F350 CCSB

[highboy4x4]

The Eagle Rising has landed!! Still working all the small items. Most importantly, The Eagle Rising is mounted again!!!!

Swapped the tailgate lock from the old tailgate, reinstalled the Ford emblem and cut/sealed the cap bottom edge. The other day, I finally....finalized the diesel heater. For real this time!! I decided to see how hot it will get in the sleeping area. I stopped the test at 112 degrees. Definetly won't be cold sleeping.

I tested filling up the water tank again as I wanted to test the propane water heater setup. Unfortunately I found 2 small leaks. I asked my wife how long does it take to shower and we agreed on 10-15 minutes. So I started a timer for a 15 minute hot shower. The max temp only got to 90-91 degrees with at 69 degree ambient temperature. It used 5-1/2" of water so that calculates to 17 gallons of water. That means in the daily planning, showers are the day before refilling the water tank!

 

[highboy4x4]

Well, its been a while but life has quieted down. Some mechanical issues have reared their ugly head that were beyond my expertise. So off to the real mechanic. After waiting 2 weeks to get in, its finally completed. I was glad to hear my research was right. #1 Cylinder injector electrically went back and tossed all sorts of codes. I also had a turbo waste gate code and they found a forgotten vacuum line on the back of the turbo waste gate. (missed it when I replaced the DCR HPFP) All the ABS codes came down to a loose frame rail connector. I was starting to get worried about all these codes immediately after replacing the entire fuel system. Money well spent for my sanity.

So after much prayer and many life's challenges, including 3 days in the hospital with the mother in law, things are back to sudo normal.

Now on to the start of building the center section pull out drawer system. I just received the new ICECO JP50ProD fridge along with my Blackstone 12x14 Camping griddle.

Next weekend I will run a break in test ride to Jacksonville and back (700 miles) to shake out any gremlins.

 

[highboy4x4]

Mom said there would be days like this... Had to return the new ICECO fridge due to manufacturing issues. The drain plug spout in the bottom was broke. PLUS the crappy fedex driver dropped it, kneed it into the wall AND then kicked it....I guess that was the first of many shaking tests it will endure!!

 

[North American Sojourner]

Now I remember this Rig. LOL. Holy crap I'm getting old. Nice setup and execution.
Zim

 

[highboy4x4]

Now I remember this Rig. LOL. Holy crap I'm getting old. Nice setup and execution.
Zim

Appreciate it. It’s rough around the edges but it’s all me. So many lessons learned too!! The funny thing is that when you tally up all the receipts, I’m almost on par with a pre built one.

 

[highboy4x4]

The final leg of the cabinet build is under way. Completed base cabinet, installed 4-500 lb slide rails, and made the initial slide boxes. Many items to change/cut out for the pull out sink/cutting board, the pull out Blackstone griddle and then figuring out the best storage ideas for the left over space. I have ideas but its a build as I go and see what works. I am absolutely positive that all this will change after the first long distance ride...Plan your work, work your plan and all will be ok. Some other things I have completed are building a quick removal platform instead of a rear seat delete. Installed the Midland radio and finished the TMPS mount. Plus so many other small little things i wont bore you with.

 

[highboy4x4]

Oh btw, I posted this in the daily check in but I will add it here too.

I ran up to St Augustine Florida to see friend. It was the first test ride since I rebuilt the front axle, replaced the fuel tank, low pressure frame rail pump, High pressure Fuel pump (DCR Pump) so I wanted to shake the tree so to speak. It ran perfect up to St Augustine but on my way home I lost the #7 injector. Glad I had my scan tool to clear the fault and limp home. I had to clear the codes every 30 minutes. Lets just say that adding another 2k to the truck hurts a little bit. My friend and I will replace the right side bank of injectors to stave off any more from failing. At least that's what I am telling myself. If the other 4 fail on the drivers side, it wont be as bad...I hope.....Wish me luck.

On the positive side, I was able to get a picture of my rig on the East coast Florida Beach. I was surprised that I could drive on it and upon getting there, it was a one way route. With a major storm upon us, I was just going to get a quick picture and back out. Well, it didn't go that way. If my air compressor was installed, I would have aired down but I didn't and I "immediately" sank. So thankful that I have traction boards.....It's funny now......

 

[North American Sojourner]

The final leg of the cabinet build is under way. Completed base cabinet, installed 4-500 lb slide rails, and made the initial slide boxes. Many items to change/cut out for the pull out sink/cutting board, the oull out Blackstone griddle and then figuring out the best storage ideas for the left over space. I have ideas but its a build as I go and see what works. I am absolutely positive that all this will change after the first long distance ride...Plan your work, work your plan and all will be ok. Some other things I have completed are building a quick removal platform instead of a rear seat delete. Installed the Midland radio and finished the TMPS mount. Plus so many other small little things i wont bore you with.

Where did you get the carpet material. Mine sucks bad. And the glue I used sucked even worse. LOL
Zim

 

[highboy4x4]

The final leg of the cabinet build is under way. Completed base cabinet, installed 4-500 lb slide rails, and made the initial slide boxes. Many items to change/cut out for the pull out sink/cutting board, the oull out Blackstone griddle and then figuring out the best storage ideas for the left over space. I have ideas but its a build as I go and see what works. I am absolutely positive that all this will change after the first long distance ride...Plan your work, work your plan and all will be ok. Some other things I have completed are building a quick removal platform instead of a rear seat delete. Installed the Midland radio and finished the TMPS mount. Plus so many other small little things i wont bore you with.

