Destination Unknown - a 1997 F350 build

[Chorky]

oks like the Xplo

Ha yes it does! My life situation is different than most, so it makes me need a highly modular and multi-purpose design/set-up out of necessity rather than desire. I have pondered many many different ideas, and always keep coming back to the same one, so I'm sure it's the right 'fit'. One debate I'm having currently with life situations though is to continue with this plan, or put it on hold for one of two other possible ideas. Things are always changing. But no matter it will be finished some day, maybe today, maybe in 10 years ha!

 

[Chorky]

The work truck just doesn't have enough flex....

 

[Chorky]

Dad visited for a week - we decided to take his truck for a several hundred mile trip instead of mine, since it's full of nice conveniences.

 

[Chorky]

 

[Chorky]

look close at this one

 

[Chorky]

In an interesting series of events, I made a recent purchase. Not the amount of cash I really wanted to spend at the moment; however, I knew it was coming for a while. Few weeks ago topped off the pressure in my tires at a fuel station. The cold dropped pressures to just below 50 - usually I run 55 for good tire wear. Immediately I realized there would be a problem as water spewed into the tires while filling at 15 deg temps - only wondering how long it would be for that problem to surface. But, a new winter project 100 miles north beckoned so I threw caution to the went and went on. 2 days later, a tire was near flat down to about 20 pounds at best. After throwing on the spare, taking it to LesShwab 15 miles from the job site my suspicion was correct that the flat was caused by water icing up the valve stem causing a slow leak. So, knowing I will be in an area with little services, made a overnight rush order of the last in stock item. Eventually this will go in the Jeep, when a larger viair system can be had. It works well, but sucks battery life fast. The 1 pound tank is pretty much worthless for anything other than providing a quick burst of air, best used for blowing off equipment and such. But, it is much quieter than expected, which is nice - also a lot heavier than expected too. It's nice to finally have a compressor - something I have wanted for more than a few years now. Just goes to show that a person doesn't necessarily have to be 'overland' in some nowhere desert of a country to warrant needing a compressor. Though I have 2 spare tires, having the ability to air up would have saved about 2.5 hours and a early day off work.

 

[Chorky]

Took about a week to wash, scrape, prep, and paint. I used Eastwood products: rust converter, paint pre, ruberized rust encapsulator. There wasn't much rust to begin with. Only minor surface portions. But my last paint job of eastwood rust encapsulator didn't hold up to the salt here. although I also just painted and didn't convert first. So some years later we are at it again. The prep work wasn't the greatest due to having no garage, or place to really do a good job except outside in dirt and grass - so no doubt I painted over portions of dirt which will probably just flake off after a few months. But I will say that scraping/sanding, then using 2-3 coats of rust converter, then paint pre, and finishing with 2 coats of ruberized encapsulator does a fantastic job. I dont know a 25 yr old truck that looks any better unless its fully restored or never used in rain/salt. Pretty happy with these results. We will see how things look after winter, but I plan to use the ruberized stuff on the entire underside of the body as well, and get some monstaliner to spray the outside of the body - should make the body last a good long while no matter the conditions. Some of the original undercoat remained in good condition, and after scraping a bunch off to reveal excellent quality bare metal with zero rust I opted to just paint over the rest instead of spending a week just in scraping.

 

[Chorky]

So after being really happy at how the frame turned out with using the new product and the new method - especially how well the converter worked, I opted to take another week to wash, scrape, prep, convert, and paint the entire underside of the bed and body. All parts that are accessible without removing components. Removing the bed entirely would be preferred....but is just not an option for me at the moment. However, I think it came out darn nice, and should provide with years of rust/damage free life. I doubt there is a nicer, cleaner, rust free frame/body than this one, aside from rebuilt or show trucks.

 

[Chorky]

Well...it looks like the truck will turn more away from a expedition rig and turn more to a 'work' truck. Not that it will be beat on by any means. But more of a project truck for hauling wood, and a cargo trailer for larger items. First home purchase before 40 - a goal I had and was blessed in success. Unfortunately it didn't qualify for VA loans but wasnt really a huge deal anyway.

 

[Chorky]

Well I am a little sad to say today that I have just sold the truck. Bittersweet no doubt. But it just does not suit my needs any longer with an aging body. The buyers seemed like good people, who will use the truck for what it was made for. I am happy it is going to a good family. Hopefully this short number of pages can be helpful to someone in the future who decides to build one of these trucks. This truck was my lifeblood for a good many years. I put a lot of money and time into it, and I might not be where I am today without it. I hope it serves the new owners as well as it did me.

To a destination unknown...

 

[java]

It's always sad to see them go. What's coming next?

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Chorky]

It's always sad to see them go. What's coming next?

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I have thought about that a lot lately. Trying to merge something I need and also would enjoy. Still need a truck to haul a trailer to fix up this house, but also need to get off the beaten path. Being as I'm single with no kids, will be opting for something smaller. I had considered a few different options and shopped around some, but will be going for a Gladiator. It fits my needs of being smaller, more comfortable, with safety features, can still haul a respectable trailer of house repair items and go exploring. Some recent bodily things have crossed out my days of 'overlanding'

 

[Chorky]

For those interested, here is the replacement. It is by far a vehicle that is much better suited for my personal needs. And honestly, I do not miss the OBS. Partly because I know it went to a good home. Already have plans for this new ride, and I am sure it will get me many years of enjoyment. It is also significantly less stressful to drive despite payments and gas prices rising and the threats of mandatory electric vehicles in 4 years.

 

[Chorky]

In case anyone was wondering, I have started up a new thread on a different site. Mostly because there just aren't that many Jeeps here - but I may cross post in the Jeep section now and again. Good to see all the folks I used to interact with are still here and well!!! Nice progress!

Destination Unknown - 2022 JTR journal

Welcome to another build journal. I figured it was time to start one since recent events have encouraged a sudden purchase of goodies and I wanted to be able to log it a little better than just my standard word document usually used for maintenance records. This also might provide some use to...

www.jeepgladiatorforum.com