I would then stock up on what ever I would need that is "unique". Stock up of course on parts that are replaced most often, parts "known" to go wrong (from internet articals), parts available in limited amounts or that are "last of stock" and wont be restocked, parts only available at a few places, and parts fast aproaching expiration date and Keep the notebook in a safe place.
Every repair/ modification I do I'll write down as I do it then add in the book later, as a refrence. Adding it in later allows me to be more descriptive (what tool I used, how would I do it next time...) after I've done the repair and to keep the book clean and easy to read. I'll also write down and add in any mesurements or numbers having to do with anything, comment about anything, when I did what, cost, parts needed, the time spent to do the repair.....) I'll use my digital camera and take pictures of anything I do and on....Possibly making a website and putting everything online to help other people fix/ replace/modifiy things. Something that no one else has a D.I.Y. guide on. Open up a yahoo store and I could also sell "hard to find" parts new or used so I make a little something back for everything I had to go with this camper!
So once I have a clear understanding of all the details and I allow my self to proceed with this project, it will be started. I will probly start a website with my project, status, pictures, DIY guides, information i've gathered. I will also post the status of my project, problems, ask for your advise on a lot or possibly all of my mods & ideas ("you think this is a cool idea?", "How do you think this turned out?", "what looks better?" "What should I do to this?", "does this look good or should I redo it?".......) Let all of you be part of my project. Everyone could put there own input and everyone can discuss advantages, disadvantages, like and dis-likes, there reasons or thoughts about something.....
So hopefully this project gets under way and soon!!! If the camper project flops then I wouldn't actully mind getting a little Toyota pickup with eather a 22r or do a swap and go all out. I'm come to like them a lot. There damn reliable. Theres aftermarket parts all over the place. Cheap to fix and to upgrade something. Thats all really really nice to have in a project. You have no idea how much time and money I put into/ continue to put in my 81 trans am!! Well be for this project can start theres some things to do so I can have my garage to use. I have to take a whole lot of stuff to the dump thats sitting in my garage. Also need to do some work to the garage before I can get to this project. The weather is also about to get bad and this is a project im not going to want to just stop in the middle of.
So to be realist I will say this: I will do my research, and in the mean time I will take plenty of photos of it inside and out and post to let you guys give me ideas. Start thinking of ideas & play/ edit pictures myself as to what I could do. Find cool stuff I could add/ install to this project and if it gets enought attention I'll keep everyone involved in it!!!! (hopefully the majority of everything is compatible with the "stock" pick-up.) and put everything together so I have a good start with plenty of fresh ideas! I'm going to also have to think of a name for this project.....
Well just ideas so far. I know nothing about nothing right now. So its just things i've run across, or just thought of (let me know what you think). Also keep in mind I have owned cars the majority of my life. I have never "tricked a truck", so some of my ideas might sound like midnight racer and look totally gay on a truck so give me your opinions :
Exterior:
-Keep the duallys.
-Fiberglass front fenders that are "buldged" to give it that wide body look, since the back is like -that to a degree. Maby bring the back out some too. Run it flush with the body not sticking out like a square...
-Fiberglass hood since its available (I found the hood/ fenders PLUS fiberglass beds, fiberglass bedsides (buldged) and body kits on this website and are for Toyota Trucks, 4 Runners and more. And not just Toyota's!!
http://www.hannemannfiberglass.com/Products.html ).
Since getting fiberglass hood, might be cool to add a cowl/ ram air hood scoop (make it functional)
-Replace single rear door with dual swinging doors.
-Shave the box to be flush with roof line (All that fiberglass I'm going to have to deal with is gonna suck). Maby just try to build another box to my specs. One thats 2x lighter then the current box, but just as strong or stronger.
-Paint the box and cab (once all mods are done, oh course) brite red. I have not seem one person paint one of these!!
-Chrome trim. Re-chrome anything that doesnt pollish up. Chrome door handles. chrome grill
-Angle eye headlights, possibly dual headlights, or projector headlights or HID's or a combination
-Fog Lights
-Cab over lights
-Neons? fast and the furious here we come!! hahaha
-With a shorter box I could add a suspention lift.
-I know where I can get duallys in anysize to fit could go with bigger rims w/ lift.
-Tint windows
-window visors (smoked black)
-running boards chrome
-front and rear bumpers chrome (going to have to custom make the rear one and might look funny...)
-L.E.D. tail lights. With led's I could make something like a 3rd break light that said Toyota or something and Toyota emblems for the 2 other break lights. Probly not Toyota, just example. I could make them say anything!
-suicide doors
Interior:
-Replace bench seat with something more modern looking. Also 2 seats not one with individual sliders. Maby lighter. like a racing seat or something.
-Retro fit dash and maby a console out of something. Or make my own!!
-Chrome shift nob (simple ball shape)
-replace/ paint everything black
-power windows is a must!
-might as well do power locks at the same time.
-relocate e-brake pedel to a handle right of drivers seat. (I could never stand the e-brake on the floor. I'll be doing 65 and get really tempted to push it down!)
-I guess some speakers other then 1 on each door. Cant think where...
-Engine/ Drive train: I would tune up what its got (20r) for not and save and go huge later down the road once this project is nearing completion. 150-200hp would be a kick in the pants to what it is stock. LOL.
Well again, just ideas. Let me know...~Frank (now more educated)