SM105K's SHO BIBLE/BUILDS/LIFE

[SM105K]

Going back to being impulsive, I ordered the front bags......basically just to prove my brother wrong. Amazon says they will be delivered today, so I will install them Saturday.

 

[kryptto]

I have 28 hour days and I run a 9 day work week.

All jokes aside. I do a lot of driving. I think I drove almost 40k miles this year alone, and I only work 8 miles from home. When something isn't right with one of my vehicles it starts to fester, and then my impulsiveness runs literally out of control. That creates a cascade situation and my scope creep goes way extreme. Couple all of that with my Vehicular OCD, and add that I really like to learn (esp when it comes to new stuff like diesels) I make as much time as I can to literally chill my brain out and "fix" the problems that have manifested within said brain.

I am dead serious when I "joke" I hate money and clearly my sanity.

Everything else in my life is pretty normal, except when it comes to vehicles. Vehicles are my tisim....

I like your style...

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Going back to being impulsive, I ordered the front bags......basically just to prove my brother wrong. Amazon says they will be delivered today, so I will install them Saturday.

Been working on my SHO since she came home and catching up on my truck as well while being a divorced dad support group for friends and manage my own marriage lol.

I see you ordered the bags and I agree with you, I think ANYTHING will help a leaf, and taking some of the energy out of them should help with the right,albeit low, air pressure. I think you'll run far less in the fronts to get the ride you want. If not and we're both wrong, coil conversions are an option or just straight bagged. The 7.3 with transmission attached is around 1300lbs (I overloaded a skid steer picking one up) so your front axle weight is crazy, but I think you're on the right track

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Vehicles are my tisim....

I am making a run of stickers with this, that is perfect.

 

[SM105K]

Been working on my SHO since she came home and catching up on my truck as well while being a divorced dad support group for friends and manage my own marriage lol.

I see you ordered the bags and I agree with you, I think ANYTHING will help a leaf, and taking some of the energy out of them should help with the right,albeit low, air pressure. I think you'll run far less in the fronts to get the ride you want. If not and we're both wrong, coil conversions are an option or just straight bagged. The 7.3 with transmission attached is around 1300lbs (I overloaded a skid steer picking one up) so your front axle weight is crazy, but I think you're on the right track.

I installed the bags and you are correct. I run the rear bags between 50 to 60 psi and the sweet spot with the fronts are between 25 to 30 psi. They do take quite a bit of energy out of the harsh stuff. It should be nice going down the freeway when is fully loaded again.

Also I have been looking at a straight four link air suspension kinda like that......https://kelderman.com/product/1999-2007-ford-f-250-350-4-link-rear-air-suspension/?srsltid=AfmBOoqsXNuZDPlMJd03MTN7_ipKw0nTRJOAvgrMTtfLoc1SdQUv8d4P

However something like that, won't be until further down the road. Like I said, I plan on keep this forever.

 

[SM105K]

I am making a run of stickers with this, that is perfect.

Like my MTB Downhill/Enduro Race Team Name.......

Sped Racing Send-A-Kit

"We're re-tarded fast!"

 

[SM105K]

So I got the front air bags installed. They did help with mellow the ride out. It is still a bit firm, but the bags really took the energy of out the big hits.

The install wasn't that bad. Only problem I ran into was....the stupid rivet (yes rivet, actually 1 of many) that attaches the engine cradle to the frame was in my way. I highlighted it with the yellow circle.

So I chopped it in half with the death wheel. It is still rock solid, but I will keep my eye on both of them. If they get loose, I will drill them out and replace them with a large nut and bolt. Bags went in with minimal fuss.

Found a pretty cool kinda hidden but easy tgo access place to put the fill valve. Right in front of the running board.
Then I ended up moving the rear fill valves. The installer used existing holes in the back of the truck bed. They are in a really good spot if you pulled a trailer, but almost impossible to fill with the camper on it. So I moved them to a ledge on the inside edge of the bed in front of the rear duals.

I don't foresee it being a problem in that location, and really only road debris can strike it....so yeah.

