The Capsule

DMbronco
Posts: 849
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
Bronco Info: 96 XLT 351

The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

Not really a 'ride', but something unique and interesting nonetheless...

For years my Old Man had been on the lookout for a sleeper cab from a big rig.

His idea was to find one and gut it in order to build something self contained
that he could bolt to the front of his trailer and use for auxilary storage or
extra sleeping quarters.

Since he already has a Lance Camper for his tow rig, and I drive my bronco to camp- this was an idea
I supported 100%.

After a lengthy search, we found one local. It had been used as a tack shed for more than a decade,
and was submerged at least 6" in the dirt. There were plywood doors bolted to the cab opening.
We leaned on it with everything we had an it didn't budge. It was crammed full of stuff. Some of it scary.

I begged him not to take it.

He struck a deal for 150 bucks.

We came back with the trailer, a couple of floorjacks, and a sload of
wood for cribbage. We loaded that SOB up like the egyptians, one block at a time.

The look on my mother's face when we brought it home was priceless.

Here's what it looked like:

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When we got it home, we realized the framerails under the sleeper were completely loaded with dried mud-
we figure we lost a couple hundred pounds in weight by the time we pressure washed it clean
DMbronco
Posts: 849
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
Bronco Info: 96 XLT 351

Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

After a ton of degreasing and pressurewashing, he got to work.

I was out of town for most of the project, so there aren't a whole lot of step by step shots.

He first decided what to do with the opening for the cab side of the sleeper.
He scored a window, a small locking door, and an RV door with screendoor.

He trimmed down the RV door, and mocked it up

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DMbronco
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Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
Bronco Info: 96 XLT 351

Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

A bunch of rivets, sheets of aluminum, a few pairs of lights and matching rings, and some white paint....

Came out bitchen!

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DMbronco
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Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
Bronco Info: 96 XLT 351

Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

here you can see how pieced it together-

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DMbronco
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Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
Bronco Info: 96 XLT 351

Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

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DMbronco
Posts: 849
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
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Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

The inside came out nice and clean.

The footprint is 8 feet by 4 feet- nice sized for a sleeping space.

He built a 4 piece bunk system out of 1" square aluminum which is hinged to the steel structure on the back wall of the sleeper.

They can be stowed upright independently in order to maximize his storage capacity.

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DMbronco
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Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
Bronco Info: 96 XLT 351

Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

with the bunk down

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he made sure to leave clearance for spare batteries or a freezer/fridge down the line

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DMbronco
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Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
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Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

these are directional vents on the factory door and opposite short wall- giving the cab ventilation on 4 sides

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DMbronco
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Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
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Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

Couple detail shots

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DMbronco
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Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

And here it is on the trailer

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DMbronco
Posts: 849
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
Bronco Info: 96 XLT 351

Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

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DMbronco
Posts: 849
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:27 am
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Re: The Capsule

Post by DMbronco »

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Now plans are being made to relocate the axles on the trailer further back to better balance the load...

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ChaseTruck754
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Location: Huntington Beach, CA

Re: The Capsule

Post by ChaseTruck754 »

That is SO cool! Clean work!
Owner of only dead and forgotten projects
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SteveG
Admin
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Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:25 am
Bronco Info: Wilson: 96, Stretched 17.5", coil-overs / Bypasses, 4-link, a fridge and all the amenities :)
Location: Arroyo Grande, CA

Re: The Capsule

Post by SteveG »

That's pretty cool! I want one for a mini guest house!
Sho nuff,
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yikes
Founder
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Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2009 7:51 am
Bronco Info: 1996 with tires and stuff
Location: Yucaipa, CA

Re: The Capsule

Post by yikes »

Your entire set-up is badass!
XTate
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Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 7:11 pm
Bronco Info: 95 Bronco stock not for long
Location: south of the Gila

Re: The Capsule

Post by XTate »

If I didn't have a wife I could live in that thing!
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