M1010 Convoy Truck

[antennaclimber]

Finally, started the tear down of my M1010. I bought this truck years ago for use on the MVPA Convoys. Well, 8 years later, I am finally getting the chance to do that. Hopefully, I will have it completed by the next Convoy in October 2024.

Plans are to refurbish the entire vehicle, delete unnecessary items and convert the back into a camper to live out of for a few weeks. The PO had converted the electrical system on the engine to the M0108, M1009, etc system. No big alternators or Duvacs. I plan on having 2 separate power systems, one for the vehicle and the other for the rear portion of the truck.
Engine and transmission will be rebuilt, new springs, shocks, new core support, new radiator, new steering, 2nd fuel tank, upgraded 12 VDC power systems and of course all of the refinements to live in the back. Fridge, heater, heated floor, beds, AC and DC power plants, AC for the front and rear.

I will post progress as it happens. So far, every stinking bolt has been rusted and tight to the last thread! 3 of the 4 cab bolts came out without any issues, the fourth one had to be removed the hard way. Next major job is removing the box from the frame. Hopefully I have the right "toys" to get that completed without incident.

At one time this vehicle had a fire in the engine compartment, there is a considerable amount of melted plastic parts and evidence of an event.

I will say, that the RV Camper Conversion forum has been a good source of information on plans and ideas, so thanks to all that have posted about their camper projects!

 

[Mullaney]

Finally, started the tear down of my M1010. I bought this truck years ago for use on the MVPA Convoys. Well, 8 years later, I am finally getting the chance to do that. Hopefully, I will have it completed by the next Convoy in October 2024.

Plans are to refurbish the entire vehicle, delete unnecessary items and convert the back into a camper to live out of for a few weeks. The PO had converted the electrical system on the engine to the M0118, M1009, etc system. No big alternators or Duvacs. I plan on having 2 separate power systems, one for the vehicle and the other for the rear portion of the truck.
Engine and transmission will be rebuilt, new springs, shocks, new core support, new radiator, new steering, 2nd fuel tank, upgraded 12 VDC power systems and of course all of the refinements to live in the back. Fridge, heater, heated floor, beds, AC and DC power plants, AC for the front and rear.

I will post progress as it happens. So far, every stinking bolt has been rusted and tight to the last thread! 3 of the 4 cab bolts came out without any issues, the fourth one had to be removed the hard way. Next major job is removing the box from the frame. Hopefully I have the right "toys" to get that completed without incident.

At one time this vehicle had a fire in the engine compartment, there is a considerable amount of melted plastic parts and evidence of an event.

I will say, that the RV Camper Conversion forum has been a good source of information on plans and ideas, so thanks to all that have posted about their camper projects!

.
Looks like you have a nice starting point.
AND a pretty fantastic workspace too!
.

 

[antennaclimber]

Yes, finally a shop that I can call my own!!

 

[hambone]

Nice, I've always wanted a M1010, like you, wanted to convert rear to camper, it's still a pipe dream, that shop is too sweet for sanding and grinding.

 

[Mad Texan]

You want to pull my cab next?

 

[antennaclimber]

You want to pull my cab next?

Sure!!!
Bring it up and we can have it off in a day...

 

[Mad Texan]

Sure!!!
Bring it up and we can have it off in a day...

Do you plan on utilizing the electrical panel in the box? Lot's of good power there. I run my heater off the original heater circuit.

 

[antennaclimber]

Do you plan on utilizing the electrical panel in the box? Lot's of good power there. I run my heater off the original heater circuit.

The truck will get converted to 12VDC, so I may run larger wires to the rear of the vehicle.

 

[antennaclimber]

Engine has been removed.

 

[Third From Texas]

That's usually the point in the project where I start another project.

True story.

 

[antennaclimber]

Finally had time to remove all of the interior metal from the ambulance compartment. Must of drilled out at least 100 rivets so far.
Still have a long way to go!

 

[antennaclimber]

A little more progress. Hopefully we can devote some more time getting this project completed.

 

[antennaclimber]

Little more progress this week.

Vent windows were removed, installed new rubber seals and painted the metal frames. Removed window glass, painted the channels and cleaned out all of the old sticky white lithium grease. Removed the seats and painted the hood hinges. Cleaned out the interior of the cab, removed the firewall padding. Removed the engine bay wiring and cleaned up the fire wall.

Rotated the cab so it sits on the rear wall, Started cleaning the underside of the cab. Eventually it will get painted and then install some new heat shield materials.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Looks like it is coming along!

 

[antennaclimber]

Looks like it is coming along!

Yes sir it is. Hopefully you will be able to see it on the next Convoy.

 

[antennaclimber]

Some minor progress. Painted underside of the cab and cleaned up some other little items.
Took the transfer case shifter lever assembly completely apart, painted, lubed and reassembled it. Painted a few other smaller do-dads as well.

Have the Lizard Skin ceramic paint coming. So that will go on over the bottom paint and possibly on the cab floor.

 

[antennaclimber]

Finally was able to remove the box off the back.

Now to start on the frame work as time permits.

 

[ballencd]

No progress reports for awhile! How is it going? Is the insulation in the M1010 in bad shape? Seems like lots of folks are pulling the walls and replacing the insulation. Do you think it is worth the effort? What are you putting in and what are you using for the new interior walls. The factory aluminum seems like a perfect wall to me. Does it get damaged when pulling it out? Can it be re-used? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[antennaclimber]

There has been some progress with the build. I will get some pictures posted later along with details of the factory insulation.

The factory insulation was just placed between the inner and outer aluminum. It is very easy to remove once you drill out 1,456,231.5 rivets holding all of the inner aluminum panels. Getting the benches out was not easy, but since I am not going to reuse them they went to the metal trash. The panels come out easily once the rivets are removed. I still have them if I need them.
After removing all of that, we cut the new 3M insulation to the vertical and horizontal size to fit between the vertical studs.

As for the new internal walls, I pan on using the fiberglass panels (FRP) available from Home Depot. I may paint them grey to help eliminate some of the glare from interior lighting.

Finally got the frame back from John at Hill Billy Wizard. He installed all new axles, springs, shocks, brakes etc.
New seats from Corbeau and air conditioning from Vintage air are all going in.

Still have along way to go, hopefully we will be able to get this back together in the next couple of months.

 

[ballencd]

That is one seriously involved upgrade. Mine is staying together as much as I can keep it that way. I did want to remove the interior walls and verify I have no leaks in the outer skin, upgrade the insulation, change some of the wiring while it was open and re-install the interior aluminum panels. A full blown, very slow camper conversion is planned. Did you get your box A/C and heat to work? What are your thoughts on the sizing of the factory heat and cooling? I suspect the heat is way over what would be needed in the mid south...(NC) especially if the insulation was upgraded. The A/C would be nice but from what I am reading it is hard to get it into the cab from the back. Too bad they did not build them with A/C in the dash as civilian vehicles are.