 

[SM105K]

Updated F450 Upgrade List: (Mainly for my memory and tracking)

Maintenance:
Replaced Serpentine Belt. @169.8K
Install stock OEM Motorcraft Fuel Bowl Cap.
Install OEM fuel filter. @169k
Change the oil and oil filter. Changed at 169K.
Install Passenger Side and Driverside EGT Probe.
New Yokohama Tires @170K

Engine Power Mods - Power Goals 400 hp to 500 hp and 1000 tq
Install KC Gen 3 Stage 1 Turbo @169k
Install Bellowed Up-Pipes @169k
Install New EBPD Turbo Pedestal @169k
Install Banks Ram Air Cold Air Intake @169k
Remove the front grill, and perform the Zoodad mod. @169k
Install Edge CTS 3 with Dash Pod
Install PHP Hydra
Install the fuel pressure sensor, and connect it to the CTS 3.
Install the stiffer fuel pressure regulator spring and rebuild fuel bowl. @169k
Install Riff Raff Billet Intake Inlets @171k
Install CNC High Pressure Oil Pump Line with rear head Crossover Line @171k
Install KC Turbo 6.0 upgraded Intercooler @171K
Fuel Bowl Delete and Regulated Return Kit
FASS Ti Fuel System (140 GPH Rate)
Fleece Sureflo Sending Unit
205/30 Injectors or 180/30 Injectors (still trying to decide)

Transmission Mods
Install Mishimoto Upgraded 6.0 Liter Trans Cooler @171K
Upgrade the 4R100 Valve Body (still looking at different options)
Mag Hytec Deep Trans Pan
Billet TC

Suspension Mods
Install Air Ride Load Lifter 5000 Air Bags for the Rear @171K
Install Air Ride Load Lifter 5000 Air Bags for the Front @171K
On board Air Compressor
Install Rancho Steering Stabilizer
Install ALCOA M14 x 2.0 Lug Nuts

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Excited to see the on board air set up. Does your tranny have a PTO plate? Being a 450 you might get lucky. Assuming you want air on the fly and you're putting a belt driven compressor but the PTO is a great asset for other things.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

First crack at it, about to do a run of stickers for a buddies business so ill sneak a page of these in there lol

 

[SM105K]

View attachment 95788
First crack at it, about to do a run of stickers for a buddies business so ill sneak a page of these in there lol

Hahaha, that is amazing. I need a couple of those as well.

 

[kryptto]

"We're re-tarded fast!"

Sticker right there...

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Sticker right there...

I'll work on some of those too lol

 

[SM105K]

So I replaced all the factory lug nuts on my truck. My Uncle over the years just put some aluminum covers over them. However, over the years they get loose and they randomly just fly off. So I decided that I wanted the factory ALCOA lug nuts for my truck. The ALCOA lug is significantly larger, so yes I have stashed correct socket in my tool kit if I ever have to do a roadside change.

Stock Lug Nuts


Covers


The difference between the stock lugs, covers, and the ALCOA lug nuts.


New Freshies.........



The new ALCOA's are super clean, and my socket has a bunch of crap in it, so it made them dirty.

Job was one of the easier jobs, but it killed my back because bending over and breaking 165 ft lbs with a breaker bar 32 times sucks. Then re-applying 165 ft lbs with the tq wrench sucked even more.

Since the weather is getting nicer here in AZ, I 100% plan on doing a full paint correction on the truck and ceramic coating it. This will include polishing the wheels as well.

 

[SM105K]

F450 Update: I was finally able to install the steering damper/stabilizer. What is circus that was. I ordered it through Shocksurplus.com. It was the stabilizer, hardware, and mounts. Keyword "mount". When they shipped my order they did not ship the mount to the pitman arm. My truck does not have a hole in the pitman arm like other models for the actually shock to attach too. It has grooves in it for a bolt on mount......

Long story short, they said their website was wrong and that the mounts do not exist....lol. Even though, they are in the picture (of the exact mount that I need).....lol. See below.


So I had to source another pitman arm mount with ubolts and hardware. So yeah...fun. The good part is, Dorman has those mounts and I was able to get one from them. So three weeks after ordering my stabilizer I finally got it all installed.


