DIY | ARMY TRUCK to DUMP TRUCK! P2

When the price of a dump truck was too high we decided to make our own!
Follow along as we turn our 1994 M1078 into dump truck before driving it 1,200 miles to our off-grid property in Northern Idaho!
Dump Bed Kit: primarymover.c...
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Riley Casey
105 Vermeer Dr
STE 2 PMB 141
Ponderay, ID 83852

[@WestsideCruisers]

Amazing work! Your so right when your say every kids dream to have a dump truck. And a sweet one at that! The ultimate. Great work!!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks! We can't wait to put the truck to work!

[@hemanthvasudevan7557]

Unbelievable these guys.......i mean he just did it.... really big achievement...woow...

[@AmbitionStrikes]

We can't wait to put it to work!

[@eduardojrmurallon8155]

Congratulations 🎊🎉🍾 you have your dream come true👏👏👏👏👏👏🚛🚚

[@cabra2365]

Awesome... makes my Suzuki Carry dump truck (3.4m / 11ft long) look like a kid's toy!

[@thomasjones613]

I'm a retired welder with 43 years of experience. You welded that cross member in place with a "vertical downhill" bead which won't hold anything. You need to start that weld from the bottom of that square tube and travel uphill with your weld in order for it to hold.

[@wendellharker6690]

That is to cool so much fun and hard work.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

☺️

[@bartmacaluso]

And... Its bad ass, its made for some off road stuff man! I am jealous lol. Grats! :D

[@Blake1504tube]

Incredible..!

[@robertbass5283]

So COOL…Great WORK !!

[@Blackxs93]

Awesome job enjoyed that

[@richardbraybon3245]

you guys amaze me with what you accomplice

[@mr.miraclemantm.6455]

Welcome to Ambition Strikes construction company? As usual, great job. If you see one of those videos where they load up a miny exc. into a dump truck, i suggest you don`t try it for a couple of years until your an expert with the machines because your dump truck bed is a bit higher. Don`t take chances, be safe. Don`t forget your tools! lol

[@AmbitionStrikes]

That seems like an excellent idea, we will hold off on any extreme maneuvers until we have at least owned the excavator for a month… 😉

[@mr.miraclemantm.6455]

@@AmbitionStrikes I forgot a key piece of info, they don`t use any kind of ramps to get into the back of the dump truck.

[@chombi84]

Fantastic Job, enjoy the road trip. 👍👍👍

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thank you!!

[@robinrobinson4457]

Another awesome video

[@deirdreanderson7620]

So cool you know how to create the dump truck, how clever!! Hope your eyes get better!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Courtney is healing up well. Thanks for watching!

[@dustoff1472]

Outstanding. Enjoying the channel. Tks for sharing.

[@rcox787]

Scotch bridge wheel is a beast on surface rust as well!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

It was amazing, too bad they don't last longer. Still worth it though!

[@randomguy25678]

had to recommend to provide a heat shield on your hoist pump (plastic)reservoir; it's mounted close to the exhaust pipe

[@AmbitionStrikes]

That is a great idea!

[@randomguy25678]

@@AmbitionStrikes honored that you noticed my comment

[@Frostie67AU]

Awesome job guys, as are the rest of your projects! One comment, in case you took the 12V from one of the batteries that make up 24V; your alternator will be charging 24V. If you take 12V from one battery then the alternator will overcharge the other (full) battery, which will eventually fail. It's probably fine if you only use the tipper occasionally, but for significant duty cycles it's best to install a 24-12V voltage reducer. Cheers team and thanks for the awesome content!

[@markmitchell457]

That was so cool. I'm a 70 year old that moved to 20ac of unimproved forest in So. Oregon in 1977. This will be the best part of your life. I know it was one of the best parts of mine. Take care, have fun!

[@pierrelamy1257]

Be careful about grinding or sanding your truck. Many military vehicles are painted with chemical agent resistant paint coating (CARC). The older formulation had cyanide which becomes airborne when the paint is disturbed. Vehicles with CARC paint should have "CARC" stencilled on the vehicles but I wouldn't bet my health on that.

[@homeFall1]

right, a true respirator and wet sanding are recommended I believe if your vehicle has the older formulation of CARC on it. Also would want to do all stripping over a tarp so you can fold it up and dispose of it properly. If welding on old school CARC rigs you need to remove enough paint around the area that the paint left will not get hot at all.

[@melvinmariott8609]

That is cool ya'll are on y'all's way to bigger an better thing's. I like it a lot.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

We used the dump feature for the first time yesterday and it was awesome!!

