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Messages - wilsonphil

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 21
1
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: March 22, 2024, 10:09:16 AM »
Some pictures for your enjoyment.

Also on this mission it was the FIRST time in human spaceflight we were able film plasma effect during reentry! 

2
Adventure / Re: 2025 Alaska trip
« on: March 22, 2024, 10:04:03 AM »
Im here!

September is the start of winter up there SO if you are dead set on going then I recommond taking a set of chains for all your rigs just to be safe.  I was there most of Aug and snow was flying here and there toward the end of the month.

Its Alaska so weather can change pretty quick, (shamless plug) Starlink has a mobile system that works really well so you could always have the best weather info and you can make calls thru the wireless side of that unit.

All of you will be fine as long as your rigs a solid and prepared.  Nobody shooting at you, no IED, no landminds it will be fine.

it will be a great trip!

3
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: March 14, 2024, 08:40:39 PM »
And we are orbital!!!!!

not ideal reentry but we learned LOTS AND LOTS

https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1768283993143652764?s=20


4
Build Threads / Re: 2001 Excursion Alaska Overlander
« on: March 03, 2024, 12:37:12 PM »
Ok Phil, let’s dive a bit deeper on a couple items.

First the double spare tire thing. Is two really necessary? Are you cutting sidewalls? Reason I ask is I follow a you tuber and he actually lives in Alaska and drives all over. He has one spare and it’s not even close to the correct size. Granted he drives a Ford so maybe it’s a Dodge thing?  :tongue: In all seriousness I carry a plug kit and compressor. What was your actual experience?

Broken windshield, carry stone chip repair kits would be good idea I assume.

Spare parts, thinking new belts, rad hoses and maybe idler. I’ll get plugs swapped again before I go (triton engine bs). I did it 40k ago but it’s been a couple years now and they loosen up and tend to build up on threads exposed in combustion chamber. Toss in a spare alternator and starter? Service fluids and carry extra. These V10 do eat some oil between changes so I do carry extra oil already.

I’d say I’m not the normal vacationer to such places. With off road racing back ground and recreational wheeling in some remote places I’m used to cobbling things together to get back home or at least to a pit for a real repair.

The two spares rule kinda only applies if you are going off onto the great wild, I actually hit a valve stem so the best plug kit will not help in that sitiuation also sliced a sidwall but the tire still held air.  If you are with a group its not really required because someone can in theroy go and get a tire.  I was solo(me and wife) so didnt want to risk it and I made sure my wife could change a tire by herself in the event I was hurt.  We were way out a few times so self recovery was the only option.  A good plug kit and aircompressor should be fine. 

I run Duratraks I have had good luck with them unless they are geting up in year/milage.  The newest version of the Duratraks have a redsigned sidewall.  I have never bought cheap tires, unlees its trailer tiles and last I checked they were all made in China.

Windshields just fix it when you get home.

All of you will do well on a trip like this as long as your rigs are mechanicaly sound but with modern trucks it can go sidways real fast.

If you are not going crazy boondocking and not going North above the Artic circle your rig just being solid you should not have to do anything exotic.  Fresh fluids, belts, tensioner, hoses and Ujoints wheel bearings all good you should not have issues.

When I built the RC my requirement was to still be able to go into any NAPA and get what I need to get moving again.  I was able to do that on every trip.

Fuel needs to be thought thru, you are correct I carried 4ea specture jugs, 2ea were water and 2ea were fuel BUT my real bumper held 10+gallons internally so I had 55Gal and I based 10mpg It got better going down the road 13mpg but off road 10mpg was the norm.

Pulling a trailer KILLS everything if you go highway speeds and there is weight and the trailer sticks up in the air.  Even my 06Ram pulling a flatbed car trailer with a 6-7K lbs would kill the mpg 18 down to some cases 10-11 mpg @ 75mph, trailers are boat anchors. 

5
Build Threads / Re: 2001 Excursion Alaska Overlander
« on: March 01, 2024, 04:23:13 PM »
So here’s the plan. Yes we own a fifth wheel but I refuse to tow it to Alaska and get beat to death. In bed campers are heavy, not for me. Add in the fact that the best trips wife and I have done were in my little work van with a full size mattress tossed in the back roughing it. Last minute and no real frills. The fifth wheel is luxury but at a cost.

