Build your own service truck!

[lanceman73]

I recently completed my new service truck. The whole service body was built in my driveway at home. Check it out! I have a lot of pics if interested. Just keep going through the posts, since they are kinda spread out and might give someone an idea!!!
Thanks,
Lance


Thanks for all the interest and comments that I've received. This is my first major welding project!

[MMW]

I'd like to check it out but there are no pics.

[fabricator]

maybee his only pic is the avatar.

[lanceman73]

I have a lot of pics from start to finish. If you are interested, leave an email address and I'll send them. It will come from posts in this blog.
Thanks,
Lance

[lanceman73]

Look through the blog for all the pics.
Thanks,
Lance

[DSW]

lanceman73 pm sent.

[J hall]

Lanceman,

Are you mining for email addys ? why not post pics, everyone else does.

[HMW]

Just make the pics smaller

[lanceman73]

I'm new to this forum and not that great with computers. I've a bunch of pics that are already in my email area, so it's easy to do. I don't know what email addys are, but I'm not selling anything!

[DSW]

I resized some of the picts you sent me for you.

Batch #1

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[DSW]

batch #2

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[DSW]

Batch #3

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Nice work BTW. I didn't see any picts of the general overview of the body when it was done. Do you have some of those? If you can't resize them send, them to me as an email again and I'll post them for you. Take a look at this thread, it should give you an idea how to make the picts smaller.

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?t=12822&highlight=resize+picts

[J hall]

Lanceman,
as you may have noticed, I have a serious lack of trust of people who show up on the internet.;)

Very nice work on your service body. :cool:

[lanceman73]

Thank you for doing that. Like I said, I'm not that computer savy.

Lance

[lanceman73]

Thank you, Jeff. I guess some people are only looking to profit. I'm not a welder buy trade. I do love welding and love to share and look and projects.

Lance

[DSW]

Jeff for someone who isn't a professional welder I'd say that's super. What do you usually do?

Went back and took another look at the picts after you posted this. The reason you used a skin over frame design suddenly made sense to me. This is opposed to the skin being the structure as it is in my truck.

I toyed around with the idea of building or modifying a body to fit my old truck, but lack the space build it and the equipment to set it once built. Lot of time and effort into that body of yours but you got what you wanted I hope.

Any idea how much time you have in building it? How much in materials? Just curious to compare it with what I paid to have mine custom built.

[lanceman73]

I spent $5K in metal. Payed $1600 for a sheet metal company to supply and break the 14 ga. around the door and make the dip rails for me. I went though about 50 lbs. of wire and 4 100 cf. bottles of mig mix.

[J hall]

I looked at those pictures again and I am impressed with the thought given to the layout.
The thing that I wonder about is those blue bins...If they were in my truck, they would all be in a pile in the bottom of the compartment:eek: You must have smooth driving conditions.

Let's see the complete unit!

[lanceman73]

These bin hold stuff pretty good. I do put some of the small parts in bags.

[J hall]

So, what is it that you do?

[DSW]

5K not to bad considering that a cheap body for my F250 would go 5-7K. My custom body for the new truck was close to 25K. I agree it looks well laid out. Since you built it yourself you should have no problems making small mods as you learn what needs to be changed. I haven't yet brought myself to do more than drill a few small holes in my new body for tie down rings. I'm thinking about under floor storage for the ramps that I passed on when I had the truck built. Can't quite bring my self to start cutting up the new truck just yet.

Still would like to see a good shot of the truck from the sides to get an overall look at it.

[hytekredneck]

awesome work I like it :D

[lanceman73]

I install and repair A/C systems in heavy equipment and trucks. That's why I decided to build my own body. I have unique needs and most service bodies are set up with a crane. I needed a lot of storage for all the parts that I carry.
Thanks,
Lance

[framescr8pintoy]

more pics of it finished, that looks real good just from the pics shown so far. how many hours do you have into it?

[terracon]

As others have said. More pictures of the completed truck.

[lanceman73]

I'm new to this forum and another person added all the pics on here for me. How do you do it?

