'93 F-350 4x4, 4 door, West Los Angeles

[pappawheely]

Just a little fun fact, you can fit up to 37" military tires on our trucks without any lift. I was super surprised to find that out when I put them on my truck. It is so awesome to see all the OBS fords that are on this forums these days.

Yes, I had 37's with no lift and a slight fender trim before I did my suspension. After almost blacking out due to excessive G forces while 4 wheeling (only slight exaggeration) I decided to change my springs and do the reversal. I had a CJ-7 with the shackle up front years ago so I was familiar with the "backwards" handling of the front shackle design.

 

[super04duty]

I haven't done much work on your era truck, as my truck is an 04, but Im slowing building it up. And for any wrenching you plan on doing yourself, Im down to help you out. Im out in Pasadena. Im in an apartment so I have limited tools and such, but I have my air tools and everything in a buddies garage in Northridge, so I have the ability to get things done. I also might be able to find sources for parts and work semi-local to us as Ive gotten to know a few people around here.

 

[Paul B.]

Hey super04, muchas gracias. I am trying to understand what I need to do, then look for the means to do it. I would likely have it done at a shop, but who knows. Your offer to avail me of your resources and connections is generous indeed.

As for other's advice here, thanks to all. I am already looking into a shackle reversal/springs upgrade, and the extra clutch slave cylinder and transfer case upgrade are the exact type of information I was hoping for.

I'll get ya some pics, and let you know how it's going.

 

[Paul B.]

I promised some pics. This the unit as I acquired it. Note aluminum flat in back, purchased separately. Not 100% certain the bed's gonna work, but gotta get the steel bed and lift gate off. Also purchased a FWC camper from Pappawheely. (Thanks, again, Mike. It was kind of an impulse buy. Still, after looking into what these things are worth and the excellent condition it's in? The price was beyond fair.)

Trying to figure how I want into the thing to go together. Want to get the bed and camper on. Then see how the weight and handling are, to figure how much suspension we're gonna need.

Mechanical on the truck seems very good, for the most part. Transfer case may have some issues. Doesn't seem to want to engage into 4 low. Dash light comes on, but it ain't in low. The transfer case shifter doesn't seem to have the right throw to it. I'm not at all familiar with exactly how it "should" be. This is the next mechanical move.

Also the alternator wasn't charging stoutly, so we put on a 150 amp unit. All else seems pretty good.

Tax season is always stressful, of course. Trying to keep money flowing into this thing without taking out a loan or busting into investments.

Thanks again to all.

 

[redthies]

Looks good Paul! You have such a solid foundation there. With the aluminum deck and camper on there you'll have a great exploration rig. I wouldn't worry about any driveline changes, aside from getting low range working. You should be able to do lots of upgrades just with Craigslist bargains. You live in a great area for finding good parts for cheap. If you look inland a bit (inland empire), there is usually a ton of F350 related goodies.

 

[Sooper Camper]

Mechanical on the truck seems very good, for the most part. Transfer case may have some issues. Doesn't seem to want to engage into 4 low. Dash light comes on, but it ain't in low. The transfer case shifter doesn't seem to have the right throw to it. I'm not at all familiar with exactly how it "should" be. This is the next mechanical move.

is it a manual shift or electric shift case? I know of a good tear down pic tutorial if its manual shift, and it is most likely a failed shift fork, or the guide collar is worn out...fairly common issue on the Borg Warner 1356 case. My buddies 97 Powerstroke ate alternators, not sure what it was about that truck. I've run several "3G" style alts in multiple vehicles and never had issues.

Looks like an awesome find, and yes, pappawheely let that 4WC go for a very fair price. I was really bummed it wouldn't work in my truck. This has a lot of potential to be a "poormans" earth roamer.

 

[Paul B.]

It's a manual shift case. Would love to see that tutorial. I'm wanting to attempt the tear down myself.

Not super knowledgable about alternators, guess I'll be learning. My regular mechanic put it on there for me. Pretty sure 150 amps will get it done, no?

Funny you mention it, I described this project to my brother as "think Earthroamer on a budget."

 

[Sooper Camper]

Pics are in this album:
http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/superford/registry/139/13379

When mine failed, the pump seized to the main shaft, spun around and broke the shift forks. I had run my case dry without knowing it, but the other common failure is for the pump to wear a groove in the case notch that holds it in place (case is magnesium, pump is steel). The cool thing is, they are about as simple as you could possibly make a T-case, and aside from that pump issue and shift forks that break when forced, they are bomb proof.

Not sure what the issue is with the alternators, I think on that power stroke, where they put it tends to be really hot and it cooks the bearings.

 

[Paul B.]

I took a look at this tutorial. Seems pretty straightforward. 'Cept the most complex mechanical thing I ever did, with experienced help, was change the head gasket on my small block Chevy back in the late 70's. Also rebuilt a couple VW engines in the early 80's, again with experienced assistance.

I'm getting more than a little intimidated by some of the work I see you guys doing on here. (Saw your build/fab/mechanical work, Sooper, very cool!). After tax season's over, I'm thinking I'll find someone to build this thing out for me....the truck mechanical and the flatbed/camper attachment work. At least get major help. What I want to do with the flatbed will require some fabrication work. I want to be involved at least to the point where I'm capable of minor repairs when way out, but I'm sure most of the heavy lifting is beyond my skills.

I'm comfortable doing the camper's solar, electrical, plumbing etc. But that's for another thread.

 

[Paul B.]

Finally at this thing. Ready to pull off the lift gate and see if we can stick the aluminum flatbed on. It might be a provisional step. Need some way to put mud flaps on the back of it.

 

[Paul B.]

Going from the steel bed and solid steel lift gate to the aluminum bed, I figure we lost at least 1200#. I'm going to get it weighed today at the local transfer station. Seems light as a feather. At this weight, it's a hot rod. (Still try to drive like a grandpa.) Clutching the manual tranny is definitely a different experience than before. Won't be using first gear at all for a while.

So the next step is paint the cab.
Going with some form of light grey.
Look is to be of a rat-rod style camper.
Gotta ditch the chrome bumper
Wheels and tires, bigger the better.
Apropriate bed to house FWC Keystone camper.
Mount camper permanently.
Spare tire storage??? Need two.

Then....

Make runs to desert to clarify needs and desires.
Including: (upgrades in no particular order)
Suspension
Battery array/solar panels
Mechanicals
Winch/recovery/high lift, et cetera.
Shower/hot water

Other suggestions???

 

[pappawheely]

Looks like you kept the bed level very low, nice work. Let me know how much clearance is really needed. I could use that info on my build.

 

[dwh]

http://www.fourxdoctor.com/index.html

 

[pappawheely]

Other suggestions???

A winch is nice to have. I have used mine twice. Not to extricate myself but to assist others with lesser rigs than a F350 CC 4X4:victory:

 

[Raul B]

Great start. Can't wait to see more