[@Ramdodge582]

you just turned that badass truck even more badass. hopefully your quarry isn't too far away. Mine is 30 mins away and my truck/dump trailer can only move 6 ton at a time and it sucks, i can't imagine only hauling 4 ton.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

It will certainly take some time hauling loads, and once we have the road improved enough to get trucks in I could see still hiring truck and transfers of base for the bigger projects.

[@rickallman1318]

Hello ya'll. Great progress in every aspect of achieving off grid dream! However I would look into some kind of backup for lifting mechanism. Maybe air or oil filled cylinders, one on each side! Be especially carefully to off load on level ground! If you aren't, load might shift, causing lifting mechanism to fail, and flipping truck on it's side! Of course with your system, you are outside of your truck! And of course pay attention to what side of truck you are on! Lol!

[@seafieldgrant6957]

Great job you should be proud, not many could build that ! thanks for video.

[@OutOfOfficeCamping]

CONGRATULATIONS THAT'S INCREDIBLE! In every aspect of the build. You should think about fabricating and selling any of the parts you produced with the conversion after you've had a chance to test everything out. (You know in your spare time..🤣 You're going to have so much fun with all your new toys I mean equipment. Teresa said you can put a tarp in the back fill it with water and have a nice above ground pool. When you're finished just raise it and now you'll have one amazing slip and slide and a water feature. ~Mark & Teresa

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Riley’s eyes lit up when I read him Teresa’s suggestion… 😉

[@OutOfOfficeCamping]

@@AmbitionStrikes For some reason I don't think that's surprises me after following you both on YT.....hahahahah. ❤. You'd hit that 100,000 subscribers in no time with that build! Idaho's newest waterpark coming to your neighborhood soon! Instead of the ice-cream truck it will be the military slip and slide theme truck. 🩳👙=🙂

[@dokeefe4403]

I’m impressed! You are 1 talented dude

[@luxurycarsandtrucks355]

At the 12:46 mark The metal that you cut out for the battery cable that go to the hydraulic pump, make a rubber cushion or a plastic piece for the cable to sit on. Because over time the vibration of the truck will wear the plastic jacket of the one gauge wire and cause an ark. It will destroy all the electrical. Better safe than sorry. Too cool of a build to mess everything up. Great job by the way.

[@cab1198]

Hope you bring your plasma table up to Idaho. Good backup to make some extra money.

[@russellrattys6581]

Riley, that 3M scotchbrite wheel you have, over here in the UK we call them "flap discs" there really good, i routinely use the 80 grit ones for grinding weld down, they remove weld really fast, but dont bite too hard into the parent metal, not like a regular grinding disc, so for instance, if your welding a butt joint, and you bevel both pieces your welding together, then run a bead, but need the bead flush with the parent metal, but not gouged out, try am 80 grit scotchbrite wheel :) i found that out by accident one time when my last grinding wheel exploded, showered me in wheel, and i only had a scotchbrite wheel left, and i needed some weld bead grinding im a lot like you, i have worked on no end of usual equipment, i could be your brother from another mother lol, my names Russell, everyone abbreviates it to Russ, and when im working, loads of people call me danger-Russ, like Courtney calls you reckless Riley lol ha ha

[@mikeholubek4419]

Add some Prop Rods, so if U have 2 work on it while its up it cant come down on U turning U into mush.

[@gbsbill]

That was awesome Riley!!

[@piepawrench]

FYI ; I owned and drove dump trucks for several yrs here in my home state of Kentucky. I hauled mostly coal but hauled a lot of sand and gravel, road salt and lots of other stuff. I had a tri axle dump trailer, (30ft), and also drove some tri axle dump trucks for others. ALWAYS DUMP ON LEVEL GROUND!!! If your truck is leaning even slightly and the load is off center, even a little in the bed, when you raise it, it will be on its side. If your dumping and a load of dirt, maybe a little wet and you raise the bed and one side of the dirt comes loose and the other side does not, you could be on your side. Be careful and watch what you are doing. Good Luck.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thank you so much for the heads up! It certainly sounds like we should be careful, so I will make sure Courtney is involved... 😉

[@MrJsteed2009]

Wow 🤩 Excited for you 👏

[@danielpullum1907]

You said the wire wheels wouldn't remove the paint but U used it to clear the paint for the hyd tank mounts. I would build a heat shield or a box around that "plastic" tank top prevent a hyd oil leak and prevent heat from the exhaust melting it. That exhaust pipe can get up to 8 or 9 hundred degrees under extended engine operation. It could prevent a vehicle fire as hyd oil is usually very flammable. Non-flammable is quite expensive and hard to find. In spite of my critique, Riley, you did an AWESOME JOB. I've already seen your drive to Idaho....

