F350 CCSB

[highboy4x4]

Where do I start? I blog all my projects on a google page so doing this build thread on OB makes me pause and evaluate if I will keep up with it or not. I am new to your community and need to start somewhere.

Overlanding by definition is easy to find yet I find it is very personal. As the vehicles I see vary, one must use what they have. Given the predominance of Jeeps, Toyota's and the like, the trails they go on are awesome! Some of the rigs are exceptional. But using a F350 for this adventure seems to have been mocked by the hard core riders. I am seeing more acceptance now and decided to jump in with both feet.

They say that full size rides, F250-F350, Tundra, Ram's are too wide, your too tall, your too heavy.....Ok I agree, my F350 is 8800+ lbs and is too wide for some trails. (10" wider than a Toyota) or too tall for a RTT (roof top tent) or too heavy for soft terrain....I agree.... so I just have to pick and choose the trails I ride! I like wide open spaces of the mountain valleys so "Go West young Man" fits!!

Enter my 2014 F350 CCSB! I bought it used so all it had were airbags and 35" rubber. I added Power Stop brakes all around and replaced all 8 cab mounts. Then a serious misstep happened in 2019. The motor had a catastrophic detonation. High pressure oil pump detonated and robbed me of much money, Oil pan to turbo, including fuel system contamination kit...:-(not happy)-: So after more than a few (sic) thousand dollars to the Ford dealer, Here we are! I will never go to a dealer ever again.... I have always done my own maintenance and repairs yet I am not a mechanic and this job just seemed too big for me at the time.

Now that's a brief history, back to the build......

Since I will be most likely riding solo, I wanted to address all mechanical concerns first. Then ADD kicked in and I started building the truck camping bed cabinets. Squirrel!!! Back to the mechanicals of replacing the tired front suspension and addressing the CP4 fuel system. I ripped out the entire front end and rebuilt/replaced everything except the ring/pinion. Lockers will come next year. I replaced the internal ramps, bearings, seals, u joints, ball joints, tie rods, cross over links, stabilizers...and the list goes on! all 4 Shocks, dual steering and dampening shocks, etc......upgraded from 1" to 2" leveling plates, added a winch bumper with a 12k winch, and new to me Aluminum cap with rack and a 2016 tailgate with step! Boredom in retirement is costly......:-)

Hopefully the following posts will document the process of me "getting ready" for my Overlanding experience! My goal is a Feb-Mar test run and then hitting the Rockies in the summer. Lets see if I can capture where I am mechanically. Next post will be the build of the truck camper cabinets, solar, water tank and diesel heater!! Whew... that's enough for now!

if your interested in my other projects, head over to this link and scroll! best if viewed on a pc as mobile doesn't show the navigational tabs on the left.

Overlanding a Full size!!

Where do I start? Overlanding by definition is easy to find yet I find it is very personal. As the vehicles I see vary, one must use what t...

the-project-page.blogspot.com

 

[highboy4x4]

Not trying to be long winded but my requirements for this build are as follows. This will help those questioning my reasoning.

I want to be self sufficient for 1-2 weeks is primary. I want to be able to recover water from any resource and feel confident that I have clean water. I want to have enough energy to not worry about it.

Since I have enough room, vehicle capacity and silliness to make a modular truck camping setup, why not! Modular is key as I still use my truck as a truck. So all cabinet pieces need to be able to be removed with little effort. I wrestled with the concepts of fuel, water, solar, kitchen, fridge and storage. I started at the front of the truck bed and worked my way to the rear. Keeping in mind that I needed a platform to sleep and a section for my low rider chair when the weather goes south. My main concern was fuel and water. I wrestled with a tandem in-bed fuel tank and water tanks in a box but I decided to axe the fuel in the living area and increase my water capacity. I went with a S&B 56 gallon fuel tank to replace the OEM one. (397 pounds)

Enter the water coffin! Since water is non-negotiable, I chose a 46 gallon tank. (383 pounds) It fits forward of the wheel wells and is part of the top level of my sleeping platform (15.5" high). I follow a Overlander named Dan Grec (The Road Chose Me) and I loved his concept of double filtration. So I came up with a plan to mimic his concept. Having the ability to filter the water going into the tank and also filtering as I use the water is priceless. There are many neat ideas that came out of this project. I can pull water from a lake or stream and have the confidence that the 5micron charcoal filter and the expensive UV light filter will keep me safe!