Thanks,
Lance

[DSW]

Lance This thread will give you an idea how to resize your picts so you can post them.

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?t=12822&highlight=resize+picts

You need to have resized your picts and saved them on your computer where you can find them. Go to Reply and scroll down below the text box. There is a section on Aditional Options. Select Manage attachments. click on this. At the top is a section that says Upload file from your computer. Click browse, and find your pict then hit upload. As long as the pict isn't to large it will show up on the list below. Then Above the text box click on the paperclip and select the pict you want to insert in the text.


If you can't get it to work shoot me the picts and I will post them again for you. Pm me if you need my email again.

Good luck.

[lanceman73]

More Pics of truck

[DSW]

I see it worked! Thanks for the 3rd pict, its alot easier to see the whole layout and understand it better. Do the compartments go up into the top section above the doors or is that load space accesible from above the bed? If its all one space why not just have made the doors taller?

The more and more I look at the picts the better it looks. I was taking a closer look at the doors and if I didn't know better I would swear it was a commercially built truck!

[lanceman73]

In the top spaces above the rear doors, are thirty gallon air tanks. I built a York A/C compressor to pump air from the engine and also have a electrical 2 HP compressor that runs off the inverter. The large front double doors on both sides are usable through the doors. As the pic shows on the one side, the welder goes up to the top and on the other side, i've got tie downs, my A/C gauges sets, and alarm set up. I also installed an auto drain for the tanks. It runs on DC and is programalbe from intervals and drain time.

Thanks,
Lance

[DSW]

What are you running for the inverter? I have been looking at the 3000W/6000W Vectors for my new truck. Really want something that I can direct wire the outlets for as opposed to something that has direct plugs. How much power can you get from yours and do you have extra batteries for it? I'll take any info or suggestions that you might have on a inverter system.

BTW I'll post some pict of my custom truck. Other than the sliding roof it looks somewhat similar to what you built with out the under floor storage. I opted out on that and wish I hadn't. Alum Ladder rack is in the works right now if i can get a few days of decent weather to work.


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I keep looking at the posibility of undermounting some air storage tanks but don't need that much mobile air very frequently. I should be able to run the small comp or my gas comp if I need to or use my big HP air bottles if I had no other choice.

[terracon]

Really nice job on this body. You even added the small yellow marker lights down the side and a rubber wheel well flare and those brush strips. Very nice. Alot of planning and work went into this.

[lanceman73]

I'm using a Power Bright 3500w/7000w inverter with four 15 amp outlets. I use plugs and short jumpers to go to a pull box. As for batteries, I've got three dedicated 31 series AGM cell batteries for the inverter and have a switch that'll connect the front three truck batteries with the inverter batteries. And I use the trucks 115 amp alternator to charge them. I also use 110v battery charger that is mounted near the inverter and has an outlet on the rear of the truck to charging at night.
Thanks,
Lance

[DSW]

Thanks, nice set up. Any idea how long you can use the inverter before the bats drain down? I know I have a heavy alt on the truck and its been suggested to idle the truck when I want to run the invereter. Just trying to figure out how many bats I would need and what size. I was thinking about the onboard battery charger idea also. Probably putting way too much thought and effort in this, but I want to do it right the first time. My gen set takes up too much space to drag it around on a regular basis.

[lanceman73]

On my old service truck, I had my welder/generator and a 3000w generator because I always need 110 volts. I got tried of the noise and having to worry about gas and oil changes. I've not had to start the truck and run it while using the inverter. Most jobs for me, last from 1 to 4 hours then I drive to the next one. I do have my welder/generator to use as backup and everything is hard wired with a switch box that you can see above my toolbox. I run a 15amp vacuum pump, 4" grinders, recovery unit and microwave with no problems all day. The guy at the battery warehouse said that the alternater wouldn't charge the batteries as much as a 110v battery charger.
Thanks,
Lance

[DSW]

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

[fun4now]

great job.:cool:
you should get many years of use out of that baby.

