Project Survival Truck
12-29-2009, 01:38 AM
#21
December 2009 TOTM!
Some of those Tacoma's are decked the F out.. holy smokes. Sweet offroad bumper ideas for my truck though...
12-29-2009, 10:50 AM
#22
Fords r us
Thread Starter
so far, so good, guys. you are validating my assumptions about the expertise available here. this is great stuff, keep it coming! i'm going to do a roundup later today and show where the plan is now.
as to those of you who chose to go off-topic, "bizarre". etc. first, i want to say i appreciate the courtesy in your comments, especially compared to f150online, where i posted the same thread. over there, i've had to "ignore" several people who don't just disagree with me, but obviously believe i have deliberately attacked their favorite gods, stolen their dogs, or done some other equally despicable things... what ever happened to just being able to "agree to disagree"? you guys here set an example they would do well to follow.
having said all that, i would appreciate it if we just dropped that subject. i only included it to make the requirement clear, so the recommendations would have a focus. if we want to argue our society, we should probably start a new thread.
finally, i'm going to add to the requirements later today - i can see i was not as clear as i could have been, and that's led some astray.
as to those of you who chose to go off-topic, "bizarre". etc. first, i want to say i appreciate the courtesy in your comments, especially compared to f150online, where i posted the same thread. over there, i've had to "ignore" several people who don't just disagree with me, but obviously believe i have deliberately attacked their favorite gods, stolen their dogs, or done some other equally despicable things... what ever happened to just being able to "agree to disagree"? you guys here set an example they would do well to follow.
having said all that, i would appreciate it if we just dropped that subject. i only included it to make the requirement clear, so the recommendations would have a focus. if we want to argue our society, we should probably start a new thread.
finally, i'm going to add to the requirements later today - i can see i was not as clear as i could have been, and that's led some astray.
12-29-2009, 11:51 AM
#23
Fords r us
Thread Starter
Ok, here’s a recoup of where I am now, with some clarification:
Fist, let me clarify the requirements:
1. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP
a. I don’t have a lot of money, so I’m going for the most cost-effective. Yes, an M1 Abrams tank would do the job, but I can’t buy one. I can’t even afford a used F250 crew cab, though that was my first choice. I bought a used, low mileage F150 because I could afford it. If I’d been smarter in my youth, I could probably afford anything I want, but, if I’d been smarter in my youth, I might be president and we wouldn’t be in this mess (we’d be in a different one!)
b. If it only costs a few hundred dollars, I might well do it for even a miniscule gain. If it’s a 1500 dollar bumper capable of surviving IEDs, well, it ain’t happening. If I hit an IED, I’m dead. A good bumper is probably not necessary for the casket. So, E-fans, programmers, UDPs, etc. are good bets. Diesel engine swaps, military axles, not so much.
2. RELIABILITY.
a. Obviously, there are as many opinions on this as there are those of you gracious enough to part with your wisdom and experience. I would prefer to hear more about how far modifications can go while minimizing maintenance requirements.
i. Mods such as moving the battery, going to dual batts and/or alternators, are good bets. It strikes me that such mods are almost maintenance free, if done correctly.
ii. Body armor, etc. are good bets, but only if suspension mods are included. Everything that increases the suspension load has to be accounted for. So, if put a push bar/bumper/etc. on the front, I might have to go to fiberglass hood and fenders to make up for the weight increase.
iii. Some mods should be dead last. Such as the suspension upgrade I mentioned above – before I do anything to increase suspension performance, I should first lighten the load as much as possible, within available finances.
iv. I have seriously considered engine upgrades, but, all things being equal, before I go very far down that road, I’m probably going to drop in an OEM V8 on the theory that the farther below rated capacity an engine works, the longer it will last. So there are limits to how far I’m willing to mod the existing V6. I’ll do it, but I think some of the supersixmotorsports.com stuff is probably not going to happen.
v. Reliability means protection, so body armor is worthwhile, such as skid plates, push bars, etc. Again, has to be cost effective.
3. Range
a. I want to be as independent of gas stations as possible
i. This means better mpg, and greater fuel carrying capacity.
ii. Somebody mentioned being able to make my own diesel – that sounds absolutely fascinating – tell more?
iii. I didn’t ask for storage solutions, but the more I can carry, the farther I can go – not only gas, but food, water, tires, spare parts, etc. Let’s hear from the Turtle Expedition fans out there!