I will post this build in phases. I have completed the water coffin. I am finishing up with the passenger side cabinet that houses the diesel heater, a storage box and the water ports. I have the solar cabinet built and mocked up. I just need to finish the fit and finish and wire it up! The last piece is the kitchen slide out cabinet. I have all the parts but I have not started that yet. So MTF!

 

[highboy4x4]

Water Side cabinets and Diesel heater mock up. Pretty much self explanatory. Hiding the water lines from the water coffin and mounting the heater! FYI: I plumbed the fuel line into the new tank!! Another why not! right!
I still have a few punch list items to complete. Finish protecting the fuel line and pump, finish the exhaust and fresh air intake and then finish the 12v wiring for the quick disconnects. So tomorrow it should be completed.

 

[highboy4x4]

Solar side mock up. This side was a huge learning curve. I have never messed with solar and was able to figure it out by those that came before me. I watched so many videos and read so much that it was tough. But I came up with a plan, was able to get Dan's opinion on things like wire size and batteries. Most grateful to Dan.
3-100 A-hr LI batteries, Renogy 50Amp charge controller, 2-100 Amp 16BB solar panels. I will most likely be adding 2 more panels before the test ride. But I want to test them first and Renogy 3000 watt pure sine wave invertor.

This is definitely not finished but real close. With the fuel system repair, all other projects took a back seat. Except the RV water damage I had to fix. Its like having too many irons in the fire. Yet I am slowly getting things done.

 

[highboy4x4]

Something of note: The water coffin and solar cabinet have a dual function. I currently live in FL. Hurricane and Rainy season is tough. I filled the water tank before the last hurricane as a back up to the well. The solar will be able to assist with house appliances if the generators fail!! I have to test but the math plays out....I think....maybe....????

 

[highboy4x4]

Diesel Heater and water side cabinet is finished!! Whew... with all the other projects going on, it seemed like this would never be final....The fuel pump is finished but I forgot to take an updated picture.

FYI: The kitchen slide cabinet will be mounted next to this cabinet. The solar side is standalone...

 

[highboy4x4]

After finishing the diesel heater/water side cabinet, I started to wire the solar cabinet. Well that didn’t get far as a friend asked if I would help him with a boat repair in Blue Ridge GA!! I never pass an opportunity to go to the mountains!!! 4 day road trip and today we walked Amicalola falls!! Loving the 40 degree sunny windy day!! Relaxation I needed!

 

[Fei8Lo]

Where do I start? I blog all my projects on a google page so doing this build thread on OB makes me pause and evaluate if I will keep up with it or not. I am new to your community and need to start somewhere.

Overlanding by definition is easy to find yet I find it is very personal. As the vehicles I see vary, one must use what they have. Given the predominance of Jeeps, Toyota's and the like, the trails they go on are awesome! Some of the rigs are exceptional. But using a F350 for this adventure seems to have been mocked by the hard core riders. I am seeing more acceptance now and decided to jump in with both feet.

They say that full size rides, F250-F350, Tundra, Ram's are too wide, your too tall, your too heavy.....Ok I agree, my F350 is 8800+ lbs and is too wide for some trails. (10" wider than a Toyota) or too tall for a RTT (roof top tent) or too heavy for soft terrain....I agree.... so I just have to pick and choose the trails I ride! I like wide open spaces of the mountain valleys so "Go West young Man" fits!!

Enter my 2014 F350 CCSB! I bought it used so all it had were airbags and 35" rubber. I added Power Stop brakes all around and replaced all 8 cab mounts. Then a serious misstep happened in 2019. The motor had a catastrophic detonation. High pressure oil pump detonated and robbed me of much money, Oil pan to turbo, including fuel system contamination kit...:-(not happy)-: So after more than a few (sic) thousand dollars to the Ford dealer, Here we are! I will never go to a dealer ever again.... I have always done my own maintenance and repairs yet I am not a mechanic and this job just seemed too big for me at the time.