[StillBoostin]

I love it. How did you make those doors or did you buy them?

James

[lanceman73]

I framed the doors to the openings using 1/8" spacers and alot of clamps. Tacked everything and sent them to sheet metal shop to break the 14ga. steel around them. Once I got them back, I slowly spot welded them to the frame from the inside first. Since I don't have a large welding table to clamp them to, I spent about a day on each door. I ruined the first one, because I went to fast and warped it. On the 14ga. inside panel, I plug welded against the two inside 3/4" bars that brace the door handle assembly. I think that I probably spent 15 to 20 hours per door. There are a total of 10 doors! I used the weld on hinges from my local welding supplier. The doors weighed about 80lbs. each on average. The hinges I used were rated at about 300lbs. or so each.
Thanks,
Lance

[StillBoostin]

I framed the doors to the openings using 1/8" spacers and alot of clamps. Tacked everything and sent them to sheet metal shop to break the 14ga. steel around them. Once I got them back, I slowly spot welded them to the frame from the inside first. Since I don't have a large welding table to clamp them to, I spent about a day on each door. I ruined the first one, because I went to fast and warped it. On the 14ga. inside panel, I plug welded against the two inside 3/4" bars that brace the door handle assembly. I think that I probably spent 15 to 20 hours per door. There are a total of 10 doors! I used the weld on hinges from my local welding supplier. The doors weighed about 80lbs. each on average. The hinges I used were rated at about 300lbs. or so each.
Thanks,
Lance

Wow that is a lot of work. The truck is sweet. One day I'll have someting like yours. Thanks for the build up picks. You must have a minimum of a 1000hrs in this bad boy. Add a boy, and you the man sayings are well in order. And you can toot your own horn now too!

James

[lanceman73]

A lot of work, but kind of worth it.
Wow that is a lot of work. The truck is sweet. One day I'll have someting like yours. Thanks for the build up picks. You must have a minimum of a 1000hrs in this bad boy. Add a boy, and you the man sayings are well in order. And you can toot your own horn now too!

James

[Anti-GMAW]

How did you atach the outside skin of the body to the tubular frame?

[lanceman73]

Welded it just at the corner of the square tubing and ground it down. Went through tons of wheel and sanding discs!!!!

[Portable Welder]

Lance Man you did an awsome job, I have built 6 welding rigs over the years 5 for myself and one for a friend of mine who is a pipe welder.

So I am certainly someone who can appreciate the job you did.

You are certainly a craftsman.

The nice thing about a truck like yours is the instant respect you get from your customers when you can roll up and tell them you built your truck and that you will be working on their equipment.
At that point they have all the faith in the world about your ability and will never second guess you.

Its also nice having a custom built truck that suits your needs instead of having to make due with something close.

[lanceman73]

Listen,

I had a idea and went with it. Like Miller says "Drean It, Weld It", so I did. In our awesome advanced world of America, we have the oppertunity to do anything! In my own home I did this, instead of spending $50K to $80K on a body, you can build it!! We are the greatest country in the world, because we have these choises and resources! Never forget how this country was forged! It was the minds of free men and we will never stop as long as we have our freedom!! Thank you to all our military and all our veterans! I salute you forever!

We are America!
Lance

[arthur]

Lanc,I in a shoch! Beautiful and pure work!;)

[HMW]

Very much impressed with the effort on the doors, really took some time and look good. probably one of the neatest service bodys I've seen, nice job:D Must be a big demand for mobile AC repair in CA.....ha ha

[Sberry]

It can make a lot of sense, like the man said, 50K for a body you can spend some time on it. It can be yours up front instead of the bank.

[lanceman73]

Very much impressed with the effort on the doors, really took some time and look good. probably one of the neatest service bodys I've seen, nice job:D Must be a big demand for mobile AC repair in CA.....ha ha

It was 102 where I was working today. Imagine sitting an enclosed cab dozer with no A/C! It is inland and about 20 miles from the ocean. I cover San Bernadino and Riverside counties as well and it's hottttt! up there.

