2005 F-450 4x4 Utility Body w/ Starcraft Pine Mountain Lonestar Pop-top Camper

Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
Caught up on some experiences recording.
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Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
Finished National Luna 60L Twin Compartment Fridge/Freezer install in the F450 camper. Fridge fits near perfectly in the Q-cab; easy access to controls and contents, and removal from the truck, if need be.

Two sides of the airflow vents are completely unobstructed, the rear facing side was blocked by seat back padding. Created an airflow barrier against the seat back padding, using 2 larger polyurethane cutting boards. 1" spacers between the two boards, holes drilled, to keep air moving to the compressor.
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Seat back spacing
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Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
Preventative, yearly maintenance taken care of.

220 amp high output alternator installed. Looks like factory, but bumped average voltage output from 13ish to 14.2.

No fun, or impressive pics to show. :(

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Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
New ATish steer tires installed today. Good riding tires and should provide better traction than the previous Continentals.
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Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
These happened.

After 12+ years, the original PC1700 camper house batteries are starting to struggle to hold a charge. They had a great life, and experiences from Baja to BC. A small service will be held for immediate family only. :)
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Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
Camper clean-up day, after last trip to BC. Removed the rocker panel decals I had installed a few months ago, as well. Got tired of them.
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Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
House battery power clean-up day:
• I don't have the ability to plug-in to 110 when the truck is parked/stored, so some battery maintenance is needed.
• Started with a slight house battery wiring nest.
• Separated the two batteries' wiring, to test each. Both tested good, just needing a good charge. Have two new batteries that get to stay in house on trickle charge, for awhile. SCORE :)
• Added military style terminals, for easier accessories adds.
• Installed external SAE solar connection, and charge controller, with line splitter to each battery.
• Using a 35w charger/maintainer solar panel, set on the roof. A 2nd panel, temp setup, charges the Odyssey starting battery.
• All working well, with a max charging voltage reading of 13.4v in today's hazy Seattle sun.
It was a good day.
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DzlToy

Explorer
Cool truck. As you probably know by now, many SCORE/BITD and similar teams are located in the Riverside, CA area. There is no doubt that was a support truck. There are just too many high quality parts on it in that configuration for it to be anything else really.

Hawker makes a great battery, glad to see more people using them and getting away from Optima, which haven't been good in over 20 years. You may have some luck having those batteries reconditioned or de-sulfated. The plates in them are pretty thin, but 12 years is impressive regardless.

You definitely cannot air down a 19.5" tire like you would an M/T or an A/T on Toyota or a Jeep. The construction is completely different due to weight carrying capacity and you could damage your tires by going below normal street pressure. I would check with Michelin to see what the lower limit is for pressure in less than ideal road conditions at slow speed.
 

Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
Cool truck. As you probably know by now, many SCORE/BITD and similar teams are located in the Riverside, CA area. There is no doubt that was a support truck. There are just too many high quality parts on it in that configuration for it to be anything else really.

Hawker makes a great battery, glad to see more people using them and getting away from Optima, which haven't been good in over 20 years. You may have some luck having those batteries reconditioned or de-sulfated. The plates in them are pretty thin, but 12 years is impressive regardless.

You definitely cannot air down a 19.5" tire like you would an M/T or an A/T on Toyota or a Jeep. The construction is completely different due to weight carrying capacity and you could damage your tires by going below normal street pressure. I would check with Michelin to see what the lower limit is for pressure in less than ideal road conditions at slow speed.

Thanks. Agree, she definitely was built correctly as a support vehicle. Has been fun to personalize and learn about all the systems. I grew up in San Fernando; familiar with all of the racing roots in the area. I used to race motocross at Ascot Raceway . Considering a slight lift and Kelderman airbags in front.

Very happy with the Odysseys. Will never by Optimas again. I'll look into reconditioning. Didn't even think about that option.

I have pretty much given into the fact that the 19.5s are what they are. At least I found a really good AT drive tire for it. She drives and rides well on most road. Hopefully front airbags will help with rough road handling.

All in all this rig was a great find, and day to day I realize just how much it really has to offer. I will continue to make it better and better.


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fatkins

Member
Nice rig you have there!
I have an f-250 with utility bed and phoenix popup bolted to the body. At registration asked whether I'd be running with the camper off, if so registration would be based on truck weight ($$$). Guessing rig considered a commercial vehicle given the utility body. Any issues registering your vehicle in Washington?
 
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Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
Nice rig you have there!
I have an f-250 with utility bed and phoenix popup bolted to the body. At registration asked whether I'd be running with the camper off, if so registration would be based on truck weight ($$$). Guessing rig considered a commercial vehicle given the utility body. Any issues registering your vehicle in Washington?
No issues with registration at all in WA, but due to being a F450 it is considered Commercial Registration. Insurance is slightly higher, but we have a spotless record so not bad at all.
 

Bubblegoose1

@PNWINFERNOPRO
Finished some aux battery wiring clean-up, ran a permanent line for the National Luna in the cab, and added dual voltage gauges.
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