[@martinmalloy8119]

absolute fantastic job, greetings from Germany Grüße aus Deutschland , this is the mindset we need a lot more in this world.....

[@ThreadTalkPodcast]

Amazing work!

[@ToddDesiato]

That was amazing! Thank you.

[@edwardcarberry1095]

I would have installed a disconnect switch on the outside of the battery box. With sized RED hose to go over top of that part,taping the ends to keep sand out! With the split loom over the other part of the POSITIVE cable with Red phase tape every 4 inches. That would minimize any short ccting and when not in use.

[@dontfix-it786]

You guys need to put extra bracing in the frame of that truck especially in the back where the hinges are. Because it’s not specifically meant to be a dump truck with the single axle. But the dump install was near perfect!

[@FlockingmMollifordsonite]

Single axle dump. That’s be the LMTV I’d want. All the tandem axles with dump are more of a fuel hog than I want to pay for. Like a bobbed deuce and a half.

[@robertburgess6100]

Very cool guys. You will get a lot of good use out of it.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

It should makes things much easier!

[@PeterKNoone]

This is effing awesome. Bravo.

[@geigertron3000]

so much awesomes!

[@sceneanuerebelrebel9244]

Put some heater hose about 6 in.long and split length wise two pieces are needed to prevent the edges of the battery box doesn't chew through the battery cable jacket.Sort of like welding with 2400amps,all ele. is toast,truck is dead...

[@AmbitionStrikes]

That is a great idea!!

[@jerrstubbs439]

Exciting! Looking Devious 😜

[@AmbitionStrikes]

☺️

[@billmapes7401]

Thank you

[@gembul76]

Yup! Every kid's dream to own a dump truck! I wish i have your brain, knowing everything about building a van, a dump truck and a house...

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Only one way to learn! 👊

[@jackryan8719]

They have some mad skills.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

😃

[@rogercamp2910]

You need to brace the cross member you cut to clear the hoist. Use 2 inch wide x 5 mm flat steel to prevent warping.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

That cross member was mostly there to make the side panel storage. We have not had any issues so far with the bed deflecting but will certainly keep an eye on it!

[@inmobiliariaadolfovillegas7205]

Asi es, Todo un SUEÑO. FELICITACIONES.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thank you!

[@technicalmeltdown]

I would put some rubbers at the end to absorb the shocks when it's coming down. And electric wires should be shielded from sharp edges like the battery container, rubber around and clamps are stronley advised..

[@AmbitionStrikes]

That is a great idea!

[@Rational_Party]

I turned a GMC 6500 into a dump truck using a 12' military bed and the same hoist kit. Since you can, I would recommend feeding that thing 24v instead of 12V. Mine is painfully slow on 12V. I don't think 14v would hurt the motor at all, and if you needed to, you can find a 24v solenoid for the valve. I'll be looking for an M1078 to replace the C6500 when our house is finished. :)

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Oh cool idea! It is very slow, especially compared to the real 10 wheel dump truck that delivered gravel to us. We've been loving the 1078, I'm looking forward to spending more time getting it "dialed in".

[@davidward1259]

Riley, take some wiring split loom and place it on the edges of the battery box and cover where the hydraulic pump lines enter. That will prevent potential chaffing as the truck vibrates down the road when driven. I would also put split loom over the wires and then tape them for extra protection. Cheap insurance!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks David, that is an excellent idea!

[@johnhamilton9229]

I want a dump truck too👊👊

[@synicle0723]

Two things Youll need to keep an Eye on, the Hydraulic Cab Latch, they have a very prominent chance to Leak, Replace the Turbo, the lowest Bidder Built this Truck, the Civilian Market has a Better Turbo and its more Reliable.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks for the tips!

[@curtisharlan9230]

Cool Riley

[@TheGreenNewSteal2025]

I’m happy someone already mentioned CARC paint. Both of our HMMWV’s were marked but our 6x6 was not. However where the green paint flaked it was marked on the tan underneath. Watch them lungs!

[@purplegravy]

Dumpy McTruckerson lives!!!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

🤘🏻

[@NoNo-zd8md]

Love how you TWO work TOGETHER ❤️

[@AmbitionStrikes]

😊

[@KutWrite]

Yes, even when one is blind!

