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Messages - husker77c

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1
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: June 11, 2018, 12:28:13 PM »
Time for my once a quarter update.

The Ford failed the 5th wheel test.  I set up for a 5 mile pull from the campground to a shop where we were set up for the winter as a shakedown run.  The truck pulled the camper fine.  It needs more power if I continue to push it into a full time tow pig, so I'm researching twins right now.  However stopping the heavy beast was the problem.  It stopped fine and safely on the shakedown run.  With the trailer brake controller and mostly 30-40 mph through town I had no major hiccups.  However there was about a mile stretch where I was able wind it up to around 55mph.  Then when it came time to stop and turn in to the shop, one again it stopped fine but the brakes were smelling pretty bad and when I parked the rotors were too hot to touch.

I think part of the problem was when I rebuilt the rear brakes over the winter I didn't have them adjusted correctly and all of the stopping power was the front brakes alone.

A couple mechanics at my work adjusted the rear brakes for me but I didn't get a chance to pull it again after that.  An employee I work with let me borrow his duramax dually to haul the camper over to our next job location and I drove the Ford over bobtail after that.

I now have until November or so to figure out what my next plan of attack should be.  I NEED a reliable truck to pull my camper but I can't justify the price tag on most newer trucks right now.  In hindsight I shouldn't have sold my 2012, but I did and now I have to figure out what to do.  So my options are.

1) Continue to build the Ford.  Maybe take it to a shop and make sure the brakes are all up to snuff from a professional.  But if I go that route and it comes time to pull and I find out the brakes are never going to be good enough then Im back to square one, actually worse because Ill have to pull and won't know it won't work until I get under the trailer.

2) Buy a truck.  That can be broke down into to options.  One being buy a later model dually, or pick up a single axle international 4300 or similar and install a fifth wheel on it.  With the weight of my camper to be "legal" I really need an F-450 or F-550, and if Im doing that then an international starts to make sense.  A newer 550 can run from 15k for a work truck model to 100k for a platinum 2018. While an international can be had for around 10 used.

While the zombie Ford won't be "legal" either I seriously doubt I will ever get in trouble for it, but I just have to make sure its safe for me and others on the road.

2
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: January 30, 2018, 09:22:50 AM »
Well since I stopped in to check on Square D I figured I could post a little update about the Ford. 

I got back into the Pipeline game so money has been better and I have a company truck to drive now so the Ford stayed put for the better part of last year.  However when a co worker offered me more than what my 2012 was worth I ended up selling Great white and I just used my company truck for a daily driver.  However the time is nearing that I will have to pull my camper to a new location.  I tossed around the idea of buying a 2017 Ford but the idea that I spent 10k less on a truck than I did my house didn’t sit right so why not move the Ford into tow pig duties?   

I brought the truck down to my work site and started in fixing things I knew would be needed to make it pull and be safe.   

New rear brakes, rear wheel seals and bearings.   After the front end rebuild and the rear end maintenance my running gear should be good to go.  I addressed some wiring issues as well.

I built a new panel for under the hood

I ran 4/0 welding cable over to a big truck battery kill switch and then from the switch to my starter and other accessories.   This allows me to shut off and lock the power to the starter as another form of a theft deterrent.   I also cleaned up my relays for the headlights and such and added 4 more relays for future expansion. 

I also put my Reese fifth wheel hitch in. 

I work with a guy that is pretty good with a 12 valve so after I get it back up and running I’ll have him bump the timing and tune it a bit then see what happens when I tow a 14k fifth wheel. 
 


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3
Sorry to read about your troubles.  I was just telling a co worker about your build and the extent you went to build it, so I figured Id come here to check on things.   I hope things get figured out.  I know the decision can be painful to continue to drop money on something you've already spent so much on, but it doesn't seem like something that cannot be overcome. 

4
Firearms / Re: Kydex holsters.
« on: October 01, 2016, 11:05:37 AM »
Here's something I've been looking for to no avail- one for an XDM .45 with a Crimson Trace railmaster laser.  Right hand OTW for the weapon and a IW spare mag for left, with mag set-up with tip of rounds facing forward.

