I've never seen a camper like that. It looks like it was a "top of the line" item back in the day. It should look good on that truck!
The 1955 Kamp King Koach was a find. Got some history on it from original adverts, seems like it may have been the first true slide in camper manufacturer. The base model sold for $550, the deluxe model like this one with stove, icebox and sink sold for $1350. Just gotta evict the rodents and do some restoration work... The sheet metal aint too far off.
Rear panels on. Roof corner started. Everything is starting to line up again. This time for the roof I'm going to start at the edges and work inwards.
It's too early to work on the truck, so I figured I would do some photoshop work. Heck, I should be able to take a real picture here in a day or two!
Well, I'm not 100% pleased with the roof, need to do some more cutting and reworking of the rear left corner. Got a funky crease to adjust. The truck looked pretty wicked with just the nose and fenders. Food for thought on a future project, just fit a nose, cowl and brookland screens, boattail the rear with a wood deck. That could be very interesting as a pure rod. But I don't need another project right now. Gonna finish the floor so that the center panels can be removed for access. Gotta extend the rear frame rails and put the bed side sheet metal on. Unfortunately I only have a 4' brake, so it's probably a lot of folding work for the top flange by hammer. The show is in two weeks, and my other truck just blew a head gasket (6.2 diesel) so I'm committed to having this one done this week, leaving one week to drive into work and sort out the mechanical bugs.
Save some time and frustration; find a sheetmetal fabrication place that has a 10 foot press brake. That's what I did with a 8 foot 3 inch custom bed. I hate sending work out, but.... It only takes a few minutes of shop time if you pre-mark the bends, and gets nice results. The places out here are the ones that sell steel. Check the yellow pages.
The Diamond T is one of my favorites and your build is looking good though I prefer the new proportions. Well done.
Keep it up Scotty! Always nice to see the old trucks pullin their weight around here. (Speaking of which I've been seeing more and more around on the HAMB...) Scotty and I pioneers?? Nice professional work and keep wrenchin!
This has been a real interesting build! Gotta admire your tenacity. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed, (for the show at least) truck.
This truck was at Hot Rod Arama in Tacoma in 2008. Plaque in the seat explained how Diamond T just made trucks to support the race car division.
Last weekend the progress looked like progress. This week appeared a bit slower but getting closer to actually being able to drive out on the road. The cowl is now completely sealed from the engine bay. No more fumes in the cockpit. Lots of time with the seam sealer goop- it's black, sticky, stays glued to everything and is a fantastic sealing mastic. Made a heel pad, the angle on the trans tunnel cover is hell on keeping your foot aligned with the gas pedal. Got the roof completely covered. That's a big step. Still need to finish welding some of the seams but it's all up there. The rear floor area is framed out, I'm waiting to decide on the rear seat(s) before finishing the sheeting work. Wanted a bench but might just go with two chairs back there. Whatever I choose determines where the cross bracing needs to be. Cut the rubber isolators out for the cab mounting. The frame isn't quite square (of course) so the cab doesn't quite match in the rear where the framing is plumb.
I've seen plenty of pictures of that rod, kudos to the gent who had the vision. It's nice, unique, and a very interesting take on DT style. Very nice work.....
Next big issue keeping me from going down the road are door strike plates. I have one good one- it's an interesting 3-pc unit with spring loaded ears. Most of the ones I have are missing the ears. Planning to have more recast unless I can find a supply. There's a local foundry that can do them in aluminum; I don't really want to get into the casting business but there are zinc alloys (ZA27) which could be done in the backyard. Anyone got leads on where to go for these? Patent number on the back says 1561726, USPTO.gov gives a 1925 issue date.
Love the concept and the execution,I'm a big 6bt fan have them in 2 of my trucks,contemplating putting one in the 56 caddy. Keep up the good work!
If you can't get them cast, I can machine you some from bar stock. Have them shot blasted to simulate a cast finish. They'd be high, but expensive is better than not at all.
Got the rear axle pinion angle lined up with the transmission tailshaft within 1°. Made some assumptions when I first threw the axle in the truck, all fixed now. Started siding the bed. That is going to be more interesting than first thought. Was hoping for a 2 hour job, gonna be more than that. The holes in the cab are all welded up, the roof is close, both tires are on in the back. Of course now it turns out that the camper is a bit too wide for this configuration at 48"- going to need to go to single rear wheel for it to fit. Accuride 29039 (steel) or 40012 (aluminum).
Today looks like lots of progress. Got the bed sheetmetal cut to shape and welded on. Still need to finish the welding but it's in place. Threw a fender up to see what it will look like. Man those tires make the fenders look small!!! Got some prices on mini-floats. Heart attack... Anyone got a pair of 22.5x9.00 with a 3.15" offset they want to sell me?
Not a lot of updates- Hammer down time, in 3 days I'm leaving for a 500 mile trip towing a 25' trailer. Might even make it. But a huge amount of work. Interior is as done as it's going to be, floor is sheeted and the brake pedal reworked for better access and height. Driver's seat mounted. Seat belts for the front are in and attached to the B pillar supports. Got some plywood down for a temporary bed, threw the tank up there for fuel. Gotta get some fender action today.
More pictures. Took her into work yesterday. Drives like a truck, might have something to do with the lack of shocks all the way around.....
I just happened across your message of 1 month ago. I have on of these door tigheners? and it looks brand new. Unfortunately I only have one. If your interested I'll let it go for $10 plus $5 s/h. email at twinriversmusic@rcn.com or 610-442-4291. Tom
So I've figured out how to attach the fenders to the truck bed. L channel, formed with the shrinker-stretcher to conform to the shape of the fender. If I stay with the dually wheels a 3" extension will be required. SRW would probably be a better way to go, this thing is WIDE! And the 12R22.5's are a bit large for this fender hole. The 235/70R22.5 in the front look better proportionally. Also trying to find a set of 3.08 gears for my F350 rear end so as to run smaller tires. Motive gear discontinued their manufacture; Missed out on the last set that went across ebay...
The Jalopy Journal
