Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
I'd buy a compressor, HVLP sprayer, and make a portable shelter before paying a lot of good money for a cheap paint job.
Belafonte Reboot....Ambulance to 4x4 Camper Conversion
- Thread starter tgreening
- Start date
Pulled the trigger on a 1-ton Harbor Freight gantry crane today. I've needed a way to unload heavier stuff at my new garage and didn't really want to bring out, and store, one of my smaller tow motors so I figure this crane will get it done and be relatively unobtrusive. I need to bring out one of my 5hp upright compressors and my lathe. They've been sitting around gathering dust at my shop since I moved out of the old property so now I can bring them out to the new place and put them to use.
Funny story on he lathe. I bought it at a fabricator auction a number of years back when it went belly up. It's a Chinese model but decent for what it is and would set you back about 5-6k new. Nobody bid on the thing and I got it in like new condition for $600. Woot! Fast forward a few years and I leased out some space in one of my buildings to a company that modifies heavy equipment for specialty jobs. Extending booms on track-hoes and what-not. Big stuff. Anyway the owner spots that lathe in the corner and asks where I got it. Some auction down south. Turns out it was his dad's company and his old lathe. Mine now sucker!
Back to the crane. I wouldn't recommend trying to assemble one of these without a buddy or some lifting/hoisting already on hand. I had neither so naturally I risked life and limb getting it assembled and upright. Not kidding. I did some really stupid stuff that could've hurt me good in an effort to "git 'er done". For once Murphy took a break, the gods smiled on me, and I didn't get an I-beam dropped on my head. Don't do it.
Pics tomorrow for what they're worth. And the Zed Sled goes in for some gears tomorrow, freakin FINALLY. Was this close to pulling the rug on this guy, but called today and said bring it down.
Funny story on he lathe. I bought it at a fabricator auction a number of years back when it went belly up. It's a Chinese model but decent for what it is and would set you back about 5-6k new. Nobody bid on the thing and I got it in like new condition for $600. Woot! Fast forward a few years and I leased out some space in one of my buildings to a company that modifies heavy equipment for specialty jobs. Extending booms on track-hoes and what-not. Big stuff. Anyway the owner spots that lathe in the corner and asks where I got it. Some auction down south. Turns out it was his dad's company and his old lathe. Mine now sucker!
Back to the crane. I wouldn't recommend trying to assemble one of these without a buddy or some lifting/hoisting already on hand. I had neither so naturally I risked life and limb getting it assembled and upright. Not kidding. I did some really stupid stuff that could've hurt me good in an effort to "git 'er done". For once Murphy took a break, the gods smiled on me, and I didn't get an I-beam dropped on my head. Don't do it.
Pics tomorrow for what they're worth. And the Zed Sled goes in for some gears tomorrow, freakin FINALLY. Was this close to pulling the rug on this guy, but called today and said bring it down.
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It's first job. Now I have to run some bigger gauge wire to the back of the garage, and it looks like I'll have to put in a slightly bigger breaker panel because the one in there is maxed out. It only has a 6 circuit capacity. Not hard, just another thing to do in an already long list.
But! Got my beast dropped off for gears/locker today. Supposed to be done Friday but I'm not going to hold my breath.
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But! Got my beast dropped off for gears/locker today. Supposed to be done Friday but I'm not going to hold my breath.
So far I'v got half a gear change/locker install completed. I had the rear done first to be sure I'd be happy with the 4.88s (pretty much) and found out I was unhappy with the installer during the process (3 weeks, really?) so decided on a different installer for the front. Unfortunately parts purchase happened just a'fore the holidays so it wont go in for the front till probably right after the new year. Say la vee. But that will pretty much button up the drivetrain, with only a mushy rear spring to sort out, but Chris is on that.
And Good News Everyone! I'm satisfied with the gear selection but even so, at 10,500 lbs on an EDC basis the normally aspirated 7.3 has to work at it, so I've decided the Hypermax turbo kit is top of the priority list. I'll get that ordered this weekend, or first of the week. From everything I've been reading I should be able to expect a solid 60hp at the wheels without too much trouble, 80-90 if I want to max it out (no). About double those numbers for torque boost. I'm thinking that should set me up fairly well for a mostly stock, still mechanical, and dead simple turbo diesel system.
The engine has 111k on it and runs great, just not super strong. While I'm in there tearing things up is there anything the idi gurus think I should be addressing? I'm thinking new injectors maybe (?), probably new glow plugs and relay for sure. Is there a way to remote mount the fuel filter that sits up there and makes doing ANYthing up there a huge pain in the ********? Things like that. I'm diesel challenged, so this is new territory for me.
Pic of the kit... (I'm excited)
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And Good News Everyone! I'm satisfied with the gear selection but even so, at 10,500 lbs on an EDC basis the normally aspirated 7.3 has to work at it, so I've decided the Hypermax turbo kit is top of the priority list. I'll get that ordered this weekend, or first of the week. From everything I've been reading I should be able to expect a solid 60hp at the wheels without too much trouble, 80-90 if I want to max it out (no). About double those numbers for torque boost. I'm thinking that should set me up fairly well for a mostly stock, still mechanical, and dead simple turbo diesel system.
The engine has 111k on it and runs great, just not super strong. While I'm in there tearing things up is there anything the idi gurus think I should be addressing? I'm thinking new injectors maybe (?), probably new glow plugs and relay for sure. Is there a way to remote mount the fuel filter that sits up there and makes doing ANYthing up there a huge pain in the ********? Things like that. I'm diesel challenged, so this is new territory for me.
