New Northern Expeditioner - Build Thread

[Engeek]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to posting on forum's but have been a long time lurker of ExPo. I have decided it is time to introduce myself and my oil burner to the knowledgable ExPo members with whom I share like interests. I live in Northern BC and plan to use the 'new to me' Dodge for Fishing/Hunting and long camping/exploring trips in the North. I am a longtime Toyota driver with 3 generations of 4runners behind me. Great trucks, but not enough room or pulling power for the future plans. I have a lot more plans, first of which is a light pop-up camper - but pickings are slim in my area

Anyhow, I know that everyone loves pics and I am going to do my best to post some....:elkgrin:

In the short term I plan on getting recovery gear to go with the new winch (not installed yet), on board air and possibly a sleeping platform for the canopy if no camper is found :coffeedrink:.
Safe Travels,

 

[poriggity]

Beautfiul truck! I am a big Dodge Fan, and use my Ram as my Expo rig as well Sounds like you know what's a good start.
Scott

 

[Engeek]

Thanks!
I scoured the entire Pacific N. American Continent for a solid 9 months to find my ideal truck and when I did I left my house and drove 13 hours to pick it up sight unseen. Clean original owner low km/mile 12 Valve/5 speeds with the specs I wanted are few and far between in the North and I feel like I won the lottery finding this one :bike_rider:. I would of gladly taken it in stock form, but lucked out and got the bumpers and many moderate mods which I would have done anyhow. There is more chrome then I like, so some will be removed.
Also there is a few things that need cleaning up. I need to rewire and route all auxiliary lights and equipment to one control/fuse box to clean things up. Any suggestions? I am also having issues with the clutch engagement sensor on the clutch pedal shaft causing the truck to not start occasionally.

 

[Rot Box]

Nice truck I love the green! :bike_rider: That's the holy grail of pickups for sure :drool:

Can't wait to see what you do with it.

 

[saveitforsunrise]

purdy, me neighbor has one, he went a little to far out into the field infront of my house one night, came banging on my door at 2 am, sunk to the axles, i say with the clutch engagment, unplug it, when i did the swap in my tahoe i didnt even plug the cruise back in, i like not having it plugged in, but i dont have kids and dont really worry about anything starting the truck with it in gear

 

[shortbus4x4]

Thanks!
I scoured the entire Pacific N. American Continent for a solid 9 months to find my ideal truck and when I did I left my house and drove 13 hours to pick it up sight unseen. Clean original owner low km/mile 12 Valve/5 speeds with the specs I wanted are few and far between in the North and I feel like I won the lottery finding this one :bike_rider:. I would of gladly taken it in stock form, but lucked out and got the bumpers and many moderate mods which I would have done anyhow. There is more chrome then I like, so some will be removed.
Also there is a few things that need cleaning up. I need to rewire and route all auxiliary lights and equipment to one control/fuse box to clean things up. Any suggestions? I am also having issues with the clutch engagement sensor on the clutch pedal shaft causing the truck to not start occasionally.

Truck looks good. I have replaced a few of the "dummy starts the vehicle in gear neutraliser switches" on Dodge pickups, they aren't hard to do. The hardest part is getting the little red safety lock to unclip so you can unplug the wire harness from the switch, that and you have to contort yourself some to do it.

 

[Engeek]

saveitforsunrise and Shortbus4x4 - Thanks for the advice. I have taken the 'Dummy' sensor off and investigated to see if I could fix/improve it and some serious contortion is needed. Funny thing is I never thought of just removing it all together and will consider this as an option to reduce reliance on fragile sensors. Dodge also happens to want $159 for a $2 piece of very frail plastic. I also considered just epoxying some thin brass/copper to the contacts to increase the connectivity, but this may be just as unreliable. I will wait until it is not -25 C to investigate further...

 

[saveitforsunrise]

if its anything like my chebby it doesnt need it plugged in, you should try that and see if itll work, if so im sure you can rig up some sort of toggle switch everytime you push the clutch down

 

[Engeek]

Things are moving quickly now..getting dizzy..wallet getting empty... I have located a 2000 FWC Grandby within a reasonable distance but have a few questions.

First it has no furnace or fridge, is it hard or pricey to retrofit units into a camper not spec'd for them from the Factory?
Would the Wave 3 be OK for nights down to -15 C with a homemade Arctic Pack?
What fridge would be the best bang for buck, but also survive a good shake down?
Lastly, is there any flaws or things that need to be fixed or addressed, or things I should ask about before I drive 400 miles :smiley_drive:?
Thanks!

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

She's a beauty. Glad to have some more Dodge guys here...and welcome! :sombrero:

 

[saveitforsunrise]

[/QUOTE]Lastly, is there any flaws or things that need to be fixed or addressed, or things I should ask about before I drive 400 miles :smiley_drive:?
Thanks![/QUOTE]

Carry a spare tire!!!!! made a trip to Jacksonville NC a while back and went though 2 33s on the way there and back

 

[Engeek]

Thanks for the kind words and advice guys.
I attempted to simply disconnect the Clutch engagement sensor as per saveitforsunrise's advice and this did not work. If I want to leave it unplugged I would have to complete the circuit somehow (small piece or wire) to trick the truck into thinking the clutch was engaged. I am going to attempt to improve the contact area of the sensor and see how that works.
I am assuming I should start a thread in the camper section to get feedback on my potential future FWC?
I also put on the new winter tires today and they look absolutely hilarious. They are studded 235/85R16's Winterforces on 6 inch wide steel wheels off a 91 D250. Anyhow, I have the original hub caps on there and it looks very retro, but the traction is amazing

 

[saveitforsunrise]

well sorry, i tried, and also if you cross it into thinking you clutch is engaged your cruise controle may very possibly not work, my tahoe has an after market intake so i didnt have cruise anyways

 

[Loco-Nomad]

Very nice rig! Makes me miss my Cummins so bad, I regret selling it everyday...Like the bumpers, clean looking truck, can't wait for more pics as your build develops!:coffeedrink:

 

[northfacetraveller]

Hey, Nice Cummins!! :victory: Im almost certain I've done work on that particular truck not too long ago.. You buy it in the lower mainland?