This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
Messages - Flyin6
51
« on: April 14, 2024, 04:42:41 PM »
Last week the Pre-Ranger became a real Pre-Ranger. He is officially in the RASP for the actual 75th Ranger regiment.
This is not Ranger school. Ranger School is a leadership course. RASP stands for "Ranger Assessment and Selection Program." It is a months-long program that takes soldiers of various MOSs and trains them to an ultimate standard to be assigned to one of the three battalions of the 75th Rangers. That is the same 75th Ranger unit that climbed the cliffs at Point du Hoc in Normandy France on D-Day in WW2. These Rangers are amongst the fiercest soldiers anywhere in the world. Chris is hanging in there, but we have lost contact. He is "coms-out" for the next four weeks.
I do have contact with a couple of the soldiers there who give me "Sightings." Today's report was that Chris was hanging tough with a smile on his face but was about to undergo a brutal physical endurance event. Details are and will remain sketchy, but the program is not for the faint of heart and tests men to the absolute limits of human endurance. If he makes it through the next 8 weeks, he will wear the coveted scroll of a soldier of the 75th Ranger regiment. As long as he does not screw up afterward the rest of his Army career will be very rewarding. He is destined for high places...
52
« on: April 14, 2024, 04:26:29 PM »
Nice wheels! I think Method may just about have the market cornered!
I have a ton of catching up to do.
I'll have to generate threads and posts but went to SW Utah for jeeping and hiking. We did hundreds of miles of off-road, over 250 on one day alone. I drove a 4XE electric Rubicon...IMPRESSIVE!
We hiked all over and around St George, Hurricane, Snow Canyon, Zion National Park (3X) the Grand Canyon at a nearly inaccessible spot. We visited Indian Petrographs and dinosaur footprints, drove over a waterfall, and Went up and back down sketchy trails and shelf roads. Didn't eat much but when we did it was all stuff I couldn't pronounce and hadn't seen before. Got to know some awesome people, really salt-of-the-earth folks. Met influencers in the LDS church who were great people. Explored two ghost towns and drove around dozens of neighborhoods carved into those red cliffs. I watched mountain sunsets, hiked in an alpine snowstorm, was awestruck by the majesty of Zion National Park, and on and on. After flying home, we loaded up the Gladiator and took off for the mountains of West Virginia where we stayed in the mountain home of a friend who I flew with decades ago. I shared that time with a bunch of other aviators and their wives and even drank moonshine brewed locally.
Wow, what an awesome adventure-packed two weeks I've had...
So what's going on here???????
;-)
53
« on: April 14, 2024, 03:16:40 PM »
Day 94...Rejoining the thread!
54
« on: April 11, 2024, 07:41:48 PM »
In and out of contact. Was in Utah for a week of hiking and Jeeping. Now enroute to W VA for a buddy's birthday. I'll be back range by Sunday evening...
55
« on: April 02, 2024, 03:53:01 PM »
Progress report: This morning I checked the PAC 7500 lb air bags. Both of them were at zero pressure! ZERO!
I am so tired of buying junk and wasting my good time bolting on things that do not work. I did everything according to the instructions, and right out of the gate on the first trial both bags leaked.
I found a leaky fitting on the drivers bag which caused me to remove the air line, then the air fitting. Now with everything bolted securely in place, it is super hard to get to that fitting. Bit I managed to get it out, then wrapped it with teflon tape, then reinstalled it. After spraying soap solution all over it I didn't get any bubbling like I had earlier. so i figured that was fine. Obviously it was not.
The right side showed no bubbling but I did find a kink in the line, so I cut out that section and spliced it back together. Checking with soap again showed no bubbling. Fast forward 3 days and both bags were flat.
I am contacting Pac Air and the seller and asking for my money back. I am not going with anything unreliable, and these bags certainly are.
I'll replace them with some Timbren rubber springs and call that all done.