*2005+ Superduty axles freshened up

Benefits
-coil spring front
-fits 35’s with stock oem coil springs or perhaps 37’s but I’m not a fan of the look of these on 37’s
-new wheels
-already own a custom set of new rear alcans
-much better braking
-tighter turning plus 1550 ujoint shafts
-Yukon lockouts if Tate ever releases them….
-4.88 or 5.13 gears versus 4.30 oem
-grizzly rear locker as I have one on shelf
-front locker already own a Spartan or go for an Ox cable actuated locker?
-will upgrade sway bars
-may add rear bags if needed but trying to keep it lighter so hoping not for now

*Paint & Body

-raptor line the exterior completely, (maybe a new brighter color so the old guys in the caravan can see me and not get lost?)

-bumpers front and rear with front winch (think pulling old guys out after them getting stuck in a mulch bed) this will be plate center sections and skeletal tubing wings to keep it lighter overall but still add needed protection for deer and accessories.

-roof rack & rear rack, it does have a 44 gallon fuel tank but would like extra fuel capacity and move spare tire to exterior. Our kayaks will be on the roof for trips. Possible bike racks on rear. Small propane tank mount.

-camp shower mount off upper rack, probably just use solar bags for warmer water.

*Interior

-remove all rear seats
-repair drivers seat bottom
-add / upgrade some electronics (communication, driving, cameras)
-12v chest fridge / freezer arb or dometic
-deep cycle battery and possibly roof solar
-cassette toilet for better half
-full size rv mattress from Wilderness RV which we have in fifth wheel and love it.
-under bed storage in rear
-rear cargo door storage upgrade and fold down tables
-window screen on rear side doors for ventilation
-modify rear upper window hatch to swing up farther, must for tall guys

Plan is to use this for Alaska trip then dirt bike trips to places such as Moab, KOH etc in the future. Our second camper type setup but definitely more nimble and easier to get into for off the road places.


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From my experience in RC, two spare tires for sure so that should/might drive you tire choice. 

Not sure of the MPG and tank size of your unit but from Coldfoot AK to Deadhorse AK is 250 MI and there is NOTHING in between there was an automated fuel station in Deadhorse BUT if it broken or gone then you need enough fuel to get back to Coldfoot.  Fuel in general should be planned for there are not as many fuel stations along the way.  This road is mostly gravel so DO NOT paint your truck or replace the windshield if it has a chip or crack, you will need one after the trip anyway.

Tools and and hard to get spares you might need, fresh hoses and belts, filters and fluids.  Basic recovery tools, don't know how hard core your are going or places you intend on visiting it will drive how you outfit your rig.

Got lots more let me know what other info you want to know, lots of parts stores thru CA and in AK most were pretty well stocked.

6
Some insperation for you!

I would like to go back again, dont know where you going to get on the ferry but if you have time please visit Kennicott and the Kenai Peninsula is very nice.  I went all the way down to Valdez.  Please give yourself 4-6weeks or you will see most of it thru the windshield of you truck

I drove all the way from LA up and back down!  I think it was like 12K miles all said and done.

Also largest seaplane airport in the world in Anckorage and really good Wiley Post musuem in Fairbanks

Canada crossing will be fun if you have boom sticks or even if you dont, dont recommond taking the boomsticks thru Canada.

You sleep in the ram charger the whole trip?

Yes for the most part, had a tent so somethimes in that BUT i made a deal with the wife we would stop every 4th day so she could get a hot shower and sleep in a normal bed.

7
Everything Trailer, Camper, or RV related / Re: What about a truck camper?
« on: February 28, 2024, 06:45:31 PM »
Some insperation for you!

I would like to go back again, dont know where you going to get on the ferry but if you have time please visit Kennicott and the Kenai Peninsula is very nice.  I went all the way down to Valdez.  Please give yourself 4-6weeks or you will see most of it thru the windshield of you truck

I drove all the way from LA up and back down!  I think it was like 12K miles all said and done.

Also largest seaplane airport in the world in Anckorage and really good Wiley Post musuem in Fairbanks

Canada crossing will be fun if you have boom sticks or even if you dont, dont recommond taking the boomsticks thru Canada. 

8
Hand Tools, Power Tools, Welders, etc / Re: Bridgeport Mill, rebuild
« on: December 04, 2023, 08:09:37 AM »
JR, I highly recommond you get a VFD, they are cheap enough now and gives you more capibility. 

9
Hand Tools, Power Tools, Welders, etc / Re: Bridgeport Mill, rebuild
« on: November 28, 2023, 04:42:21 PM »
I used this design a long time ago, only issue with it is all not all 4 wheels caster, easy mod if you want 4 wheel caster just makes it bigger.

