Jeff Knoll
Adventurist
My taste in offroad travel has changed many times since I was given my first dirtbike in 1975. I have had so many Jeeps, I stopped counting, built racecars, rock crawlers, Toyota pickups and tow vehicles. Funny, these days, I just want to return exploring the path less traveled and build a vehicle that allows some of the comforts of an RV, but allows us to go deeper into the backcountry. While I could have started with a newer platform, I have had this truck for about 10 plus years and I have always liked it. I also like that the truck is pretty simple. I have always liked Service trucks because they can be so organized, so without a care in the world about financial ROI, I decided to build something unique.
This project started many years ago when Charlie was called "Chase Charlie for the NATO Phonetic Alphabet as this truck was the third chase truck when I use to race desert cars. The truck was just flat abused and even used to mark race course for King of the Hammers. The truck was pretty much offered for anyone to drive anytime at desert races and KOH duty for many years. I have a lot of memories with this old truck, so I figured I should give it some love.
Goals
Build a self-sufficient go almost anywhere Sherpa vehicle that Angie and I can camp in, go kayaking, fishing, hiking, exploring and will be secure if it ends up parked somewhere strange.
I will try and keep this build thread moving forward, but I have done a lot of work on this truck in the last 3 months, including pulling the motor and replacing a bunch of critical engine components, including the clutch. In addition, I have completely redone the interior of the truck save for a few items I have left to finish.
Past work
Rather than lift the truck, I installed a Fiberglass hood and fenders made for a Bronco back when it was a chase truck. This has allowed me to install larger tires without a lift. I am really stupid about vehicle steering geometry and hate when the vehicle does not perform at least as good as stock. I never liked any of the lift kits available for the TTB front end. I built the front and rear bumpers myself many years ago, as well as the chase rack. These are all getting an update, or have been updated in the last months.
The Plan ( dream list)
I guess it will be best to break this up into focus areas. Most of the fun stuff will take place with the service bed.
Service Bed
The passenger will be the kitchen. I am hopeful I can craft a slide out cooktop in the first door at the front. I am not sure where I will mount the propane tank yet, but I have options. Spice rack and cutlery will also live here. If room allows the cast iron will also end up in this location. The middle bin will be the pantry, the rear bin will be the sink and cleaning station. I have an ARB awning and walls for this side of the rig and it is close to Angie, so she can jump out and make me a sandwich. I need to find a place for the BBQ and a folding table to round out the kitchen.
Drivers side will be basic storage of all those things you need handy. I have already built a gun safe in the first bin that is going to be hard to crack. I am also thinking I can put all the fuse blocks in here as well as jackets and personal items.I am also thinking of stashing the Honda generator here. The middle bin will be all the computers and camera crap. There is a nice fold down table here as well. Our daypacks and more personal stuff can live here as well. The rear bin will store the onboard shower and hygiene stuff. We have a Tepui tent on order with a room that will deploy to the driver's side so I can work inside the room at the stand-up desk that the middle bin affords. We have a quick pop tent that we use for a shower, that will go next to the toilet bin.
Bed
I have two aluminum packrat side out drawers that will get mounted in the bed for tools and extrication gear. The bed is covered so getting things out is a PITA. I plan to build a slide out bed for the cooler and all the bins that will get stored in the bed. Spare parts will go all the way in the bed as well as the house batteries.
I have already fabricated racks for two kayaks, the spare tire carrier, and the 3 jerry cans. I am still trying to decide what to do with my roof rack. We bought a Yakama Dr. Trey bike rack for our bikes to ride out back. I still need to figure out where the chainsaw, pulpal, maxxtrax and things like a shovel and an ax will live, but the 60" Highlift is mounted. Of course lights everywhere. Those yellow lights seem a good idea to keep the mozzies (skeeters) away.
Drivetrain
5.8 L V8 1994–97 210 hp (160 kW) 325 lb⋅ft (441 N⋅m)
Axles 5.13s and ARBs. Keep the TTB Dana 50 and at some point, I will do coil overs and bypasses. I have a box of never been used racing shock stuff so it will likely find its way on this truck. Add disk brakes to the rear Sterling 10.25. The TTb does not scare me as far as wanting to swap a Dana 60, I like the ride.
Motor checked out with good compression, it will stay around, but I plan to replace the entire exhaust and see If I can't make this breath a little. I may register the truck in Montana at some point, when that happens it will get upgrades. It will never be a race car, I am not in a hurry these days.
I will keep the 5 speed, love the granny 1st gear. Just replaced the clutch, motor mounts, harmonic balancer, water pump, timing chain housing etc.
Interior has been completely redone, over the last couple weeks, I will at some point replace the bench seat with a set of PRP daily driver seats. I still need to mount my Lowrance GPS and the RAM mount for the Ipad. The Kenwood dual band HAM radio will be going in soon as well. I own a half dozen commercial frequencies, so we don't mess with CB's anymore.
The only armor I need to build is a set of sliders, steps and upgrade all the skid plates under the rig. Bumpers have been serving me well for about 10 years now. The winch is only a 10K unit, but I have a snatch block if it ever stalls out and extra rope.