Pic of the kit... (I'm excited)
rlrenz
Explorer
Kind of the same for me - I wanted a gantry crane, and decided to build it myself, so I trotted off to the steel yard. I cheated, and had them cut the structural to length for me. At their price, I figured I'd be paying myself about $5 per hour if I did it myself. I was smart enough to build it so it can come apart if I want to. I bolted the beam to the uprights flat on the floor, then it was time to raise it. I blocked the wheels in place, then I coupled three chain hoists together to get enough length - even better, two of the hoists were air operated. I managed to get the thing upright, but my final conclusion was the same as yours -- the project definitely had the potential for some painful injury.
I lived through it, and I'll leave taking it down for my heirs.
I lived through it, and I'll leave taking it down for my heirs.
Ok, so I got side-tracked a bit on the turbo kit, but that should get ordered within a day or two. What I'd like to get is some input of the "while you're in there" variety. Things people think should be done while I'm in that deep. One thing I'd really like is some experienced input on potentially relocating the fuel filter. It's already a pain in the ******** to service, and the turbo kit raises it up and moves it about to what I can only imagine is an even worse position. Is there a "kit" somewhere to relocate it to the frame rail or someplace else more accessible? Pictures, videos, links, and part numbers are all major pluses!
Essentially anything that will make this project run smoother with as little back-tracking as possible. None of that "dang it, I shoulda this n that".
Other than the 4x4 conversion itself, this I'm most excited about. I'm really hoping to get the I cant believe how much stronger this is feeling.
Essentially anything that will make this project run smoother with as little back-tracking as possible. None of that "dang it, I shoulda this n that".
Other than the 4x4 conversion itself, this I'm most excited about. I'm really hoping to get the I cant believe how much stronger this is feeling.
cjken
Explorer
I have not dug into my IDI much at all, but relocating the filter sounds like a good idea.
Maybe check/replace the fuel pump and GPR. My mechanical pump was leaking badly on my PSD. not sure if it is in same spot on IDI but if it is that would be way easier pre-turbo.
I hope the turbo gives you what you are looking for!!
Maybe check/replace the fuel pump and GPR. My mechanical pump was leaking badly on my PSD. not sure if it is in same spot on IDI but if it is that would be way easier pre-turbo.
I hope the turbo gives you what you are looking for!!
Haha. I swear, nothing just goes for me on this thing. I just tried to order my turbo kit and their order system refused to complete. I kept getting some message along the lines of "the order process did not complete. The stated transaction amount appears to be invalid". Wha? What the hell does that mean? How can the amount be "invalid" when their system fills in the numbers? Let me guess, I'm going to get some song and dance about "so sorry Mr Greening. Our prices recently increased 1000% and it hasn't made it through the system yet". Now I have to wait at least 11 freakin hours till I can call and do it the old fashioned way. ELEVEN HOURS! What the heck am I going to do all that time? 
flightcancled
Explorer
Start loosening the bolts. You know those sucker will fight and scream every step of the way too!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
patoz
Expedition Leader
Tom, I'll be interested is seeing how long it takes for the NFA paperwork to process, because I could use a couple myself.
And yes, they're coming...the instant the EBT/Welfare system fails and there is no more free handouts!
LGS said its running about 3-4 months these days. We'll see. No big deal actually. I'm still waiting on my receivers to get back from the engravers anyway, and one of them still needs to have an upper sorted out. I sent off 3. Two will be 9mms because ammo is cheap and I can shoot them at any of the indoor ranges since they're a pistol caliber. The 3rd is a 10.5 5.56. I've got a pinned 14.5 for "long range" work. I'm not building anything that takes a scope because I figure if the baddies are far enough away I need a scope, I got time to run. You can play Rambo Commando when you're young and single, but when you've got a wife and kids all that "stand and fight" mentality does is get you dead and turn them into orphans and a widow.
patoz
Expedition Leader
Oddly enough, all mine have scopes, red dots, or tactical lights/green lasers because I'm farsighted and can't see iron sights well enough to aim accurately. I have long range, medium range, short range, and 'in your face'!
My motto is similar... I'm too old to fight, and to out of shape to run, so that only leaves one thing...
You've heard me mention (more than once I'm sure) how I cant seem to catch a break on anything I do on this build right?
So I've been trying to get front/rear gears and lockers done for a few months now. Did the rear first to make sure the gear choice was going to fly before doing the front (it did) and what a chore that turned into. Excuses excuses about delays and delays. So for the front I went with a different guy. "Parts are ordered but you know, the holiday." Then "parts are here but you know, the new year holiday...." After that it was "yeah, your parts are here but a bit of a family thing you know". Not really, what family thing?
Turns out the guys brother in law offed his wife and kids (apparently), then set his house on fire and the damn thing blew up. Only one that got out alive was the family mutt. It was in the news here.
What the hell was I gonna say?
So I've been trying to get front/rear gears and lockers done for a few months now. Did the rear first to make sure the gear choice was going to fly before doing the front (it did) and what a chore that turned into. Excuses excuses about delays and delays. So for the front I went with a different guy. "Parts are ordered but you know, the holiday." Then "parts are here but you know, the new year holiday...." After that it was "yeah, your parts are here but a bit of a family thing you know". Not really, what family thing?
Turns out the guys brother in law offed his wife and kids (apparently), then set his house on fire and the damn thing blew up. Only one that got out alive was the family mutt. It was in the news here.
What the hell was I gonna say?