delete

[ri-f]

For some time now I have been researching Coyote and Staun automatic tire deflators and decided the Coyote's were better for my application so I ordered up a set of four with an initial setting of 20 PSI.

+1 on Coyote. Quality, one-engineer shop. Great guy. Ask him what time it is and he'll explain the inner workings of a watch. We talked about washboard roads and occilations and wound up having a twenty minute discussion of Fournier transforms. Set mine @ 40 psi.

Rich

 

[Lighthawk]

Here are the Mopar heavy duty splash guards installed.

Rear

Front

LOOKING GOOD!
Those flares and flaps look like they were OEM.
After mounting my Hawk for the first time, I found my jacks were 83" apart and the trucks widest point was the tires (stock) at 79". It looks like adding flares would make clearance a bit tighter, but do-able.

When is your Grandby due?

 

[Lighthawk]

Thanks for documenting your build

 

[goinoregon]

And here is the second upgrade which will be the installation of the OEM projector LED headlights so these tired eyes can see better at night. This also requires a custom wiring harness being built for $175 using all OEM style connectors, wire, etc. and a few changes to the code in the BCM.

i am curious how you came to select these lights. since they are "oem" wouldnt the factory or dealer install?
i have a 2015 gmc, and have never liked the headlights. just recently updated to led, but these fit into std headlight connectors.

 

[goinoregon]

wow RC - there is a lot going on with those lights !! i assume the projector leds project more lumens ??

my next question - is you say you are going to put the camper on, and leave it on, and you liked the 8' bed for larger interior - so, why didnt you go ahead and put a flat bed on, and then you would even get more camper sq footage ?

and thx again for sharing your buildout of both truck and camper, and decision trees.
go

 

[goinoregon]

Great questions!

Upgrading to the projector LEDs really only cost several hundred more and at my age the additional advantage offered by a slightly better light for just a bit more was worth it. If I opted for the standard LEDs I am pretty sure I would have been happy but considering all of the money I was planning to spend on the truck, camper, etc. a few hundred more was not that bid of a deal.

I think the flatbeds are really nice and might just go for one someday but there are two primary reasons I went with the slide-in:

1) Massive increase in price for slight increase in square footage. The slid-in shell cost me $13k and took a few hours to install. The base flatbed begins at $32k and also requires a flatbed ($10-13k) plus additional labor. Granted the flatbed is decked out but I have different ideas for a layout and equipment. At nearly 2-3 times the price I just did not see that much additional value in the flatbed for my application.

2) As mentioned above - interior layout and FWC equipment choices. It seems most of the equipment is fine for most folks but I was looking to try some different pieces and paying a high price for gear I was simply going to remove just didn't sit well with me.

One of the most valuable features of the flatbed I see happens to be the storage underneath the bed. Then again I have climbed up into a few flatbeds and it just seems much higher and slightly awkward. Entering from the rear seems so much more easier and natural.

Who knows, maybe someday I will go for a flatbed model but right now mine is so spacious compared to my James Baroud rooftop tent on my Jeep I can't imagine the need for much more. And it only cost me $17k installed with a few options.

thx for your answers. i didnt think the price uptick was that dramatic. sheesh

 

[goinoregon]

nice looking rig, camper.
i put an alucab shadow awning on my camper, and am very happy with it. lots of coverage, and very easy to use, and to put away. and very sturdy

 

[Lighthawk]

AEV called me today with an early birthday present.

Bad to the bone!

Now, go get it dirty.

 

[goinoregon]

I would really like to learn more about your upgrade to a 270° awning - why you decided on this one, how you mounted it, any changes you might recommend, etc. I have a James Baroud awning on my Jeep and although I use it occasionally it takes some time to deploy, even more to stow, and offers limited coverage. I have been considering the 270s and would love to learn more.

a fellow from central washington, hodakaguy, posts on this site. has done all sorts of conversions, including a unimog. he recommended, and he put one on his dads pop up. its very hvy duty, and easy to set up. really only a few mins. i bought the awning from mule outfitters, as they have a location here in pdx. they also designed mounting brackets. the thing is not light, so once i got the camper back here, i took it out to their shop and had them install.
if you can find a post here from hodakaguy, i think he has links to his builds, and you can see how he installed on his dads pop up. very informative fellow, and both he, and his dad have some building skills.
i got lucky on this site, and found a retired electrical engineer who lives within walking distance from me. he volunteered to help design my elec/solar setup, provided a puchase pick list, with links . i just had to buy all the stuff, and he came over and helped set it all up. i am a bit clueless on electrical. so now, i have a temp elec setup so i can power fridge/freezer. once i build out some shelving/cabinets, will reinstall in better/final spot.
good luck
greg

 

[PJorgen]

No question its a beautiful rig.

However, living in the Nevada desert as I do, I cringe anytime I see a black vehicle, and yours looks to be triple black. Do you anticipate any issues staying cool in warm weather?

 

[goinoregon]

Thank you and although it is not visible the roof of the Four Wheel Camper is white. The truck is Granite Chrystal Metallic Clear-Coat which is nearly black. I decided to go with black for the camper so it would not appear to be so much larger as compared to the truck.

I did spend time considering going white/white although they grey and black seems to blend into the forest easier plus I do spend much time camping in the winter so it will be interesting if the dark colors absorb some free heat from the sun. All in all I though about it and figured I would give this a try. I guessed if color choice made such a huge difference for the camper then many would be talking about it. The truck...just open the doors and kick on the AC for a few minutes.

I must visit Fallon and Reno though since my father spent time out there many decades ago...

i just bought a new city driver car, and the color name just makes me laugh - soul red crystal metallic . sheesh, way too much information. thats a good idea to put white on roof, though solar, and fan take up a lot of the space.

 

[goinoregon]

yes. i had just the full size truck for about 3 months here in pdx , and decided i needed a 'city driver'. so bought parents 2005 camry. worked great in and around city. now upgraded to a 2019 small suv. took it to the coast salmon fishing, and it averaged 30 mpg

 

[art@lanlogic.com]

Chet:

Fantastic detail on this build. Questions: where is your spare tire mounted and where do you plan to mount the compressor?

Thanks,

Art

 

[kmcintyre]

Great info, thanks! I've been searching for a 3500 diesel for a flatbed install but alas, I think I'm going to have to wait for inventory to get better. I ideally would like a chassis cab but we'll see what happens. If I could get anywhere near the friends and family price that'd be awesome. I think you got a great deal in this environment.

 

[kmcintyre]

You are welcome KM and it sounds like you have a great plan. There are many guys building 5500 chassis cabs on other forums since those seems to be another option. Make sure you start a post and share pics and info.

Will do when the time arrives... I"m wiating for prices to come down, rebates, incentives, etc. and it could take quite a while ....

 

[goinoregon]

ok, dumb question - what is the benefit of the white paint on the bolts and parts? is it to highlight when something is coming loose?

 

[Machinebuilder]

ok, dumb question - what is the benefit of the white paint on the bolts and parts? is it to highlight when something is coming loose?

It is used for visual verification that the bolt is tightened.

Its a very common quality check used in industry.

I try to mark everything I tighten as i build a machine, it saves a lot of problems later.

 

[goinoregon]

It is used for visual verification that the bolt is tightened.

Its a very common quality check used in industry.

I try to mark everything I tighten as i build a machine, it saves a lot of problems later.

Thanks ! makes sense

 

[Lighthawk]

Those are some great shots, Chet. I liked the shot through the grasses and the last one, done in B&W.
With those muddy conditions you must be loving those mud flaps.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Chet thanks for posting the great photos.
Frank