YOLANDA...My Turbine Princess build 03 7.3 E350 pop top 4x4

[wanderer-rrorc]

Spent some time today messing with the top...and over an hour lowering it properly..


Gotta get the panels made...shopping for plastic and or aluminum diamond plate...

But just one end let it stand fairly securely...

Inside standing height is 6 1/2 ft from floor!! 30 in top rise....I think bed panels might be made soon for minions.

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[Raul]

I like where you are going. I've been daydreaming about doing something like this: Rigid pop top.

 

[another_mike]

I like where you are going. I've been daydreaming about doing something like this: Rigid pop top.

lol! I like how they raise the roof together, then she has to stand there alone and hold it up while he runs and climbs into it to prop the back panel up

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

I like where you are going. I've been daydreaming about doing something like this: Rigid pop top.

They need stronger gas shocks!! In using 40lb ones after reading a bunch of build and repair threads...its all metal roof..and 2 big solar panels..40 is plenty!! More would make it hard to lower...but it should withstand a 2-3in snow load without the ends locked in place..(some folks have commented how it startle them awake when the snow load lowers the top in the middle of the night!!)



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[wanderer-rrorc]

I like where you are going. I've been daydreaming about doing something like this: Rigid pop top.

lol! I like how they raise the roof together, then she has to stand there alone and hold it up while he runs and climbs into it to prop the back panel up

If they didn't it would pinch and crush his arm!! Eek!!

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[wanderer-rrorc]

Well....algebra SUCKS... But only 3 more hours than I wanted to spend outside when its 92*...so thankful I have a 48in barn fan and a big exhaust fan that blasts air thru the garage too...

Somehow I didn't get a pic with it up!!

Much math...much angles...got me close..but 2 hours of figuring and drilling to get it to close in the right spot...but the front side support arms are DONE!! I can shake the entire van with them all the way up!! Top is ridgid and awsome!!!

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[wanderer-rrorc]

Pic of it up.

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[wanderer-rrorc]

Nice work on fabricating your own canvas!



If you were doing math to figure out where to mount struts, etc pretty sure that's trig not algebra

It can kiss my butt too!! LOL...for some reason I had it figured out but missed it by about 1.3369ueu8r8r87r48 th of an inch....so I went back to the tried and true move it and see what needs modified..


Last night the kids helped me get 4 new Clarion 5 way (yep 5) speakers installed..didn't trim openings...I beat them wider with a hammer....MAN does it sound GOOD!! next purchase is a 12 or 15in powered sub for right behind the driver seat....need that BOOM...now that the aluminum cans in a bag are gone!! *buzz rattle buzz*

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[wanderer-rrorc]

Been a few weeks...quite a bit done..but mostly little maintenance things..

ICP changed (injection control pressure sensor) as it would. It would restart fine after about 15 min of sitting but cut out within 2 min..and be hard to restart...more than 20 min it would be fine..less than 10 min it would be fine...weird...and it takes almost an hour to get to the thing..intake rubber has to come off...and lay on the motor...

And 2 weeks later the o ring on it starts leaking..back on top of the motor I go!!

Ordered the sunroof...it came in 4 days late...4...very....rainy...days....so carpet is soaked,thru the pad (see gigantic fan photo)

Finally got the last of the mounting Velcro done today...gotta,pick up 4 pieces for the other 2 windows and the small add on panel...but it went in and looks AWSOME!!

HITCHES on the front are amazing...and she tows the 14x7 tandem enclosed very well!! Needs a brake controller..

Pyro arrived on a slow boat from China..I gotta get a drill bit and a new tap set and it will go in tomorrow...now I can really see what's going on inside the cylinder heads..and look at exhausts and tuners...


It was a good day..new sunroof is pretty slick too!! Fully removable....

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[wanderer-rrorc]

I gotta share...great weekend of progress!!

Got the last of the mounting stuff done and picked up the last pieces of Velcro for the top!!

Headliner installed today and a couple cheater lights put up..other interior lights now all have switches...

Picked up new drill bits and a fresh tap and die kit to get the new exhaust temp gauge so when the performance tuner gets installed I can keep from melting pistions...

Couple little thing and the pop top is COMPLETELY DONE!!

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[wanderer-rrorc]

All lights on..then just cheap harbor freight lights...impressive...

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[FDM2012]

Great progress!

I'm digging those lights. will put some in my exterior storage compartments.

All lights on..then just cheap harbor freight lights...impressive...

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[wanderer-rrorc]

EGT gauge went in today!! Damn harbor freight tap and die set said it was a 1/8 28 npt..

It wasn't..don't know what it is...so a trip to the hardware store happened...1/4 npt (npt are tapered so they will tighten before they bottom out) tap..and 5 min...K type probe installed...

Roto zip the mounting hole....key power from the radio....

It is ESSENTIAL to know what your engine is doing before adding performance mods and a tuner...you don't wanna melt stuff like pistons..

A hard pull up hill tells me I can do quite a bit to Yolanda before I need to worry about damages....a good 1/2 mile steep grade out of town just barely tickled 1100* at wide open throttle....and shes got a leaky exhaust donut...new bellows down pipes to the turbo are gonna get ordered...then a 4in. Straight pipe will be bolted on..

Then the tuner....

I opted for the green LED as all the rest are green...but I had the blue one on my 1985 6.9 I put a banks turbo on.

They allow you to set alarms and even trigger a 12 volt relay for meth-water/whatever injection..pretty slick for $30 on eBay..

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[BAM298]

Looking good man! Looks like you'll be all set for the UP trip coming up, can't wait to see it in person.

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

Looking good man! Looks like you'll be all set for the UP trip coming up, can't wait to see it in person.

A month away TODAY!!!

AC lines will be in this week...the new Garmin Inreach plus is purchased and I'm playing with the mapping and the messaging...
Finished stitching the top ( right in front of the dining room AC..


I even got some of my patches and stickers put on inside!!

Trying not to start anything big..

Several officers stopped last night at the fire works to check her out..and everyone in my group enjoyed the 360* scene lighting when it was time to pack up!!

Oh and I got another score on mil-spec cases..keeping some..

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