Now that's a brief history, back to the build......

Since I will be most likely riding solo, I wanted to address all mechanical concerns first. Then ADD kicked in and I started building the truck camping bed cabinets. Squirrel!!! Back to the mechanicals of replacing the tired front suspension and addressing the CP4 fuel system. I ripped out the entire front end and rebuilt/replaced everything except the ring/pinion. Lockers will come next year. I replaced the internal ramps, bearings, seals, u joints, ball joints, tie rods, cross over links, stabilizers...and the list goes on! all 4 Shocks, dual steering and dampening shocks, etc......upgraded from 1" to 2" leveling plates, added a winch bumper with a 12k winch, and new to me Aluminum cap with rack and a 2016 tailgate with step! Boredom in retirement is costly......:-)

Hopefully the following posts will document the process of me "getting ready" for my Overlanding experience! My goal is a Feb-Mar test run and then hitting the Rockies in the summer. Lets see if I can capture where I am mechanically. Next post will be the build of the truck camper cabinets, solar, water tank and diesel heater!! Whew... that's enough for now!

if your interested in my other projects, head over to this link and scroll! best if viewed on a pc as mobile doesn't show the navigational tabs on the left.

Overlanding a Full size!!

Where do I start? Overlanding by definition is easy to find yet I find it is very personal. As the vehicles I see vary, one must use what t...

the-project-page.blogspot.com

I run a Ram Megacab Long Bed. It’s not too heavy or wide or long, you just need to know where you should and shouldn’t go. Maybe push the limits on occasion if you have friends in other rigs to help. You are likely much more comfortable at camp compared to most Jeep setups so it is just a compromise of what you want to optimize.

 

[highboy4x4]

The solar cabinet is starting to take shape. Tomorrow's goal is to finish the remaining connections and wrap the exterior. Hopefully I will install this cabinet soon so I can begin the pull out kitchen!

 

[highboy4x4]

When you forget to terminate all cables before installing the charge controller. Had to be creative… thankful that they just…. barely…..reached and that it was only 2 of them.…

 

[MOAK]

I run a Ram Megacab Long Bed. It’s not too heavy or wide or long, you just need to know where you should and shouldn’t go. Maybe push the limits on occasion if you have friends in other rigs to help. You are likely much more comfortable at camp compared to most Jeep setups so it is just a compromise of what you want to optimize.

Agreed. We started in Jeeps, then a Rubicon in 04, then 11 years ago into a Landcruiser. The Rubi and the Cruzer were/are capable of traversing 99.5% of all legal roads/trails/tracks in North America, in the world for that matter. We now have a 22ft long f350 which as your Ram, will be able to traverse 95% of all r/t/ts In the world.

 

[highboy4x4]

Solar Cabinet Version 6.5.2.300........In my learning curve of self discovery, I find that the waveform curve of learning can be a big arch or small one depending on your knowledge, research and experience. Unfortunately, when the pendulum swings in the negative, projects take on a whole new meaning: Mistakes cost money....When project momentum swings in the positive, it can be extremely fulfilling!! I am on the upward momentum, ready to piece it all together so I can build the kitchen/storage slide outs.
So without further ado: version 6.5.2.300 FINAL version

All that is left is to insert rubber sleeves around all cables that go thru the wood, then I can install the box in the truck, connect the chassis ground, connect the starter battery and then the solar panels. There are 6 quick disconnects that are for lights, diesel heater, Star-link, water pump, UV light and water tank heater pads.

 

[highboy4x4]

What a productive day.
* installed 25ft of 2AWG wire with 80AMP ANL fuse. Solar controller through cut off switch to starter battery
* Chassis ground installed
* Solar panels +- wires installed with passthrough gland. Tomorrow I will finish the sealing of the gland with EPDM RV roof rubber caulking.