Where did you get the carpet material. Mine sucks bad. And the glue I used sucked even worse. LOL
Zim

I like the carpet very much. Rubber backing to boot! I used spray adhesive from Lowe’s and so far only the edges are a problem. But that’s understandable.

Amazon.com

 

[highboy4x4]

Made the initial slide boxes. I must be weird. I like the developing process. Taking a concept, a picture, an idea, and build it. Of course the ideas change when its physically in front of you, so plans change. I always wanted the griddle to pull out of the main drawer. Yet when you start war gaming how you are going to cook, clean, store items, other ideas pop up. How many changes I go with is a hard decision. So I ordered 2 sets of slide rails, a usb fan to push out the fridge compressor hot air and another set of lift top table hinges. One slide is a side mount and the other is an under mount.

The griddle pull out will be a low profile drawer that is 19" long. So the cabinet will be (52+19) fully extended. The overhang past the tailgate seems perfect. The 500 lb slides are more than capable.

The fridge slide low profile drawer that uses the undermount slides, will hold the collapsible sink and a cutting board/prep area. When cooking, the main slide will only be pulled out 28", to the edge of the tailgate, and then the prep drawer will come out 30". This creates the perfect "corner" kitchen area.

 

[highboy4x4]

Finally received my air compressor. Yes it’s a cheapo but with a little mods it will serve its purpose.
First up is a 70-110 psi pressure switch.
Tomorrow, Anderson disconnects and a connection point on the rear battery box. If all goes well, I want to test airing up individual and all 4 tires at a time. I wonder if the 50% duty cycle will factor in and the heat?? We will see!!

 

[highboy4x4]

Another task completed. Made a 2” memory foam sleeping pad from scratch! With much help from the web site www.sailrite.com, the fabric calculator (bottom of page) and the videos were spot on. He said 30 minutes but it took me 4 hours… who knew¿
32”x72” fits nicely on top and next to the fridge!

 

[highboy4x4]

Tested my fridge overnight to see how much energy it draws from the batteries and to see if it cools properly. The only other power draw is the CO2 sensor.

The variances between the 2-ThermoPro sensors and internal fridge sensors are definitely different.
Test ran from 9pm to 7am. Initial temp of fridge was 76 degrees. Temps were set to 0-freezer, 40-fridge. I can understand the 8 degrees thinking it just hasn’t achieved the setting of 0 yet but the 32 degrees when set to 40 is puzzling. (On AC, the fridge set to -4, hit -4 overnight on my first test)

Outside ambient temp is 58 degrees this morning.

Used 12% (88%) on all 3 batteries was more than expected. We will see how the 200 watts of solar charging replenishes them as I work on finalizing my drawer system! Almost complete is exciting!

EDIT/UPDATE: with the freezer set to 0, the fridge side went down to 20. So the separation is not perfect, allowing the colder temps to effect the other side. So I changed the freezer side to 25 and the fridge to 45 and the fridge is reacting better. I will find the happy medium so I don't freeze the things that I don't want frozen.

 

[highboy4x4]

Lookie what came in the mail!! What sucks is that the "new" Dorman cab mounts I bought JAN 2024, 3 of 8 already went bad. I wrote them and they refunded all 8 (<$500 refund check)....Pleasantly surprised I didn't have to fight it...So I bought S&B Filters brand. Fun times!

 

[highboy4x4]

ALMOST there!!! Fridge side slide is 95% complete. Hinges for the rear storage lid, fridge tie downs straps, a cutting board and the final facia cover is all that is left. I pulled it apart and did the final glue and square and edge banding.

 

[highboy4x4]

I've been busy today. I am making changes to the El' Cheapo Air Compressor. I tapped out the 1/8" factory thread to a normal 1/4" air chuck fitting. I need to get a 1-2" nipple to extend the quick release fitting past the housing. Keep in mind, I only used this 2 times, 1 for 20 minutes and 1 for 10 minutes for my test. And the piston seals are melted or blew out/broken. Lets see if support will send me a new seal kit. This is the problem with El' Cheapo tools, finding parts. If the manufacture can't provide the seals, it looks like some high temp Permatex is my future!!

 

[highboy4x4]

Getting the final "nickel & dime" items knocked out. So I had to think about an easy way to use my water without disconnecting a hose. Requirement is for cold water for cooking, drinking and washing. Hot water for washing dishes, general clean up and showers (not daily). So I made a bracket that can be added quickly to the tailgate and then mounted splitter valve. When I set up camp, its a really quick hook/screw and connect the quick disconnect stub lines. Then I have a lead for the sink area and another for the propane hot water tank.

I know some might say... that's a lot. Maybe so but I am a rookie and it might be a rookie mistake. Yet I know that my personality is that I am a scenario driven guy. I look at my truck and say...what do I want and is it practical. So far the 3 amigos in my head all agree!! We will see...

 

[highboy4x4]

Fridge tie downs complete! Plus a mount for the iPad for movie night!

 

[highboy4x4]

Final disassembly and glueing of the center cabinet!

 

[highboy4x4]

Well I can finally say that I am 99% complete with all the big items on my drawer system. There are and always will be little things that need to be done or revamped. One more hinge system for a storage drawer lid, finding a cutting board that fits and then finalizing the propane and water connections!

Then I can work on my side and rear doors screening! Tomorrow, I am going to make a rear canopy cover that attaches to the roof and extends about 15-20 feet. I was going to buy it but I like making things!!

April trip can’t come soon enough! Moores Expo and then running the Georgia Traverse (west to east)!