2017 F-550 Camper Build - Ground Up

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

Both front airbags now installed.
With the axle sitting on the jack stands and airbags completely deflated/full squat I rolled the front tire up into position. The axle is still about 3 inches or so too low to put the tire on but this gives you a good idea of how it is going to fit. Plenty of clearance.
more to come...
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[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

Kryptonite sway bar links (3" lift version) compared to my factory links. Hopefully they perform like they look..
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[norcal*PWRstroke]

Little more headway today, I was able to get the passenger side airbag in.
I cleaned up the wheelwell best as possible.
When taking the nut off of the top of the shock the stud/bolt broke, good thing I am getting new shocks.
I was dead set on King Shocks but now I am starting to think about Fox Shocks. Still deciding...
I will need 4 more inches in the front brake lines, any good braided options out there for the 2017 F550?
I should be able to get the driver side bag on tomorrow. At that point I will need the 60 gallon diesel tank because I will need to fit it into place so I can then figure out where to put the H3 compressor system and the air tank for the suspension.
Then radius arms, extended sway bar links and a adjustable front pan hard bar.

Im 90% sure precision metal fab also has brake lines for the 550. Had them on my dually 2021 350 and they were very high quality, made at his shop with all US sourced components.

 

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

I'll check them out, thank you..

 

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

As I work on figuring out the brake lines, today I started the search for where to mount the 3H air management system and air tank. I really need to get the fuel transfer tank in to figure out where the air system will then fit. I did open up the 3H system, pretty slick setup.
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[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

More headway today, I installed the Stryker Industries adjustable trackbar, much bigger and adjustable, comparison to factory bar in pic below.
I also pulled the trigger on the Carli radius arms. Pics below comparing the Carli arms and my factory arms. They also came with Carli black & white stickers which I place over their orange stickers, now I can sleep...
I still need to order shocks (Fox or King) & brake lines.....
Carli's promotional video on their arms, pretty beefy:

 

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

Long story short, I cheated.... After thinking over building my 1st custom fuel tank and the time it would take, not to mention the things I would screw up, I just pulled the trigger on the 54 gallon Titan tank. I also purchased their transfer pump setup that comes with a gauge for the inside of the cab. This will pump diesel into my factory 40 gallon tank. This is a very simple fix and process. Packaging was amazing, all wrapped (unwrapped for pic) and powder coated straps/hardware too, everything I needed to do this came from Titan.. The fuel level unit and pickup tube drop into the top and secure with a standard ring. The fuel filter & transfer pump are external which I personally like. I did purchase new glow plugs so that will be todays project, then get into the tank install next weekend..
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[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

I was able to track down the steel braided brake hoses, I ordered them 5 inches longer to account for the adjustability of the airbags front and rear.
I was also able to pull the trigger on the shocks. I went with Fox remote reservoir adjustable for the front Part # 883-26-097 and Fox piggy back reservoir adjustable for the rear part # 883-26-148.
The rear part # is for a Dodge Ram but from a travel standpoint they work the best. I had to order the Ford top & bottom bushings and sleeves for the rear shocks to make them work.
Bushings Upper 014-11-026
Bushings Lower 014-11-025
Sleeves 213-28-000-B

The brake hoses and shocks are both about 2 weeks out, so now its another waiting game.
This weekend I hope to install the fuel tank..
Looking way down the road, once the camper is built and on, I will get the shocks tuned for the load.

 

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

After trying to fit the Titan tank into place last weekend I figured out they had sent me the 40 gallon, not the 54 gallon. Sssooo I mailed that one back and they shipped me the 54 gallon which should be here this week, they were very cool about it. I didn't feel like doing anything after that last weekend.
This weekend I swapped out the glow plugs, for the new ones, the old one looked fairly good.
I then cut and sized up the connecting rods front and rear for the actuators on the H3 air management system. The bottom of the front connecting rod fit right into the limiting strap hole (see blow pic) on the Carli radius arms, perfect! Im not going to be using the straps so this worked out.
I received the front shocks so I installed those. I then realized the reservoirs would not mount where the directions told me they should go. I ordered Fox clamps to attach them to the shocks, should be here this week.
I cut down the rear sway bar links and painted them, ready to install.
I am waiting on:
- Rear Fox Shocks
- Stainless Brake Lines
- Fox clamps for the front shock reservoirs
- 54 gallon tank
I think that is all I am waiting on for the truck, more to come next weekend if these parts make it this week....
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[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

The correct 54 gallon Titan tank made it which I installed last weekend. This will be feeding the factory 40 gallon tank when needed. I had to make a aluminum bracket to hold the pump and filter which I used the factory fuel filter mount on the tank for. I think I will weld on another level above this bracket to hold the fuel pump for the diesel heater, diesel stove and diesel cooktop. I'll figure that out as I go.
This week the Crowne Automotive custom brake lines (5 inches longer) made it, I should get those installed this weekend.
I also received the rear shocks only to find out today that the eyelet on the bushing(s) are too small and will not fit my bolts, ugh! Now I have to figure that out, maybe the following weekend I can get those installed.
So frustrating getting the wrong things in the mail then having to mail them back to get the right things. Either way every manufacturer I have dealt with has been accommodating and helpful, I just hating continuing to have to wait.
Guess that's the name of the game.
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[mog]

Awesome build, and WOW 94 gallons of fuel 🏆

Is there any reason you did not mount the pump and filter 'upside-down' so easier access from under the vehicle for servicing?



Unrelated to your build. . . where did you get the 'jumbo' wheel covers? I need some for 40s and 42s.
Really unrelated to your build. . . who takes care of your lawn and what fertilizer do they use? That is some crazy green grass!

 

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

Hey MOG,
I didn't mount the pump and filter upside down because it is still wicked easy to reach right over that little wall and unbolt them.
My thought is from a protection standpoint and it was easy enough to bend up the aluminum on my brake.
I drilled a hole in the center of the bracket and dimple-died it so mud/rock and water have a place to go.
As it relates to the wheel covers I got them off of amazon, they ALMOST fit. I don't have the Amazon vendor info any longer in my history, sorry.
When I am ready to roll out I will buy some custom fit ones.
Fertilizer: Sta-Green Performance Max Fertilzer from Lowe's, lol...

 

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

Got the rear brake lines in this weekend, still need to bleed them.
Hopefully next weekend I will have the rear shocks squared away and the brakes bled..

 

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

Klahanie, its roughly 10.5 inches from the bottom of the frame down. no further than the Kelderman bracketry and many other things...

 

[PacificNorthWestJeeper]

I was able to get the rear shocks installed. I had to clock the reservoir on the driver side to clear the fuel tank, worked out perfectly. Left & Right side pictured below...
I was able to get the factory front wheel well liners back in but I did not install the BuckStop liners which complete the job. More to come next weekend.
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