Crimson Trace site advertised one on their site but always "out of stock" and no back order  >:(

Their in lies the problem. There is an astronomical amount of combinations.   And the less popular ones are nearly impossible to find.    That's the reason I started messing around with kydex several years ago.  I had an FNP-45 Tactical with an RMR red dot.  This was before all the current cool kids ran a red dot on a handgun so nobody made anything for that gun in that configuration.  Then you add an insight light i had on it and the only option was a bulky universal nylon rig.   

Is your XDm the 5.25 barrel?


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5
Firearms / Re: Kydex holsters.
« on: September 30, 2016, 03:48:03 PM »
Have you thought about making them light compatible? I know you probably don't have EVERY light option, but not many places make them light capable, and if they do it's a few week wait. Just a thought as I sit on my couch staring at the computer.


I do have plans for light bearing units.    The problems with those are.

1) as you said there are several different lights available.  But there are three main pistol lights. The streamlight TLR-1. The surefire X300 and the new surefire xc1.  So as funds allow I am going to pick those lights up to have them.   

2) the other issue I'm running into is you have to "block" off the gun so that after you mold you can still pull it out of the holster.   It's very complicated to block one off successfully and then repeat it every time I want to build a new holster.   The big holster guys buy or make molds of each gun they build holsters for so it's already blocked off and all they have to do is press it and finish it.  I'm looking into that and once I successfully get a blocked gun that looks good and functions well I am going to attempt to make my own mold of it.  That way it cuts manufacturing time from 2 hours down to 30 minutes or less.   I have several popular models of guns but if I get an order for a gun I don't have I'll have to order a blue gun or a mold for it.  Which means the first holster I make for that type of gun will make me no money and will require a 2-3 week turnaround time due to the molds usually are made to order by the few companies that sell them.   But that's how I'm planning on building up my options for customers.   But it also means if I get an order for a gun I want then I can go pick it up.........because it's for my business...........and it's a tax write off........... at least that's what I'm gonna tell my wife haha.

My coyote stock won't be here till
Monday so this weekend I'm planning on working on a light holster for my G19 and TLR-1.  I'll post up some pics of what I mean by blocking also.


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6
Firearms / Kydex holsters.
« on: September 30, 2016, 03:35:06 PM »
Any plans for a colt 45 husker? I'm a Tan fan, so you peeked my interest.
Colt 45 as in single action army?   Or as in 1911?

If it's the latter I did one up for my old kimber. 



This one still needed the edges polished and cleaned up. 


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7
Firearms / Kydex holsters.
« on: September 30, 2016, 02:54:57 PM »
I've started a new email for this.   Send me an email with your address and I'll get one made up this weekend and send it out. 
When you send the email send me what size belt you run.  I normally make them for a 1.5" belt.  Anything much bigger than that and the belt slide style becomes impractical.   The shield .40 is the same size as the 9mm I have so shouldn't be a problem.
 
steelcityconcealment@yahoo.com


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8
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: September 30, 2016, 11:35:50 AM »
I could probably work that up.  My new job is in a sketchy part of town so I usually roll with it laying in my lap haha.  But a more permanent solution would be better. 


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9
Firearms / Kydex holsters.
« on: September 30, 2016, 11:12:46 AM »
G23 and G19 is the same physical size gun so holsters are interchangeable.  So since I have a G19 So the holster in the above post would fit a G23 also.  And it just so happens I have an XDs .45 and a 9mm shield that I have built holsters for already.   I didn't post on here to sell though.  That's kind of like fishing from the pier if you get me.   But what I will do is I can send holsters out to you guys free of charge and you test them out.  If you like them then we can work out a deal.   I'm thinking of selling a standard IWB rig for $55 so if you guys like them and want to keep them then we can figure out a fair price that's less than what I'm gonna charge.  I need feedback mostly right now and I'd be willing to heavily discount them for that. I need to know how they ride (to high, to low) if they have good retention or need more retention.  Comfortable etc. 

Here's a shield

 


And here's the XDs.  It's a .45 with a 3.3" barrel so I believe it should fit the smaller caliber guns as well. 




And Six.  By active retention you are meaning a hood like comes on a safariland holster? 

