• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

KE5AFU's M36A2 Camper/RV Build

K

KE5AFU

Member
35
7
6
Location
OKC, OK
I bought my first deuce a couple weeks ago up in Nebraska, drove it back to OKC with a ford in the back without issues. It has the LDS-465 engine and a surprising amount of power.

Plans are to turn it into an off-road capable RV with using an AAC container I purchased awhile back.

I steamed the underside this weekend in an attempt to discover what all is leaking, turns out the engine isn't black after all.
So far I've installed the locking door handles, gas cap, and disconnect from Military Guys.

Done:
Mrap wheels / XZL tires 6/2017


Todo:
Mrap Lighting kit (already have this onhand)
Replace seals where leaking / all cab seals.
Paint
Install solar on container (Looking at a 1.2 KW system)
Make the air conditioner work off solar instead of grid or gen power.
Install EGT/Boost gauges.
Power steering
A/C
Lockers
Install small crane to lift motorcycle onto rear deck.
Remove bed and build pivoting subframe for container
Mechanized 2nd story for additional space
Rollcage

Anyway, thanks for all the resources and I'll post on here as progress is made.
Pics below of truck, container, and the start of the CAD model for the entire build.

17880158_10158472853285125_840636702452103098_o.jpg17834338_10158472853540125_3519353712346660881_o.jpgShop Van.jpg1.PNG2.PNG
 
Last edited:
MWMULES

MWMULES

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
In Memorial
5,580
349
83
Location
DESOTO, KANSAS
Nice, I have the shop office version of that box and really like the 24Vdc and 110Vac lighting. I got an electrician friend of mine to redo the breaker box as when I got mine it was set up for some serious high voltage, it is now RV park friendly. I don't know that much about your solar farm, but if I remember when others have tried after a day the batteries could not keep with an AC, that was a while ago so things may have changed. With that long bed it will give you plenty of room for a deck and maybe a toy or two.
 
K

KE5AFU

Member
35
7
6
Location
OKC, OK
MWMULES said:
Nice, I have the shop office version of that box and really like the 24Vdc and 110Vac lighting. I got an electrician friend of mine to redo the breaker box as when I got mine it was set up for some serious high voltage, it is now RV park friendly. I don't know that much about your solar farm, but if I remember when others have tried after a day the batteries could not keep with an AC, that was a while ago so things may have changed. With that long bed it will give you plenty of room for a deck and maybe a toy or two.
Click to expand...
I built a klr 650 into a world travel bike last year, after realizing I couldn't take the kitchen sink with me, a mobile base camp became more desired. The goal is to use the remaining 3.75 feet of deck to hold the bike / have an elevated platform for recreation.

Pic is last year's trial run through backcountry in Colorado. FB_IMG_1491877685462.jpg

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
K

KE5AFU

Member
35
7
6
Location
OKC, OK
Well I got the container loaded onto the bed today, not doing that again by myself...
Tomorrow I should be able to get the Boost and Pyro gauges mounted, 24/12v installed, finish cleaning out the container and hopefully have it all powered except for A/C.

A48I0025.jpgA48I0026.jpgA48I0028.jpgA48I0032.jpgA48I0037.jpgA48I0038.jpgA48I0039.jpgA48I0041.jpgA48I0042.jpg
 
montaillou

montaillou

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
806
831
93
Location
W.WA
KE5AFU said:
I bought my first deuce a couple weeks ago up in Nebraska, drove it back to OKC with a ford in the back without issues. It has the LDS-465 engine and a surprising amount of power.

Plans are to turn it into an off-road capable RV with using an AAC container I purchased awhile back.
Click to expand...
Ha! I was looking at that deuce not too long ago and trying to figure how I could make it work. The base near me was selling some 96" shelters and I thought 2 would do well on an M36.

Good luck with the project!
 
MWMULES

MWMULES

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
In Memorial
5,580
349
83
Location
DESOTO, KANSAS
It even came with the original ladder and most don't, it is well made and wish they had taken the extra step and made a hand rail for them. Is yours a 110 or 208 A/C. , mine got pulled and was replaced with a civi 110V window unit that fit the hole.
 
Last edited:
skidder

skidder

Member
165
8
18
Location
Winsted,conn
Hay Looks great Welcome to the Green addiction lol You will like the LDS eng I have one in my 1970 M35A2C W/W Leave the inj. pump alone ..the eng will last a long time Question?? what is the shipping container number?? I have ben looking for a S280 unit, but I like the one you have good luck Skidder
 
K

KE5AFU

Member
35
7
6
Location
OKC, OK
MWMULES said:
It even came with the original ladder and most don't, it is well made and wish they had taken the extra step and made a hand rail for them. Is yours a 110 or 208 A/C. , mine got pull and was replaced with a civi window unit that fit the hole.
Click to expand...
Mine is both 208 and 110, and 12v DC; they pull the 110 off the 3 phase. It's set up as a "Y" configuration.

skidder said:
Hay Looks great Welcome to the Green addiction lol You will like the LDS eng I have one in my 1970 M35A2C W/W Leave the inj. pump alone ..the eng will last a long time Question?? what is the shipping container number?? I have ben looking for a S280 unit, but I like the one you have good luck Skidder
Click to expand...
Part # is 50353-001, PDF attached for more info.

View attachment MSC.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
K

KE5AFU

Member
35
7
6
Location
OKC, OK
I was able to get some more work done today, got the container scrubbed and looking better, and scored a good deal on a reverse osmosis unit. 750 gallons per day capacity.
Mrap wheels and XZL 395 tires arrive this week as well.

I'm on the road for the next three weeks, so work will be paused, but when I get back the cab will undergo some modification, and be removed to be stripped and painted.
Side note, anyone here going to Overland Expo West in Flagstaff?

20170422_172708.jpg20170422_172744.jpg20170422_172751.jpg20170422_173147.jpg20170422_173200.jpg20170422_175740.jpg
 
montaillou

montaillou

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
806
831
93
Location
W.WA
Can you tell me about the construction of the shelter you have? Is it aluminum or wood/fiberglass exterior or something else?
 
K

KE5AFU

Member
35
7
6
Location
OKC, OK
I finally had a weekend where I wasn't on the road and was able to get the new wheels and tires installed. Surprisingly the seals and bearings were in good shape, so nothing was replaced yet. I'll wait until I do the lockers to replace them.

20170602_104801.jpg20170603_132057.jpg20170603_164051.jpg20170602_204514.jpg20170603_095732.jpg20170604_140137.jpg20170604_174309.jpg
 
SCSG-G4

SCSG-G4

PSVB 3003
Steel Soldiers Supporter
5,368
3,378
113
Location
Lexington, South Carolina
Your shelter is longer than a 280, and has a bigger door. What I did was to leave a space in front of the 280 that I can put fuel cans into and (because it's shorter than your box) still have almost 40 inches of deck behind the shelter.
 
someoldmoose

someoldmoose

New member
583
2
0
Location
Lancaster, PA
Sorry for glomming ideas from you Deucers (name is meant to be complimentary) since mine will be the Big Sister version. (M820 expando van) Please forgive the intrusion.

KE5AFU, where did you source your water cleaner ? I am going to and fro between a $5,000 Katydin at the high end and a $200 Home De under sink version at the low. I also will be adding a UV sterilizer. (Trust no unknown water source).

Your punch list looks a lot like mine.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
110,879members
165,311threads
2,326,205posts
1,930online users
Top