Ski Bum Truck V2.0, F450 Rough Road RV

[Coachgeo]

Spent time on the phone with the gear guy, it might just be normal backlash for this big of a gear set and I'm just not used to it......

really... my rear end (the truck.. not "me") is twice the size of yours and there is zero movement there. If there was I would be sick worried cause I know the resulting vibrations will take out my 20grand transmission (been there done that. Took year of digging to get reasonable cost used parts, plus the labor for total of 6 grand to repair it)

IMHO I would get a second opinion... don't think the backlash should allow that much movement.

 

[java]

really... my rear end (the truck.. not "me") is twice the size of yours and there is zero movement there. If there was I would be sick worried cause I know the resulting vibrations will take out my 20grand transmission (been there done that. Took year of digging to get reasonable cost used parts, plus the labor for total of 6 grand to repair it)

IMHO I would get a second opinion... don't think the backlash should allow that much movement.

It will go to a shop and get on a lift.... I'm not convinced either.

But drained the oil. It looked pretty damn fresh.

Magnet. not bad. mostly just sludge stuck to it

Magnet stuff wiped onto a piece of white paper.

Broke out the endoscope, teeth look good.

Magnet swirling in the oil. Neodymium ones, really strong.

Not a thing on them.

Oil looked fresh, didn't smell that bad at all, and no flakes in it. I feel a bit better.

 

[lostih]

That lash doesn’t seem horrible to me. But I’m no expert...hope it’s nothing


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[b dkw1]

"90psi in the bags, they are a little tall (8.5" between mounts, spec is 7.5-8.5) but it may settle a bit, need to drive it and adjust. "

Bags do not settle. They are where they are, adjust pressure accordingly.

 

[java]

"90psi in the bags, they are a little tall (8.5" between mounts, spec is 7.5-8.5) but it may settle a bit, need to drive it and adjust. "

Bags do not settle. They are where they are, adjust pressure accordingly.

Sorry, should have been more clear, the suspension had been jacked up, removed and reinstalled. That often binds things up.

After a drive, I set them to 8" tall, ended up at 73 psi both sides.

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[lostih]

How do you like the airbag ride?


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[java]

How do you like the airbag ride?


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I don't have enough time on them yet to have a real opinion.... I hit some speed bumps at 20mph, front end felt MUCH better than the rear lol. Need to get on dirt to have good opinion. So far (highway and back streets only) they are a little smoother than the coils. However I think the spring rate is lower as I feel more body roll.

A couple things, I am very front axle heavy, I think that made the OE coils smooth out. They were violent on large bumps though due to little up travel. This brought the nose up a good couple inches.

 

[java]

Now on the mention of body roll.

New Hellwig 1.5" solid rear swaybar.

What should have been a quick and easy install turned into a PITA.... The air bags use the same bolts as the sway bar to mount, and they are really tight to the sway bar. Like touching. And you cant get a ratchet on them, no room. So loosen everything with a damn box wrench, and curse and push things around and it fit.

Just barely touches.

 

[pappawheely]

The simple things usually end up taking 8 hours.

 

[java]

Isn't that how it goes....

The simple things usually end up taking 8 hours.

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[pappawheely]

Isn't that how it goes....

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I've been stripping the paint off my I6 for a couple days now. It's illegal to make chemicals that actually work anymore.

 

[java]

Isn't that how it goes....

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I've been stripping the paint off my I6 for a couple days now. It's illegal to make chemicals that actually work anymore.

That's why you have to keep the good old school stuff kicking around

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[java]

Alignment done. The before numbers were pretty good. Toe was just at max spec on one side, but that was it.....

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[mezmochill]

I've been stripping the paint off my I6 for a couple days now. It's illegal to make chemicals that actually work anymore.

Yea thats called hepatic and pancreatic cancer.

 

[java]

Another fun weekend out in the rocks!

This is a 5.9 route, lots of blots, but a couple tricky spots. The crack to the left is a 5.10a, tough one for me, cant quite get hand jambs in it.

Made an awesome dutch oven apple rhubarb pie too

Update on the Kelderman, I have ~400 miles on it now. And they are aired up to 8" bag height per the instructions. Range is 7.5-8.5, so I could drop a little pressure and try that. Its not a mind blowing change. A bit less harsh on sharp bumps, but it still rides like a heavy ass truck. I think that may be partly due to my heavy front axle weight, the OE springs may have been softened (or rode softer due to the weight). I did get some much needed front lift, and up travel was increased by nearly double, which should be much better on the big bumps. But at the moment its hard to tell with the stiff rear end. Sway bar did well bringing the truck back to feeling like it did originally cornering wise. The back end seemed to "flop" side to side less as well on the off road sections. Need an adjustable track bar to get the passenger side bag away from the frame. It does not appear to have touched at all, but there is only 1/2" or so of clearance, I'd like a bit more. Any suggestions are welcome.

Drives great on the highway still! Gets 10mpg no matter what it seems, cruise gets set to 68mph as that is 2250rpms, much more just seems like it would eat gas badly. Climbs grades at 66mph, 30psi of boost and right around 1000 degree EGT's