OBS F250 slow adventure build
- Thread starter amgvr4
- Start date
Cascadia-vehicle-tents
Supporting Sponsor
I do apologize for not making the show as we had our big trailer blow an axle and it was loaded with all of our gear. We will be at the Portland Sportsman show the 4th thru the 8th of Feb. If you would like to email us I can send you over some photos and dimensions also.
Kind regards,
Bobby
Cascadia-vehicle-tents
Supporting Sponsor
I do apologize for not getting to you. Not sure what happened but never the less I am sorry.
-Bobby
amgvr4
Adventurer
Thanks Bobby, I understand that things happen. I certainly didn't put as much effort as I could have into making sure that you guys would be there as I should have. I called CVT yesterday and got through first try. Bobby was great and answered all my questions, including the dimension between the mounting rails which he knew off the top of his head. 98dango shoot Boby a call if you are still interested, he can answer all you questions and mentioned they might have some demo tents to sell soon.
In preparation for the RTT I want to get some 12v power to the bed of the truck. I have been looking at a bunch of options including an SPOD or just making a relay/junction box hidden up under the bed well. I found this place
http://www.adafruit.com/products/744
They have great deals on some nice weather tight connectors and some really cool illuminated buttons that make me want to find something to make just so I can use one! The SPOD is probably the best solution but at $370 they are not cheep! I need power for backup lights, bed/work lights, rock lights, and some kind of power outlet in the bed area. I also need to repair some holes in the bed and apply some DIY bed liner. Hopefully I can start tackling some of these projects over the next few months so that by spring time everything is camping ready.
In preparation for the RTT I want to get some 12v power to the bed of the truck. I have been looking at a bunch of options including an SPOD or just making a relay/junction box hidden up under the bed well. I found this place
http://www.adafruit.com/products/744
They have great deals on some nice weather tight connectors and some really cool illuminated buttons that make me want to find something to make just so I can use one! The SPOD is probably the best solution but at $370 they are not cheep! I need power for backup lights, bed/work lights, rock lights, and some kind of power outlet in the bed area. I also need to repair some holes in the bed and apply some DIY bed liner. Hopefully I can start tackling some of these projects over the next few months so that by spring time everything is camping ready.
amgvr4
Adventurer
I got a chance to test my theory about converting the front coilovers from dual rate to single rate by lowering the stops. I set it up at first so that the single rate stops we so high that they were not functioning at all. My dual rate is 210# and my bottom springs are 400# so I effectively doubled my rate with the adjustment. The result is much better cornering and on road manors, it is a bit stiffer but nowhere near harsh an still way better than the old D50. It only took about ten minutes to make the change and I can easily move them up if I need more articulation. Speaking of articulation, I still have plenty for everything but full on trails.
The stops before adjustment
After
I also have about 500# of scrap metal in the bed at the moment that needs to go to the recycle bin. The back is only squatting by an inch and though I'd rather it be level it is close enough for now. I am still leaning toward doing a three link in the back after the summer time so I will address the proper height and position of the 10.25" at that time.
The stops before adjustment
After
I also have about 500# of scrap metal in the bed at the moment that needs to go to the recycle bin. The back is only squatting by an inch and though I'd rather it be level it is close enough for now. I am still leaning toward doing a three link in the back after the summer time so I will address the proper height and position of the 10.25" at that time.
amgvr4
Adventurer
I ordered a font driveshaft today. I ended up going with Tom Woods driveshafts due to their price, customer service, and super fast turnaround. I got quotes as high as $500 and three weeks lead time from other compenies, so when they told me $329 shipped to my door in three days I was sold! I am super excited to have this thing 4x4 again so I can actually test out all the work I put into it on the trail. I might even try and tag along on a trail run this weekend with th NWOL crew.
underdrive
jackwagon
Yes, 3 weeks to build a driveshaft is totally unacceptable in this day and age. We've had good luck just retubing factory shafts, but we use the services of a builder who runs a small one-man operation and is very passionate about his quality of work... So your Tom Woods shaft should be arriving on Friday right? Just in time for the weekend fun then! Good luck!
amgvr4
Adventurer
4x4 at last!
