The working - camping OBS F-350

[Seabass]

Ok so I've been told a few pics are necessary to keep the natives happy. Since I'm kinda proud of the work I've done on this old truck.....I'm happy to oblige! I decided I wanted a step so I could more easily mount and dismount the bed. I'm always after tools in the big box. Since I don't really enjoy falling very much I came up with a piece of channel iron and some stick-on tread that did the job nicely.

I also nabbed up a shot of my cluttered interior- a twenty year old truck needs an update ya know....

And I grabbed an action shot dragging my 500 gallon fuel trailer around so I could keep the pastures mowed.

And check out this cool hitch. All you gotta do is get close- and that's close enough!

Packing soybean seeds back in May

That's about it tonight. Gettin' tired. I may snap a few more tomorrow. Have a good one people!!

 

[Seabass]

I'm not sure where to post these pics anymore. I had been putting them on the diesel truck's thread, but that's just because the camper started out in that truck. I've been camping close to home lately and I prefer to use this work truck. The 460 don't get in my wallet on short trips. The truck is an XL so there's no carpet and everything is super easy to clean. The diesel- despite its age is very plush. You put three wet blue heelers and a sweaty husband and wife inside and you'll smell it for weeks. So anyway I guess I'll post "adventure trailer" pics on the thread of the truck that pulls it. We hit the Salt river this weekend again. We actually drove the outfit down to the water on this trip. Much better views!!! The weather is amazing for August due to a strong cold front. We ate, drank, and fished the best. Although the fishing kinda sucked. But I'll take it. I wish I had video of the truck and trailer dropping down to the river. I was so proud of the old truck. Got in and out without spinning a tire. I've driven these trucks for decades now, and they still surprise me from time to time at just how capable they are.

 

[gtbensley]

That work truck is amazing....Thank you for updating us, I always look forward to seeing both your rigs posted.

 

[pappawheely]

Looks like your heathens scared all the fish away. :snorkel:

 

[Seabass]

That work truck is amazing....Thank you for updating us, I always look forward to seeing both your rigs posted.

Thanks for the compliment! I am ornery as can be when it comes to the taking of the pictures. I usually get caught up in what I'm doing and then get home all pissed off because I forgot to take a single pic. I gotta do better. But I'm absolutely loving the "adventure trailer." It's so convent to have that thing sitting there ready to go at a moments notice. All my gear, fishing poles, camp ware, food, and COFFEE! Takes all of five minutes to hook up and head out. And it'll go behind the truck anywhere the truck can go.

 

[Seabass]

Looks like your heathens scared all the fish away. :snorkel:

You know....,fishing IS much more challenging with them "Blue Heathens." I always try to convince myself that they are simply scaring off all the little fish, leaving the big ones for me to catch. However, it rarely works out that I end up catching those big ones.

 

[snowaddict91]

My red sometimes thinks that we are playing fetch when I cast,,,

Truck looks good as always! Love that bed!

 

[Seabass]

So I made me some side rails the other day. I was getting plenty tired of having to ratchet strap everything that got hauled. I decided to go with composite decking boards since I figure they'll outlast the truck. I'm pleased with how it looks. Then today I began hearing an intermittent squealing sound coming from under the truck. After some careful driving down the road with the driver side door open, hoping a car didn't meet me, I determined that the sound was definitely coming from the rear axel. I drove to my shop and slid a jack under the rear diff and got both rear tires safely suspended in the air. I couldn't hear anything when spinning the tires by hand, so I fired the big block up, threw it in fifth gear and slowly released the clutch. Once the speedometer hit about fifty the squealing showed up. Driver side. A quick tear down revealed that a parking brake keeper tab had rotted off and was wedged against the drum. My other truck did the exact same thing a year ago. These things aren't really even necessary. So I put the drum back on and the rear tire and we are back in business......except......the first thing I noticed after jacking the truck up and putting her in gear was the sound. Not the squealing, but the sound of a 315,000 mile original gear and bearing set. Boy was it loud. She's definitely in need of a re-build. It's the only part of the truck, other than the t-case, that didn't get attention when the truck got re-done a couple years ago. So here is the plan. I have a complete rear axel still under the donor truck that I got the engine from. It's a 3.55 gear, but it's the same rear axel otherwise. I'm going to pull it and do a full re-build. Every seal, every bearing, all new brake hardware, a new 4.10 ring and pinion, and......a locker. So who likes what locker? I know Detroit sells one for this particular axel. I want an ARB, but it's out of budget so don't even suggest it (I am also in the middle of paying for a complete front suspension re-build on the diesel truck). What about e-lockers? Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I've never had a locker before, but I'm determined that one needs to be in this truck. Thanks in advance guys!