4. Off-Road
a. This is not ever going to be any kind of off-road performance vehicle. I’m more than willing to go slow, go around, air down my tires, dig, bridge, etc.
b. Most of you know smart, careful driving can get almost anything amazingly far off-road. I am not racing. So I’m going to settle for smart mods that increase independence from paved roads. I’m not going to go swimming (well, not deep anyway), or cliff climbing. I am going to cross farmer’s fields, as little mud as I have to, etc.
c. I think, given all of the above, that what counts more than anything else is self-recoverability, ground clearance and traction. Comments?
5. Misc.
a. Radios, survival gear, first aid kits, winches, shepherd’s jacks, levers, pry bars, come-alongs, solar stills, solar battery chargers, generators, air compressors, floor jacks, genie’s in a bottle, weather-proofing, etc. Let’s hear it!
Fist, let me clarify the requirements:
1. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP
a. I don’t have a lot of money, so I’m going for the most cost-effective. Yes, an M1 Abrams tank would do the job, but I can’t buy one. I can’t even afford a used F250 crew cab, though that was my first choice. I bought a used, low mileage F150 because I could afford it. If I’d been smarter in my youth, I could probably afford anything I want, but, if I’d been smarter in my youth, I might be president and we wouldn’t be in this mess (we’d be in a different one!)
b. If it only costs a few hundred dollars, I might well do it for even a miniscule gain. If it’s a 1500 dollar bumper capable of surviving IEDs, well, it ain’t happening. If I hit an IED, I’m dead. A good bumper is probably not necessary for the casket. So, E-fans, programmers, UDPs, etc. are good bets. Diesel engine swaps, military axles, not so much.
2. RELIABILITY.
a. Obviously, there are as many opinions on this as there are those of you gracious enough to part with your wisdom and experience. I would prefer to hear more about how far modifications can go while minimizing maintenance requirements.
i. Mods such as moving the battery, going to dual batts and/or alternators, are good bets. It strikes me that such mods are almost maintenance free, if done correctly.
ii. Body armor, etc. are good bets, but only if suspension mods are included. Everything that increases the suspension load has to be accounted for. So, if put a push bar/bumper/etc. on the front, I might have to go to fiberglass hood and fenders to make up for the weight increase.
iii. Some mods should be dead last. Such as the suspension upgrade I mentioned above – before I do anything to increase suspension performance, I should first lighten the load as much as possible, within available finances.
iv. I have seriously considered engine upgrades, but, all things being equal, before I go very far down that road, I’m probably going to drop in an OEM V8 on the theory that the farther below rated capacity an engine works, the longer it will last. So there are limits to how far I’m willing to mod the existing V6. I’ll do it, but I think some of the supersixmotorsports.com stuff is probably not going to happen.
v. Reliability means protection, so body armor is worthwhile, such as skid plates, push bars, etc. Again, has to be cost effective.
3. Range
a. I want to be as independent of gas stations as possible
i. This means better mpg, and greater fuel carrying capacity.
ii. Somebody mentioned being able to make my own diesel – that sounds absolutely fascinating – tell more?
iii. I didn’t ask for storage solutions, but the more I can carry, the farther I can go – not only gas, but food, water, tires, spare parts, etc. Let’s hear from the Turtle Expedition fans out there!
4. Off-Road
a. This is not ever going to be any kind of off-road performance vehicle. I’m more than willing to go slow, go around, air down my tires, dig, bridge, etc.
b. Most of you know smart, careful driving can get almost anything amazingly far off-road. I am not racing. So I’m going to settle for smart mods that increase independence from paved roads. I’m not going to go swimming (well, not deep anyway), or cliff climbing. I am going to cross farmer’s fields, as little mud as I have to, etc.
c. I think, given all of the above, that what counts more than anything else is self-recoverability, ground clearance and traction. Comments?
5. Misc.
a. Radios, survival gear, first aid kits, winches, shepherd’s jacks, levers, pry bars, come-alongs, solar stills, solar battery chargers, generators, air compressors, floor jacks, genie’s in a bottle, weather-proofing, etc. Let’s hear it!
Last edited by Joethefordguy; 12-29-2009 at 11:56 AM. Reason: punctuation, spelling
12-29-2009, 12:13 PM
#24
Fords r us
Thread Starter
Second,
Here’s what the design looks like now:
1. 2000 F150 XLT short bed (6.5’) regular cab 4.2L V6, 5SPD manual 3.55 open diff, OEM HD payload package: 255/70R16 tires, HD Springs, shocks, electrical (130 amp alt), cooling and Class III towing pkge. This truck has just over 60,000 miles on it now.