[@kenschoenfelder6260]

Super Cool 😎

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks Ken!

[@x35mmman]

Now you need to get a scissor jack where you can load up logs brush or whatever to place in the back of the dump truck.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

That would be awesome!

[@x35mmman]

@@AmbitionStrikes don't get me wrong I think it one of the coolest thing I seen in a long time. But I just was how. you would get the material in the back of the tall bed.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

@@x35mmman For the most part we will use the excavator!

[@x35mmman]

I was wondering if the excavators would be able to handle the height. You are now my number one channel to watch. You knocked my number 1 Wild Wonderful Off Grid to number 2. There are at 860k subscribers. Keep the fun in the videos. Everyone needs to laugh in today’s world

[@garysizemore3729]

Great work! Don’t forget some rubber trim around the cut outs to the batt box so the lines don’t chafe and maybe a metal cover box to protect your hydraulic pump and a C channel/shield to protect your lines from branches and rocks. Thanks for all the vids! .

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Yes! Those are all great tweaks to make once we’ve got some more time!

[@rickallman1318]

Great idea!

[@dougdekuiper3194]

Great job.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks Doug!

[@michaelf8302]

Riley is amazing

[@Blueridgedog]

Suggest you box in that rail you had to cut. You may have. Fantastic planning and work. Eager to see it put to work.

[@squatch2461]

something to stop cracks running from the 90's cut into it

[@AmbitionStrikes]

That rail was part of the storage system for the side panels, so it is not very structural. But boxing is still certainly not a bad idea!

[@vetteluvnh]

Outstanding!

[@terrylarkin690]

That is very cool

[@AmbitionStrikes]

☺️

[@chuirios365]

Awesome!

[@stevethomas4095]

The professor has a lot of skills and the internet

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks!

[@duane4972]

Gettin' er DONE !!!!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Yeah!! 👊

[@shanenorwell8580]

Not sure if its been mentioned but be sure so install a battery equaliser on then 12/24 side of the batteries. If you continue to use 12 volts for the hoist those batteries will end up flat and the others will end up overcharged. Series wired batteries don’t self equalise like batteries in parallel do.

[@lewisgoodridge1308]

Need to install a heat guard over the exhaust to protect the Plastic surge tank of the hydraulic unit. Another option instead of the electric hoist is to fit a pump to the gearbos as a PTO. I know Military equipment is a pain in the butt after disposal, but all units have PTO's available. Even your camper being TOJO has two if similar to Aussie Build. Possibly notas Yanks go for Auto boxes in a big way.

[@koushikram532]

I started watching your videos from Camper, Absolutely Awesome , Use safety gear and Take Care.

[@edwinarmstrong9175]

This is awesome & will come in handy back at your mountain retreat. Definitely looking forward to your next video!!!!!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

It should get the job done, and be fun! 😉

[@timburk6097]

The big heavy tool/toys are so much fun. Next a dozer?

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Oh man a dozer would be so awesome!

[@michaelamans2780]

Cool!!!😎👍

[@MSGBasilioHernandez]

I am not sure where y'all are in this journey and how much use you have with the dump bed. Modifications I would consider making would be to build side panels for the dump body out of heavier material than the flappy bed sides of that LMTV and possibly to add a pto driven hydraulic pump. I would use the stake pockets to locate the bedsides to protect the sliding hinges and prevent the current bedsides from damage. If you were to have a pto driven hydraulic pump, you could add a MileMarker hydraulic winch.

[@10p6]

Nice, but the hydraulic ram seems a little far back, thus putting a lot of strain of the forward bart of the bed.

[@billskeen68]

I absolutely love the ingenuity you two have. Awesome!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Not sure if it's ingenuity or stubbornness. Thanks for watching!

[@GrantRTanner]

You're right...that is awesome! Very nice work.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks Grant! ☺️

[@GaryFord-Audio]

Very nice! very very nice!!!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks Gary!

[@SaraMahan-ub9ex]

Use a hard wheel on the grinder

[@travisld83]

Awesome build and a job well done! I would highly recommend putting a support under the hydraulic reservoir, it’s held on with four Allen heads and sealed to the pump with an oring. With the weight of the oil bouncing around it will either leak or break off like mine did.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

That seems like a very good idea!

