How I Built My Sleeper, the Stainless Bentz Crawl-Through

From start to finish, this project was a act of love. I spotted the bunk laying on it’s side while getting a load at a scrap yard. IT WAS ROUGH. After living a hard life on an old International Harvester truck, this relic was laying on its side destined for the shredder.
I immediately fell in love with it. I hopped out of my semi and took photos of it to share with Brian. Little did I know he had gone back to the scrap yard & bought it to give to me as a Christmas present.
I immediately started dreaming, planning, disassembling, & scheming. In my research I found out I have an “early Bentz” made by Brighton Metal Services. Being a crawl-through style it just happened to be the perfect match to the back window of my truck. So… we commissioned Sanson Enterprises in Dodge Center, MN to order, cut & bend the metal for the rear panel & door pieces.
I leaned how to polish Stainless steel and we began re-assembly with fresh insulation & weatherstripping. Painted bead board interior panels, watermelon lights, pinstriping, and a few other custom touches would set this functional piece of art apart from the crowd.
We made an aluminum frame to set it on the ‘97 Kenworth W900L that I drive daily. I’ve slept in the heated bunk for over 25 nights and I absolutely love it! It perfectly suits my style & my needs. I’d love to build more someday. We’ll see…
#sleeper #bunk #bentz #stainless #custom
filmed & edited by Philip West
additional editing & technical by Noah West
Music used with permission by Epidemic Sound

[@philipburrows]

A beautiful piece of work, the sleeper gives the truck the old school look.

[@Torsee]

Bentz made a special sleeper for the movie Smokey and the Bandit 2.. Snowman’s GMC!

[@kwhopper5409]

That’s badass bro And shout out to ur boss for being so kool about it

[@bigmackstruckstop9213]

I love that Benz sleeper Bunk,the whole truck looks super kool and I'll catch ya on the next one.

[@jeremiahparrott9293]

Wow that’s rad well done

[@roburquhart2350]

You're inspiring me to get going on my Ford LTL 9000 dream 🧡

[@geraldnulischjr]

love that old school look

[@davidjr4019]

Very nice Phil

[@odorizedramblings4660]

Super cool👍👍love the truck and your channel

[@Michaelg0221]

Super cool truck. Amazing job bringing it back and saving some old trucking history

[@NDR-hn3ue]

Nice job

[@theANGRIERone]

What a transformation. Lots of talent right there.

[@mpfishing6185]

I absolutely admire your passion to keep the old school look going. Keep it up driver!👍👍

[@michael17scaletruckerzisle92]

Jour Sleeper is an true Pice of Art ,Respect

[@bradleytenderholt5135]

Good job

[@johncoaker4952]

Very cool !!!!

[@crusiethmaximuss]

Love that sleeper. Love the rat-rod theme too so much. Your style is a refreshing combo to the semi world. We need more rat-rod trucks on the road. (:

[@relay93]

Thank you for sharing.

[@JasonSmith-vd1sz]

What an awesome video! Way to go!

[@trenchfighter0369]

I love this project, nice to see something done with a reserved budget. What's next??

[@bush600r2]

Very cool old sleeper and it has history and you have made it your own. I like it mate👍

[@Torsee]

It must have been a small company. Check out the spelling error on the brochure. 4:12 “Truck” and Roll

[@SuperB776]

Oh yeah I think it looks awesome...b

[@c141bee]

"TWO ASHTRAYS" 😁

[@tfjack97]

Awesome, just awesome. Love the look of the beadroll, great junkyard find. Thanks for the video.

[@juanbvasquez5971]

200 % nice 👌

[@timedmonds4983]

Nice ride, love all the personal touches on the truck. Truck shows driver's pride in the truck. Great video with the photos.

[@hawkeye7834]

Hell of a job man u did great

[@pierrem53]

very nice!

[@robertocastillo2260]

Congratulations, excellent work and nothing better when it is done by yourself.

