Enthusiast III
The start of the bug screen until the sewing machine broke… again….
F350 CCSB
- Thread starter highboy4x4
- Start date
-
- Tags
- f350 full size truck camping
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
Update: Finished both sides of the bug netting. I think they will fair well but I might have to add more magnets in a strong wind.
Trip update: T-12 days and a wake up! I started organizing and packing my gear and finding where it all fits. Its funny how I can over think things.. Like a menu!! Plan your work/work your plan I always said! and then just wing it!
Last night the Starlink Mini arrived with a very nice 3D printed magnetic mount with a cover. It snapped hard to my roof top! I still have to route the power wire but that is simple.
This morning I started the day off right with my coffee and a Venison steak/Egg and Cheese sandwich!!
Trip update: T-12 days and a wake up! I started organizing and packing my gear and finding where it all fits. Its funny how I can over think things.. Like a menu!! Plan your work/work your plan I always said! and then just wing it!
Last night the Starlink Mini arrived with a very nice 3D printed magnetic mount with a cover. It snapped hard to my roof top! I still have to route the power wire but that is simple.
This morning I started the day off right with my coffee and a Venison steak/Egg and Cheese sandwich!!
Attachments
Enthusiast III
Starlink update: it seems that the power consumption at rest is steady at 9-10% battery per night. 30+ watts. I turned on sleep mode last night for 6 hours and it seems to only affect data as power stayed consistent. In the end it’s an emergency comms package so it will suffice! Speed test last night between an iphone11/old gen2 iPad and battery monitor this morning.
Attachments
Enthusiast III
Pissed off update: for the second time in 4 years I have had tires decide to separate and bubble. I will never buy Nitto Terra Grapplers again. Let’s hope the BF Goodrich KO3’s will be better…
Attachments
Enthusiast III
I did considered Toyo and Patagonia’s but in an agitated mood I went with what I know (BFG’s). I ran them on my 08 F350 so let’s hope they hold out for a while!
Enthusiast III
The week before, the TPMS I have showed 106/104 degrees on the fronts and 109/111 on the rear so that might be a big reason…or dumb luck..
Enthusiast III
T-8 days and a wake up! I brought the fridge inside and started to pack my meals. Definitely overthinking food! But I do like the idea of pre-packaging nightly meal items in a Wally World bag! Makes it grab and go in a way! I am getting really excited like a little kid! It sounds stupid after typing it but I will leave it as I can’t wait to hear the “quiet” sounds of nature! Makes me wonder how many things I will forget to bring!!
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
After 11 days in the woods, I am finally on my way home! It started at zero dark thirty and 20 foot elevation in SWFLA, thru the GA mountains via the W->E route of the GA traverse, to our highest point of 6500+- at Clingmans Dome, thru Toccoa which we drove the “Currahee” Mountain. Tomorrow we start the trek to 0 feet elevation just north of Hilton head SC. After dipping our toes in the Atlantic, we turn south down the east coast of FL with an overnight stay in St Augustine! Friday we make a the mandatory stop at the Daytona Buc-ee’s, them we head to Alligator Alley which will turn us west towards home! I am a little sad because it is coming to an end but my truck performed admirably. It is noteworthy that my 10 month build/plan paid dividends! Sure there are refinements but it is a fact that I can survive for an extended period of time! Goal achieved!
Attachments
Enthusiast III
What a trip! Amazing peace and tranquillity! The rain held off most days in the beginning and only 1 rainy night! It was absolutely perfect weather! The truck performed admirably and only a few things wiggled loose!
After the GA Traverse, the SCAR was a letdown. But my adventure spirit pushed thru and created my own path! Winding thru rural America was a fabulous trek! We avoided the washboard sandy roads and found many neat areas instead. We sidetracked to mid SC to pick up some venison from a friend!
The final tally was 2364 miles in 13days! Highest elevation was 6543 ft in NC to the ocean in St Augustine, FL.
I might need to find a part time job just to feed my diesel habit! Used 291 gallons of fuel with an average price per gallon of $3.31. Basically 14mpg on the hard ball and 5mpg in 4wheel drive!
Let’s just say that I am already planning a summer trip!
After the GA Traverse, the SCAR was a letdown. But my adventure spirit pushed thru and created my own path! Winding thru rural America was a fabulous trek! We avoided the washboard sandy roads and found many neat areas instead. We sidetracked to mid SC to pick up some venison from a friend!
The final tally was 2364 miles in 13days! Highest elevation was 6543 ft in NC to the ocean in St Augustine, FL.
I might need to find a part time job just to feed my diesel habit! Used 291 gallons of fuel with an average price per gallon of $3.31. Basically 14mpg on the hard ball and 5mpg in 4wheel drive!
Let’s just say that I am already planning a summer trip!
Last edited:
Enthusiast III
From the start, I have always said that I am not a trained mechanic. But I played one on tv once.
Anyways, my 4wd is vacuum actuated at the hubs. When I rebuilt the axle, everything was replaced. When I went on my test ride to north FL, I got stuck in the sand. That’s when I knew something was wrong. We traced it to a vacuum selonoid and I trusted my friends shop had tested everything. Then I hit the GAT. When I got stuck on a slick hill and had to winch myself out I watched the front tires not spin in 4low. So from then on I set the hubs manually!
Fast forward to today, we find out that the hub seals are bad AND the locking hubs are loose (did not replace them during the rebuild)
At first I thought it was my fault when I rebuilt the front axle.
Then we opened the new seals from ford and one is bad. So it might not have been “all” my fault except not knowing what a bad new seal looks like.
So I don’t feel as bad now..
Anyways, my 4wd is vacuum actuated at the hubs. When I rebuilt the axle, everything was replaced. When I went on my test ride to north FL, I got stuck in the sand. That’s when I knew something was wrong. We traced it to a vacuum selonoid and I trusted my friends shop had tested everything. Then I hit the GAT. When I got stuck on a slick hill and had to winch myself out I watched the front tires not spin in 4low. So from then on I set the hubs manually!
Fast forward to today, we find out that the hub seals are bad AND the locking hubs are loose (did not replace them during the rebuild)
At first I thought it was my fault when I rebuilt the front axle.
Then we opened the new seals from ford and one is bad. So it might not have been “all” my fault except not knowing what a bad new seal looks like.
So I don’t feel as bad now..
Attachments
Enthusiast III
Enthusiast III
More good news came the other day!! Not only are the knuckle seals bad, so is the driver outer shaft. We also received 2 new seals from ford and one was bad!!! At least I will have spares if I break on the trail! I love all this good news!
I hate paying Ford dealer prices but I’m at the mercy of my truck being on a lift at my friends shop! Shout out to Leo @ Golden Wrench!
At least the Warn manual hubs arrived today!
I hate paying Ford dealer prices but I’m at the mercy of my truck being on a lift at my friends shop! Shout out to Leo @ Golden Wrench!
At least the Warn manual hubs arrived today!
Attachments
Member III
We have nothing but problems with Ford's "automatic" 4wd system. It's probably fine for highway use when you have the chance of hitting a little snow or ice but I've found the hubs and seals don't hold up when used in off road situations. We have about 12 F250/F350's on the farm and most are in 4wd daily. Before we made it mandatory to lock the hubs we were going through the front end on each one at least once per year. I recommend not using the system in auto and just locking the hubs your self, might be annoying to get out to do it, but will save you from this headache again.
Enthusiast III
I totally agree about just using “manual.” This will be the only time I go thru this. If it fails again, so be it. I still have confidence in my truck, and I bought it used…so this time I will have patience with it.