 

[North American Sojourner]

Nice work Sir. All looks familiar. LOL
Zim

 

[highboy4x4]

Nice work Sir. All looks familiar. LOL
Zim

Thank you. Lots of lessons learned for sure!

 

[highboy4x4]

Solar box disconnects finished!
Another productive day. Transferred a new Glock17Gen5 to my son, garbage run full of those pesky card board boxes from CHRISTmas and finished the solar box disconnects so the modular build can keep moving along. Tomorrow I will finish insulating the roof and doors, install the extra RV interior lights I had laying around, then on to the final items of the diesel heater install. All that remains for the heater is the securing the12volt wiring, mounting the temp controller and installing the new fuel pump. (original was DOA) Heres to the hope of another productive day.

 

[highboy4x4]

Lets just say that I am happy with how everything is moving along. Around 0900, I decided to test the functionality of the solar charging.

Overcast morning but the sun came through and was hot. I really didnt have a test formula but I just walked the dog so to speak. Charging with the truck alternator was a success. Then charging with Solar was a success. Then charging with both, truck running and solar on.

I have so much to learn about solar and the idiosyncrasies that come with it but I feel like it is a success.

 

[highboy4x4]

Moving right along, I started to rethink the diesel heater install. I wasnt overly excited with the initial attempt. Rightfully so I am definately worried about Co2 coming back in the cap. The heater exhaust exits right at the trucks exhaust tips so I might be worrying about nothing. I will most likely sleep with the drivers side wing door open.

I wanted to cut out a larger rectangular the area that the exhaust, fuel and fresh air come in to the truck bed. I sealed the edges with aluminum tape. I then turned to wiring and power. I installed the 12v power lead and the fuel pump harness. I knew I had to adjust the fuel pump location and angle so I made my own bracket out of aluminum bar. Then I secured all lines and cables so it looks neat and tidy. This is tedious work and go figure, I forgot to take pictures as I progressed each phase. I will capture some tomorrow of the completed work.

After I was confident that I addressed all concerns, I tried to start the heater. No power, nothing........it took a few minutes before I realized that I forgot to connect the main harness. I had a good laugh at myself. knucklehead....

Unfortunately the fuel pump did not prime itself like I thought but the blower fan came on. I have to give it to the chinese...they stink at writing manuals. I was left scratching my head on what to do. Looks like its a youtube night searching to find troubleshooting helps...Tomorrow I will get this!!

 

[highboy4x4]

This morning I had the not much fun of visiting the VA Dental Clinic. I think I am going to call Elon about the utter and complete inefficiency of that govt org. I dont know why it still baffles me.

When I finally got home at NOON....half my day was gone. I got busy slow cooking a Lamb roast. Then just when I was going outside to work on my truck, the part for my wifes van showed up. So then I had to disassemble the lift gate of her van to replace the tailgate brake lens. Fender bender in our driveway...Don't ask...:-)

On to testing the diesel heater. It was a good feeling seeing that everything worked. There are some things that I am going to change but for all intensive purposes, it will heat!! One change will be to exchange the fresh air hose (foil paper that likes to tear) with aluminum exhaust pipe. I will then extend it 36 inches towards the driver side. Another will be dealing with the exhaust tip and its position.

I am SO glad that the fuel line I installed in the new tank worked. Which means that the priming of the pump worked, and it fired up. It did take a while to finally heat up and man it got hot.

Then I wanted to do the inside lights but forgot that I needed to finish the roof insulation. Unfortunately, I need to buy more to finish the wing doors but thats how this project goes. More $$..

I finished the day with installing 3 RV LED lights I had laying around. Alls good and we are progressing!!

 

[highboy4x4]

Overlanding: So Close....a few more small items. Another productive day!

Lets see...removed the light bar from the old headache rack and installed it above the rear window. Simple install. I wired it to work with both the upfitter switches in the cab and the rear switch on the solar box. Then I added 2 rear ditch lights on both sides. This allows me to have rear lights while I drive, AKA backing up, and while parked at camp!

As an after thought, I decided to add RV style water tank heaters to the bottom of the tank. It also allowed me to adjust the connections so I can completely remove the tank if needed.