SM105K's SHO BIBLE/BUILDS/LIFE

[Zpak]

Man, trucks, campers, trailers, that’s grown up stuff.

 

[Zpak]

 

[SM105K]

Man, trucks, campers, trailers, that’s grown up stuff.

Being a "grown up" is 100% overrated.

 

[SM105K]

View attachment 96023

What do you have there buddy?

 

[Zpak]

When the old lady is on board with large purchases, you strike while the iron is hot.

 

[SM105K]

When the old lady is on board with large purchases, you strike while the iron is hot.

Hahaha get it!

 

[Zpak]

Outside of the 8 speed never knowing what gear to be in, that little four banger Explorer has zero issues yanking that camper. It’s 4,600 pounds dry and Explorer max tow is 5,200. Obviously I wouldn’t travel with water but I’d guess I’m pushing 5k loaded up with supply’s, bike rack, and three bikes.

The problem I discovered is fuel. It needs a bigger tank because stopping for gas every 100 miles is for the birds.

 

[SM105K]

So after my last road trip and finding out I am over weight I had to make some changes. I had to figure out how to add a trailer and a car to my already overweight problem. My truck is rated at 15k lbs and I was 15,640 lbs with a full tank of fuel (40 gallons x 8 lbs = 320 lbs), full water tank (45 gallons x 8 lbs = 360 lbs). Add my bike rack, bike, and gear weighs about 150 lbs. So those were my big weight items. I know I had to take as much out, because I knew I would add roughly 500 lbs back on with tongue weight with the trailer.



I knew that I could take quite a bit of weight out of the truck and add it to the trailer. So I went through the camper and the utility boxes and started removing items and placing them in the car on the trailer.

I dropped all of the water out the all of my holding tanks: 360 lbs roughly between the fresh and gray water. After I empty the black tank, I add 5 gallons of treated water to keep the smell down. so roughly 40 lbs.
I took all of bike stuff out (wasn't using it) : 150 lbs roughly however, I can add that to the rear of the trailer if I take a bike with me in the future.

Things I relocated to the car on the trailer -
I took the steel wheel spare out of the utility box for the truck: 120 lbs roughly.
I put the trailer spare in the car: 40 lbs
I took all of the tool boxes out: roughly 80 lbs
I removed Jackery Power Bank and Solar panels: 80 lbs

All together roughly 830 lbs removed or moved.

So I loaded up and took my whole caravan to Dumbfuckistan.



Full tank of fuel and loaded down. Whole package came in at 19760 lbs. That is well below the trucks combined weight rating of 26,000 lbs. However taking all the weight off and moving it, the truck still weighed in at 15140 lbs. That is still 140 lbs overweight on the truck itself. However, the truck pulled the trailer great and it was rock solid.




I stayed in Dumbfuckistan for 5 days. I reloaded everything like before, but after talking to a couple of people, general consensus was move the Focus back about 9 inches on the trailer. So I dumped all of my tanks at the RV dump, and filled the fuel tank. I always weight it with a full tank of fuel. I know if I am bit over weight or under weight, fuel burn will lighten the truck weight, so it will always make the truck lighter the further I drive. I re-weighed it again and bam.....truck weight of 14,860 lbs (140 under) and total weight of 19720 which is within the weight of the missing treated black water (because I didn't replace it).



So for now I have solved the riddle of weight, but it will only get harder for here on out because that is only with me in the truck. I still have to add 2 more humans, a heavier fuel system, and some other things coming down the pipe later. However, I will take this victory while I can.

 

[SM105K]

While I was in CA, I met up with another diesel guy named Adam. It just so happens that he has a pretty modded Ford Flex, and I have zero idea why he isn't a member of the forum. However, he is friends with John. I know him from the FB group. He asked me if I want to take his modded 7.3 F250 with a 6 speed for a spin, and I was like **** YEAH. I drove up and he threw me the keys and said have at it. His truck has upgraded injectors 180/30's, HPOP, fuel system, and is tuned. I drove that truck and it was really enlightening. It straight hauled ass.