I did notice some porpoising on dips and expansion joints. All I can figure is that I have preloaded and tightened up the rear suspension and that is now transferring more energy, wheelbarrow style to the front that the weak factory shocks cannot handle.
I was going to go with some Carli parts, so that is now the road I will be going down. Tate, expect a call...
Note: The Carli Suspension stuff that Tate sold me for the other Ram 3500 worked well and caused no problems.
56
« on: April 02, 2024, 03:40:52 PM »
The process has begun. I dropped it off today at the repair facility.
Wow, that dealership has grown not to 64 acres of shops, sales rooms and inventory. There is now a whole new repair building that looks like a small Walmart. It is all very modern and well organized. I met Kevin who inspected the camper and filled out the necessary paperwork. They are key on insurance, to make sure the process has generated a claim. We talked a bit about insurance. They told me USAA can be a pickle sometimes, but they do the right thing. This dealership, however, does not accept either Progressive or General. I asked why? Kevin said those insurance companies do not pay and are a pain to work with. I guess when you are that big, where business is knocking at the door all the time, you can be more selective.
To me it is just another indicator that the "Progressive" people who really own and run Progressive insurance are fraudulent and in fact, poor businesses.
From here I have to wait on an estimate which I must then approve. That's when the parts are ordered and the work can soon follow. I am not going to worry nor focus on some distant delivery date as all of that is no longer within my control. I'm just a fish swimming upstream to an uncertain destination.
57
« on: April 02, 2024, 10:31:50 AM »
Break out the burb…..
And the customer camp trailer,
I don’t understand what your pickup has to be tied up for? They don’t have forklift to move the camper with? How do they get shipments delivered of campers?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They will not use a forklift on it. Apparently, I provide the forklift and it is a 2024 3500 Ram! :-(
58
« on: April 02, 2024, 10:30:38 AM »
Break out the burb…..
It went off to a new home... I'm lightening my load...Paring down to mission essentials. Seems the more stuff I have the more time I spend fixing it :-0
59
« on: April 02, 2024, 10:26:37 AM »
I went with the Sig optic, 1X6x second focal plane.
I was playing around with it yesterday and I found it easy to pick up the reticle. With a second focal plane setup, the reticle stays nice and large more like a reflex sight.
They were on sale for $345 out the door so I ordered it. If I don't like it, I have a lonesome AR somewhere that could use it ;-)
60
« on: April 02, 2024, 10:03:09 AM »
Day 82
61
« on: April 01, 2024, 08:12:10 PM »
Day 81
62
« on: April 01, 2024, 08:06:50 PM »
So, I'm guessing everyone has heard that Don busted up his brand new camper.
:-(
Life goes on and I suppose that instead of lamenting or going on any camper trips for now, I'll concentrate on getting it repaired.
I started the process with a call to my insurance company, USAA. They are willing to just take care of everything or to let me get involved to any degree I feel like I need to. So, after the insurance company, my next call was to Holman Motors, the largest RV dealership and shop in the Cincinnati area. They stock hundreds of campers and RV's and sell Buick and GMC vehicles. From my perspective, they have a metric ton of experience fixing campers and pulling out slides, which mine will no doubt need.
My appointment is tomorrow and unfortunately, I will need to leave it in the truck for 1-2 weeks to get the estimate done. From there I will be given an appointment time to bring it in. It is looking like I will be without a truck for quite some time in the coming month or two.
The good news is that the whole affair will not cost me a ton and I will have it all put back together in time for the Wyoming trip.
63
« on: April 01, 2024, 07:55:00 PM »
No real airflow back there, but I like mine too. The few degrees cooler could even be you add a little more fluid.
I ordered the one Tex shared the link to. That and some good synthetic and if nothing else, I'll feel better ;-)
64
« on: April 01, 2024, 07:53:57 PM »
Very nice rifle.
Positive side of the camper is you are at home and not on the road some place
Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
Agree, this could have been much worse...