10
Hand Tools, Power Tools, Welders, etc / Re: Bridgeport Mill, rebuild
« on: November 27, 2023, 06:24:46 PM »
i have rebuilt a couple of these over the years, that looks like a Jhead.  Since its not in it forever home location i recommond a mobile base, there are several to pick from but build one that lets the base sit low.  LOTS of nice upgrades to these units not including a full 3axis CNC.  A FULL rebuild is around 7K but it has been a while since I have done one.  I did all the work other than rescraping the ways I took the base and table to a place that dose that kind of work.

11
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: November 20, 2023, 08:21:58 AM »
AND THE WORLD JUST GOT A LOT SMALLER.

Most powerful rocket ever built!

12
Firearms / I miss the old days
« on: May 29, 2023, 05:17:51 PM »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApFT-pLcAXQ

pretty good content, jump to about 4.50 if you want to see why I miss traveling so much!

13
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: May 16, 2023, 05:53:02 PM »
Prop is back on!   Need to torque it up and pup the dome back on.  Went really smooth, I had the governer overhauled also.  Looking forward to get it in the air and see if she's any smoother.   

14
Nice work Phil, I imagine you just had those cost effective pillow blocks laying around?????  :popcorn:

One of the very few advantages of LA was there are lots of surplus houses, I think I paid $50 for the pair.  Picked up the very nice casters for 100 for the set of 4. Is all bolt together so I can roll it under a bench when not in use.  Total build cost less than $400 if I remember correctly.

15
A realman would build a real Cummins stand, this is one I threw together awhile back

16
D.O.T. / Re: WDYDT (What Did You Do Today)
« on: May 14, 2023, 09:25:07 AM »
And yet you wont visit lovely South Texas, cigars look good I still have quite a few that one day I hope to enjoy

17
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: May 08, 2023, 05:15:04 PM »
Prop is back in my hands, pictures and install update coming soon.

18
Build Threads / Re: AEV Gladiator Rubicon
« on: May 08, 2023, 05:12:45 PM »
HEMI   be the man feel the power and I bet you get pretty close to the same MPG

19
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: April 20, 2023, 08:00:36 AM »
Trying again 1.5 hrs

20
Sell it to a Dodge person that will shorten the frame and add a Ramcharger body on top.

21
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: April 13, 2023, 03:07:08 PM »
A little good news, prop shop has finally completed the prop(4.5months) hoping to get it back next week.   

This whole experience has left me with a little sour taste SO i have been working a project in the back ground.

 I will post up prop install pictures and the longevity project I have been working on soon.

22
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: April 13, 2023, 03:01:00 PM »
So after 3.5yrs we are going to try to fly this pig, if we don't get sued and have an injunction leveled against SpaceX the launch date 04/17 0700CST.

Most powerful rocket ever built!  If it happens try to have your kids watch, it will be quite the show!

23
When I tow trailers I always carry 2ea spares, reason is most of the tires are from the Chinaman and do not hold up.  Almost every trip across the country I have needed one.

Deep off road I did the same thing 2ea, and on two different trips I needed them both, one the tire failed and the second was rocks cutting side wall.

24
Build Threads / Re: AEV Gladiator Rubicon
« on: April 05, 2023, 05:32:30 PM »
I might be in for 2ea i have to check the group I need

25
Guys I need some help here. I have a no crank/run issue. Was a little hard to start (keep running), then stopped in the drive through a few blocks from home. Got it towed home.

Battery is good, new ignition switch, will crank when jumped in the fuse box. Key turns everything on, but no crank, no antitheft light (watched lots of videos) but I am still thinking this might be it. Checked voltages everywhere, all are around 12.6v. Ignition relay clicks, nothing on the "crank" relay. Switched relays, same, all fuses good.

Any ideas??

Well buy a nice new Ram 2500

Just jopking, it really sounds like security issue but I'm sure you have checked that you have fuel?

26
Agree with that but I'm more of the "totally disgusted" is two words 

27
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: February 02, 2023, 11:28:59 AM »
So this morning we have launched our 200th Falcon 9 mission, we have come a long way since 2010.

Phone service is right around the corner!

28
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: January 15, 2023, 04:58:02 PM »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfxyF1_Ylkk

Falcon Heavy in a little less than one hour.

29
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: January 11, 2023, 12:09:05 PM »
Nothing a little JB weld wouldn't fix. Get the slow dry stuff. It's good for Mach 6.

:)






Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

Oh Ken was H sitting on your lap again, reduced the flow of blood to the brain????