[@terryperrott9913]

I like how you added the look of a Merckery sleeper .. I definitely like the stretched look better & im very sure its a smoother ride now

[@howardrodner2302]

Awesome work. Looks great!

[@yanni2112]

Love the plates in the cab. My entire wall of my garage is covered, I like the look. New Sub.

[@charlesbyrd1815]

"Awesome."

[@johnchandler975]

Unbelievable work bro! Great job.

[@GraydonShaun]

Awesome 👌🏻

[@jalenwalshak3598]

Dedicated, love for the hobby, and the work ethic to keep at ur goals and have a boss that’s more like another family member than a boss

[@vicpetrishak7705]

Safety is built into steering wheel design and are somewhat collapsible in today’s standards . It does look COOL though ! Also a quite impressive sleeper !

[@W211elegance]

Always loved the story behind the sleeper, it never gets old for me. #peaceandgrease bud

[@504kenzie]

Beautiful work🔥🔥🔥

[@mikehagan4320]

If I painted a bomb inside a sleeper for every time I slept in one. Mathematics round figures tells me I would have to paint 6 Thousand 7 Hundred and Fifty bombs. That would take a pretty Large Sleeper! Best Wishes from Montana M.H

[@edvisser3629]

Wow you did an awesome job..I am restoring a 1987 general with a 36 in Bentz bunk...They are a peice if history...I found my truck in a barn and it came with two spare bentz sleepers and a cab and hood.I couldn't leave them behind ..so I made another trip to get them home...the mice had pretty much had there way with the interior but they were super solid...Live your ideas as I want to redo my bunk interior...was either going to get a friend that does boat interior to do a retro diamond pattern..but after seeing yours I might do it myself ....If your ever looking for door handles..They were made by AMC motors for the amx line or javelin....I ended up selling those bunks online and had alot of interest in them...I first thought they were a mik man bunk but found tags like yours had...in the inside frame of the door...awesome job man...thanks for the great video

[@DieselDoc78]

That turned out totally rad! 💯 Thank you for sharing the build!

[@johndemeritt6763]

I'm looking to do something very similar to my truck right now. Having a very hard time finding an old sleeper though. I love the crawl through thats how a lot of trucks were set up when I was a kid.

[@humveekid]

Damn. I can't believe you don't own that truck.

[@aaronlevin2031]

The definition of "built not bought"

[@andycrawford8689]

Awesome job u did to ur truck and it looks good on there to be safe and always be careful doing what u do

[@hermannityofficial528]

No offence to your boss but he does not pay you enough next Christmas I’d ask for the truck 😂

[@janakasunimal3583]

😮❤️❤️👍👍👍

[@larryshumakerhihvv5294]

How long does it take you to build that that's very nice

[@anthonygreener3843]

U live in Minnesota??

[@stuartpulvermacher6861]

What does that sleeper add to your tare weight? Nice job , looks cool

[@lucsurmon2623]

👍👍👍

[@Wingnut_Stickman]

Looks good! Say, @1:39 is that Flannel Phyllis making an appearance?

[@blauer2551]

I live right near Hamburg, Michigan wonder if that place is still in business

[@markgiles5426]

How’s she doing now 2 years later??

[@nevinkempf9241]

What lights does it have in there

[@arthurburke1044]

Hey,IsThat You??? Didn’t We Meet At Wood Stock??? Far Out,I know It’s You,It’s Bubba From Little Rock. Yeah Your The One,My Sister Betty Is Still In Love With And The Kids,They Always Ask About What Happen??? We Just Told Them You Were Drafted Overseas. Well When You Coming By???

[@keepontruckinoutlawlife1248]

Hamburg MICHIGAN RIGHT bye me

[@snakebite2841]

Wow awesome video all this time I thought this truck was yours But you aint nothing but a company driver You need to go pick up your own ride and let's see what you can do

[@mitchellmorris2633]

Could you please contact me about the sleeper. I messaged you on FB with my number. Thank you