I'm going to be making some adjustable retention holsters this weekend as long as my coyote colored stock comes in.   Also trying out a different style of belt clip.   


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10
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: September 30, 2016, 07:24:29 AM »
So true brother.  I started a thread in the firearm section about them.


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11
Firearms / Kydex holsters.
« on: September 29, 2016, 11:51:05 PM »
So this is my new hobby/business.  I talked the wife into letting me invest a little money into a holster making business and these are some of what I've created.    I figured if I didn't sell one at the very least I could get holsters for every gun I have for pennies.  Not to mention mag carriers and all sorts of other cool stuff.   I got a table at a gun show about a month ago and basically showed off a few to see if it was a viable option to make some extra money.    The show went well enough that I got a green light to get some more material and pursue it further. 

Here's what I've done so far.

I started out making these belt slide type units.   They hug the body and conceal really well for an OWB type. 







At the show I realized I needed more of a standard IWB holster that everyone makes.  That's what I got asked for the most so I whipped these up.

Glock 19




I made some more for my Shield and XDm but they look the same as the Glock. 

Also made some adjustable retention IWB mag carriers.



I've got an order of coyote brown kydex coming in this weekend so I'll be fleshing out some other ideas I have. 


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12
Firearms / I AM NOT A GUN FREE ZONE
« on: September 29, 2016, 11:40:09 PM »


Shield 9mm IWB



XDm 9mm


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13
Build Threads / Re: "SPARTAN" 1991 Suburban 2500 build and 6BT
« on: September 29, 2016, 11:30:34 PM »
Don't know if you figured out the thermostat housing yet but mine pointed forward in the dodge configuration.  The place I got most of my adapter parts at had a straight up housing I bought. 

Did some digging.  Here it is. 

https://www.dieselconversion.com/water-neck-assembly-128.html

14
Build Threads / Re: SquareD Part 7 Start it up!
« on: September 29, 2016, 11:21:26 PM »
Man I've been off of here awhile.  Just getting caught up.   Fantastic work on the snorkel. 

15
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: September 29, 2016, 11:14:32 PM »

 
How is the ol ford coming along


Raising boys into RealMen!!

Haven't been on here in a while.   I've been busy with a new "normal" job.  Turning wrenches on roll off dumpster trucks.   Not oil field money but I'm learning a lot and it's kind of nice to only work m-f and 40 hours a week.  I also started a little side business making kydex holsters and selling them at gun shows around these parts.  Gun shows are few and far between though in the summertime up here it seems but there's one almost every weekend for the next few months so hopefully that takes off a bit. 

 Ford is good.  It's my on again off again daily driver.   I never got the AC hooked up so it's been parked most of the summer due to the heat but now that it's cooling off it will get a lot more miles.  With access to a proper shop now I'm already starting to think about installing a reverse shackle kit and super duty leaves up front and moving up in tire size a little bit.   I'm also entertaining the idea of a service/utility body for it.   I hate that I had to take all my tools to the shop which leaves me with the bare minimum here at home.  A service body would solve that and if we have a truck go down on the road at work I could use that to go render aid (at an additional cost to my boss of course).   And I may try to hire out as a truck mechanic on a pipeline next year and I'll need a service truck for that so it seems like a good idea. 

16
General Maintenance, How to/DIY projects / Re: Seat Cover Thread
« on: April 29, 2016, 10:45:36 AM »
I put buckets in the ford a few weeks ago and they are blue. The rest of the interior is tan so I've been looking at seat covers and these crossed my mind quite a few times.   Is the fit acceptable?  It seams like seat covers are sometimes very ill fitting.    Did it come with the molle pouches?  Do you think you will actually use the pouches?   I think it's a great idea but I'm not sure what I'd use the pouches for.


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17
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 16, 2016, 01:17:14 PM »
Thank you for that. 

And yes a large fuel tank is great.  For me to stop for fuel its about a 20 min process.  If you don't have to stop for fuel but need to  use facilities a stop at a rest area takes about 5 minutes.  Averaged out over a trip saves a significant amount of time.

That's a good idea to plan for SAMs.  And to have the app as a backup.  You'd need that gas buddy running out west.   I80 through NE and WY it could be 500 miles or more between SAMs clubs.  Grand island NE to Cheyenne would be one gap.  Then Cheyenne to probably Salt Lake City.  I70 through Kansas would be similar. 


