Luxury Chase Truck Build [2007 F250-Carli Coilover]

[CAPT.HODGES]

Not much to update. Just been adding little stuff.

I pulled a few sliding tie-down eyes from an explorer in the junkyard and popped them on the roof rails so I have the ability to tie down some bags if I had to.

I've also been working on a little curtain setup in the shell. Threw in some stainless eyes into the window frames. Today I got some black bungee and formed eyes with hog rings, heat shrunk. There is one upper and lower string on each of the four windows. Each curtain will be split vertically in the middle. One could pull them to the sides, unclip the bottom and roll them up (tied up top), or remove them altogether. It's coming out pretty trick. Just need to get material and sew it up.

I also finally tuned the truck with a canned SCT tune. Might get a custom one someday, but for now...holy f*^%. It makes it so much easier to daily drive. No more lag. Things faster than her civic!

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

Any good updates?

Nope. Two more weeks of work. Before I left I accompanied vcyota92 in a shock testing sesh. Found the limits again of the trophy diesel. Next mod needs to be my driving style lol. Then limit straps. This thing is just too much fun and handles most of what I throw at it. It's a whole new truck in the dirt with a performance tune on it. Thing rips.

https://vimeo.com/124888238

I also finally installed the egt and fuel pressure sensors I've had for a year and a half. Got them dialed into the dashboss system. Thanks to Tommy for the parking lot.

Just messing around with LeadNav

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

Spent quite a few man-hours over the last week running some 'under-glow'. Hate the term, love the application. Spent a lot of time getting the projection the way I wanted it and keeping everything hidden. Detailed pictures for anyone wanting to do it to another super duty.

Front crossmember (1/side)

Front wheel well (1/side)

Running boards (3/side)

Rear wheel well (1/side)

Rear bumper (1/side)

Rear bumper center

Done (-front two)

Really done

Gonna work out nicely to flood the work area at camp/fix stuff in the middle of the night.

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

Also been working on a second aux fuse box for the back half. I already installed one under the dash for lights, outlets, radios, etc. this one will be used for lights in the shell, under the bed rails, and on the rear hatch. Also several 12v outlets, maybe a small heater. Maybe a small water pump WAY down the road. Just leaving my options open.

It's right behind the left rear tire but is mostly protected by the liner. I was going to make a metal or plexiglass box until it dawned on me...moar pelican casessss! Fast, clean, watertight install. Aside from the four holes I will drill in the bottom for two main leads and 12 feeder wires. They'll have grommets and maybe silicon or sealer tape.

Hope to bolt it up tomorrow, but that'll drag out I'm sure.

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

A little piece of me died today as I drilled and dremeled a perfectly good pelican case, but it came out sick as fawk. The grommets were a ***** but are gonna keep it damn near waterproof.

Still waiting on some red wire loom but other than that it's ready to power up whatever in the back. More next week.

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

Days and days put into this s.o.b. to make it clean. I'm lucky to have the time. Ran wires all over, loomed, labeled, etc. drilled a hole in the shell/bed rail to hide most of it.

Came up with an impromptu lift system to access the bed stake hole.

Two rear sockets mounted. Still need to do the front ones but that's last on my list.

Gonna have a pimp little volt meter (switched) to keep and eye on things.

As it sits tonight. Just 4 more circuits to hook up, and the hard part is done...

Should have the box done tomorrow. Already have RGB+WW LED strip ready to go in. Only using the red/white on a three position switch. I like options.

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

FINALLY done with the hard part. Just have to mount the LED strips and hook up switches (due in Thu).

 

[flylow4500]

looking good.

A clean way to finish of the end of the loom is a piece of heat shrink instead of black tape. Black tape makes a mess after day one.

Keep up the good work!

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

looking good.

A clean way to finish of the end of the loom is a piece of heat shrink instead of black tape. Black tape makes a mess after day one.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks man. I use heat marine heat shrink with adhesive everywhere I want sealed permanently. I didn't want to shrink the ends of the looms in case I add or subtract anything. Agreed, electrical tape sucks haha. I used friction silicon tape that you stretch over itself and it clings. It holds tight but you can also cut it away and there's no adhesive residue to contend with.

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

Evidently, I didn't get this finished before I left. Been at work for a month, flying home Tuesday.

I did get the bed rail and window frame LED strips mounted with super gnar 3m foam tape. Also wired them, and ran new loom around the hatch. The switches I ordered initially were wrong, but the right ones are in the mail. All I have to do is mount them and it's plug and play...

Also ordered 4 small sections of L-Track that I'm considering mounting in the rear corners of the bed as shown (these are scraps). Still in need of a way to strap the massive 3.5 ton jack more solidly.

On that note, really liking the Pro Eagle 2 ton jack with extension, skid plate, and cradle. I could bolt it right on top of the track and have it be removable. I tested a HF 2 ton aluminum jack before and almost broke the handle trying to lift the truck, so got a bigger one. However, photographic evidence shows this small Pro Eagle lifting full size diesels...maybe it's just better?
Anyone had experience with these things?

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

FINISHED
This thread is up to date as of 0200 6-23-2015 GMT
I fly home tomorrow for a month off. Stay tuned for a few adventures and more improvements!

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Nicely done. Very clean in comparison to my red neck beast.

 

[dahenley]

if you install rear batteries, are you going to look into installing a "National Luna Dual Battery System"
Ive seen them on others vehicles and i think its a cool setup to prevent you truck from dying if using lots of battery power over night with the truck not running

 

[CAPT.HODGES]

Nicely done. Very clean in comparison to my red neck beast.

Thank you sir. Yours is looking really good! I'm particularly fond of that profile shot when you put the roof rack back on. That's the one shot that makes me still like the road-armor bumper. Looks great on yours. None of them seem to look 'right' on mine haha. It just needs to stay classy.

if you install rear batteries, are you going to look into installing a "National Luna Dual Battery System"
Ive seen them on others vehicles and i think its a cool setup to prevent you truck from dying if using lots of battery power over night with the truck not running

I've never heard of that, actually, but I will definitely look into it if I decide to put an aux battery in. It already has two from the factory. If I can find a way to isolate one of those, I might do that. But for now, all the stuff in the back is LED or very low-amperage. Still, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Thanks for the tip.

 

[uscg2008]

Damn this thing is def a sweet build!!