[@gr1mrea9er82]

I think what you're doing is cool. An off-road dump truck is a good idea where you live. After you are done hauling loads, developing the land...consider converting it into an All-terrain brush fire truck. two IBC tanks, a pump and a generator, and some rakes and axes, and you are good to go. It could save your property from a wildfire, and you can assist your neighbors should they become affected by one. But i have some other technical concerns... A. How much is the hydraulic lift certified for lifting? What is the max load permitted on the bed ? B. You might want to consider adding some detachable higher side panels as an option? That might be prohibited if you plan to drive heavy loads on the highway.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

You must have seen us on the freeway, when it was loaded with two IBC tanks and a pump... 😂 All we need is the generator now! A. It is an 11-ton lift. The truck had a payload capacity of 5k (capable of much more but they are derated) but with some more weight shedding we can legally haul more. For around the property it can certainly handle much more than that. B. We have plans to modify the bed quite a bit, but for now the priority is getting a shop up before winter!

[@gr1mrea9er82]

​@@AmbitionStrikes Check out Offtheranch... he has the very same model that was set up as a fire truck. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZjHZp9_erGliKM

[@pedroiiiflores3032]

You're good man!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Well thanks!

[@_marcus_does_]

That is Uber cool!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

😁

[@deanbenson6879]

Box those frame ends, get a BANG BOARD soon there!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

The frame ends were boxed during this install. A bang board will be coming once we get our fabrication tools moved up and settled into the shop... gotta build the shop first! Thanks for watching!

[@mitdragnurb]

Just a thought, that hydraulic is kind of close to the exhaust. Was concerned that it would maybe melt the plastic hydro fluid tank. Also, you are one hell of a wrench turner. Your as good as my Dad was and that is saying something.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Hi Tim! The exhaust doesn't get very hot on this truck and there is some decent distance there. I don't think it will ever be and issue. Thanks for the compliments! Hope you have fond memories of turning wrenches with dad!

[@millerhoo]

At some point you have to ask yourself what project would you not take on vs the ones you would. Oh man, awesome project.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks Paul!

[@homeFall1]

Nice job! Along with the safety latch for the down and stowed position I saw someone else mention I would seriously consider adding the front mud flaps you removed back on to help keep rocks from flinging forward off the tires and hitting that plastic tank on the new hydraulic pump. Might also add a dedicated rock guard around it.

[@treetopflyersofva2]

Another great video. Courtney We all hope your eyes are healing and you can see where Riley is skimping on any safety procedures. After that 5 minutes of “what did she say” video the other day, we hope you and the dogs have finally made it to Idaho safely. I liked the air conditioner.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks John! The drive was an absolute blast and we can’t wait to share the video where you can actually hear us on Sunday! 😉

[@treetopflyersofva2]

@@AmbitionStrikes Hurry up Sunday!!!!

[@Ris2newday]

Perfect make it happen Fab. Somewhere between Andrew Camarata and Fireball

[@AmbitionStrikes]

😊

[@davemiller3027]

Be sure to fab up a heat shield so the heat from the exhaust doesn’t melt your hydraulic tank.

[@kevinkoepke8311]

And also tire throwing debris at plastic tank.

[@loucinci3922]

Great teamwork. You two are amazing together. Keep up the fun stuff. Thanks for sharing

[@kirkkenton807]

My wife won’t let me have a welder because I’d do something like this with my F-150! You guys rock. Love this channel.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

😂

[@benparsons196]

You 2 are so awesome. You do great work with every project you take on. Love your channel. Thank you for all you do.

[@sgtmoose1942]

My son who is in the National Guard as a mechanic informed me that the CARC (Chemical Agent Resistant Coating) paint that they paint these things and most military vehicles with is very dangerous. In the future if you have to grind it please wear a respirator.

[@mikebrunner1577]

May see you all in person. Rite close to my Brother. Super cool.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Ah no way! In California or Idaho?

[@markdaube507]

Another future, multi purpose and super cool, project to think about, is building a slide in camper box for your dump truck. You can probably find an Army truck mounted shelter box for cheap. They can be battery shops, command and communications, or tool rooms. I was an Army Aircraft Electrician and once worked in a 15ft. battery shop that was placed on the ground and plugged into the grid. The heater/ac was awesome. But, with your skills, you can probably build one lighter and cheaper. I recommend 2 long frame rails with rollers on the front and box cross tubes to plug in adjustable legs, making it like a 4 legged spider that can lower itself to the ground once the truck is pulled out from under it. A snatch block and portable winch attached to the front pulls it in the bed and slows it's decent when you use the dump feature. Now, you will have an Army dump truck/ All Terrain camper.