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18
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 16, 2016, 10:20:12 AM »
Well I'm on my way home from MI.  Bad news on the dr visit but we are trying some new things and are hopeful things will improve.   

The truck has done really well.  Rock solid temperature and oil pressure.   Will cruise smooth up to 80mph without much coaxing.  It's sweet spot is around 70. 

It really isn't that terrible in the ride quality department.   It's loud though. After 13 hours in it my ears are humming for a few hours afterwards.  I'd like to address that but not sure what else I could do. 

Fuel economy is good but a little down from what I was hoping.  I'm averaging about 18 mpg.  I was hoping for 20s but for higher speed highway driving its good.  I think with a timing change and some more tuning I can get 20s. 

The larger rear fuel tank is awesome.  I didn't need to fill up at anytime I got fuel but I wanted to calculate mileage.  I'm getting around 350 miles when I fuel up and the gauge reads a couple needles over a half tank so I'll be close to 700 miles off the rear tank and another 350 or so off the front. 

I have approx 500 miles left until I'm home and I don't plan to stop for fuel again. 


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19
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 10, 2016, 10:22:47 PM »
All looks good! I'm gunna go out on a limb here, the shackle mounts are 1/2"? If you're not on a straight pull I think you may bend those to the side some. I don't think they'll let go just think they might twist a little possibly.

Good eye. Yeah it was suggested before that a side load might tweak them and I would have to agree.  I've been trying to figure out some gussets that look decent and will be strong enough.    I may end up laying a piece of 1/4x3 flat bar all the way across the top of the two mounts to tie them both together.   Plus it could be used as a step to get up on the bumper. 

Yeah I may incorporate a battery tender type thing into the heating/AC side of the truck.  It's never done lol.

20
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 10, 2016, 07:08:23 PM »
Finishing up a few loose ends before I leave on the 700 mile trip tomorrow. 

Installed some Chinese spot lights.


Tacked the mount onto my license plate bracket because I'm not sure what a final living configuration will be. 

Installed my plug for the block heater. 





And I installed my cell phone booster.

I made an antenna mount out of angle iron with room for the booster antenna, a CB antenna and a future 2m set up. May have to ground the mount better so I drilled a small hole for a ground wire in case that becomes and issue. 



The booster antenna is obnoxious but it's a life saver in those fringe cell reception areas. 




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21
Build Threads / Re: 2008 Jeep Jk 4 Door
« on: April 10, 2016, 07:00:56 PM »
I like the stubby end caps if you decide to keep the factory front.  I like the look of very little in front of your front tires.  Looks mean.


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22
Build Threads / Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 06, 2016, 10:45:38 PM »
That's a good idea running the plug to the body haha. My girl can't get the clutch all the way in on the truck so I'm the only driver. 

I'm not running a factory filter base.   The guy that pulled my engine didn't get all the banjo fittings and I couldn't find the correct bolts for it anyway.  So I'm running two filter bases on the frame rail and running a separate filter and water separator.   I can use any filter that has a 1" inlet.  I originally built it to run a cat 1R-0750 filter because they are supposed to be a 2 micron filter.  About $30 a pop though.  But that's to be expected with anything painted yellow lol.

Only pic I have in my phone of the bases.




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23
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 06, 2016, 07:41:37 PM »

I had E-tract in a trailer and liked it. Pulled it out when I sold it plan on using in burb. Nice that you can get accs. for it almost anywhere, even HF!

Yeah it's handy for sure. 

I changed my mind a bit about the fuel pump.  I realized I had better put a filter on the tank in case I run into a batch of bad fuel and it's just a good idea.   

I didn't really have room for one on top of the tank so I went and got some black iron and rigged up a little something. 





I'll get a filter head and put it on the end of the pipe.  I may run a dual setup like I put on the engine so I can run the same filters on the tank and on the truck.  That way in a pinch I could swap the tank filter with the truck filter to get out of a bind.  And I only have to carry one set of spares. 


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24
Radio/Comms / Re: GMRS: Who is using them?
« on: April 06, 2016, 05:11:39 PM »

More,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Yep. Post a thread on your repeater.  I'd like to see it.   

