Ski Bum Truck V2.0, F450 Rough Road RV
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java
Expedition Leader
So I have mentioned its a bit of a jarring ride.... Well The USB ports stopped working after out last "rough" trip.....
Last night I pulled it apart to see what was going on. Luckily I left enough slack to get it out. And the switch panel uses a standard sized hole, so I can replace it as needed.
Bounced down enough roads to literally break the two PCB's apart.... There were 4 solder joints holding it, tore most of the traces off and broke in half. Was not expecting that!
But I soldered it back together with big old solder goopyness. They reinforced it with hot snot. Slipped it back into the housing and filled that with hot glue too. Hopefully that lasts a bit longer
Last night I pulled it apart to see what was going on. Luckily I left enough slack to get it out. And the switch panel uses a standard sized hole, so I can replace it as needed.
Bounced down enough roads to literally break the two PCB's apart.... There were 4 solder joints holding it, tore most of the traces off and broke in half. Was not expecting that!
But I soldered it back together with big old solder goopyness. They reinforced it with hot snot. Slipped it back into the housing and filled that with hot glue too. Hopefully that lasts a bit longer
java
Expedition Leader
Mobile cabin ******. I love this truck!! 350 miles of pavement, half mile of dirt. Spent the weekend climbing in Frenchman Coulee. A little overcast which was super nice to keep the temps down.
Lots of people, a couple big groups, but not bad at all.
Just terrible.
Getting up early was rewarded by not so many people on the routes, and cooler temps. The basalt is really fun, some slaby sections, but grippy, and lots of ledges and pcokets too.
Kiddo did awesome
Fun little slot canyon approach to one of the walls. It was actually pretty tight.
Pretty crazy landscapes.
Ran across a couple danger noodles. Both were pretty small and unimpressed with us.
Tested out my folding solar panel. Its sold as "100 watt" but my reading seems to make me think its made from two 40w panels.... I was unimpressed. It was a bit overcast, but I saw 1.26A max. (it was showing 16w input)
Now back to truck stuff.
Pulled ryegrass grade at 64mph on cruise control. Oil temp was 212 and coolant was 208 ish? Goes from the Columbia river~500ft? to 2300 ft in 5 miles. Ran right around 1k EGT's at 30-35psi boost.
Thoughts on what Ford engineers their leaves to take? Its rated at 5,800-6,200 payload in the bed. Do they build the packs for 75% of payload? 50%? Supposedly they are progressive leaf packs. I have added bags and run 75 psi in them to stay up off the overloads. But I have been thinking of getting a custom pack made for my weight. Thoughts? Much benefit over bags and OE leaves?
Lots of people, a couple big groups, but not bad at all.
Just terrible.
Getting up early was rewarded by not so many people on the routes, and cooler temps. The basalt is really fun, some slaby sections, but grippy, and lots of ledges and pcokets too.
Kiddo did awesome
Fun little slot canyon approach to one of the walls. It was actually pretty tight.
Pretty crazy landscapes.
Ran across a couple danger noodles. Both were pretty small and unimpressed with us.
Tested out my folding solar panel. Its sold as "100 watt" but my reading seems to make me think its made from two 40w panels.... I was unimpressed. It was a bit overcast, but I saw 1.26A max. (it was showing 16w input)
Now back to truck stuff.
Pulled ryegrass grade at 64mph on cruise control. Oil temp was 212 and coolant was 208 ish? Goes from the Columbia river~500ft? to 2300 ft in 5 miles. Ran right around 1k EGT's at 30-35psi boost.
Thoughts on what Ford engineers their leaves to take? Its rated at 5,800-6,200 payload in the bed. Do they build the packs for 75% of payload? 50%? Supposedly they are progressive leaf packs. I have added bags and run 75 psi in them to stay up off the overloads. But I have been thinking of getting a custom pack made for my weight. Thoughts? Much benefit over bags and OE leaves?
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pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Custom leaves are the only way to go. Especially if your weight remains somewhat static. If you ditched the overloads and went with a hydraulic bump stop it will ride like a dream. Only drawback is the cost, but some things are worth the investment.
java
Expedition Leader
Any preferred vendors? I have a few emails out for quotes.
I see suspension as a no loss thing, if wheels and tires etc happen later good springs can remain. My weight should be +-200 lbs now I bet. Hydro bumps are a thought.... Hmmmm I don't think I was hitting bumps in the rear but its worth looking at. Maybe I was. They are built into the block/perch under the spring pack on these. A couple inches of lift could help there too if bottoming out. (im pretty sure the front is with its limited uptravel there, but I have Kelderman bags on the way for the front)
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
I have worked with several spring manufacturers and I prefer Atlas Spring. http://atlassuspension.com/ They use only north american steel.
java
Expedition Leader
Every time we do a trip in this thing I realize how much I love it. Comfort, drive like a dream (AC sucks.... ) but its great.
Did ~520 miles, 2 lakes, two climbing areas, one island, one ferry and a ton of fun. Big loop, and crossed hwy 20 that just opened Friday, which is such an awesome area.
Came back for the tall walls from last weekend, I didn't have enough gear to climb them! Topped out our 60m rope, top anchor was ~90' off the belay station. So fun, had not lead anything that tall. Was not a real hard lead, a couple tricky spots, but some good pucker being that high.
On a ledge half way up
nearly at the top
Kiddo going up
Not a bad spot.
We headed to Fun Rocks in Mazama next. Found an amazing camp site.
Fun granite! Tougher than it looked.
