Ski Bum Truck V2.0, F450 Rough Road RV
- Thread starter java
- Start date
Britboaters
Observer
Java,
I used to work in the tire industry, so here are a couple of ideas we used to use in the field, that might help.
1) Jack up each front tire, spin them with something "sharp" against the tread to scribe a line around the tread; this will give you a precise line to measure track both in front and behind tire. Roll the truck a little after you let it down on the ground to relax the suspension when you let it down. We used to use a sharp point resting on a jack stand or similar.
2) Your back axle might also be out of alignment. Tie a piece of string to back of truck - tow hitch or something at axle height. Pull the string down the side of the truck touching the sidewall of rear tire. Then at the front tire adjust string so it just touches side wall of rear tire and measure gap to front tire. The string "projects" the position of the rear tire to the front. Repeat on the other side. If you have a different measurement your rear axle is out of line, and your vehicle will "crab", so you are putting in some steering to correct this.
Bob
I used to work in the tire industry, so here are a couple of ideas we used to use in the field, that might help.
1) Jack up each front tire, spin them with something "sharp" against the tread to scribe a line around the tread; this will give you a precise line to measure track both in front and behind tire. Roll the truck a little after you let it down on the ground to relax the suspension when you let it down. We used to use a sharp point resting on a jack stand or similar.
2) Your back axle might also be out of alignment. Tie a piece of string to back of truck - tow hitch or something at axle height. Pull the string down the side of the truck touching the sidewall of rear tire. Then at the front tire adjust string so it just touches side wall of rear tire and measure gap to front tire. The string "projects" the position of the rear tire to the front. Repeat on the other side. If you have a different measurement your rear axle is out of line, and your vehicle will "crab", so you are putting in some steering to correct this.
Bob
java
Expedition Leader
Another fun weekend spent climbing!
Pretty spot, but zero shade at all. Truck stays cool for awhile, good insulation is nice!
Snuck some routes in after dinner Friday. Its nice to climb in the early morning and evening, mid day is WAY to hot for me. Im a PNW boy, over 75 and I melt.
Nice evening walk (on the edge of a cliff
)
Peaceful at night
Up at 5:30am for some climbing before the sun bakes us!
This was a fun route to lead, 10 clips, not as tall as the other one, but its a 5.9 with a couple tough spots, and the crack to the left can be climbed once the ancor is set, its a 5.10a. That was fun too, but a good workout. They are however right next to "Air Guitar" the route which Goran Kropp died on in 2002. A bit of a sobering reminder.
Wife tired to pull a superman. (yes she held on )
From the top of the next tower over. Pretty easy 5.8 with one tough spot.
Pretty spot, but zero shade at all. Truck stays cool for awhile, good insulation is nice!
Snuck some routes in after dinner Friday. Its nice to climb in the early morning and evening, mid day is WAY to hot for me. Im a PNW boy, over 75 and I melt.
Nice evening walk (on the edge of a cliff
)
Peaceful at night
Up at 5:30am for some climbing before the sun bakes us!
This was a fun route to lead, 10 clips, not as tall as the other one, but its a 5.9 with a couple tough spots, and the crack to the left can be climbed once the ancor is set, its a 5.10a. That was fun too, but a good workout. They are however right next to "Air Guitar" the route which Goran Kropp died on in 2002. A bit of a sobering reminder.
Wife tired to pull a superman. (yes she held on
)
From the top of the next tower over. Pretty easy 5.8 with one tough spot.
java
Expedition Leader
Back to the truck for a mid day nap, being able to open the back door onto the bed is awesome, so much air movement that way.
My bed was the popular spot....
Then off to the other side of the canyon once the sun was setting. This is "The Feathers" much shorter walls, but also only a couple minute walk from the truck.
A couple nice guys let me top rope this one, I fell trying to lead it last time, and didn't really want to try again at the moment. Its a 5.10c and overhangs the whole way. OK for top ropeing, not wanting to lead that yet....
Then we moved over to the other side and my lovely wife lead this one. Ran it a few times and just barely cleaned up the anchor before it got really dark.
Crashed out early, and got up at 5:30 again. This was the target for the morning. Agatha rock.
Not a terrible way to start the day.
"My hand are sore"
Across the river and high tail it home.
And a friendly reminder that Mohoo folding 100w solar panels suck.
My bed was the popular spot....
Then off to the other side of the canyon once the sun was setting. This is "The Feathers" much shorter walls, but also only a couple minute walk from the truck.
