Building a LED sign truck from scratch..

[RiverDave]

So my buddy Jason from Boombandits was selling one of his trucks. I bought it because I wanted to keep it in the family so to speak so we could both use it for events.. the primary reason I bought it was because it already had the trussing etc.

This was the truck we used at supercat fest for the giant led video wall.

 

[JFMFG]

Nice.

 

[RiverDave]

We set it up quick with a little generator and all the wires exposed etc but it worked well for the event.

 

[RiverDave]

Well big Dan comes back and says he’s got a screaming deal on a couple hi def screens if I want to own them.. I bought one and Preston bought one. They are 11’ wide.

We it cuts to me pretty quick that this rolling billboard isn’t going to be Just for events but I can use it for all kinds of income generating stuff.

Big problem though is I can’t leave this thing unattended with all the wires hanging out of the back of it and the controllers need to be air conditioned etc..

So we start planning the build.. and as luck would have it Erick Barker (the guy that built my ranger) is available so I hired him to build it.. only problem is Erick only does shit one way.. lol

Over the top or nothing.

So with that comes the plan.. what do we need to make this rig self contained and a little more secure so I can leave it unattended and it can act as a billboard.


Step one find a generator that can run in 120+ degrees.. not just any generator because this screen doesn’t require much power.. but a generator big enough that if I want to use this truck to pull my black trailer into the desert that I can power my motorhome and black trailer AC’s.. so we got this big military diesel generator from @Blackmagic94 off of rdp.

Erick cleaned it and sanded it and painted it the same white as the truck

 

[RiverDave]

Well the truss system that I originally bought the truck for is kinda useless because the screen would hang off the side of it and not he enclosed which isn’t good for security. So off that comes.. (I’m selling that truss if anyone is interested)

 

[RiverDave]

Big Dan dropped off the screens and the processors

This is one of the panels and the rolling cases they come in.

 

[monkeyswrench]

So, with Starlink, a "Magic Box" and a bartender...
Epic Super Bowl parties!
Rent it to a desert bar during football season... all kinds of stuff really.

 

[RiverDave]

And this is where we come back to Erick only builds shit one way.. lol.

Dave we are going to have to skirt the truck.. we can build cabinets and the external fuel tank and make it legit.

In all fairness if someone wants to rent this thing to have the ultimate Super Bowl party or for a kids b day party to play video games on a giant screen.. they would be more apt to rent it if it looked legit.

Truck before.. truck templated for cabinets / fuel tank etc..

 

[RiverDave]

Couple of Walmart ac’s.. we are buying spares in case one of them breaks down the road.

 

[RiverDave]

The screen enclosure is welded up.. and again erick builds shit one way.. filed edges / beveled

 

[RiverDave]

He is changing the whole rear of the truck so the tapered boxes in the back look legit.. the giant ugly hitch was in the way earlier.

 

[azsunfun]

You need a hobby dave$$

 

[sonicss31]

Do you ever ask yourself, “what the fuck did I get into”?

 

[RadMan]

Love these type threads where I can just sit back and watch talent and creativity come together.

 

[Boatles]

You need a hobby dave$$

Apparently his hobby is spending $ and he seems to be very good at it

 

[H20 Toie]

Jesus Dave
So much for quick and easy
its going to be bad ass thou

 

[Mandelon]

There are a few of these I see around San Diego. They are essentially mobile electronic billboards. Companies advertise their wares as the truck is driven up and around busy areas.

I don't know if there are any laws regulating this type of thing, but probably not. It certainly seems like a viable business on its face.

When you run for mayor it will really come in handy!

 

[monkeyswrench]

So, next comes the stabilizer jacks behind the skirting, and a single action scissor lift between the frame rails to raise the monitors 10ft

 

[RadMan]

Don’t forget the hidden deadman switch for the truck to keep it from driving away unexpectedly, lots of value there on a mobil platform. Keeping it in a locked shop is not enough, especially with your exposure.

My dad and I also use this at our personal shop in South Dallas/Oak Cliff

 

[Englewood]

I thought about doing something similar for desert trips. What year truck?

 

[pronstar]

You can go nuts with this stuff, I had this car built while i was still at the ad agency

Lexus IS – Feedback Loop

www.wired.com

 

[NicPaus]

I thought about doing something similar for desert trips. What year truck?

Looks like a 2000. No Bueno in CA. I had 1 similar I converted to a dump truck. I wouldn't want to drive it to far unless it was loaded down.

 

[clarence]

You can go nuts with this stuff, I had this car built while i was still at the ad agency

Lexus IS – Feedback Loop

www.wired.com

Wow.

 

[RiverDave]

So, next comes the stabilizer jacks behind the skirting, and a single action scissor lift between the frame rails to raise the monitors 10ft

Depending on the economic viability of this one.. that might be on the next one. Lol

 

[H20 Toie]

Depending on the economic viability of this one.. that might be on the next one. Lol

RDP mobile Screen rentals
H20 Toie sales/engineer

 

[RiverDave]

I thought about doing something similar for desert trips. What year truck?

Early 2,000’s.. I’d have to look it up. It’s about 7-9k for the truck depending.. generator is 4500-5500 bucks or so.

I plan on you being one of my customers for this thing.

