Redthies' '97 F350 Thread
- Thread starter redthies
- Start date
huntsonora
Explorer
Looks amazing! What kind of mileage are you getting with that setup?
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Thanks guys! I got just over 18 mpg when I drove down to town to get my new tires. It's around 120 miles round trip with lots of long hills and some city driving mixed in. That was hand calculated and medium lead footed. I think it will drop a fair bit with the camper on. We are heading down to Oregon in two weeks, so I'll know better after that trip. Our fall trip this year is going to be down the west side of Colorado to New Mexico, then over to San Diego for some surf and then back up the coast. That will really tell the fuel numbers!
TheAlmightySam
Adventurer
HOLY JESUS that looks awesome!
Lemme know if you're going to be in Portland at any point of your journey – I'd love to check out the truck.
Lemme know if you're going to be in Portland at any point of your journey – I'd love to check out the truck.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Sam- We will be up by the Dalles on the 27-28th, then Champoeg on the 29th. (Just in case you want to trade
).I think your Dodge is the nicest 1st gen on here! (No offence meant Pulltil, Istzyph, et al). If they made a crewcab in that era I'd be driving one!
Redline- It doesn't look so "nosey" in person, and when I get the 8274 in there it should tone it down a bit... I love the Toyos by the way. Thanks for all your tire info over the years!
).I think your Dodge is the nicest 1st gen on here! (No offence meant Pulltil, Istzyph, et al). If they made a crewcab in that era I'd be driving one!Redline- It doesn't look so "nosey" in person, and when I get the 8274 in there it should tone it down a bit... I love the Toyos by the way. Thanks for all your tire info over the years!
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Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
You are welcome sir...funny you mentioned the Toyos, I almost included a comment about them too
Wish I could get an 8274 on my F350 without completely scrapping my old non-winch Reunel front bumper.
That's a heck of a winch and set-up you've got underway!
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Yep, if the tranny was rebuilt 120k ago it could need a rebuild anytime, or not for a while... as you know... hope it's not until you are ready.
A good 7.3L/T444E can be a great engine, better with a 5-speed, looking forward to hearing/using mine this fall.
ZF5 is a good transmission, though they do tend to run hot under load. I've abused mine with plenty of heavy towing in O/D, hope it doesn't make me pay too soon.
TheAlmightySam
Adventurer
Sam- We will be up by the Dalles on the 27-28th, then Champoeg on the 29th. (Just in case you want to trade
That's terribly flattering!
Sounds like we might be at the coast on the 29th, so I'm afraid your attempt to permanently borrow my Dodge might have to wait for another trip, I'm afraid
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I was just reading Blakeapes Dodge thread and the topic of spare tire storage has come up. Anyone got any clever ideas? When my camper is on, it hangs two feet past the bumper and hitch, and I don't think there is any chance of a 35 hanging in the factory location. The only thing I have come up with is a very long hitch mounted flip down that would act as a step when flipped down, (which would be a pita to do every time you want to get in or out of the camper). My other thought which is slightly more appealing, is to make a different version of a hitch mount that would have the tire laying flat like a pancake on a spatula under the camper. This would take up some departure angle, but it's really not as big a concern as not having a spare would be. Any bright ideas??
I think you are right, we have no chance of storing a full size spare in the stock location. Might as well keep an eye out for a 44 gallon Excursion tank to swap in place of the stock 16 gallon one, they do not hang any lower than the OEM spare did.
I would like a swing out for my truck to compliment the topper but first things first is the suspensionectomy.
Back to your question:
- My Dad ran our Suburban spare off the front bumper when I was a kid since the kitchen box was mounted in the back. He never had any overheating issues, even with a 454 in the deserts. I know this would be real tough with your bumper and planned winch, so I do not think this is going to work.
- Roof, I think not. Toyo lists the 315 as 71lbs +25 for the rim, no way you are lifting that easily on to the roof.
- Hood, LR style? (See above 'roof')
All I can come up with is inside! Do you really use the rear seat? You could ratchet strap it up against the rear window and build a removable L shaped platform around it, two pieced, about the height of the armrest on the 40/20/40, dogs on top of the platform with storage underneath.
Truck looks great, glad things are coming together on your build.
Cheers, Chris
I would like a swing out for my truck to compliment the topper but first things first is the suspensionectomy.
Back to your question:
- My Dad ran our Suburban spare off the front bumper when I was a kid since the kitchen box was mounted in the back. He never had any overheating issues, even with a 454 in the deserts. I know this would be real tough with your bumper and planned winch, so I do not think this is going to work.
- Roof, I think not. Toyo lists the 315 as 71lbs +25 for the rim, no way you are lifting that easily on to the roof.
- Hood, LR style? (See above 'roof')
All I can come up with is inside! Do you really use the rear seat? You could ratchet strap it up against the rear window and build a removable L shaped platform around it, two pieced, about the height of the armrest on the 40/20/40, dogs on top of the platform with storage underneath.
Truck looks great, glad things are coming together on your build.
Cheers, Chris
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BCHauler
Adventurer
I would do the spare off the front bumper, or fab a custom mount on the back wall of the camper, like the Earthroamers.
Not sure if I've mentioned this before or not, but I did an extensive number of mods to my 94, one of which was swapping the rear 18 gallon tank for a 32 gallon Bronco. If you're not putting your spare there, might as well increase your fuel capacity, I say.
Or, since you don't have kids, could you pull the backseat and convert the area to custom storage? I think someone on here with a Chev Colorado did that...
Not sure if I've mentioned this before or not, but I did an extensive number of mods to my 94, one of which was swapping the rear 18 gallon tank for a 32 gallon Bronco. If you're not putting your spare there, might as well increase your fuel capacity, I say.
Or, since you don't have kids, could you pull the backseat and convert the area to custom storage? I think someone on here with a Chev Colorado did that...