Lastly, it needs a paint job as it is ugly. Trying to decide if I want to tear it apart and paint it, or just get a wrap. The jury is still not out on this. Angie and I plan to use this machine to explore so I don't want to get upset if it gets desert pinstripes with a few dents. The truck will ultimately end up in Northern Montana or Idaho and I don't plan to get rid of it unless I win the lotto and build a newer version of the same thing. I have had about 30 years to learn what I need.
This project started many years ago when Charlie was called "Chase Charlie for the NATO Phonetic Alphabet as this truck was the third chase truck when I use to race desert cars. The truck was just flat abused and even used to mark race course for King of the Hammers. The truck was pretty much offered for anyone to drive anytime at desert races and KOH duty for many years. I have a lot of memories with this old truck, so I figured I should give it some love.
Goals
Build a self-sufficient go almost anywhere Sherpa vehicle that Angie and I can camp in, go kayaking, fishing, hiking, exploring and will be secure if it ends up parked somewhere strange.
I will try and keep this build thread moving forward, but I have done a lot of work on this truck in the last 3 months, including pulling the motor and replacing a bunch of critical engine components, including the clutch. In addition, I have completely redone the interior of the truck save for a few items I have left to finish.
Past work
Rather than lift the truck, I installed a Fiberglass hood and fenders made for a Bronco back when it was a chase truck. This has allowed me to install larger tires without a lift. I am really stupid about vehicle steering geometry and hate when the vehicle does not perform at least as good as stock. I never liked any of the lift kits available for the TTB front end. I built the front and rear bumpers myself many years ago, as well as the chase rack. These are all getting an update, or have been updated in the last months.
The Plan ( dream list)
I guess it will be best to break this up into focus areas. Most of the fun stuff will take place with the service bed.
Service Bed
The passenger will be the kitchen. I am hopeful I can craft a slide out cooktop in the first door at the front. I am not sure where I will mount the propane tank yet, but I have options. Spice rack and cutlery will also live here. If room allows the cast iron will also end up in this location. The middle bin will be the pantry, the rear bin will be the sink and cleaning station. I have an ARB awning and walls for this side of the rig and it is close to Angie, so she can jump out and make me a sandwich. I need to find a place for the BBQ and a folding table to round out the kitchen.
Drivers side will be basic storage of all those things you need handy. I have already built a gun safe in the first bin that is going to be hard to crack. I am also thinking I can put all the fuse blocks in here as well as jackets and personal items.I am also thinking of stashing the Honda generator here. The middle bin will be all the computers and camera crap. There is a nice fold down table here as well. Our daypacks and more personal stuff can live here as well. The rear bin will store the onboard shower and hygiene stuff. We have a Tepui tent on order with a room that will deploy to the driver's side so I can work inside the room at the stand-up desk that the middle bin affords. We have a quick pop tent that we use for a shower, that will go next to the toilet bin.
Bed
I have two aluminum packrat side out drawers that will get mounted in the bed for tools and extrication gear. The bed is covered so getting things out is a PITA. I plan to build a slide out bed for the cooler and all the bins that will get stored in the bed. Spare parts will go all the way in the bed as well as the house batteries.
I have already fabricated racks for two kayaks, the spare tire carrier, and the 3 jerry cans. I am still trying to decide what to do with my roof rack. We bought a Yakama Dr. Trey bike rack for our bikes to ride out back. I still need to figure out where the chainsaw, pulpal, maxxtrax and things like a shovel and an ax will live, but the 60" Highlift is mounted. Of course lights everywhere. Those yellow lights seem a good idea to keep the mozzies (skeeters) away.
Drivetrain
5.8 L V8 1994–97 210 hp (160 kW) 325 lb⋅ft (441 N⋅m)
Axles 5.13s and ARBs. Keep the TTB Dana 50 and at some point, I will do coil overs and bypasses. I have a box of never been used racing shock stuff so it will likely find its way on this truck. Add disk brakes to the rear Sterling 10.25. The TTb does not scare me as far as wanting to swap a Dana 60, I like the ride.
Motor checked out with good compression, it will stay around, but I plan to replace the entire exhaust and see If I can't make this breath a little. I may register the truck in Montana at some point, when that happens it will get upgrades. It will never be a race car, I am not in a hurry these days.
I will keep the 5 speed, love the granny 1st gear. Just replaced the clutch, motor mounts, harmonic balancer, water pump, timing chain housing etc.
Interior has been completely redone, over the last couple weeks, I will at some point replace the bench seat with a set of PRP daily driver seats. I still need to mount my Lowrance GPS and the RAM mount for the Ipad. The Kenwood dual band HAM radio will be going in soon as well. I own a half dozen commercial frequencies, so we don't mess with CB's anymore.
The only armor I need to build is a set of sliders, steps and upgrade all the skid plates under the rig. Bumpers have been serving me well for about 10 years now. The winch is only a 10K unit, but I have a snatch block if it ever stalls out and extra rope.
Lastly, it needs a paint job as it is ugly. Trying to decide if I want to tear it apart and paint it, or just get a wrap. The jury is still not out on this. Angie and I plan to use this machine to explore so I don't want to get upset if it gets desert pinstripes with a few dents. The truck will ultimately end up in Northern Montana or Idaho and I don't plan to get rid of it unless I win the lotto and build a newer version of the same thing. I have had about 30 years to learn what I need.
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