I have only driven it about 10 miles since I installed it, but it does seem to have stabilized the steering. Hopefully it will help the wandering when I am on the freeway. So yeah.

However, I have seen a couple of ways that they are mounted, and I may flip the mount and mount it higher. I will see.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

how easy a 4wd swap would be is killing me! If the wandering is still an issue I'd step up to a dual stabilizer...mounted to a dana 60

 

[SM105K]

So I learned a couple of things this weekend. I loaded up the camper and took to it an enduro race this weekend. Full load, all my bike gear, my 55 lb ebike, my 50 lb bike rack, 45 gallons of fresh water, 40 gallons of fuel, literally full weight...and this is what Betty with Bertha on her back weighed....



That means.....she is overweight. Roughly by 640 lbs. My truck is rated for 15,000 lbs. So I have to shed some weight. I can shed at least 300 lbs just in water weight. If I know I am going to a dedicated camp ground with water and hook ups, I wont have to carry a full load of water (360 lbs) and my Jackery Powerbank with Solar Generator (80 lbs).



Unless I am racing, I won't be carrying 150lbs of bike, bike rack, and all of riding equipment and spare parts. So that is roughly 600 lbs right off the bat. However, I am still overweight just eliminating those items.

I still have to go through all of the utility boxes and see what I can get rid of as well. I know I have some redundant tools and items I will not use, so that will free up some space too. I know the new turbo, new IC, new trans cooler, front and rear air bags, tires, lug nuts, ect all added weight, but what can you do. I did purchase a car trailer, so I need to remove even more weight to accommodate that weight as well.

However all of the performance upgrades I have added have really shined on the freeway. The new power/perfomance pushes the truck up hills at 65+ mph were 50 mph was really difficult in stock form.

The trans cooler has dropped the trans temp almost 40 degrees. I hottest I saw (minus the Big Bear trip) with the stock trans cooler was 206 and it would run around 185 -190 sustained. The hottest I saw this last trip was 178, and it ran a sustained 150 ish.

The intercooler dropped the EGTS I would say a good 100 to 150 degrees, then on top of that IAT's are roughly 30 degrees above ambient, where stock IAT's were 50 degress +.

The air bags have really mellowed the truck out at speed. The ride while being fully loaded is pretty good now. The steering stabilizer works pretty damn good too. I am really glad I went that route. I have quite a bit of travel planned at the end of the year, and some more in March of next year. So yeah, time to iron out all of the kinks now.

 

[Zpak]

Weight ratings are for sissies anyway. But wow, that’s a huge B!7¢h.

Good looking rig though. Those campers have come a long way. I looked inside a few while we were shopping this year. I was shocked, they’re nice inside and plenty roomy for a couple people.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Could always get a little trailer for your bikes and or expeditions you need to bring water on. A little 8ft overland trailer should spread the weight enough to get you back where you want to be. An 800lb loaded trailer, tare weight plus cargo, would yield around 100lbs tongue weight. So if you have a 400lb trailer and take 400lbs off the truck you end up with a savings of 300lbs off your axles. Not as convenient pulling a trailer but would spread the load a bit and you could add trailer brakes for extra braking power on grades.

 

[SM105K]

Could always get a little trailer for your bikes and or expeditions you need to bring water on. A little 8ft overland trailer should spread the weight enough to get you back where you want to be. An 800lb loaded trailer, tare weight plus cargo, would yield around 100lbs tongue weight. So if you have a 400lb trailer and take 400lbs off the truck you end up with a savings of 300lbs off your axles. Not as convenient pulling a trailer but would spread the load a bit and you could add trailer brakes for extra braking power on grades.

So did I buy the car trailer below.


I am thinking about adding some type of tool box across the front for exactly what you are talking about. I need to take it back and have them install the trailer spare tire holder, and I am going to have them build a spare tire holder for the truck as well. I have a spare for the truck in the front passenger side utility box. I bet it weighs 80 to 100 lbs. Then both spares can be attached to the trailer, and the front utility box will be able to carry some weight as well, which in turn can take some weight off the truck. I can tow up 26,000 lbs combined, just as long as the sum of the truck weight doesn't exceed 15,000 lbs.