 

[pappawheely]

315,000 miles on the original gear and bearing set? That's Ford tough! I'm sure they were not easy miles either.

 

[Seabass]

315,000 miles on the original gear and bearing set? That's Ford tough! I'm sure they were not easy miles either.

You know it!!! THIS is why I drive these old trucks. They are just so tough! The old truck had several miles on it when I bought it. And my opinion is that the service bed was installed when the truck was bought. That thing was heavy. And I use it, not baby it. So, yeah. I'm not even mad at all.

 

[Seabass]

Never been disappointed here, till now I guess. I figured there'd be someone who had some real world experience with locking differentials on this site. It's ok though. I've got several local people that do, and I had no idea these guys had used them. Best I can tell the good ole' Detroit is hard to beat for a rear. Dependable, durable. That's what I need. I truly do wish I could afford an ARB, and honestly, I did check the pricing. I really don't want that extra investment. I can do a tru-trac in the front diff, and I'll be in good shape. I believe the truck should go pretty much anywhere I point it when I get done. I'm hoping later next year to do a 12 valve Cummins swap and suspect I'll have a pretty sweet do it all farm truck. Shoot, it's sweet with the 460, but just can't get over its drinking problem.

 

[bknudtsen]

IMHO... You’re not missing out on the ARB. I have had 3 in 2 of my past rigs. Every one of them had seal problems or spun the air collar and toasted the copper airline. For a rig like yours, the Detroit seems like a no-brainer. My buddy had one in his Jeep. It had it’s quirks on the road, but was rock solid offroad. Still loving this truck!

 

[Seabass]

IMHO... You’re not missing out on the ARB. I have had 3 in 2 of my past rigs. Every one of them had seal problems or spun the air collar and toasted the copper airline. For a rig like yours, the Detroit seems like a no-brainer. My buddy had one in his Jeep. It had it’s quirks on the road, but was rock solid offroad. Still loving this truck!

Thanks for the input. I don't know anyone who's ran an ARB. The idea of an open diff on the highway is nice. But, the guys I'm talking to around home said the Detroit was the only way to go. They did comment that it was kinda odd sounding when turning in parking lots and the like, loud and all. But they seem to think I'll like it a lot. This old truck of mine is heavy and long. That locker is going to have a hard time pushing it around much on black top. I'm very slightly concerned about the longevity of the locker as much as I drive the truck. 7 days a week. It's off road- A LOT. But, I drive the pavement every day too. Time will have to tell. I'm pretty much convinced this is the correct direction for me to take. May order all the parts next week so I can begin the build and get my truck back in tip-top shape. I'm still using it, but I'm a little bit nervous to get far from home in it.

 

[Chorky]

What about something like this:
http://aftermarket.auburngear.com/ected-max.html?dir=asc&limit=all&make=147

I was looking into it myself - but I dont see the sterling application anymore for some reason... Anyway, it's certainly NOT a 'locker' and with as big of trucks as we have, wouldn't ever truly lock the diff's but it would prevent excess stress on other parts and still provide better traction than an open or even LSD. I've done quite a bit of looking around on them and they actually have a good track record as far as reliability and longevity - so long as it's used responsibly. Just some food for thought though. It sounds like you have a good plan already.

 

[Chorky]

here they are

http://aftermarket.auburngear.com/dana-60-ected-max-open-to-lock.html

http://aftermarket.auburngear.com/ford-10-1-4-10-1-2-12-bolt.html

What I'm currently planning on anyway...