65
« on: April 01, 2024, 07:53:15 PM »
Those bear loads kick just a little bit
Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
Funny, but the guy over at Field and Stream just said the same thing ;-)
66
« on: April 01, 2024, 07:52:38 PM »
I have a Ruger no. 1 stainless 45/70. Has a fixed front blade with an adjustable ghost ring rear. That setup works very well, bring it up to my shoulder and the front blade is centered in the ghost ring.
Mine too! I like that setup. I have been practicing bringing the gun to bear after carrying it and almost every single time my eye falls right on that ghost ring with the front sight centered. Once I get back from the Utah and put some rounds through it, I'll know better how that all works. I was out today looking at that SIG low power variable 1X-6x illuminated reticle scope. It's nice but I haven't made up my mind if I'll buy it, or the EOTEC or use nothing at all...
67
« on: April 01, 2024, 10:52:04 AM »
68
« on: April 01, 2024, 10:13:09 AM »
I wish mine had the mitten lever handle….
I had a nice 3x9 stainless scope on mine. When we started camping in bear country I took it off. Figured I’m faster with irons. My 2 cents.
Concur, faster with Irons Now my experience with unexpected close in threats is the two legged variety. I rolled with an ACOG, and still use it today, but the fastest target pickup I ever used is an EOTECH. Matt Atkins suggested I get both. Swap them out. But just this morning I got an email notification from Bud's gun shop. They just got a shipment of the new Smith and Wesson .44 magnum lever guns. Now that would make a good (better) deer gun because it is less cannon-like. There may be some parts of the animal still useable if hit by a .44 magnum rather than a 45-70. A gun like that would be more deserving of a scope-like optic. https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/162329/smith+%26+wesson+model+1854+.44+rem+mag+19.25+stainless+threaded+9+1Undecided at this point, but a reflex sight seems to fit the intended purpose (Fast response to an unexpected bear encounter)
70
« on: April 01, 2024, 09:56:40 AM »
...And that's just it. I am pissed at myself. Nobody did anything to cause this except for me!
Well, the good thing is it seems my tried-and-true USAA is on the ball, I may be covered. I did not place insurance on it yet, just a timing thing really. But since it was mounted in the bed of the dually, it is covered.
71
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:53:51 PM »
That’s a hard to get riffle around her! They sure feel smooth
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes it does
72
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:52:33 PM »
Sorry JR, I can't recall whom I ordered them from
I'm a bonehead!
73
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:36:58 PM »
Surprising!
Where is quality, I mean real quality to be found these days???
74
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:32:45 PM »
So right out of the gate, I ordered a black leather sling for it that has loops for additional cartridges and 100 rounds of ammo. Those 100 rounds cost me $250!!!!!!!!!!!
Next is possibly a reflex sight or optic of some sort.
For the fast-action bear attack scenario, I was thinking of an EOTec or an ACOG. For deer hunting, I was thinking of one of those low-power SIG 1X6 X24 X30mm tube on a QD mount.
This thing is not a long-range weapon and I'll keep shots to 100 meters or less, so a low magnification would work for whitetails pretty well.
I picked up some 325 gr, 350 gr, and 405 gr cartridges. The 405 are hard-cast bear rounds that marry up well with the .44 magnum I have yet to purchase.
Suggestions for optics/ sights??
75
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:23:19 PM »
Do I look happy or what??
76
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:22:30 PM »
It has a pretty cool story associated with it.
My oldest son purchased it for me. He wanted to mark a significant birthday and to say thanks for all the years of military service and sacrifice. I am deeply touched and honored by his gesture.
He told me on the phone that he vividly remembers me talking about that rifle 40 years ago and how I wanted one. I have looked for one over the years, always seeming to come up short.
I had my eye on a stainless trapper with a shorter barrel but I like this one more. THe extra round (6) is nice to have.
