Project "Autonomous" F-350

[pappawheely]

Pump and filter mounted. The uhaul rub strip rails are coming in handy again.



Most of the utilities are mounted low and between the axles. Water heater, pump and filter are all centrally located under the bed overhang. The shower pan will run to the front wall creating a drip pan for most of the water lines.

 

[Seabass]

You are makin some headway. One thing I have been wondering- isn't that u-haul box on a dually? If so how wide is it across the back? Reason I ask is these trucks track a little narrow on the back end anyway. I put a set of arrowcraft wheel spacers on the back of my work truck and the rear tracks the same as the front now. Looks a lot more balanced for sure. Especially since I put the bushwhacker extended flares on it. Just curious if it's gonna be a lot wider than the axel and cab- I had a flatbed that did that once- a saws all and a welder narrowed it right up!

 

[pappawheely]

You are makin some headway. One thing I have been wondering- isn't that u-haul box on a dually? If so how wide is it across the back? Reason I ask is these trucks track a little narrow on the back end anyway. I put a set of arrowcraft wheel spacers on the back of my work truck and the rear tracks the same as the front now. Looks a lot more balanced for sure. Especially since I put the bushwhacker extended flares on it. Just curious if it's gonna be a lot wider than the axel and cab- I had a flatbed that did that once- a saws all and a welder narrowed it right up!

Yes, the box is a bit wider than the cab. I have given it some thought. The Uhaul truck has the same 4:10 gears that the F350 has. That gives me some options; I can make my truck a dually. I can put the dually axle under the truck and run singles or run wheel spacers on the stock axle (the easiest). I have an investment in my beadlock wheels so switching to duallies would be a big hit to the budget. It would not be my first or second choice.

 

[Seabass]

I wouldn't hesitate on the spacers. As long as they are high quality they'll be fine. My arrow craft spacers were right at $300 delivered. That poor old truck sees a lot of weight and gets a ton of hard off road miles. I've had them on it for nearly a year and not a single problem. Just have to specify that you got a single wheel ton and not a dually. They know what they're doing. Really nice and knowledgeable people. I keep thinkin I'll put a set on the power stroke truck- but I always seem to find something else to spend the money on! At any rate- I'm really into your build and am excited to see that box on the big blue beast.

 

[dmanbluesfreak]

The only down side I can think of for large wheel spacers is the extra stress on the wheel bearings at the spindle. It may be worth keeping an eye out for a dually or van axle (if those are wider in ford world) and swapping your gears over if they don't match. If you go with the wheel spacers, just make sure to keep an eye on wheel bearing life more often than normal.

 

[Seabass]

The only down side I can think of for large wheel spacers is the extra stress on the wheel bearings at the spindle. It may be worth keeping an eye out for a dually or van axle (if those are wider in ford world) and swapping your gears over if they don't match. If you go with the wheel spacers, just make sure to keep an eye on wheel bearing life more often than normal.

Wheel bearings was and is my only concern. But the hub spacers are only about 2". The wheel is still between the bearings. I see a crap load of dually trucks with really large tires and 2" spacers and bigger between the rear wheels. Granted the inner wheel is in the stock position- that outer wheel is way out there. None of my buddies are reporting issues yet. And some haul big heavy loaded down goosenecks. But I still check mine every so often cause I just feel like I need to.

 

[pappawheely]

The only down side I can think of for large wheel spacers is the extra stress on the wheel bearings at the spindle. It may be worth keeping an eye out for a dually or van axle (if those are wider in ford world) and swapping your gears over if they don't match. If you go with the wheel spacers, just make sure to keep an eye on wheel bearing life more often than normal.

I have a dually rear end on the Uhaul donor truck. The gear ratio is the same but the spring pads would need to be cut off and new ones welded on in the correct position. With so much work needed to be done, things like that are on the list but not the priority list. My next big hurdle is getting the rear door mounted, plumbing the propane and water lines, wiring the box, insulation and wall panels and then mounting the box to the truck. The order may vary. I would like to get the box mounted soon.

 

[dmanbluesfreak]

Wheel bearings was and is my only concern. But the hub spacers are only about 2". The wheel is still between the bearings. I see a crap load of dually trucks with really large tires and 2" spacers and bigger between the rear wheels. Granted the inner wheel is in the stock position- that outer wheel is way out there. None of my buddies are reporting issues yet. And some haul big heavy loaded down goosenecks. But I still check mine every so often cause I just feel like I need to.

Should be just fine, then.

 

[underdrive]

I have a dually rear end on the Uhaul donor truck. The gear ratio is the same but the spring pads would need to be cut off and new ones welded on in the correct position.

That won't help you, the U-haul is likely a cab-chassis truck and while it does have dual wheels the overall WMS distance is about the same as your SRW axle now. It's courtesy of the narrower frame, 31" vs. about 37" for the pickup, cab-chassis trucks can squeeze dual wheels in and still keep overall width of the truck slightly more that that of a SRW. Find an axle from a DRW truck that originally came with a pickup bed, that will bolt directly under your trucks with no mods whatsoever, and give you like 6-7" wider rear track if you keep the single wheels.

 

[pappawheely]

Have not had the inclination to measure the two axle widths. Thanks for saving me the trouble underdrive! Something is telling me to call it quits for today. The first nick was normal; the second one I am thinking is a strong hint.

 

[Seabass]

Take a Tylenol and a beer- you'll be fine in the morning.

 

[pappawheely]

Take a Tylenol and a beer- you'll be fine in the morning.

Or take two beers and be fine tonight!

 

[pappawheely]

I had some parts made on Thursday. More pics after I install them. :wings:

 

[pappawheely]

All new front and rear drive shafts from JE Reel! I watched and took photos of the whole process for an article I am doing. It takes more than knowledge, there is skill involved when building these; I was really impressed. At 2400 rpm's the rear shaft was balanced at zero! :Wow1:

 

[pappawheely]

Made a trip to Nevada for the silver state race. Camped in the truck while I scouted and shot the race. SOOO beautiful there!





A racer rolled in front of me. After he begged for help, I reluctantly let him use my truck and winch, (I am there working; if I don't shoot, I don't get paid). They not only screwed up the recovery but they roached my cable.





Had bad light all day but great scenery for racing.