[lanceman73]

I installed complete heat/cool units in the scrapers in this picture.

[lanceman73]

Anyone else ever built their own truck? I'd like to know and see some pictures. Thanks to all.

[DSW]

Build it from scratch and weld it up myself like you did no. Just don't have the facilities to build it and move it around. Thought about it though.

I did spend quite a bit of time designing this one and had it custom built for me. Spent almost 2 years deciding how I wanted it built.


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Modifications from a standard body. Started off as one of their crane bodies as far as a partial basic door layout and deleted out the extra reinforcing for the crane tower. Extra reinforcing on the side walls so I could mount D rings where needed. Had the boxes raised to 5', the max height they could and narrowed the boxes to widen the bed to 60" minimum. Had the front compartment split into 2 sections with double doors on the 2nd compartment. Also flipped to layout so the single door was 1st so if I add the aux fuel tank I can go thru the single box for the pump hoses. The box over the wheels has split adj shelves added. Wanted the double door config over the wheels.

Had the top raised to give me a minimum of 60" vert height inside so I can stand up 4X8 sheets. Had the pipe doors added to the upper shelves so I can store long 10' lengths of pipe. Don't find them as useful as the ones in the old truck but they were not that much extra so figured it couldn't hurt. Roof is a 3 piece sliding design so I can access the roof rack that I am working on now, and let me have large stuff stick out the top like doors and such.

Had the doors over tailgate done because I hate the limited vis out the back and wanted the option to remove the doors if I found them too much of a PITA. The tailgate lets me have large 12' sheets stick out and still keep the back closed up.

Thought about a possum door under the tail gate for a ramp but it became too much of a pain to get them to make the changes I wanted so I went with out it. I plan on most likely cutting one in now that I have the truck and a ramp to try and store. There's more room under the floor than I was lead to believe so that is almost a given at this point. I also plan on using the space between the frame and boxes to add extra batteries for the inverter eventually when funds become available.

I thought about a sweet work bumper that the offered with storage, but it made the truck to long for my purposes. The front pass box is getting tank bottle mounts and there is a set in the bed that I can use. Roof will cover a 282 cf bottle.

There's a few more mods that will likely be done this winter if funds are available and work is slow. There are a few minor things I might have done different to the body but overall I'm happy with it. The mileage the cab and chassis get sucks however. I just wished it had not taken as long to get the body built as it meant I ended up with the new 08 Ford rather than the 07 without all the emissions BS on it.

[fun4now]

cool.............:eek::cool:

[lanceman73]

Build it from scratch and weld it up myself like you did no. Just don't have the facilities to build it and move it around. Thought about it though.

I did spend quite a bit of time designing this one and had it custom built for me. Spent almost 2 years deciding how I wanted it built.


14860

14861

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14863


Modifications from a standard body. Started off as one of their crane bodies as far as a partial basic door layout and deleted out the extra reinforcing for the crane tower. Extra reinforcing on the side walls so I could mount D rings where needed. Had the boxes raised to 5', the max height they could and narrowed the boxes to widen the bed to 60" minimum. Had the front compartment split into 2 sections with double doors on the 2nd compartment. Also flipped to layout so the single door was 1st so if I add the aux fuel tank I can go thru the single box for the pump hoses. The box over the wheels has split adj shelves added. Wanted the double door config over the wheels.

Had the top raised to give me a minimum of 60" vert height inside so I can stand up 4X8 sheets. Had the pipe doors added to the upper shelves so I can store long 10' lengths of pipe. Don't find them as useful as the ones in the old truck but they were not that much extra so figured it couldn't hurt. Roof is a 3 piece sliding design so I can access the roof rack that I am working on now, and let me have large stuff stick out the top like doors and such.

Had the doors over tailgate done because I hate the limited vis out the back and wanted the option to remove the doors if I found them too much of a PITA. The tailgate lets me have large 12' sheets stick out and still keep the back closed up.