30
Hand Tools, Power Tools, Welders, etc / Re: Two post lift
« on: January 11, 2023, 12:07:00 PM »
https://rotarylift.com/

Highly recommend this company. 

31
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: January 02, 2023, 09:27:36 AM »
Found a parts plane at the air museum this week




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How would that work?

You pay for the swap of those serviceable parts in exchange for your worn parts?

I actually went to a Museum I know that has the prop I need and proposed that exact swap I said I would cosmetically restore my prop in exchange for their prop as long as it was good. 

+money but that was met with a resounding NO!
Well from personal trying this for Air Force aircraft and aircraft sitting at the gate on to a base . I got a big no also. Military retired aircraft don't belong to the base or the Air Force any longer , they belong to congress and unless it will do something for them they won't approve it.

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Yes, i would not even attempt with any aircraft on a federal installation for that exact reason, this was a private non profit museum so I thought they might be open to the idea and it would give them cash for other projects and operations.   

32
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: January 02, 2023, 08:56:14 AM »
Found a parts plane at the air museum this week




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How would that work?

You pay for the swap of those serviceable parts in exchange for your worn parts?

I actually went to a Museum I know that has the prop I need and proposed that exact swap I said I would cosmetically restore my prop in exchange for their prop as long as it was good. 

+money but that was met with a resounding NO!

33
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: January 02, 2023, 08:52:39 AM »
Sure enough they may or not be in better shape.  Or just sneak in at night take what ya need


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Not that easy pulling something like a prop...
I think you are sellin phil short lol he got a plane flying in a weekend with tools from a pickup truck lol


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Well thats not 100% correct it took two weekends!!

34
D.O.T. / Our government at work, they are here to help
« on: December 31, 2022, 10:09:04 AM »
https://www.motorious.com/articles/features-3/kill-switches-new-cars/

Just think what they could do with this if something like Covid comes back!

35
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: December 17, 2022, 08:50:04 AM »
Well I plan on keeping this bird away from Salt as much as I can. This plane is really clean from a corrosion standpoint one of the reasons I bought her.   

The squids operated the T28 just North of my current location in Corpus Christie for many years, and I have seen a couple T28 that came out of there most were pretty clean. 

The sad fact is my plane is 70yo and parts are disappearing/gone or are horded up and those people think parts a worth million dollars.  and part you do locate you have no history on.

The Polish have actually started making P51 blades again and from what I'm told they are getting 12K per blade(X4)

All of this bothers me so I'm planning on a project in the very near future, this one all of you will enjoy.

36
Build Threads / Re: AEV Gladiator Rubicon
« on: December 17, 2022, 08:36:08 AM »
Just put the Hemi in it and call it a day!

All the engineering is done you just have to buy the parts, it will end up being much less in the long run and be 100% more dependable.

and if I had to bet the MPG wont be much different.

37
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: December 14, 2022, 07:06:40 PM »
Yea throwing a blade one one of these(any rotating assembly) is usually followed by engine leaving the firewall right after that. 

A lot of these planes were at one time operated in a sea/salt conditions and once it gets in it never sleeps.  Too date I am not aware of this blade ever failing in operation on any configuration that doesn't mean I want to be the first. 

https://simpleflying.com/uk-deadliest-helicopter-accident-anniversary/

This was due to corrosion, I guess they thought it would be OK to operate in a high salt environment and now worry about it.   

38
Build Threads / Re: AEV Gladiator Rubicon
« on: December 14, 2022, 06:58:13 PM »
I think jeeps logic on this was you will normally never see 8th.  A couple people I know that have the Rubicon in stock form said the same thing it rarely goes into 8th.  Just jeeps way of of getting the MPG up so CAFE/EPA doesn't come knocking
That's an interesting theory.
But
If
It
has
the 8th gear, why not take advantage of it?
 

So, Tater, since you know as much as I do about shops in my A.O....Who do you recommend I go to for the transformation?

Thats easy, so it doesn't break.

39
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: December 14, 2022, 06:12:46 PM »
your looking up inside the cuff of the blade.

40
Build Threads / Re: AEV Gladiator Rubicon
« on: December 14, 2022, 06:12:09 PM »
I think jeeps logic on this was you will normally never see 8th.  A couple people I know that have the Rubicon in stock form said the same thing it rarely goes into 8th.  Just jeeps way of of getting the MPG up so CAFE/EPA doesn't come knocking

41
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: December 14, 2022, 05:07:58 PM »
Update, prop shop called me back once they got the unit apart.