Biggest test was 5th gear at 65 mphs at 2K rpm. The power that Adam's truck made and the acceleration was damn good. He said his trucks make roughly 400 to 425 hp. I chose to test his truck at that RPM because that is roughly where I want the bulk of power for my truck esp towing heavy. I have zero visions of my F450 being fast in any general sense. It weighs 10k lbs empty and 20k loaded down. I just want the bump in power around that rpm and speed for towing down the freeway and mainly for towing the bigger hills.

So I have started the process of upgrading everything to accommodate the new injectors I will be purchasing in the near future. Up first is the 165 gph AirDog fuel system that was purchased on a black friday. Then will be the deep trans pan. Next will be the new High Pressure Oil Pump, then glow plug, valve cover gasket and harness kit, and last will be the single shot 180/30 injectors.

I think with that set up my truck will make close to 400 hp and roughly 1000 lb of tq. With the trans cooler, deeper pan, and 7 extra quarts of fluid, it will give the trans a bit more thermal protection and hopefully prolong its life when all the go fast parts are put on.

Once the trans gives up, a new converter, and built trans will go back in.

 

[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
Alliant Power Under Valve Cover Harness Kit - Ordered

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
Install Diamond Eye 4 inch Exhaust - Ordered
Riff Raff Fuel Max Flow Four Line Kit - Ordered
Adrenaline High Pressure Oil Pump - Ordered
AiRDOG Fuel System (165 GPH Rate) - install
Full Force 180/30 Injectors - Ordered
Fleece Sureflo Sending Unit <----Need to do some research because Fleece says it won't work with a Cab and Chassis truck.

Transmission Mods
Install Mishimoto Upgraded 6.0 Liter Trans Cooler @171K
Upgrade the 4R100 Valve Body (still looking at different options)
Install Mag-Hytec Deep Trans Pan @173.5k
Install New Trans Filter @173.5k
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

 

[SM105K]

So Betty is going to get spoiled for Christmas and scope creep is well....you know. lol

Today I ordered:

Riff Raff Fuel Bowl Delete and Regulated Return Kit - Ordered
Adrenaline High Pressure Oil Pump - Ordered
Full Force 180/30 Injectors - Ordered
AiRDOG Fuel System (165 GPH Rate) - Ordered - Planning on installing myself
Mag Hytec Deep Trans Pan - Ordered - Planning on installing myself
New Trans filter - Ordered - Planning on installing myself
Diamond Eye 4 Inch Exhaust - Planning on installing myself.
Gearhead Tunes for my Hydra Tuner

I plan on installing the AiRDOG Fuel System and the deep trans pan and filter once they arrive.

Going to travel and have my buddy Adam's Shop in Nevada install the injectors, high pressure oil pump, and Fuel Bowl Delete kit.

Then we will install the Gearhead Tunes and Betty should have real attitude for heavy pulling.

Hopefully the upgraded trans cooler, deep pan, new filter, and new trans fluid will help the trans live a bit longer.

 

[SM105K]

F450 Update: So some of the parts started rolling in. Everything for the fuel system is here. I will install the AirDog next weekend, however the Max Flow 4 line kit and Vibrant Hose attachments will be installed with the Injectors and new HPOP in a couple of weeks.


I worked on installing the Mag-Hytec Transmission Deep Pan with a new filter. Install was pretty straight forward. Really impressed with quality and the seven addition quarts of trans fluid.


Crappy picture with it installed in the truck.

 

[SM105K]

Talking to my buddy Adam and I sent him pictures of my truck. He asked if I had a stock downpipe/exhaust on the truck. I thought my Uncle had put on an aftermarket DP/Exhaust because I was under the impression that the stock Super Duty downpipes had a flat spot on the them. I was wrong, the OBS trucks do.

So I ordered a Diamond Eye 4 inch exhaust, that should be delivered by Friday. So this weekend I am planning on installing the new exhaust and the AirDog. So yeah. Fail. LOL.

 

[FREAK_SHO]

Talking to my buddy Adam and I sent him pictures of my truck. He asked if I had a stock downpipe/exhaust on the truck. I thought my Uncle had put on an aftermarket DP/Exhaust because I was under the impression that the stock Super Duty downpipes had a flat spot on the them. I was wrong, the OBS trucks do.

So I ordered a Diamond Eye 4 inch exhaust, that should be delivered by Friday. So this weekend I am planning on installing the new exhaust and the AirDog. So yeah. Fail. LOL.

Further: