Day One...not that this is going to go fast, or anything

[Czechsix]

LOL.....actually I do mount a large rack on the back of the F350 now for things like firewood, coolers, motorcycle, etc. For the FG I'm foreseeing a bike rack (motorcycle and bicycle). I'm speccing three receiver points on the front - one central to run a trailer ball/pintle if needed, and two outboard for the rack mounts. Where I'm currently located we don't have that type of surf fishing, and I have no intent to move to an area that would have that type. OR, WA, ID, etc are more our style, since Arkansas is now out of the running.

 

[Czechsix]

Well, Aluminess is still working on the bumper, but in other news....truck is in the shop.

I've done a few hundred miles, a quick trip out to Phoenix, etc., on and off since last report. It's been throwing intermittent DPF/DEF codes. They usually last a few miles, and then go away. Well, today it went from the amber ENGSYS and DPF amber warning, to an additional amber engine icon, and finally to a flashing amber/red ENGSYS with a tone. Holy screaming cats that was loud, luckily it didn't stay loud for long. I'm pretty sure I don't have permanent hearing damage. Well, fairly sure. maybe. Did I mention it's loud?

IAC, I was only about a mile and a half from a local service center, and I just drove it there. Weird thing was it didn't go into limp mode. Anyway, just as I drive into the service center yard, all the codes clear from the display. Sigh. I'm sure (well, fairly sure) they'll be able to pull them from the memory.

I left it there, but while I was there I was talking to one of the mechanics. He mentioned that there are two recalls they're seeing now, one is to do a simple non-corrosion coating on some of the turbo components, and one apparently replaces the DEF tank, sender, and possibly some harness bits. I remember that in the Tucson service center, they said they couldn't do anything about the DEF level indication malf on the display - according to them it was a calibration issue that the factory hasn't figured out yet (I thought this didn't make any sense, but it was a minor issue, and I had to get home, so I ignored it at that time).

So I'm sure I'll find out more next week, but hearing about the other two recalls makes me wonder how up to date the mitfusotech.com site is? Neither one of those were mentioned, but I guess they could have turned up in the last month or so.

 

[dlh62c]

It's kinda neat sitting eye level with semi drivers. Leaving the parking brake on will cause the alarm to go off as well.

 

[Czechsix]

It's kinda neat sitting eye level with semi drivers. Leaving the parking brake on will cause the alarm to go off as well.

Agreed, the visibility is a good thing. I don't think the parking brake alarm is anywhere near the same volume as that last warning I had, was.

 

[Czechsix]

OK, just picked the truck up from service. Turned out to be a bad NOX sensor. As to the DEF level gauge, according to the factory the work around is to let the tank get down to 1/4 full before filling it. Doesn't make lots of sense to me, but I guess those of us that are diligent on PMS with our vehicles are doing it wrong Repair was under warranty, no $$ out of pocket.

After the new year, I'll take it back in and see what I can do to get it reprogrammed for the larger tire size, and get an annoying clock slow down fixed also.

 

[Czechsix]

and the new tender that'll live on the truck, when I'm not screwing around with it..

 

[Czechsix]

This week...time to order some seats. Looks like National is the best choice, so that's what's going to go in. I opted for an ARB compressor, I've got a few old tanks laying around from past truck projects, so those'll be the accumulators. I just need to call a few of the potential camper suppliers and see if there are any locations that'll interfere with an installation.

Also, first part of the bumper should be done next week, then it's figuring out the brush guard/bull bar fitment and configuration.

 

[pugslyyy]

This week...time to order some seats. Looks like National is the best choice, so that's what's going to go in. I opted for an ARB compressor, I've got a few old tanks laying around from past truck projects, so those'll be the accumulators. I just need to call a few of the potential camper suppliers and see if there are any locations that'll interfere with an installation.

Also, first part of the bumper should be done next week, then it's figuring out the brush guard/bull bar fitment and configuration.

Here's the seat we have - http://www.industrialseats.com/product.asp?pID=224&pgrID=74&categoryID=23

 

[david506th]

That is the one we are about to order as well. We say in Pugslyyy's at Expo East and they were great compared to the concrete box the stock seats feel like. We have a quote for the whole get up of two seats minus the ARB compressor we are going with for $2200.00.

 

[SkiFreak]

I've got a few old tanks laying around from past truck projects, so those'll be the accumulators.

I am guessing that you really mean receivers, not accumulators.
Sorry... I have always been a bit of a pedantic SOB.

We have a quote for the whole get up of two seats minus the ARB compressor we are going with for $2200.00.

That's about what one of my Stratos seats cost, and my opinion they are pretty crappy seats. Unfortunately, those National seats are not easily available here.

 

[Czechsix]

I am guessing that you really mean receivers, not accumulators.
Sorry... I have always been a bit of a pedantic SOB.


That's about what one of my Stratos seats cost, and my opinion they are pretty crappy seats. Unfortunately, those National seats are not easily available here.

I say potato, you say potatoh :sombrero:

Receivers, or accumulators....either way, an air tank.

What I'd really like to have are some Recaro air ride seats that are low profile, fully adjustable, heated and cooled...oh, and have a massage option. For under $500. Yeah. I'd like that.

I've seen so-so reports on the Stratos seats, shame that the build quality just doesn't seem to be there. I'd really like to shove an Isri in the cab....but no way to do that without chopping stuff up, so next best seems to be National. There are half a dozen other air seat manufacturers out there, some with really nice options...but the low profile just kills it. Heck, I've got HEMTT/LVS seat bases in the yard, but again....too tall. Plus no adjustability up and down, which also kills that idea.

Ah well, it'll get sorted eventually.

 

[SkiFreak]

I've seen so-so reports on the Stratos seats

Probably quite a few from me...
I have had mine back to Stratos twice to address excessive movement issues, but both times I was told that the seats were "within specifications".
In the end I pulled them apart myself and fixed the main problem in about half an hour. It would be a serious understatement to say that I am not impressed with the Stratos seats themselves, nor the company.
Others may have had different experiences with Stratos, but mine has not been a good one.

 

[Czechsix]

Ok, just ordered 2x National seats w/inside armrests (2 tone leather), 2x seat bases(3" suspension travel), 2x heater kits, 12v comp, total w/freight (IL to CA) 2956.00. Freight was a couple hundred bucks, so just the seats alone 2756.00 - 500.00 more than yours, david506th. I ordered from Industrial Seats, same as pugslly's original source. Still less expensive than the quotes I received from installers, but they've got to make their labor costs and overhead.

Who'd you get your quote from, david506th? Same setup? Or did you spec the Mordura cloth?

IAC, that part is ordered, and the ARB compressor setup just arrived on the BBT. :sombrero:

ETA: Also talked with the sales rep about the "chugger snubber" option. The rep informed me that getting that option will actually increase the seat height, which wouldn't work. Just an FYI for anyone else that's considering going this route.

 

[david506th]

I actually need to adjust that quote... One is that I quoted the wrong seat. So adjusted price is $2073 delivered but after reading your quote I remembered I need the base as well so I will say add $300ish for the two bases. That above quote is with freight to Mobile, AL.

I am going the ARB compressor route so I will need to add that into the cost.

David

 

[Czechsix]

Seat bases I got were 283.45 each, so if you're getting them for $150 each, nice buy!