Boomer the Quadravan 4x4 Camper

[spencyg]

Thanks for the supportive words guys.

I tested last night at full lock to lock with the passenger side of the axle jacked up as far as I could (safely) and still had clearance between the pitman and the panhard bar. That being said, once I add a frame side mount to the equation things may get a bit tight. If the links were unequal length I could just space the frame side mount out far enough to not cause any problems, but once I equalize the length it will cause the frame side mount to move inward toward the center of the truck. Having slightly unequal lengths isn't the end of the world and I'm already coming to terms with having things "not totally perfect" for the sake of ease of fabrication and future maintenance.

One pleasant surprise to come out of the setup yesterday was that I didn't need to modify the pitman arm to clear the frame. Tons of room.

All new brake hoses, calipers and drum slaves arrived last night from my favorite online parts seller, so once I get this axle stuff sorted that is next on the punch list.

SG

 

[Mwilliamshs]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/128106-Project-quot-Autonomous-quot-F-350/page2

The steering fab on that page reminded me of your work. Might be of interest to ya!

*Edit* also check page 9 of that thread. More better

 

[philos]

I figured you were already on it. I really do think that arm is awesome... I would have given up and headed to the junkyard or a parts counter.


Sent via flux capacitor

 

[spencyg]

Big stuff today. I finished up the frame side Panhard bracket this morning. Last night I was able to rough it out but it got too late to grind and weld in the driveway....stupid city life.















The angles are *nearly* perfect....close enough for me anyway. I've got clearance at both left and right lock to all critical points.

Once I worked through a couple last minute annoyances (like, accidentally welding a bolt in that was supposed to be removable), we were ready for tires and a test ride.



The ride went great. I've got tons of steering control now, and the ride over bumps is far more tolerable. One complaint is the front RS5000 shocks. They aren't "bad" but completely inadequate. Now that the suspension actually moves correctly you can really feel it. There will be an upgrade to some higher end units soon.

In addition to the ride, the flex I've got now is remarkable. I have a spot near the house where I can run one tire about 4' up. Don't get excited...I can't climb a boulder with the new suspension. It doesn't have any problem with maybe a 24" of displacement between opposing front and rear tires which was never possible before.

Upon my return I dug into the front brakes. It was time for new calipers, hoses and pads.

Now, I'd been doing some reading up on how to loosen 25 year old brake flare fittings from an hold hose fitting and it seemed a #1 brazing tip focusing some heat on the joint would do the trick.

So I had at it.

Little pro tip here. When heating a brake line fitting it is a very very good idea to crack the nearest bleed nipple. If you don't, this will happen...





Luckily I suffered no harm as a result of this potentially dangerous situation I build for myself.

AAAANNNNDDDD......

It worked. The flare fitting spun right off. I was able to swap out the rest of the passenger side before it was time to call it a night. I'll finish up the driver side tomorrow and then on to the rear brakes.



Feeling good.

SG

 

[Jb1rd]

Whats with the "Look who's popular" things?? Been waiting all day to see these pics:Wow1:

 

[Mushin_Noshin]

Yea can't see the pics now

 

[spencyg]

Geesh...I guess people are actually reading this fish wrap.

Fixed with a Photobucket upgrade.

Read on.

SG

 

[philos]

Not even a squirt of DOT 3 in the eye!
I'm thinking I would have done the same thing...
Looks great!


Sent via flux capacitor

 

[Jb1rd]

It amazes me that people can figure this stuff out, I am so mechanically challenged it's not even funny. I got excited because I did my own tune up :sombrero:

 

[spencyg]

Work yesterday didn't start until the evening hours. I didn't snap pics along the way because I was just doing brake work and we've all seen that before.

I finished up the front calipers and hoses and then got the rear slaves and hose swapped out. Those rear drums are as much of a pain in the *** as you'd expect them to be. Luckily I ran into very few problems along the way and finished up in the wee hours of the morning today.

There is a reason for all this madness BTW.....we're headed on a 2000 mile adventure on WEDNESDAY (yes....2 days from now) to explore Nova Scotia. We'll be going as far North as possible, taking our time along the way to try and really experience what the area has to offer. The last 8 weeks has been "the big push" and we're closing in on it.

My punch list is still pretty long but I've made good headway. Both my starter batteries took a nosedive over the last few weeks so we ripped them out this morning and I'll get replacements this afternoon. I've got a little more electrical work to do tonight then some misc odds and ends need to get wrapped up.

I'm tired!

SG

 

[mtnbike28]

Have a great trip, we loved our two weeks in Nova Scotia - Meat Cove, walking on the ocean floor during the tidal bore, sunrise at Peggys Cove, and about every Provincial Park we stayed out - I am very jealous!

This is a quick trip report!
http://americanadventurist.com/Forum/showthread.php?1290-Nova-Scotia-A-trip-report!

 

[Jb1rd]

I get exhausted just reading your threads so I can only imagine how tired you "really' are. :sombrero: Have a great trip!!

 

[philos]

Oh, how I long to go on a surfari to Nova Scotia... cold water heavies I hear.

 

[rockbender]

Awesome work on the front end! I just dropped back in here and recalled that I never got you any more pics of my front end - sorry! Looks like you managed just fine, though! Your panhard placement is nearly identical to mine it looks like. Glad to hear you are enjoying the fruits of your labor.

I recently did a similar process of running through a bunch of odds and ends right down to the wire before departing on a 2300 mile trip. Feels good when everything comes together.

FYI, I felt a noticeable difference when I upgraded to Bilstein shocks and it sounds like there are folks that are getting custom valved Fox shocks through Agile Off Road that are even better suited to the vans than the Bilstein's.

 

[philos]

Also, THANK YOU for making really detailed posts, posting part numbers, great pics, etc. It makes it so much easier to liberate/appropriate ideas!