New Build for Full Time old duffers.

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MOAK

Rank V
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

2,865
Wherever we park it will be home !!
First Name
Donald
Last Name
Diehl
Member #

0745

Ham/GMRS Callsign
WRPN 506
Jim suggested I start a thread about our full time, poor man's expedition rig. Well, that's what my wife and I call it, as the price point is way lower, less than half, of the entry level exotics. We began camping together in a 1987 F-150 that doubled as a painting contractors work truck, then a 98 TJ, then an 04 Rubicon, then 12 years ago stepped up to our 80 series/LX450 Landcruiser. See a pattern? As we got older, we started traveling longer and longer distances. The 04 became unbearable after about 7 years of long distance touring. The 80 fit our needs, along with a light off-road trailer for part timing. Since retirement we've been out two and three times a year. Our longest time on the road was nine weeks just last year. We are taking our final trip in the 80 next month to Wyoming's Big Horns and then down to the Black Hills. Once home the entire set up will be up for sale.

Since our trip last year up to Tuktoyaktuk we have come to the conclusion that as we only live once at our ages (70 and 67) , it is now or never to go full time. We are thinking at least 3 years minimum. With that decision our research began. Interestingly my wife Virginia has entrusted me with everything except the size of the flatbed camper, the creature comfort accessories and the colors of the truck and camper.

I have chosen the Ford F-350 XL, 6.8 gasser, SRW; We ordered the truck the 8th of August and should take delivery late October or November.
The two most important things for me to consider was payload & fuel range. Payload is around 4500lbs. That translates into not needing any suspension modifications as we will be driving around with less than 1/2 that weight on our back. Getting an 8 ft bed was a no brainer for two reasons. Ist off, Virginia insisted on having as big a 4WD camper as possible which woould be the Grandby model. 2ndly, the 8 ft bed has a 48 gallon fuel tank which will give us a bit more than a 500 mile range.
The truck is a very basic work truck that I have added only a couple of options unto. The XL off-road package, the FX4 off-road package. The combination of these packages gives you a rear locker on 3.73s, fancy shocks, skid plates, breather lines for the diffs and transfer case, skid plates, larger AT tires, crawl control, a black out package and a couple of other things I don't remember. I considered a chassis build, but the fuel tank and the 4wd packages were not options. Curiously a truck with a bed on it is less expensive than the chassis only. I also ordered the 410 amp dual alternator, dual batteries, and a 120-volt/400-watt outlet. Thats it. About as bare bones as it gets and still be optioned out enough for traversing most of the roads we are accustomed to being on. I look forward to any comments, advice, or opinions as we move forward with this build.
 

MOAK

Rank V
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

2,865
Wherever we park it will be home !!
First Name
Donald
Last Name
Diehl
Member #

0745

Ham/GMRS Callsign
WRPN 506
The truck has a new home. The build begins. Until I can find a pair of rock sliders I’ll be putting a pair of aluminum stirrups on it so my wife can get in and out easily. Secondly I’ll remove the rear seats and begin building out storage compartments around a 16 gallon water tank, along with an abode for the cat. But; get this! As obscene as the cost of this poor man’s Tremor is, Ford did not include the same size, brand, or tread patterned spare tire. It’s a 245 street tire. C’mon ford, that level of cheapness sucks. Otherwise, the truck is great. Never ever thought I’d switch to full-size, but never ever thought we’d go full time either.. IMG_2390.jpeg
 

MOAK

Rank V
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

2,865
Wherever we park it will be home !!
First Name
Donald
Last Name
Diehl
Member #

0745

Ham/GMRS Callsign
WRPN 506
Only a week old and have added aluminum stirrups, tinted the windows, removed the rear seats and am drawing up plans for a stowage system and cat abode. I’m impressed with the drivetrain. It’ll get up and cruise in 10th gear with more than enough pulling power at 1500 rpm’s. Tooling around the county it is getting 14 mpg, which is 40% better than the Landcruiser ever got doing the same tooling around. IMG_2394.jpeg
 
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MOAK

Rank V
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

2,865
Wherever we park it will be home !!
First Name
Donald
Last Name
Diehl
Member #

0745

Ham/GMRS Callsign
WRPN 506
Rear seat delete platform is installed; I’m building the cat abode and the cabinets as modules for ease of installation and removal. A flat 13 gallon water tank will be installed beneath the platform. Our old reliable Engle fridge will be mounted so it is within easy reach of my navigator..

it.IMG_2409.jpeg