2. used Leer camper shell (done)
3. Line-X bed liner (done)
4. 285/75R16 tires on stock rims
5. LS or locker –TBD. May go to lower gears. May even go to a 9.75 axle, depends on what I learn here. So far, the jury’s still out on that.
6. I’m moving the battery(s) to the bed.
7. Dual Alternators (see pro elect tech comment below)
8. Push bumper/bar with receiver. Eventually remove OEM bumpers (F/R) and may go to glass hood and fenders for weight reduction.
9. Efans: I’m going to pull fan(s) off a Taurus or a Mark VIII. A professional engine electronic tech is going to design and install the wiring, controller(s), etc.
10. Engine programming (PHP?), Gotts mod and UDPs are in!
11. modded 10 meter radio
12. skid plates, rocker bars, side steps
13. Roof rack… if I can put one over the camper that will carry any weight.
14. Maybe better mufflers. It’s got OEM dual cats on it now, and apparently it’s hard to improve this much. (Improve= power/mpg, not sound. Opinions will vary.)
15. probably stronger springs/shocks
16. Suspension limit straps, axle hoop, etc.
17. Aux fuel tank, water tank, tool boxes, etc.
18. AC inverter, air compressor, electric generator
19. work lights
20. steel matting, shovels, picks, axe, sledge, shepherd’s jack, come-along, floor jack, wheel hub winch, hand winch, electric winch, pry bars, wrecking bars, air jack (balloon), solar still, solar battery charger, etc., etc. etc. Feel free to contribute to “etc.” Really.
Here’s what the design looks like now:
1. 2000 F150 XLT short bed (6.5’) regular cab 4.2L V6, 5SPD manual 3.55 open diff, OEM HD payload package: 255/70R16 tires, HD Springs, shocks, electrical (130 amp alt), cooling and Class III towing pkge. This truck has just over 60,000 miles on it now.
2. used Leer camper shell (done)
3. Line-X bed liner (done)
4. 285/75R16 tires on stock rims
5. LS or locker –TBD. May go to lower gears. May even go to a 9.75 axle, depends on what I learn here. So far, the jury’s still out on that.
6. I’m moving the battery(s) to the bed.
7. Dual Alternators (see pro elect tech comment below)
8. Push bumper/bar with receiver. Eventually remove OEM bumpers (F/R) and may go to glass hood and fenders for weight reduction.
9. Efans: I’m going to pull fan(s) off a Taurus or a Mark VIII. A professional engine electronic tech is going to design and install the wiring, controller(s), etc.
10. Engine programming (PHP?), Gotts mod and UDPs are in!
11. modded 10 meter radio
12. skid plates, rocker bars, side steps
13. Roof rack… if I can put one over the camper that will carry any weight.
14. Maybe better mufflers. It’s got OEM dual cats on it now, and apparently it’s hard to improve this much. (Improve= power/mpg, not sound. Opinions will vary.)
15. probably stronger springs/shocks
16. Suspension limit straps, axle hoop, etc.
17. Aux fuel tank, water tank, tool boxes, etc.
18. AC inverter, air compressor, electric generator
19. work lights
20. steel matting, shovels, picks, axe, sledge, shepherd’s jack, come-along, floor jack, wheel hub winch, hand winch, electric winch, pry bars, wrecking bars, air jack (balloon), solar still, solar battery charger, etc., etc. etc. Feel free to contribute to “etc.” Really.
12-29-2009, 01:15 PM
#27
Fords r us
Thread Starter
V6/weight?
I thought i covered that even if indirectly: "... load has to be accounted for. So, if put a push bar/bumper/etc. on the front, I might have to go to fiberglass hood and fenders to make up for the weight increase....first lighten the load as much as possible..."
not matter what, engines and suspensions will always have limits. so the load has to stay within those limits. i'm keeping that weight down as much as possible before i look at increasing payload capability or engine upgrade.
I thought i covered that even if indirectly: "... load has to be accounted for. So, if put a push bar/bumper/etc. on the front, I might have to go to fiberglass hood and fenders to make up for the weight increase....first lighten the load as much as possible..."
not matter what, engines and suspensions will always have limits. so the load has to stay within those limits. i'm keeping that weight down as much as possible before i look at increasing payload capability or engine upgrade.
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brandon1 (12-28-2012)
12-29-2009, 02:05 PM
#30
Fords r us
Thread Starter
I'm setting fire to my truck in the carmax parking lot and suing the bejesus out them, too. i'm calling you as my expert witness!!
who do i mail the subpoena to?
thanks!!