Rigging truck for detailing

[10degreesbtdc]

Here's what I'm thinking for my pickup with rear access topper. Wish I had gotten a long bed! I'll have to move buffers and product to get in and pull-start the generator, but other than that I think it will work.

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

kewl!
the tank is in the front, right?

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

kewl!
the tank is in the front, right?

I knew I'd forget something! Forgot to mark which way is front. (making correction in photoshop now)

Yes, the tank and air compressor are in front as they will not be moved in and out much. (hopefully not at all) Making brackets to secure all this stuff will take some time, for sure.

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

I kinda knew "top" was front
Just wanted to make sure you had access to all that free space!
I'm saving your drawnings!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

Looks like it will work just fine.

[TerryAdams]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

Will gas fumes be a problem from the generator? I would rather have the generator closer to the tailgate, for refilling and it's exhaust output.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

Pressure washer?

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

Will gas fumes be a problem from the generator? I would rather have the generator closer to the tailgate, for refilling and it's exhaust output.

If I had my druthers I would too. I don't look forward to starting it in the position shown either and refilling will be more difficult. I suppose I could pull it to the back when I use it, but then it can't be secured in place so it's not banging into the reclamation drum or the water tank while driving.

I think with the sliding windows open (one on each side) and the back open the fumes should escape. I could also open the front sliding window from inside the cab providing a vent opening on all four sides. Once I get everything together and ready to put into place this layout may change, but the sizes shown should be very close. It was really an exercise to see if it all would fit in my truck and I'm relieved to see that it will. I like the idea of having a compressor to clean pads quickly and efficiently as well as for sanding or other uses. Getting it mounted in place is the next challenge. Looks like I need some sort of cradle/bracket for it to sit in/on as well as a band to go around and attach to the bed rail on each side to keep it vertical.

Just waiting to take delivery on a tank and drum now and find misc. pieces and parts needed for vacuum and electrical.

Thanks for the input guys, as always!

[wyseilmykkar]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

Could you possible extend the exhaust through the roof or the side of the topper?

Personally, the last window I would consider opening would be the slider to the cab...

Any chance you could convert the generator to an electric start - might alleviate your access issues...

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

Could you possible extend the exhaust through the roof or the side of the topper?

Personally, the last window I would consider opening would be the slider to the cab...

Any chance you could convert the generator to an electric start - might alleviate your access issues...

Sorry, I meant I'd open the slider to the front of the topper from within the cab and then close the slider to the cab.

I looked at an electric start generator, but it was $250 more. I think this model could be converted. Might do that in the future. I got a 50 gallon tank today with the dimensions shown and I'm setting it, the compressor and generator in place for a trial run this weekend to see how it works. Here's hoping! I purchased an extra valve for it. Both valves will be mounted at the back so I can shut off the inlet and outlet and fill the tank from the tailgate rather than climb in with the hose to add water and for when I need to shut off the outlet to change from pressure washer to hose attachments.

Thanks Nick! I forgot to show the pressure washer in the diagrams, but it's a small one from local hardware store and will fit in the free space. Probably will have to carry some products and/or polishers in a bin in the cab.

Fortunately my compressor does not require oil as it has a nylon ring so it can be mounted in any position. (right?)

I'll also have to relocate the outlets on the generator since they are facing the water tank. Not a problem, though.

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

So far everything's fitting according to plan. This is a lot of work! I've definitely gotten my exercise climbing in and out of my truck bed about 1,000 times in the last three days.

This ramp will be stored in the truck as a shelf for my ladder and canopy/storage by mounting it on brackets above the water tank on the right side.



Fabbed these brackets to cradle the compressor standing on end in the left front corner.





Had to raise the topper to get access to the front bed rail to install nuts and washer in between the cab and bed.



The bracket that mounted to the side rail needed a backing plate for support.







This plywood "locator" plate accepts the fitting on the end of the compressor to keep it standing up straight. The holes ended up being over the fuel tank and frame so I relocated the mounting locations.





Here's the air compressor mounted and solid as a rock! It may not look like much, but I recently replaced the sleeve, piston and nylon piston ring and it runs like a champ. Picked it up at a pawn shop 8 years ago and still going strong. Now I can blow my pads clean instead of brushing and blow the water off customer vehicles after washing/claying.



On to the water tank. Eye bolts were installed through the floor. the locations required happened to fall just inside a boxed channel on the under side of the bed so a 1" hole saw was used to drill access holes to install washers and nuts. Two took only 30 minutes. The other two were over the exhaust and right next to the frame so the hole saw had to be used at a sharp angle. What a pain. They took 3 hours. The drill got so hot I had to keep cooling it off. Luckily I didn't break any teeth on the hole saw and persistence paid off!



Here's the air compressor and water tank mounted and secured. Finally! I really didn't need the red strap, but the water tank had about an 1 1/2" end play because the strap on the right is at the wrong angle and doesn't pull the tank against the side of the bed the way I wanted and I didn't want to take the chance of the outlet fitting hitting the compressor wheel if it slid abruptly. I couldn't mount the two eye bolts in the next rib to the right because it was directly over the frame. Feels really solid in place and won't budge now.

Next it's the generator and water reclamation system, then fab brackets for the shelf and plumbing the water tank, valves and water pump, wiring the compressor, pump and reclamation control box.

[Lydia]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

That is very impressive! The OCD detailer in me really likes to see a neat setup like that! That's really neat how everything will fit in there just right too. Nice work so far! Looking forward to the updates!

[RZ Autodetailing]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

that is a nice setup you got going so far....cant wait to see the final results....keep up the good work

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

That is very impressive! The OCD detailer in me really likes to see a neat setup like that! That's really neat how everything will fit in there just right too. Nice work so far! Looking forward to the updates!

Thanks very much! As soon as the neighbors are awake I'm back at it.

that is a nice setup you got going so far....cant wait to see the final results....keep up the good work

Thanks! I can't wait to see the results myself so I can get back to more enjoyable activities...like SHINING something!

[MrCLRider]

Re: Rigging truck for detailing

have you beefed up the truck for all of this also?? I don't know if I read something about replacing leaf springs or getting a better load rated tire for the truck. I would assume you just now have a standard Pmetric tire on it, are you going to step it up to C or D rated tire??