The UV-5Rs are great little radios for the money.  I have a couple that we use for road trips. 

But seriously I'd love to see your repeater set up.


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25
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 06, 2016, 02:56:42 PM »
Welded in the E track.   They are made of some crappy metal.  But they should hold up well enough for anything I need to haul.




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26
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 06, 2016, 01:24:39 PM »

Put a wood plate inside the hole and screw the plate to it.

That's a good idea. But I welded up a little bracket that should work well. 

Had an Amazon gift card so I got some goodies. 

Plug for the block heater for the bumper.  I'm probably going to run this plug to a junction box somewhere and have this plug split off to run battery heaters and a fuel filter heater. That way I plug one extension cord in and it can run all heating systems.



Also picked up a 12volt fuel pump.
We exclusively use fill-rite on pipelines and they are stupid reliable.  In fact I've never seen one fail.  This one is a little smaller though because I don't need to fuel heavy equipment with it.   


I'm setting it up with cam lock fittings to be able to easily disconnect it and configure it to pull from the on board tank or be able to hook up a draw hose from the inlet side and suck out of other tanks.   In case of an emergency I can suck out of  abandoned heavy equipment, tractors, anything really. Get a long enough hose and I would be able to pull from underground tanks at gas stations.  The pump will supposedly pull 15' of head but we'll see.




Painted my tool box finally



I welded some tie down points to the bed rails.





I'm also thinking I'm going to put a section of E-track I have down each rail for more attachment points.

 




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27
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 06, 2016, 09:41:37 AM »

Spring clips mounted to the license plate that clip to the rollers on the sides of the fairlead.

That will be the end result but I don't have a winch or fair lead yet.   So I need something temporary that I can use till I get a winch. 


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28
D.O.T. / Re: Interactive nuclear bomb website
« on: April 05, 2016, 06:19:03 PM »
I've come across that site several times in the past few years.  I always play with it in whatever part of the country I'm in.    All but the biggest nukes I would likely survive the initial blast.  After that site I usually end up checking for the prevailing winds in whatever part of the country I'm in. 

I've been very "into" nuclear war since I was a kid growing up.  I watched a movie the other day I hadn't seen since I was a kid.  The day after.  It's on YouTube and you guys may have seen it.   Makes you think In a full scale nuclear war you might be better off to go in the initial blasts.  Radiation poisoning would be a bad way to check out.


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29
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 05, 2016, 05:56:14 PM »
Well I've been busy getting the Ford road trip ready.   My dads cancer is back and he has to go back through chemo starting Tuesday so I'm leaving this weekend for MI.  Going to take the Ford and see how she does.  I'm curious about fuel mileage and it's manners on the interstate. 

I fixed my non centered steering wheel from when I rebuilt the front end. 

Installed my oil pressure gauge and changed the oil.   I'm going to have some free time up at dads so I'm taking all my electrical things and I'm going to re wire all the gauges. 



Cleaned out the bed and tacked on some eye bolts for a makeshift spare tire mount.





I painted the bumper the other day and got my 7/8 shackles.  Just put em on for the pic.  I don't want them stolen so I'll keep em in the tool box till I need them. 



I have to figure out a license plate bracket or something for the front bumper.  I don't want to drill holes if they aren't going to be in a permanent location.  I may cut a board to bolt to the fair lead holes and mount it to that for the time being.


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30
Build Threads / Re: M715.9
« on: April 02, 2016, 12:52:15 PM »

Thats one sweet square body build in that link.  I wish I had that kind of time

My thoughts exactly. 


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31
Build Threads / Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 01, 2016, 06:12:34 PM »
Yikes.  What brand is on the crossovers in the first pic?

91 model. My guess would be it was hard wired to everything.  Parking lights ignition etc. Which means there is absolutely no good way to remove except through trial and error.  Kind of lake the squiggly thing in the alien movies.  You can remove it but it kills the host lol. 

Was it just an alarm or a remote start too?

Edit.  I see they are MB Quart crossovers.  Those are worth a few bucks to someone.   They are bi-amp three way crossovers.  If you want to sell them let me know.  I may be interested.