We will be up at your house in about 20 minutes

 

[RiverDave]

RDP mobile Screen rentals
H20 Toie sales/engineer

I’m a 100% in!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Depending on the economic viability of this one.. that might be on the next one. Lol

I used to drive a truck for a roofing shop that was a "scissor/ dump". Big CAT powered C7500. It looked like a flatbed, about dock height. The whole bed would go up 22ft! With the smog laws in Cali, a lot of those trucks have been popping up for sale. I've seen them listed as "bridge work" trucks, and other things.

There used to be a car dealer in Montclair that had a screen setup on a truck like that, right on the 10. The official story was it was "temporary", so it didn't need seismic engineering or something.

 

[Singleton]

So once up and running, will the driver be required to have a commercial license?

 

[RiverDave]

So once up and running, will the driver be required to have a commercial license?

I don’t think so? My intention is to park it in various spots and move it once a day or every 24’ish hrs.. I don’t need the led lit up while whoever is driving it..

 

[RiverDave]

Doors for the back of the wall are here

 

[RiverDave]

Frame is braced up and sheet meral
Is getting screwed in

 

[JB in so cal]

Any chance you can run a @riverroyal is a homo graphic around town?

 

[RiverDave]

Any chance you can run a @riverroyal is a homo graphic around town?

Depends on what ya wanna pay?

 

[Roosky01]

We must be on different wave lengths? I look at that and see a mobile stipper pole with an awesome light set-up and speakers cranking "Porn Star Dancing" on loop...

 

[monkeyswrench]

We must be on different wave lengths? I look at that and see a mobile stipper pole with an awesome light set-up and speakers cranking "Porn Star Dancing" on loop...

I think for the right price, it can have an "optional pole"....but you'd have to supply your own dancer. It's a worker's comp issue

 

[Roosky01]

Could you have the top rigged with solar? Seems like you all get a fair amount of sun out there and eliminates the noisy generator issue? Plenty of room for a battery bank...

 

[monkeyswrench]

Could you have the top rigged with solar? Seems like you all get a fair amount of sun out there and eliminates the noisy generator issue? Plenty of room for a battery bank...

Don't know what the draw would be on the LED doodads, but Dave likes his stuff loud...speakers may need their own genset
He'd also mentioned using the truck to haul and power an event trailer...don't know how many AC's and whatnot that rig has.

 

[Roosky01]

I think for the right price, it can have an "optional pole"....but you'd have to supply your own dancer. It's a worker's comp issue

If mobile exotic dancers doesn't work in Havasu, then I'm pretty sure it won't work anywhere?

I can see the dudes throwing Jacksons and Grants and getting the shit slapped out of them by their wives now...

 

[monkeyswrench]

If mobile exotic dancers doesn't work in Havasu, then I'm pretty sure it won't work anywhere?

I can see the dudes throwing Jacksons and Grants and getting the shit slapped out of them by their wives now...

Well then, build another for "bachelorette" parties...It's all about the income stream..."pole" dancer may have different meanings, but the money's still green
Just set them up on different sides of the channel, so noone's significant other locks down the cash!

 

[RiverDave]

Could you have the top rigged with solar? Seems like you all get a fair amount of sun out there and eliminates the noisy generator issue? Plenty of room for a battery bank...

The generator is actually pretty quiet but we can add additional mufflers for dead quiet.

 

[RiverDave]

Don't know what the draw would be on the LED doodads, but Dave likes his stuff loud...speakers may need their own genset
He'd also mentioned using the truck to haul and power an event trailer...don't know how many AC's and whatnot that rig has.

I may use this on some of our offroad trips.. power the motorhome and other trailers etc..

As well as tow the enclosed.

 

[Roosky01]

One thing I (and I think most?) admire about you, Dave is you think a little outside the box and aren't afraid to say fuk yeah and just send it.

You are the no snow version of Larry Enticer.

 

[Racer56]

I don’t think so? My intention is to park it in various spots and move it once a day or every 24’ish hrs.. I don’t need the led lit up while whoever is driving it..

Are you trying to turn Havasu into Socal? I can see using it for events and parties, but parking it around town everyday is a little much.

All we need now is taco and elote cart's on every corner!

 

[SoCalDave]

Maybe consult with these guys...

 

[Roosky01]

Are you trying to turn Havasu into Socal? I can see using it for events and parties, but parking it around town everyday is a little much.

All we need now is taco and elote cart's on every corner!

So you're saying my stripper pole idea may be more viable?

 

[Racer56]

So you're saying my stripper pole idea may be more viable?

As long as it's not Dave on the Pole!

 

[wzuber]

The generator is actually pretty quiet but we can add additional mufflers for dead quiet.

You can just run a 12' vertcal snorkel like they do on motorhomes in camp grounds to get the noise and exhaust up above everyones heads etc. They work surprisingly well. Nobody wants to smell the exhaust fumes either.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I may use this on some of our offroad trips.. power the motorhome and other trailers etc..

As well as tow the enclosed.

An off-road drive-In theater this winter might be cool.

I'm guessing you can rent to the race promoters for something.

 

[RiverDave]

One thing I (and I think most?) admire about you, Dave is you think a little outside the box and aren't afraid to say fuk yeah and just send it.

You are the no snow version of Larry Enticer.

My wife is saying.. “hey you are spending money like an asshole”… My response is “and??” Lol

I will spend all of it if it’s gonna make us money and I truly believe this SOB will. That’s why we make it nice..

You make it nice it treats you nice.. Just like boats. Not like wife’s.. lol