I just love how Marlin builds that laminated black stained walnut stock and how good the tooling and stainless steel looks. It is a lifetime gun for sure and after my passing it will return to him for the remainder of his lifetime, a keepsake from dad.
I just love it!
77
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:17:07 PM »
I was just given a new Marlin model 1895 in 45-70 for my birthday which is coming up in a couple weeks.
78
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:15:10 PM »
My oldest son purchased that for me. I will turn 70 in a couple of weeks and he had purchased it for me for that occasion. It is one of the new Ruger-Marlin Model 1895's in 45-70!
What a gift!
What a terrific end to what started out as a pretty bad day.
79
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:13:20 PM »
^^^^^^^ That was the bad part.
Later on in the day, Kathy and her girlfriend were hell bent to get me outside into the camper to "Help measure for curtains!!"
Inside the curtain material was this:
80
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:11:45 PM »
Yesterday, I had just finished the suspension business on the dually. Kat and I decided to give it a short test drive. So we stored everything and disconnected the power fired it up and away we went.
The road we live on is very narrow, really only one lane plus a couple of feet. A couple hundred meters down the road there is this power pole, a 35-footer that is leaning well into and over the road. It sits at around a 20-degree angle and looks to be ready to fall over.
I was driving past that pole, on the road when we heard and felt a large crack and rattle. I pulled over immediately but it was too late. The awning that is bolted to the slide had contacted the pole squarely and destroyed it. The folding metal wiped out the dual pane window as well. When later I was trying to open/close the slide, it no longer worked properly.
I was sick to my stomach. This was the first time I had driven with it since purchasing it and bringing it home.
81
« on: March 31, 2024, 01:38:40 PM »
Day 80
82
« on: March 30, 2024, 06:49:48 PM »
83
« on: March 30, 2024, 09:17:59 AM »
Still that cold, wow
84
« on: March 30, 2024, 09:11:07 AM »
Did those pads in post #55 go in the stock hole our need hardware?
Stock hole...5 min mod
85
« on: March 30, 2024, 09:10:05 AM »
Day 79
86
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:21:49 PM »
And, with the air, there is some suspension travel to play with. the spring opened back up with the air springs inflated.
87
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:20:55 PM »
100 psi air and the modded spring pack:
88
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:20:00 PM »
All spacers now installed, enough with the experimentation..
89
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:17:44 PM »
Next I added that block from the spacer stack I did not install earlier back into the block on the overload spring. That helped some as well. I am now fully engaging most of the spring pack with the camper sitting there.
90
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:16:12 PM »
While I had the springs all expanded, I popped out the factory scuff pad on the bottom leaf and installed a poly bump stop about 3/4" tall.
Letting the air out of the bags, I saw a slight improvement over the same pack without the spacer:
91
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:14:17 PM »
I kicked around and found one good leak in an airbag fitting. It was a metric crap-ton of work to get that thing back out, repaired and back in. I cleaned the fitting then used old-school Teflon tape and fixed that leak. On the passenger side, I can't find a leak, but the bag lost pressure overnight so something is going on there...
Fixed, and 100 psi of air in the bags the suspension stood right up:
92
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:09:13 PM »
As I have posted previously, you’re not gonna find a wider rim unless you increase the wheel diameter.
There are a few tire brands that make a 255/80/17 that give you a 33” tall tire and keep you in the 10” wide range. Load range D or E being your capacity requirements.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Concur... That's where Kyle is, checking out the 255R80 in E range 10 ply. Probably where I'll land and I don't think I'll be opting for a wider wheel at the moment.
93
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:00:55 PM »
Well, Jared, you make a convincing argument, and I am heeding your advice, sort of.
I have my tire guy looking into this. Right off he said I could go to a 255/80 in several brands to get a bit taller. I was thinking something like a BFG AT, but I need to do more homework.
