all the edges where the inner and outer door panel meets and seam sealed those. Makes a stronger door and doesn’t allow rust to start. Also used flexible foam on larger voids in the door to make it stronger and quieter.

then came back with rubberized undercoating to further protect door from rust as well as make it even quieter

 

[CumminsPusher]

Not too many have seen a first gen door open and shut like this, well at least in 25 years lol. New hinge pins, latches, strikers, handles and rubber then adjusted correctly. Takes forever but results are worth it. It’ll get smoother as things wear in.
Also very solid and quiet from all the work inside.

Doors

youtube.com

 

[Montecresto]

Had to cut the frame off the donor truck to get bumper and hitch off. Probably been on there for 30 years and we’re seized on, once off had access to the bolts with impact. Ridgid cordless tools yet again got the job done.
View attachment 264821

Hitch is now under the new truck, it was mounted way back of the frame for no apparent reason other then maybe they had a massive camper so I’m redoing that and getting it further up the frame but before that I need a new rear bumper for placement.

View attachment 264823


The newer Chev bumper I picked up for this truck I’ve decided not to run. It looks good up there but too obvious it’s not correct. And it’s just flat out too thin and not heavy duty enough for what I want. You barely back into something and bumper destroyed.
So tomorrow I’m returning it and getting the Dodge step bumper. It’s not as purdy but will serve me better.
View attachment 264822

I’ve got a brand new 2021 Dodge bumper you’re welcome to have if we can get it to you CP.....🤔

 

[CumminsPusher]

I’ve got a brand new 2021 Dodge bumper you’re welcome to have if we can get it to you CP.....🤔

I appreciate the gesture. I’ve looked and measured many different bumpers and most are way too small to be used on this truck. The overall width and the cutout for the bed opening is too narrow. Old Dodge has a very big box. Even the 2000 Chev bumper I have had to be widened however it would’ve been easy with that one as I had another laying around to cut and splice in from my shop.
Overall though the new bumpers are more of cover and aren’t meant to be strong, I want something with a little more strength that could be smacked around a bit.
I had thought for a minute to have custom bumpers made but I do want chrome and also a more factory look. So screw it.

 

[Montecresto]

I appreciate the gesture. I’ve looked and measured many different bumpers and most are way too small to be used on this truck. The overall width and the cutout for the bed opening is too narrow. Old Dodge has a very big box. Even the 2000 Chev bumper I have had to be widened however it would’ve been easy with that one as I had another laying around to cut and splice in from my shop.
Overall though the new bumpers are more of cover and aren’t meant to be strong, I want something with a little more strength that could be smacked around a bit.
I had thought for a minute to have custom bumpers made but I do want chrome and also a more factory look. So screw it.

Well, it’s from a 1 ton dually and massive, but yeah, it’s made of tinfoil....🙄

 

[CumminsPusher]

Well, it’s from a 1 ton dually and massive, but yeah, it’s made of tinfoil....🙄

I didn’t mean it like that, so don’t take it that way. it’s how they are designed. They are designed as more of an aesthetic‘s thing and are meant to fold as part of the safety regulations. Vehicles now are made to crush to save people in both vehicles involved. It’s not a bad thing. But a slight hit can be very expensive in newer rigs, bumper folds and causes 1000’s, to the truck. I see it all the time in the shop. It doesn’t just ding the chrome anymore.
I’m just saying I want something that if I back into the trailer or tree, something like that it won’t cause an unnecessary cost. We are pretty hard on things as well as cheap lol.

 

[Montecresto]

I didn’t mean it like that, so don’t take it that way. it’s how they are designed.

No right, I know, they aren’t the sturdy bumpers of yesterday. Bump into anything at just a roll and it’s damaged. That’s why the bed and bumper came off my truck and a flatbed went on it for the ranch....can’t beat a good steel rear end. 👍

I had no idea what your intended use was, but thought I’d just throw it out there in case you had a use. It’s certainly just setting where I took it off and left it and where it will remain lol......

 

[CumminsPusher]

New mirrors on. I did opt to the factory electric ones. And no they don’t fold way out so I can’t be that Dodge guy. Getting tighter and tighter in the tent. Hard to not scratch up the truck.

 

[BWAF]

Finally daylight.

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Sweet looks good Dave