Isuzu NPR box truck / Camera-Grip truck

[Stephen Lovett]

Hi,

I'm in the midst of outfitting a mid-size box truck for use as a convertible camera, grip, and DIT/Edit truck. There was a request for photo's as the project progresses.

As you can see the exterior of the truck is in good shape, the interior of the box however needs some love

All the best,

Steve

 

[Stephen Lovett]

Backup Camera install

Backup Camera install

Remarkably the truck didn't have a backup alarm or backup camera installed.

Here is the back up camera hidden in the license plate frame, and the display is on the visor, thus not visible when the visor is up.

 

[David W. Jones]

Thanks for the post Steve, I was wondering how it was coming.

 

[david_winters]

First lesson learned. Make sure the exit point of the tail pipe is to the side of the truck not under. Otherwise all the diesel soot finds it's way through the floor boards into the box, on long drives, making your cases filthy.

 

[Stephen Lovett]

California Legal

California Legal

As a commercial truck to be legal you are required to apply for a CA number, permit, and the truck must have your logo displayed.

Here is the truck after exterior detail, and all the above completed, now highway legal.

The company logo signs are magnetic, so that when not on a job, the truck is an invisible ubiquitous box truck, and doesn't scream "I've got expensive tools inside, steal me."

 

[Stephen Lovett]

Interior Layout

Interior Layout

Apple boxes are really versatile :thumbup1:

The portable band-saw has made working with the Unistrut for the interior infrastructure simple and straight forward.

 

[Stephen Lovett]

So far not an issue but good to know

So far not an issue but good to know

First lesson learned. Make sure the exit point of the tail pipe is to the side of the truck not under. Otherwise all the diesel soot finds it's way through the floor boards into the box, on long drives, making your cases filthy.

Thanks for the heads up David.

Mine is under the bed, but it faces out.

I've taken the truck on a couple of pretty long trips already (it's about 350 miles from my house to Burbank each way) and so far it hasn't been an issue. That said, I'll factor it into the jockey box design.

Steve

 

[david_winters]

It was not a real nasty problem until we drove the truck from LA to SF. I think my jockey boxes trap a pool of exhaust under the truck. It's only made a mess on the long drives. A dusting of soot which sticks to the exterior of my cam cases.

Thanks for sharing your project photos. My next purchase is a spotless car wash filter setup so I can just blast the trucks with a power washer and let sun dry.

 

[David W. Jones]

This is real good stuff, and will be an interesting thread to watch!
As a contrast to the NPR buildup, I am doing a Sprinter buildup in this thread...

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36113

I think both threads will be beneficial in showing how different style production vehicles can be done with a few bucks and a little ingenuity. Something else I have learned over the course of time, if you can do it yourself you can save a substantial amount, if you have the time.
All the Best!

Dave

 

[David W. Jones]

So is that the T-style Unistrut Steve?

 

[David Collard]

Cool. You could almost live in that thing.

 

[Scott Miller]

Nice to see another buildup. Congrats on the new mobile studio

 

[Stephen Lovett]

So is that the T-style Unistrut Steve?

Hi David,

I'm using the standard P1000 1 5/8" U channel. It's overkill for the job, but if somebody loads a shelf with sandbags and then climbs on it, it won't even notice.

Steve

 

[Stephen Lovett]

Cool. You could almost live in that thing.

Hi David,

In fact I'd have preferred the 16' box instead of the 14' box as I'd have more elbow room, as you'll see as the project progresses, 14' just isn't all that much room for film gear. :smile5:

The 14' has some distinct advantages however. I doesn't have a side door making it easy to secure. Back it up against any solid wall and there is no way into the box without a torch or power tools. Further it will fit on an average driveway, and is easily maneuverable. It has a tighter turning radius than my LandCruiser.

Though in a pinch...

Steve

 

[Stephen Lovett]

Floor Fail

Floor Fail

Well, the most difficult work thus far has been getting the old sticky mastic from the old carpet off the bed.

The sanded pine looked so good that I tried a clear tung oil finish and a spar varnish on a small section, let it cure for the appropriate number of days, but it's a fail.

The pine is just too soft to support a durable finish, so I'm going to leave it bare for now, and perhaps add a rubber diamond plate mat or something similar in the future. Turn around on that is more than a week, and as I need to get the truck back into working condition it's just going to have to wait.

There is better news on the Unistrut build out. The first half of the structure is completed, and cutting of the plywood for the shelving has begun. Each shelf can support over a ton and with the cross bracing, it should hold up to life on the road.

The bottom section is for storage of an 8x8 Hollywood frame, dimension lumber dolly track, pvc, anything that is 8' long.

The middle section holds 8x10 sheets of plywood, foam core, and the skater dolly tabletop, the top section will hold diffusion rolls, sheet plastic and a 12x12 frame at the very top. The top section will be subdivided to facilitate full utilization of the space.

The steel for the ATA case shelving is cut and is the next thing to be installed.

 

[David W. Jones]

Looking good Steve!
Here is a possible suggestion on a finish product for the bed.
The product is called Waterlox, and it is a waterproof Tung Oil type finish.
It's used for a variety of situations where water could be a problem like hardwood floors.
I used it to refinish our butcher block counter tops in the kitchen and a 200+ year old Checkoslovakian bakers table with fantastic results.

All The Best!

Dave

 

[David W. Jones]

I will say that with a Tung Oil style finish, wood like pine will soak up the finish for about 3 to 4 coats, and then it will start to build out after 5 coats to a nice finish.

 

[Stephen Lovett]

Way overdue updates

Way overdue updates

Well I've been plugging away at this thing, but have done a crap job of posting updates.

All the shelving for phase one is now done.

Photo 1 Framing for the Workbench, grip chest and ATA cases in place

Photo 2 Test fit of the cases

Photo 3 Finished Birch plywood shelving for the ATA cases

Photo 4 Electrical hardware, 30 amp exterior water tight fixture, 30 amp detachable power cord.

I've completed the plywood / foam core holder section, workbench, and ATA shelving and the lockable cablewire restraints for the cases. Essentially all of the work illustrated in progress here.

Milk crate storage over the configurable area of the truck is also complete, and I'm starting on electrical.

I'll get photos uploaded soon.

All the best,

Steve

 

[David W. Jones]

Looking good Steve!
Are you getting your electrical from an RV supplier?
I still have yet to decide on how to do the electrical in the Sprinter.

 

[Roger Crouse]

Any plans to install a reversible fantastic fan or similar?
http://www.rvupgradestore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=849&site=google_base

Cool project. Good luck.