A couple nice guys let me top rope this one, I fell trying to lead it last time, and didn't really want to try again at the moment. Its a 5.10c and overhangs the whole way. OK for top ropeing, not wanting to lead that yet....
Then we moved over to the other side and my lovely wife lead this one. Ran it a few times and just barely cleaned up the anchor before it got really dark.
Crashed out early, and got up at 5:30 again. This was the target for the morning. Agatha rock.
Not a terrible way to start the day.
"My hand are sore"
Across the river and high tail it home.
And a friendly reminder that Mohoo folding 100w solar panels suck.
Coachgeo
Explorer
Is that a short..... a bird dropping ahhhh? fried beetle orr?... And a friendly reminder that Mohoo folding 100w solar panels suck.
java
Expedition Leader
Assuming its a short, the mfg claims I have hooked it up backwards..... It worked fine for a day and a half without being connected or disconnected (and with the MC4 connectors its pretty much impossible to do backwards.....) But just to make sure google finds this Mohoo 100 watt folding solar panel.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Sorry about your ******** panel. When I was a kid, I had a Shepard-Collie mix that looked just like your dog. Best dog I ever had.
java
Expedition Leader
He's a full German Shepard. Great dog with our family, but not good with other dogs. He's calming down a lot as he's getting older.
Yeah sucks about the panel, but such is life sometimes I guess. Just wish they would step up.
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java
Expedition Leader
Actual truck work now!
My Kelderman air bag front coil replacements came in. Nice pieces of work.
Jack truck up. I had to dig level spots for my plywood jack stand bases.... Truck is so heavy they wanted to tip if it was not dead flat. I was surprised by the lack of frame movement though. The dirvers side is completely on the ground here.
Ready for work, was not bad with two jacks to be able to raise and lower the axle as needed.
Before:
Old stuff out
Had to drill two holes in each of the upper springs mounts to hold the new mount in place.
Everything bolted in! Air line runs up into the engine bay on both sides.
Discard pile.
Rusty lugs got a coat of paint while they were off. Not sure I like it, did black (thats primer) and they kind of stand out now.
Sitting on its own weight! ~90psi in the bags, they are a little tall (8.5" between mounts, spec is 7.5-8.5) but it may settle a bit, need to drive it and adjust.
It was late.... No good pics....
Now in the tire wear/alignment issue. It looks like my axle is offset to the drivers side almost 1". That is jsut quick and dirty tape measure work, but measuring from the frame to the tire ribs both sides gives me that. And the air bag is only a finger or so from the frame on the passenger side, and has at least an inch on the drivers side..... odd.
My Kelderman air bag front coil replacements came in. Nice pieces of work.
Jack truck up. I had to dig level spots for my plywood jack stand bases.... Truck is so heavy they wanted to tip if it was not dead flat. I was surprised by the lack of frame movement though. The dirvers side is completely on the ground here.
Ready for work, was not bad with two jacks to be able to raise and lower the axle as needed.
Before:
Old stuff out
Had to drill two holes in each of the upper springs mounts to hold the new mount in place.
Everything bolted in! Air line runs up into the engine bay on both sides.
Discard pile.
Rusty lugs got a coat of paint while they were off. Not sure I like it, did black (thats primer) and they kind of stand out now.
Sitting on its own weight! ~90psi in the bags, they are a little tall (8.5" between mounts, spec is 7.5-8.5) but it may settle a bit, need to drive it and adjust.
It was late.... No good pics....
Now in the tire wear/alignment issue. It looks like my axle is offset to the drivers side almost 1". That is jsut quick and dirty tape measure work, but measuring from the frame to the tire ribs both sides gives me that. And the air bag is only a finger or so from the frame on the passenger side, and has at least an inch on the drivers side..... odd.
Bubblegoose1
@PNWINFERNOPRO
Nice work. Quick install. Hope you like the setup. Was a major ride upgrade to mine; front and rear (with AirLift bags) feel balanced, smooth, and stable.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Just my opinion, but I would run some sort of bump stop that would hold the truck up in case the bag failed.
java
Expedition Leader
Absolutely, The bags have an internal bump stop in them, ~3" tall.
I am thinking of grabbing a spare bag to carry.....
Bubblegoose1
@PNWINFERNOPRO
Good plan on spare bag.
Coachgeo
Explorer
or better yet carry your springs and parts. that way if air compressor fails... or major leak somewhere.... you can reinstall springs.
As to shifting jack stands... I always weld mine to a used disk brake caliper.
java
Expedition Leader
That's an idea, springs are heavy tho. A rotor could work, but it was just shifting too much on the gravel.
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