I finally got a front drive shaft in today. I ended up ordering a custom Tom Woods 1330 CV shaft. Based on their reputation I figured I couldn't go wrong, didn't hurt that they were the cheapest and fastest as well! Drivlines NW quoted me over $500 and said it would take a week. They also made it sound like it was some kind of Frankenstein shaft they would have to make. When I called Tom Woods we quickly sorted out what I needed and I was blown away when he told me it would be $329 shipped to my door and they could have it to me in three days! The other nice thing is they use 2" DOM tube instead of much thinner seam welded 2.5" stuff DNW would use. The smaller diameter is crucial for clearance at my trans crossmember. I tested it out on a small ledge and it worked very well. I cant wait to get it out on the trail.
The shaft
My little helper!
Installed
The shaft at about 75% droop
Skid plate back in
The truck feels whole again! The shaft is great and runs nice and quiet even at 40 mph on the road. There is a pretty tough section of trail up on Mt Pilchuck I have been dying to try ever since I started going up there, now that I have 4x4 I will give it a shot soon. I also still need to try flexing the front with one of the upper links disconnected to free up some more motion.
I finally got a front drive shaft in today. I ended up ordering a custom Tom Woods 1330 CV shaft. Based on their reputation I figured I couldn't go wrong, didn't hurt that they were the cheapest and fastest as well! Drivlines NW quoted me over $500 and said it would take a week. They also made it sound like it was some kind of Frankenstein shaft they would have to make. When I called Tom Woods we quickly sorted out what I needed and I was blown away when he told me it would be $329 shipped to my door and they could have it to me in three days! The other nice thing is they use 2" DOM tube instead of much thinner seam welded 2.5" stuff DNW would use. The smaller diameter is crucial for clearance at my trans crossmember. I tested it out on a small ledge and it worked very well. I cant wait to get it out on the trail.
The shaft
My little helper!
Installed
The shaft at about 75% droop
Skid plate back in
The truck feels whole again! The shaft is great and runs nice and quiet even at 40 mph on the road. There is a pretty tough section of trail up on Mt Pilchuck I have been dying to try ever since I started going up there, now that I have 4x4 I will give it a shot soon. I also still need to try flexing the front with one of the upper links disconnected to free up some more motion.
Tom Woods has always treated me great. Man come to think of it I still have a Woods in my 79 Hilux that uses the ol' long travel agricultural splines. Things have come a long ways since those days :coffeedrink:
seanpistol
Explorer
I love this truck!! Can't help but browse the internet for OBS powerstrokes recently... none are as cool as this one. Can't wait to see it flexing on the trail.
amgvr4
Adventurer
Thanks guys! Seanpistol; this thing is awesome! I have been looking on CL to see where OBS powerstrokes are at and man people want an arm and a leg for them these days. Anything in half decent condition is $7k min, there are several over $9k. I went on a trail ride with a local group today and got to use 4x4 for real for the first time since the swap. There was a little rock garden half way up to the lunch stop. It was pretty aggressive and I wasn't sure the truck would make it. Turns out it was no big deal even without adjusting anything from my street setup. The worst part was a double off camber ledge section. Both ledges were about 4' tall and spaced almost perfectly for the trucks wheel base. I had my wife take some video but since I didn't have a spotter it is pretty lame. I had to stop and get out to check my line every three feet or so. Here are some pictures of the day.
On the ledge
Over the top
Coming back down the other side
The lunch spot had some good rocks to climb on for the kids
I can't wait to adjust the springs back to single rate, detach the upper radius arm link, and let a little air out of the tires to see what it can really do!
On the ledge
Over the top
Coming back down the other side
The lunch spot had some good rocks to climb on for the kids
I can't wait to adjust the springs back to single rate, detach the upper radius arm link, and let a little air out of the tires to see what it can really do!
underdrive
jackwagon
Nothing quite like being able to put the truck to a proper test while still having all your family along to enjoy the trip. Good job!
By the way, does that front axle contain any sort of traction device inside it?
By the way, does that front axle contain any sort of traction device inside it?
amgvr4
Adventurer
Nope, the only traction aiding device is the factory rear LSD and that thing is useless at this point. I would love front and rear air lockers, but I think that one of the best ways to keep traction is to have enough articulation to keep all fours firmly planted on terraferma. That's going to have to work for me for awhile as lockers are pretty low on the list of "needs" even though they are at the top of my "wants"!