Project "Autonomous" F-350

[pappawheely]

One of the things that I hate about building a project is temporary fixes. If you use your truck all the time, chances are you will need to build something to get you by until you make permanent changes. I had to come up with a way to carry my 37 inch Falken spare. I did not want to build a bumper that would have to be scrapped later down the road and at the same time I had to build something substantial enough to carry the spare during offroad travel. My solution was to build a carrier that slide into the hitch mount. I did not want something that would swing out, in case I was stealth camping, so I made it pivot to the side. When it's closed the weight is centered on the mount. When it's open it allows the use of the rear door on the 4WC without hanging off the back end. The first attempt broke at the hinge while I was going up a root covered trail in the Coconino forest but a little reinforcement was all that was needed. Once I mount my box on the truck I will build a permanent spare tire mount.

Closed


Open



In case you are wondering... I did include a means of locking it while it was in the open position, lol.

 

[Seabass]

One of the things that I hate about building a project is temporary fixes. If you use your truck all the time, chances are you will need to build something to get you by until you make permanent changes. I had to come up with a way to carry my 37 inch Falken spare. I did not want to build a bumper that would have to be scrapped later down the road and at the same time I had to build something substantial enough to carry the spare during offroad travel. My solution was to build a carrier that slide into the hitch mount. I did not want something that would swing out, in case I was stealth camping, so I made it pivot to the side. When it's closed the weight is centered on the mount. When it's open it allows the use of the rear door on the 4WC without hanging off the back end. The first attempt broke at the hinge while I was going up a root covered trail in the Coconino forest but a little reinforcement was all that was needed. Once I mount my box on the truck I will build a permanent spare tire mount.

Closed



Open



In case you are wondering... I did include a means of locking it while it was in the open position, lol.

I like what you did there. I don't plan on taking my bed off- plus my bumper was on the truck and welded to the frame when I bought it. So my spare carrier will work for a long time for me. Your right on the stealth camping- I'm given away immediately with mine swung out. I also have to drop my tailgate anyway. Oh well- it works good. I think I'll still like it when I put my topper back on this winter. I sure can't wait to see your truck when you get that box on it. It's gonna be pretty dang sweet!


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[pappawheely]

I like what you did there. I don't plan on taking my bed off- plus my bumper was on the truck and welded to the frame when I bought it. So my spare carrier will work for a long time for me. Your right on the stealth camping- I'm given away immediately with mine swung out. I also have to drop my tailgate anyway. Oh well- it works good. I think I'll still like it when I put my topper back on this winter. I sure can't wait to see your truck when you get that box on it. It's gonna be pretty dang sweet!


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I hope you have a way to prevent someone from closing your tailgate or a secondary escape route. I have far too many smarta$$ friends to leave myself vulnerable to hijinx.

 

[C5dad]

If this has been asked, I apologize (life's bandwidth is narrow this past year). Where did you get the filter from for the differentials? [Post 29].

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[C5dad]

I'm with you, I just picked up one of these to cool the PS fluid.

That unit is easy to install and mostly bombproof (watch the torque on the fittings!)

 

[pappawheely]

If this has been asked, I apologize (life's bandwidth is narrow this past year). Where did you get the filter from for the differentials? [Post 29].

Thanks in advance!!!

I bought them at Autozone

 

[Seabass]

I hope you have a way to prevent someone from closing your tailgate or a secondary escape route. I have far too many smarta$$ friends to leave myself vulnerable to hijinx.

All I gotta is flip the tailgate latches to the closed position once it's dropped. Then the tailgate just makes a loud slamming sound and falls back open. It takes some effort to hold the handle up while reaching to each end to flip the locks back down. In that amount of time I can easily be out of the camper and in full a** whipping mode. Yes- I have an escape opening in the front of the camper. The front screen actually zips open. It even has a fancy "Emergency Exit" sticker above it. If I was really worried about that- I'd prly just take the tailgate off and put it under the truck. I'm such a light sleeper I'm not overly concerned either way.

 

[pappawheely]

Had a setback, my Colorado prerunner went into passlock mode; won't start. Fortunately the moderator of a website I frequent, (355nation) is a rep for HP Tuners. He is going to fix the passlock issue, calibrate my speedo and do some performance tuning too! My day turned from bad to great!



Now I can get back to completing my power steering overhaul. :victory: My pitman arm was tig welded by TMR motorsports, as soon as I get some paint on it, I can cycle the steering to find out what size stops to put in the hydraulic cylinder. It's important to have the cylinder stop the linkage. Pushing against the steering linkage with hydraulic pressure when it's on the factory stops puts a lot of stress on the components.

 

[pappawheely]

I got some time to work on the steering conversion. I didn't want to bend the upper link but it would not clear the leaf spring so I had to do it.



This shows the connection point of the two links; similar to the factory linkage but much stronger.



The pitman arm has ample clearance on the other side at full lock.



I had to do some clearancing but it fits. Now to plumb all the lines and send the ram to Charlie at Power Steering Solutions to get the stops built for the ram.

 

[Got Beer]

Pappa - which ride are you bringing to Vegas to Reno? If our paths cross I wanted to admire your build in person. I'll be in Chase 3, a dark green 2001 F350.

Wayne

 

[pappawheely]

Pappa - which ride are you bringing to Vegas to Reno? If our paths cross I wanted to admire your build in person. I'll be in Chase 3, a dark green 2001 F350.

Wayne

I will be living vicariously through you Wayne, neither of my trucks are drivers right now. I hate to miss V2R.

 

[pappawheely]

I camped out on the course last year.

 

[Got Beer]

Nice truck placement. Bummer on missing this year. My images will not be as nice as yours. I'll catch you at the next one.

 

[pappawheely]

An added benefit of my SORD shackle reversal kit is the X-member that ties in the front spring mounts. It has turned out to be a great place to mount my remote oil filter and now my power steering and oil coolers. I built this mount from scratch making my own tube clamps and shield from expanded metal. It tucks up nicely under the front end but still gets some air flow. I just need to plumb the lines.

 

[pappawheely]

I have an interested party that wants to buy my 4WC Keystone but I can't get the guy to commit. I thought I would give expo members the first shot at it. If you know anyone looking for a Keystone let me know. It is in great shape for a 26 year old camper. It has the cold weather kit, roof racks and the fridge was replaced by the previous owner. It's been in heavy rain and snow, no leaks. You can run it as is or restore it and have a great camper for a fraction of what a new one would cost. PM for details.