My conditions are way different than yours. I think I will flirt with the max GWT for sure. I had a max payload of just under 5,000. The camper weighs 3,400 and then there's 45 gal of water, her and I and she is now filling that camper with a kitchen, dry goods, and a hundred other things. I'm sure she will add 200 lbs. all said and done. I want to add a bumper and winch and a toolbox, and I have already bolted on 100+ pounds of airbags and sway bar stuff.
But it is not as hot here and I do not drive 80. Temps will be 10f-20f cooler than the Texas and I drive 70-73ish.
I am wondering about this front tire issue. Can't say I have run into that before. But I have never owned a dually before with that strange wide stance.
I'll report what Kyle comes up with for a good tire choice, and I should stay with the stock skinny wheels as the aftermarket stuff is just too expensive. I may have to run a rear spacer, Dunno, but if that's what it takes to get a better/best tire, then I will consider it.
For now, I'll bust out and over to West (by God) Virginia on the tires I have with these suspension improvements and see how all that works. That will give me another 500 miles of highway and a bunch of back-country driving.
94
« on: March 29, 2024, 01:59:45 PM »
Cheap
That's what I was thinking, but guess what? According to my tire store, the Nexens are one of the pricier tires! Kyle said they are upscale tires over many of the routine tires we see. They are one of the more expensive of his offerings, and he does sell them occasionally. His tire shop is not affiliated with any tire manufacturer. Almost everyone shows up with their own tires, and he just installs them and maintains them.
95
« on: March 29, 2024, 12:54:32 PM »
Tires were in the mix anyway for an upgrade, right?
I think the rear end would love some synthetic oil too and sure the stock stuff has all the break in it needs.
Good idea JR. I'm already looking for that finned cover. I will be using the camper/truck for a trip over to W VA in a little over a week. I am now concerned that those tires will be safe for that??? I wonder why Dodge put them on the truck to begin with???
96
« on: March 29, 2024, 12:52:28 PM »
Don, i have the same truck as yours just a 2015. Its a 3500 dually. I usually just lurk reading all the info this site has. I have to jump in with a warning. We care about you and your families safety. Don’t over estimate those Nexen tires. They are total garbage and i am surprised there has not been a class action lawsuit yet. They are SO DANGEROUS.
My truck weighs 10,000-14,000 daily. I have had six of those Nexens either break belts, bulge sidewalls, or simply blowout. The fronts are not up to the task. Even at 80 psi cold they look like they need air.
When i got the truck i went directly to discount tire to trade them in on some better tires. Discount has always done this. This time they declined due to liability. They told me the tires were dangerous. So i ran them trying to not be wasteful. None made it to 19,000. Just look up the reviews in the forums to see how they are working out.
I know you plan to swap them so just monitor them. With a slide in camper those fronts are going to be hurting. And, a failure there could be catastrophic.
Holy crap, I had no idea! I have a trusted tire guy here. I'll call him right away. So any suggestions for a larger diameter tire that would fit my current wheels? Or do I have to jump in and do it all right away???
97
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:51:04 AM »
I purchased a couple of energy suspension pads to replace the factory-installed scuff pads. The idea is to close up some of that clearance to the 4th spring leaf.
The top pic shows the spacing on the overload with 80 psi air in those airbags.
And, I have a problem. For some reason, both bags lost pressure overnight! I do not know why, but the fact that both did so is troubling. Why is it that seemingly, nothing you buy these days works very well? I consistently have to fix things that are new or that are supposed to "work well" to fix some problem???
98
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:49:14 AM »
So, there you have it, the rear sway bar installed and ready for service!
99
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:48:11 AM »
I may be adding one of those finned rear diff covers to dissipate heat since this truck will spend its life pulling or hauling a bunch of weight for many hours at speed. The Hellwig bar has ample clearance.
The end links fasten to upper mounts which simply clamp/sandwich around the frame. Simple and clever design!
100
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:45:52 AM »
No assembly pics, but the kit relocates the brake lines and fits very well.
|
Show Posts
