Grumman the Backcountry Box Van____1997 Ford E450 7.3l Power Stroke diesel
- Thread starter Petrolburner
- Start date
Petrolburner
Explorer
Ouch. Sorry to hear that. Are you taking yourself to a dealer? If not you may want to do a DIY of the repair and post it on RecoveryPortal.com
I've enlisted the help of professionals. They chose the size and amount of titanium hardware to install. The installation was done on Tuesday afternoon. The goal is to move as little as possible for the next two weeks so the bones can get tacky and expedite the fusing process.
Petrolburner
Explorer
First layer plan. I wanted to avoid having the 4 corners lining up and making a weak spot.
First layer of flooring by Petrolburner, on Flickr
First layer of flooring by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Note the cat that I've trained to stay on the stack of moto tires. If she jumps down to wander around, she gets booted outside. As long as she stays right there I allow her to be inside.
First layer of flooring by Petrolburner, on Flickr
First layer of flooring by Petrolburner, on Flickr
I missed some steel beams in the front corners while measuring. Therefore the plywood doesn't fit. I cut them a little too tight as well. I cant move the wood around now obviously. I also bought a router off craigslist. I think I can use it on the edges to create some overlap. I don't know the terminology or philosophy.
First layer of flooring by Petrolburner, on Flickr
First layer of flooring by Petrolburner, on FlickrNote the cat that I've trained to stay on the stack of moto tires. If she jumps down to wander around, she gets booted outside. As long as she stays right there I allow her to be inside.
First layer of flooring by Petrolburner, on Flickr
First layer of flooring by Petrolburner, on FlickrI missed some steel beams in the front corners while measuring. Therefore the plywood doesn't fit. I cut them a little too tight as well. I cant move the wood around now obviously. I also bought a router off craigslist. I think I can use it on the edges to create some overlap. I don't know the terminology or philosophy.
Petrolburner
Explorer
This next hardware installation is indirectly related to the progress on the BoxVan, or lack thereof. The good news is that the fit up was great and everything was tight at the 2 week post-op inspection yesterday. There is evidence of recalcification along the fracture already and that's a great sign. I get to start using my left hand again in another month.
Titanium hardware by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Cut by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Titanium hardware by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Cut by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Mat Mobile
Adventurer
No worries man! In 6 weeks you should be fine! It happened to me 2 years ago. Just stay positive and use that time to do research and plan out your build.
BTW, here's my X-Ray. I gotta share just because I think it's cool that you can also see my pacemaker!
BTW, here's my X-Ray. I gotta share just because I think it's cool that you can also see my pacemaker!
Petrolburner
Explorer
Haha that's cool! I beat you in screw count though.
Mat Mobile
Adventurer
Ha ha! I noticed that!
Petrolburner
Explorer
Well, I'm still not exactly healed but I have some strength and range of motion back in my left arm. I went 3 wheelering in the snow with a buddy of mine and it was a blast.
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Unfortunately I towed the Big Red behind my CR-V on an open trailer and it was covered in road slush and grit. Time to get back on the BoxVan floor. I must really suck at measuring because I had to cut a fair amount off in several places.
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Everything fits pretty well now. Edges will get repainted and the gaps are nothing some polyurethane adhesive can't handle. Next steps include tapping the fuel tank for the Webasto heater, new fuel fill hoses, drain the tank sump, fuel filter and oil change, new tail lights and reverse light setup, trailer hitch, cut the rear step off and weld up a new one much higher...
Untitled by Petrolburner, on FlickrUnfortunately I towed the Big Red behind my CR-V on an open trailer and it was covered in road slush and grit. Time to get back on the BoxVan floor. I must really suck at measuring because I had to cut a fair amount off in several places.
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Untitled by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Untitled by Petrolburner, on FlickrEverything fits pretty well now. Edges will get repainted and the gaps are nothing some polyurethane adhesive can't handle. Next steps include tapping the fuel tank for the Webasto heater, new fuel fill hoses, drain the tank sump, fuel filter and oil change, new tail lights and reverse light setup, trailer hitch, cut the rear step off and weld up a new one much higher...
Buddha.
Finally in expo white.
I had this same conversation with my wife when I bought my truck. Same progression from naked lady mudflaps to yosemite same mud flaps even, Lol.
Rabbet joint.
Petrolburner
Explorer
Next project was an oil change. I never complained about the cost of an oil change on any of my bikes or cars before. It's easy to do and really pretty cheap insurance and maintenance. Same story with Grumman but jeeze, 4 gallons of oil?
Oil change by Petrolburner, on Flickr
I don't like working on gravel. I'm laying on one of those plastic campaign signs, much better than a sheet of cardboard. Thanks for the hook up Don!
Oil change by Petrolburner, on Flickr
I'm sending a sample in to see what I can find out about the motor. It seems healthy other than injectors, but I don't want to go deep into this project if there's evidence that the crank bearings are falling apart or something like that. Good news is that the magnetic drain plug didn't have any shavings on it. Amazing.
Oil change by Petrolburner, on Flickr
Oil change by Petrolburner, on FlickrI don't like working on gravel. I'm laying on one of those plastic campaign signs, much better than a sheet of cardboard. Thanks for the hook up Don!
Oil change by Petrolburner, on FlickrI'm sending a sample in to see what I can find out about the motor. It seems healthy other than injectors, but I don't want to go deep into this project if there's evidence that the crank bearings are falling apart or something like that. Good news is that the magnetic drain plug didn't have any shavings on it. Amazing.
Oil change by Petrolburner, on FlickrPetrolburner
Explorer
I got my results back from Schaeffer, all normal. I'll try to figure out a way to post them for anyone that is curious. I had no idea what the results page would look like.