Heading over hwy 20
And I think we have a goal for the end of summer some time..... Its only a 5.6 climb, but 4 pitches, should be fun.
And we saw both sides of baker today too!
Now back to truck stuff.
Faucet has rattled loose a little. AC sucks.
I used my super cheap ass "AC Gauge" And it read "green" pressure, but it builds to ~70 psi on the low side, then drops the compressor off, like every ~6-8 seconds. I'm pretty sure the system has been apart, when the motor was pulled. Not enough pressure/oil? Ideas? Its blows cool ish, not cold. Worth buying a vac pump and gauge set and starting over?
Did ~520 miles, 2 lakes, two climbing areas, one island, one ferry and a ton of fun. Big loop, and crossed hwy 20 that just opened Friday, which is such an awesome area.
Came back for the tall walls from last weekend, I didn't have enough gear to climb them! Topped out our 60m rope, top anchor was ~90' off the belay station. So fun, had not lead anything that tall. Was not a real hard lead, a couple tricky spots, but some good pucker being that high.
On a ledge half way up
nearly at the top
Kiddo going up
Not a bad spot.
We headed to Fun Rocks in Mazama next. Found an amazing camp site.
Heading over hwy 20
And I think we have a goal for the end of summer some time..... Its only a 5.6 climb, but 4 pitches, should be fun.
And we saw both sides of baker today too!
Now back to truck stuff.
Faucet has rattled loose a little. AC sucks.
I used my super cheap ass "AC Gauge" And it read "green" pressure, but it builds to ~70 psi on the low side, then drops the compressor off, like every ~6-8 seconds. I'm pretty sure the system has been apart, when the motor was pulled. Not enough pressure/oil? Ideas? Its blows cool ish, not cold. Worth buying a vac pump and gauge set and starting over?
Bubblegoose1
@PNWINFERNOPRO
Damn, that was quite the loop in a short timeframe. Nice!!
Hopeless Diamond
Explorer
No kidding, pretty good loop. What kind of mileage did you get overall?
Wife almost stepped on a danger noodle (I like that) herself over on Chelan Butte
Wife almost stepped on a danger noodle (I like that) herself over on Chelan Butte
java
Expedition Leader
No kidding, pretty good loop. What kind of mileage did you get overall?
Wife almost stepped on a danger noodle (I like that) herself over on Chelan Butte
Nice picture! I am not a danger noodle fan..... Found a family of them ~5 years ago. YUCK. They really don't bother me, I just hate finding them and the risk involved (mostly stupid dog). None spotted this trip!
Did not track mileage well, did a half fill up, but mileage vs gauge movement seemed normal which is right about ~10mpg. I get about 80 miles per 1/4 tank (a bit more usually but that's my rule of thumb, first two go slower, third goes fast last seems to go forever, but averages 80)
Ozrockrat
Expedition Leader
"I used my super cheap ass "AC Gauge" And it read "green" pressure, but it builds to ~70 psi on the low side, then drops the compressor off, like every ~6-8 seconds."
Sounds like too much gas and its dropping out on high pressure. At around 80 degrees you should be between 35 - 50 psi on the low side and 150 - 250 on the high side. That is just a rule of thumb. You really need the specifications for your particular vehicle as they do vary. Best way to get it done is to have someone suck the gas out and then load in the specified charge.
Sounds like too much gas and its dropping out on high pressure. At around 80 degrees you should be between 35 - 50 psi on the low side and 150 - 250 on the high side. That is just a rule of thumb. You really need the specifications for your particular vehicle as they do vary. Best way to get it done is to have someone suck the gas out and then load in the specified charge.
java
Expedition Leader
Interesting.... I know nearly nothing of AC other than the basics of how it works and how to vac and refill it.
I used one of these from an old leaky car that needed fill once or twice a year. Aim it at the outdoor temp and try to hit the range.... Yeah knowing what it is supposed to be would probably be better. Maybe I need to look at the numbers again, but I'm pretty sure it hit 70 and cut the compressor. Needing to loose pressure is easy! Except Ford buried the damn low side port.... Really well.
guidolyons
Addicted to Gear Oil
Check to make sure the clutch on the A/C compressor is engaging with A/C on (doesn't look like it based on those pressures) Check A/C relay (usually can swap with another, like horn etc) and see if compressor clicks on. Check you see if you are getting 12V at the clutch with A/C on. Check pressure switches, should be a low side and high side switch, or some vehicles use a trinary switch that does both low and high. If it's a simple 2 wire switch, you can temporarily bypass with a jumper wire (paperclip) and see if it cycles the AC clutch. Lastly run a jumper wire to the clutch and see if it clicks/cycles. If the clutch is working (turning with the pulley) then probably bad compressor.
Mechanical fan or electric fan(s)? If it has one or more electric fan(s) make sure at least one comes on when calls for A/C.
Mechanical fan or electric fan(s)? If it has one or more electric fan(s) make sure at least one comes on when calls for A/C.
java
Expedition Leader
Jumping the low pressure switch engages the compressor.
Three cans in (36oz) and it's a little better but still dips below 20 psi and cycles off.... Ugh. Should have bought more. Leaving tomorrow and had to pull the manifold back off, it's a royal pain to get it on there. There is some dye in the system....
Three cans in (36oz) and it's a little better but still dips below 20 psi and cycles off.... Ugh. Should have bought more. Leaving tomorrow and had to pull the manifold back off, it's a royal pain to get it on there. There is some dye in the system....