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32
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 01, 2016, 02:39:45 PM »

Dealing with that in the sub I am flipping. So many wires from the alarm and it turns but no spark or fuel. At least I have another to compare!

If the alarm was wired in by a pro then that's more than likely how they set up the starter kill.  But a starter kill in an alarm won't allow it to crank.  They could have wired in the same type of relay on the fuel pump or coils. Just replace the switch in the diagram with the trigger from the alarm brain.   Alarms/remote starts in 90s through 08-09ish were a rats nest of wires especially in multiplex cars.  Wire is a positive trigger on some circuits and negative trigger on others all running through the same wire.  Once everything went to data bus it's a lot simpler wiring to install and remove.   Heck I can even use my factory key fob to run my Viper alarm/remote start on my 2012. 


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33
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: April 01, 2016, 08:17:15 AM »
Yep.  A starter kill is cheap insurance.   I'm going to wire in an additional relay into the starter circuit.  I used to work at a car stereo shop and one of my best friends is a genius with automotive wiring.   A starter kill relay is pretty basic but if you don't know where that switch is then it will never start or even crank. 

Here's my diagram if anyone wants to do the same.  Wire colors will obviously be different though. 


Like I said I will have a visible switch on the dash and I'm going to bury one somewhere else that I will switch when I need theft a  deterrent.


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34
Hide Site / Re: Retaining wall construction.
« on: March 31, 2016, 09:56:41 PM »

where i'm from(MASS) anything over 4' has to be engineered & stamped, just an fyi...

This is why I have a feeling I will end up hiring someone.  Or re thinking the whole proposition and making a seperate parking area lower down the hill where it's more flat.


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35
Build Threads / Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 31, 2016, 09:18:35 PM »
I like this project because it's simple, practical, affordable and unlike mine, will probably RUN!

Lol. I have faith that D will run in due time. 

It is affordable. I've got maybe $400 in steel for all these projects.  I tried to scour craigslist for steel but nothing ever came up that was usable to me. 

It is simple because I only have short bursts of time to work on it. Being unemployed means extra wife scrutiny and I have to handle a majority of the household chores while she works.   So I needed to be able to go outside have a quick thing I could do and then get back to whatever else I was doing. 

And practical because it went from a zombie apocalypse truck to a future daily driver.   I'm going to have to sell my 2012 to cover some debt I have from my previous life so the Ford will be pushed into daily driver duties for a year or two, maybe longer.   

I have zero need for a late model truck ever again. I think back to all the money I've wasted keeping up with the oil field Joneses and I want to kick myself.  It's just not necessary.  I'm not getting down on people who do it but that's not a rat race I want to be in anymore.

This truck does 95% of what a late model truck will.  Might not ride as nice or have backup sensors and such but I'll live. 

And I finally got my front driveshaft installed.  I had it lengthened and it was about an inch to long so I had to go get it shortened a bit.  Fits like a champ now and it's fully operational.   I think I'm going to fix my crooked steering wheel tomorrow and take it for a drive to use my fuel perks to put 30 gallons in the auxiliary fuel tank for free.

Also made this little guy for the wasted area on the instrument bezel.  I'm going to wire a starter kill into one of the safety switches along with a second hidden switch for that circuit.  The other safety switch may be an all kill for the other three switches (a la Square D) which will be hooked up to a light bar, and fog lights for the bumper and a third TBD circuit.




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36
Build Threads / Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 31, 2016, 06:50:43 PM »
Well it stopped raining and I got the brace/jack mount fitted and the bed rails on.  They aren't bolted down yet and the piece behind the cab has to go in yet but it's taking shape.




I'm going to paint the rest of the tool box but wanted to get the part behind the brace painted. 

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37
Build Threads / Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 31, 2016, 01:25:16 PM »
Well after 3 hours of an electrician here trying to figure out why my outside outlet net belly up we found this stellar wiring job by the previous owner.



Fixed up now and the wife's out of town so I started hitting it hard on the ford.  Until it started raining.  Grrrr I need a shop. 

But some progress.

Got one end of the bumper plated.



I picked up my angle for the bed rails.

I hit the bottom side with undercoating in a can so I shouldn't have any rust issues where the bed meets the rails. 