BAD news, 2ea bad blades.  I knew this was a possibility when I sent it out.  So I am searching for parts, I might of found some but its a crap shoot until the shop says OK with anything I have sent to them for inspection . 
As I said people are not bashful with asking prices.

Pictures attached of the failed units, they failed on corrosion.  The pitting you see is from Shot Peen the craters is the corrosion.  These pictures have been magnified so thats why it looks like that.

42
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: November 20, 2022, 05:09:00 PM »
You said aluminum and my first thought was how sexy polished would be!!! Oh man but I’m also not paying the bill or knowledges enough to know the affects of that vs a coating.  And it’s not period correct also


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Im not into the polishing group.  They do look nice all polished up but I'm more of a function person.  I really like what Redbull did with their T28!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnPFoiN0JrE


43
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: November 20, 2022, 05:00:44 PM »
Don you would look real good in a Caravan  I think a decent used one can be had for 800K now, but they are thirsty burn like 50GPH (like the T28)

44
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: November 20, 2022, 10:56:47 AM »
No, many reasons why.  You saw one of them right there with that airshow.

Most of you know just having experience or a pilot saying they have X thousand hours dose not mean they are good pilots or use good judgement. 

The CAF dose not have a stellar reputation, I will not bad mouth because I have not dealt with them personally.  Do a internet search and you will see what I mean.

I used to run around and work the airshow/air race scene but I learned real fast what that was all about.

I like to go to airshows but do want to be part of the "groupie" crowd

MOST of those owners are just into the flight suits, glamor, rich guys that don't have really any appreciation of the aircraft they own.  Its a shiny new toy that is more investment than a airplane.  They do the absolute MIN to keep the plane flying UNLESS it involves polishing or some new avionics package.  In most cases they are just own the machine to stroke their ego.  They hire the cheapest people they can find to work on the planes that should not be consuming oxygen let alone working on airplanes.

I love flying, all types of aviation.  I love the mechanical aspect of aircraft and enjoy working on them as much as flying, I just want a solid mechanical bird everything else is secondary. 

The T28 or any "warbird"  for that matter is not something you buy to be a easy/pleasant flight experience.

If you want nice you would buy a PC-12, TBM or Caravan or Piper M600 

45
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: November 19, 2022, 12:41:43 PM »
yes 10K PER blade, a replacement prop complete will cost between 30-50K depending on the condition.

46
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: November 19, 2022, 09:02:19 AM »
3 months is crazy. I think everyone is using covid as an excuse.

Its not Covid or the shops blaming Covid, the real issue is dependable help EVERY shop I have talked to has told me the same thing that they cannot find good people or people that will show up to work.  I have seen this even in our industry its a very bad work ethic out there right now.

Its what happens when you pay people to stay home and pay them very well for that, some of the people I recently interviewed were telling me they were making 2-3K a month during covid.

47
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: November 19, 2022, 08:30:17 AM »
Basically completely disassembled, inspected, everything dimensionally inspected, gears are mag-particle checked.  The Blades will get stripped down to bare metal small nicks and dings blended out where possible, blades will then be repainted and balanced.  The assembly will be function checked, internal stops adjusted if needed and then sent back to me for reinstall.

Big unknown is corrosion, the blades have an epoxy chuff that sometimes cracks and lets water get between the bales and the epoxy bond.  Planes in normal operation typically it dose not bother. its the units like mine that just sit around that develop issues.

Spare parts have dried up for the most part, all the surplus parts are pretty much gone so if I need blades it will get real pricey, figure a good serviceable blade might be as much as 10K ea.  hopefully my unit will just need a normal standard overhaul.

 

 

48
Drones, Boats, Flying and Floating Things / Re: Something diffrent
« on: November 18, 2022, 06:26:59 PM »
So in the meantime back at the hanger, the prop has been removed for overhaul.  This is a Hamilton Standard 43D50, it weights 600lbs according to the book, the blades are solid Aluminum.

The pitch(movement) of the blades is controlled by engine oil. There is a prop governor on top of the engine case that directs oil to this dome thru the transfer tube.  took about 2 hrs to remove and it left for the overhaul shop today.

I should get it back in 3 months!
 

49
D.O.T. / Re: Terrible...So sad!!!
« on: November 13, 2022, 09:02:23 AM »
Very Sad,  I gringe every time I see that.  Just hope no "riders" were in the B17

looks like the P63 didn't even see the B17, just sad!

50
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: November 01, 2022, 09:37:28 AM »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY628jRd6gM

Falcon Heavy, recovery will be good to see as both outers come down together.

Center core feeds the fishes

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