pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
I started figuring out what needs to go inside and room runs out fast.
Project "Autonomous" F-350
- Thread starter pappawheely
- Start date
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Just needs about 2 feet off the top. I'm redoing the roof rack. New solar panel and the wind deflector for the camper shell.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
I'm having a hell of a time trying to get a good cut line on this nose cone. The problem is that I don't have a flat surface to work from. I'm using a laser, but I can't just level the laser to the ground because it's uneven. Going to have to put on my thinking cap and fabricate something that will work. The more rocks I turn over, the more rocks I find underneath.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Yes, That's what I thought too. I tried it but the laser does not wrap all the way around so I have to move it. It's not too hard to level a tripod, but not when it's on an irregular surface. I'm thinking maybe I could put down a flat piece of plywood. It doesn't have to be level, just flat and parallel to the base of the deflector.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Except it's not on a level surface. I don't have a surface that's level. I'm thinking I will set it on a flat sheet of plywood and make a fixture at the desired height that I can move on the plywood. I can slide it around the nose cone. If they can build pyramids, I should be able to figure this out.
givemethewillys
Jonathan Chouinard
What about cutting it larger than you want, then scribing against the ground or a flat surface so you get a good solid line?
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
I picked up a surprisingly flat piece of plywood at home depot today. I'll set the plywood on some steel tube then use that flat surface to measure from. Since the truck bed was empty, I decided to weigh it. Only the spare in the bed and one tank full it's 7260lbs.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Got em. Here's my set-up.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Making some headway. I wish my fabrication skills matched my imagination. So far everything lines up nicely. It's going to fit! Pardon the crappy cell phone pics.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Finally getting somewhere. I have the roof rack version 2 at about 90 percent.
The nose cone tilts forward so I can use the space under it.
Underneath I'm going to mount the diesel heater and tank. I will also mount another 100 watt solar panel on top of the cone. That will give me 200 watts all the time. My old set-up was 130 watts. The only thing I re-used from the original rack was the mounting feet and the aluminum extrusion. I had to narrow the extrusion to fit the new dimensions. I also lowered the rack closer to the truck roof for better aero. I'm anxious to get the box on the bed and start building the interior. Lots of work still needs to be done.
The nose cone tilts forward so I can use the space under it.
Underneath I'm going to mount the diesel heater and tank. I will also mount another 100 watt solar panel on top of the cone. That will give me 200 watts all the time. My old set-up was 130 watts. The only thing I re-used from the original rack was the mounting feet and the aluminum extrusion. I had to narrow the extrusion to fit the new dimensions. I also lowered the rack closer to the truck roof for better aero. I'm anxious to get the box on the bed and start building the interior. Lots of work still needs to be done.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Rough mock up of the storage under the nose cone.
I want the tank fill to be on the same side as my truck and I have this surge tank sitting around. The diesel heater need to go there so I can slide the camper window open, reach out and adjust it if needed. Why have a window that you can't see out of? Mostly for air flow and some indirect light. I'm not sure what will go into the bins, but it will be something light and something I don't mind getting wet. What are people using to duct the hot air? This unit came with some cheap cardboard tubes that will not be long enough.
I want the tank fill to be on the same side as my truck and I have this surge tank sitting around. The diesel heater need to go there so I can slide the camper window open, reach out and adjust it if needed. Why have a window that you can't see out of? Mostly for air flow and some indirect light. I'm not sure what will go into the bins, but it will be something light and something I don't mind getting wet. What are people using to duct the hot air? This unit came with some cheap cardboard tubes that will not be long enough.
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pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Work, work, work. Progressing at the rate of parts arriving. It's getting cold. Thankfully it's been dry. I found these heater pipe connectors that I will use as bulkheads through the camper wall.
I also ordered a pin connector but can't find my pin removal tools so I had to order some.
I also ordered a pin connector but can't find my pin removal tools so I had to order some.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
I had to do some maintenance on the truck. The oil cooler lines were leaking. Lucky I caught it before they failed. New lines, new o-ring on the adapter fitting, etc. For the first time in my life I didn't fill the oil filter with oil. I pulled the coil wire and cranked it over to circulate the oil. It filled the filter, but must have created an air pocket in the pump. No oil pressure. I ordered one of those shafts to spin the pump. When I get it, I'll have to pull the distributer and spin the pump backwards to see if it will pull some oil through. How many of you prefill the filter? Live and learn.