I got my jack mount finished.




That piece will tie into the bed rails behind the tool box and stiffen everything up lock the tool box and fuel tank into the bed. 

It will go here


Hopefully the rain passes soon so I can get back to work.  I'd like to have all these projects finished by the weekend. 


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38
Hide Site / Re: Retaining wall construction.
« on: March 29, 2016, 04:50:06 PM »
I had thought about forming and pouring a wall,  i would think you would need a fairly large footer buried at the bottom of the tall end to keep the whole U shape from sliding down the hill.   but it would be a challenge to get a concrete truck to the back wall.  Would almost have to rent a pump. 

I thought about timbers and installing a deadman back into the ground every few rows up. 

I would have to rent a roller or a jumping jack to compact the soil every few truck loads of fill.

39
Hide Site / Re: Hide/Bug-out site construction thread, Part 2
« on: March 29, 2016, 03:41:40 PM »

Just down the hill is a good spot to slide that camper in, but there was a mess of brush and a huge nasty bush/tree thing. I chain sawed the trees and stacked them in around that ugly tree thing. I'll set fire to it and hopefully kill that weed/bush/tree thing

It looks like it might be an Osage Orange (Hedge Apple) tree and those make great firewood!  Hard on chainsaws, but burn really hot/high BTUs.

And the wrinkled green  fruit things that fall off it are supposedly good for keeping insects away.  The in laws load up buckets of them and put them in their basement.


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40
Hide Site / Retaining wall construction.
« on: March 29, 2016, 03:36:33 PM »
If any of you have ever been to Pittsburgh you know that none of it is flat.  We have about a 1/2 acre of land but it drops off about 6' over 30' off of our parking area then the slope gradually lessens down to almost flat at the back of the property. 

I am getting quotes to build a retaining wall to expand our parking area this summer and to have a place for a future garage. 

Has anyone built a wall this high?   The back of the wall will be close to 6' high.  If it was a foot or two I might try to build it myself but that high I know I'm going to have to have a professional do it.   Can't have it fail with two big diesel trucks sitting on it.  Or a building in the future.

Short video of the area.




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41
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 28, 2016, 11:10:12 AM »
It was fairly old and the whole spool seemed to be the same way.   My heat is as high as it will go. I have just been running the beads pretty fast on the plate.  I could probably get a hotter bead if I stayed in one place a little while longer before moving. 


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42
Build Threads / Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 28, 2016, 10:24:56 AM »
Well I blew out the electrical outlet that I was using outside so no progress till an electrician gets here.   It's not a flipped breaker and anything else with AC wiring is out of my skill set so I have to wait till tomorrow to get that fixed. 

In the meantime I'm mocking up my next project. 

This pic is mock up for measurements with some small pieces I had. 




I'm going to up armor the bed rails with 4x4 angle on the sides and 2x3 angle up front.  Going to run the angle the length of the bed and the cross piece in the front.   Then I'm debating welding in a piece along the tool box that will lock the box and fuel tank in place.  It will also give me a mounting point for the hi lift jack.

If I don't ever have to pull my camper with this truck I'm going to build an expedition rack for the back.   Put a large basket up top and maybe carry my spare up there. 

Maybe something like this



I've also entertained the idea of having a canvas tarp made to drape over a rack like that and snap to the rack.  Wouldn't be 100% waterproof or secure but would at least keep my stuff back there fairly dry.

Something like this.



I wish I had done a military trailer as a truck bed back when I replaced the bed on this but oh well. I can work with what I have. 

My girl goes back to TX for work on Wednesday so I will have several full days to work on the truck.   Hope to get bumper finished and painted and bed rails done.  If there is any time left I will see about a grill guard for the bumper. 




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43
General Vehicle Related Discussion / Re: vehicles we wish we had
« on: March 28, 2016, 08:15:10 AM »

I had a FJ40 back a long time ago. That thing was stout from the word go. As much as I liked it I was not a huge fan of the inline 6. Of course rebuilding it in the driveway will do that! ha.