Thought about a possum door under the tail gate for a ramp but it became too much of a pain to get them to make the changes I wanted so I went with out it. I plan on most likely cutting one in now that I have the truck and a ramp to try and store. There's more room under the floor than I was lead to believe so that is almost a given at this point. I also plan on using the space between the frame and boxes to add extra batteries for the inverter eventually when funds become available.

I thought about a sweet work bumper that the offered with storage, but it made the truck to long for my purposes. The front pass box is getting tank bottle mounts and there is a set in the bed that I can use. Roof will cover a 282 cf bottle.

There's a few more mods that will likely be done this winter if funds are available and work is slow. There are a few minor things I might have done different to the body but overall I'm happy with it. The mileage the cab and chassis get sucks however. I just wished it had not taken as long to get the body built as it meant I ended up with the new 08 Ford rather than the 07 without all the emissions BS on it.

Looks nice! On my last service truck, I had to get in the back for different things and I hated it. I've got a bad knee and at the end of a long day, I felt it. Now, only large parts or filling the welder with gas is the only reason for getting in the back. Enclosed though, is nice against thieves and lookie-loos! No see, no take.

[DSW]

I have back problems also. The step to the bumper from the ground is very easy. The step from the bumber to the bed is a bit of a strech but very do able. That was one of those things I really looked at. 2X vs 4X and if I needed to have the bed lowered. I had planned on building a step to install in the reciever but dont really need it. It also makes it easy to load the rack on the top of the truck when it gets built. As I stand in the bed, the rack will be at eye level so I don't need to climb onto the roof or crawl around up there I I have a ladder to load. Slid it in under the rear bar onto the rack, climb in and push it up and forward till its all on top then slide it back.

The security of the doors was part of why I went with the funky set up. I work more in the city of Philadelphia, and if they can steal it they will. As you said if they don't see it they are less likely to be tempted.

[StillBoostin]

DSW nice truck. One question from you pics. Does it have a sliding/ locking rear roof?

James

[DSW]

Yep. 3 piece sliding roof to cover the 11' bed. Locks either closed or open. Roofs closed in the side view and open in the others. That was the #1 reason to start the custom body.

[lanceman73]

I think this should still be around for people who have there own ideas for work trucks! There are some good, simple ideas here for a home project, so check it out.

Thanks,
Lance

[Sberry]

I rebuild one and re-design some of it. I have heavy duty air on this one.

[MrBurns]

Thats amazing work

[lanceman73]

I built this in front of my garage, as you can see in some of the pics the concrete. I live in San Diego county, which is pretty well populated. But, oh well, dream it, weld it!!! Right?
Build it from scratch and weld it up myself like you did no. Just don't have the facilities to build it and move it around. Thought about it though.

I did spend quite a bit of time designing this one and had it custom built for me. Spent almost 2 years deciding how I wanted it built.


14860

14861

14862

14863


Modifications from a standard body. Started off as one of their crane bodies as far as a partial basic door layout and deleted out the extra reinforcing for the crane tower. Extra reinforcing on the side walls so I could mount D rings where needed. Had the boxes raised to 5', the max height they could and narrowed the boxes to widen the bed to 60" minimum. Had the front compartment split into 2 sections with double doors on the 2nd compartment. Also flipped to layout so the single door was 1st so if I add the aux fuel tank I can go thru the single box for the pump hoses. The box over the wheels has split adj shelves added. Wanted the double door config over the wheels.

Had the top raised to give me a minimum of 60" vert height inside so I can stand up 4X8 sheets. Had the pipe doors added to the upper shelves so I can store long 10' lengths of pipe. Don't find them as useful as the ones in the old truck but they were not that much extra so figured it couldn't hurt. Roof is a 3 piece sliding design so I can access the roof rack that I am working on now, and let me have large stuff stick out the top like doors and such.

Had the doors over tailgate done because I hate the limited vis out the back and wanted the option to remove the doors if I found them too much of a PITA. The tailgate lets me have large 12' sheets stick out and still keep the back closed up.