I love the new Icon versions. Would love one of these:



http://icon4x4.com/fj

I learned to drive a stick in my dads FJ.  I don't know why he ever bought it but he had a yellow 77.  It rusted down to almost nothing and I told him I would give him $5 more than whatever price he got when he talked of selling it.   It sat for 15 years at his place in MI rotting away and he had someone put it on eBay and sell it for him while I was away for work. He got $6500 for a rusted out heap that had serious electrical gremlins and wouldn't even run.  The guy who bought it was on the east coast and paid $1500 to have it delivered to him.  $8000 for a vehicle that needed a full frame off restoration.

When asked about my $5 over bid for it he replied you didn't want that piece of junk. Grrrrrrrrrr. 


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44
General Vehicle Related Discussion / Re: vehicles we wish we had
« on: March 27, 2016, 08:53:37 PM »
Besides the pre requisite Ferraris and such, a 458 Italia specifically.  I would love to own one of these.




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45
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 26, 2016, 12:39:39 PM »

Looks much better and the welds are picking up too. Is the wire a diff number or just brand?

Just brand. Same .035 flux core.  This HF stuff is much darker color than the Hobart.   The Hobart is silver.  I even double checked to make sure I didn't have non flux core Hobart.  But they are both the same specs.



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46
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 26, 2016, 11:52:07 AM »
Thanks man.  It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.  I've got a ranch hand style pipe bumper on the back that was on the truck when I bought it.  It's held on by one bolt and a 2" weld on each side so I have to either re work it or build a new one.   I've been leaning towards a new one because it would just be easier to incorporate a strong receiver hitch into a new one.   Plus it has a piece in the middle that comes down that I'm always scraping when I have to go up a steep hill for work.

Only pic I have on my phone.



If I do build one I'm going to do a piece of 2x6 or 2x8 1/4 wall rectangle tubing.   Then pass the mounts through the tubing just like on the front one.  Tie the receiver into the mounts and have rear recovery points like the front. 

Rectangle tube would be easier to incorporate a swing away tire carrier into.
Yeah I've thought about the rear a lot lol.

Doubt the rear gets done anytime soon though.


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47
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 26, 2016, 10:48:54 AM »


Decided to break out the big gun for grinding.  Almost done now lol


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48
Build Threads / Re: Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 26, 2016, 10:20:18 AM »
Well a little update on my welding fiasco.   I ran out of wire yesterday and when I was getting my new hood I picked up a roll of harbor freight flux core.  I be only ever used Hobart brand wire.  Holy cow what a difference.  I'm not a great welder and with my recent experiences I was getting frustrated.   This stuff welds so much smoother than the Hobart



My mount pass through before.



And after.


Not the same place but I didn't take a before on that area. 

Still have hours of grinding but it may end up decent after all.




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49
Build Threads / Re: 2008 Jeep Jk 4 Door
« on: March 26, 2016, 07:46:56 AM »
My girl has a 2015 wrangler four door.  My only compliant about it is the same one.   The engine is seriously lacking in power.    I'll be watching this build. 


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50
Build Threads / Zombie Ford F-350
« on: March 24, 2016, 04:40:26 PM »
Are you using the mig with gas or flux core?

Flux core will give you a deeper weld vs gas. In the meantime a good old stick welder will work for those deep welds too and not break the bank. A good bead using 5/32 7011 will yeild a great weld and the flux will roll right off.

Flux core .035.  I don't have the regulator kit for the welder to run gas.   

I only have 4 heat settings and I set it to 4 and wire speed at about 25 out of 100 and I can't get a bead to stick to that 1/2".  I try starting on the 1/2" and running the puddle onto the plate but I can't get a decent puddle to drag down there. I start on the plate and try to bring the puddle up to the 1/2" and I lose the puddle.  So I have a bunch of bird crap welds all stacked on each other.  Looks terrible but it seems solid. Smacked it with a sledge a few times to make sure.   I know it's not penetrated very far into the 1/2" though.  I'll grind it down and I'm going to take it in to the machine shop to have them make me some bracing for the recovery points and I'll see if they can do anything better with it.

I wish I had a stick welder for getting more penetration.  But without a garage or even a shed for tools I just don't have the room.  I could have filled that gap so easy with a few rods.  I'm going to start watching craigslist for a welder and possibly a plasma cutter. 


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