Thought about a possum door under the tail gate for a ramp but it became too much of a pain to get them to make the changes I wanted so I went with out it. I plan on most likely cutting one in now that I have the truck and a ramp to try and store. There's more room under the floor than I was lead to believe so that is almost a given at this point. I also plan on using the space between the frame and boxes to add extra batteries for the inverter eventually when funds become available.

I thought about a sweet work bumper that the offered with storage, but it made the truck to long for my purposes. The front pass box is getting tank bottle mounts and there is a set in the bed that I can use. Roof will cover a 282 cf bottle.

There's a few more mods that will likely be done this winter if funds are available and work is slow. There are a few minor things I might have done different to the body but overall I'm happy with it. The mileage the cab and chassis get sucks however. I just wished it had not taken as long to get the body built as it meant I ended up with the new 08 Ford rather than the 07 without all the emissions BS on it.

[lanceman73]

I built this in front of my garage, as you can see in some of the pics the concrete. I live in San Diego county, which is pretty well populated. But, oh well, dream it, weld it!!! Right?

I've got a real good inverter that I've been using. It has 50 amps and four outlets. I can run a 15 amp pump and a 2500 psi pressure washer at the same time. If you are interested, let me know, I've used all kinds of inverters and generators in the past.
Lance

[mooseman63825]

I have alot experience with inverters there is alot of hidden facts and myths that alot of people don't really pay attention to when purchasing them especially in a commercial enviroment.

here is a few of my rules

1.believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.

Reason being there is no governing body to tell you that what they put on the box for that inverter is true or not. So as soon as you see the max and cont. wattage on a inverter automatically cut that number in half even if they give the correct numbers its nice to have a solid cushion as alot of our toys have a heavy start up wattage.

2.Location Location Location.
Finding a good place to mount your new unit can be a challenge. Where do you want the outlets how much wire are you wanting to run. Is their a good location for a good solid ground wire. Where should i place it in case i do pop a fuse when i power up my tools ( I have built many custom inverter/breaker boxes with built in voltage/amp gauges to tell you how many amps you are pulling and the current charge of your batteries and to make the units easy to reset in case of a overload). proper ventilation is key as well as MOSFETS tend to get very very hot under load

3.What tools do intend to run on a daily basis
this rule really should be the first thing you consider when looking into inverter over generator. what is the wattage my power tool uses at start up as well as normal running and under load and how many items running at any given this is crucial as overloading the unit will cause breakers to blow and premature system wear and massive amounts of heat which will destroy mosfets quickly

anywho enough on my long post just thought i would throw in my two cents worth

don't forget a alternator upgrade maybe needed as well most local alternator shops can do this for you and build it to the amperage you need
(Learned most of this when i was in the marine corp building stuff for my buddies cars for them to run computers and such plus i had to make them look cool lol )

[lanceman73]

I'd like to check it out but there are no pics.

there are lot's, so please check it out!

[lanceman73]

Thats amazing work

This was all about total control of the fabrication. My needs and quality of strength. Most bodies are made of thin material, and mine, was made of 10 ga. floors and 14 ga. skin and double sided.

[albertawelder]

Very nice job..I like where you have the reels on the back near the bottom. Do you find they work well back there? Are they manual or automatic?

[lanceman73]

A few new job pictures! Enjoy.

[lanceman73]

Very nice job..I like where you have the reels on the back near the bottom. Do you find they work well back there? Are they manual or automatic?

They are spring recoil loaded. I've got pressure washer, nitrogen, oxy/act, 110V Power, and air.

[lanceman73]

It was 6K pounds of material when said and done! All American made, by the way! Have fun and do crazy projects.

[m.k.swelding]

The Body looks good the truck on the other hand the truck is kinda small. but i guess it works for you.

[lanceman73]

The Body looks good the truck on the other hand the truck is kinda small. but i guess it works for you.

The truck is a class & rated for 34K lbs. Loaded, I'm at 23K. The engine in the largest output of the 4900's at 250hp. This is not a Ford!

[lanceman73]

My service truck will be featured in the next issue. I'm loving it!!