oldMan99
Member
- 479
- 12
- 18
- Location
- Polk County, Florida
NOTE: Due to being a really cool looking project that simply will not work in the real world (As demonstrated by the answers already given) This project is canceled. You can post a reply if you like but we are done here.... Thanks to those that already responded..... OK it seems that maybe I was premature on the withdrawal from this project. I got a couple private messages and a couple posts that have demonstrated that I should not abandon this just yet. So, with a new and even more exuberant interest..... Bring it!
Current vehicle: F-350, crew cab, 8’ bed, diesel (172” wheelbase) Will be replaced with the following proposed project:
Get a duce, preferably one with drop side bed.
Remove bed.
Build a mount for a spare tire on the back of the cab
Build a custom tool box to mount beside the tire behind the cab, doors facing out for access standing on the ground.
Build a custom “Brush guard” to mount a 15,000lb electric winch (Much smaller than “factory” so way less extension of bumper required.)
Remove 1 rear axle. 4 link the remaining rear end, use air for suspension to allow both a nice soft ride and airing up to haul stuff.
Have front springs re-worked to compliment the air on the rear for a good ride.
Cut bed to 8.25 feet long. Build a “Headache rack” in the front of the bed, reinstall (Headache rack optional…. might look stupid??)
Cut frame to appropriate length for spare tire and bed as noted above.
Convert to super single 52”
Mount a 15,000lb winch on the back of the truck along with both the pintel and 2” receiver.
Remove engine and trans. Replace with Cummins 5.9, auto trans and run muffler exhaust out the back.
Convert lighting to 12 volt. (Anything else left that needs 24v now?)
Install power steering
Install 2 air ride seats in cab.
Install a metal locking center console from Tuffy that is designed to go into open top Jeeps. Radio goes in the console, I think they make one that will hold the CB too.
Install heat, A/C, a basic AM/FM radio, CB radio and a couple 12v “Lighter plug” outlets, and cruise control.
Insulate cab to the max for both sound and noise. Black rubber mat for cab floor.
Install some under-bed tool boxes space permitting.
Install a basic hoist/crane to the front right corner of the bed (Something like this: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-with-cable-winch-37555.html )
Paint OD Green - Everything except the wheels (black) tires, lights and windows and running gear/frame. Running gear/frame gets painted flat black.
Use completed vehicle as daily driver.
QUESTIONS: Being pretty new at the whole “MV Thing” I need to know from those of you that know better what parts of this plan have flaws. Tell me what won’t work and why and recommend possible fixes/solutions. Also tell me what else you would do to make the plan work better.
Think about the following issues:
Reliability.
Things that can be done to reduce frequency and cost of maintenance.
Comfort.
How to make this thing cruse comfortable at 75mph all day long.
My current DD is large so I am not afraid of this being a large vehicle in traffic or parking. The above changes should provide for a ride that is comfortable enough to live with w/o much problem.
I would like to find a way to prevent theft or other unauthorized use other than a chain on the steering wheel. I thought about a hidden fuel cutoff switch or key lock but that seems pretty easy to bypass for somebody that has a few minutes and the balls to get into the truck. Any ideas? Maybe an industrial sized parking boot?? Lol…. (But that is just as lame as a chain on the steering wheel.) Do any of the cabs actually lock like a civilian vehicle?
So, what do you think, what is your advise? Open to anything constructive.
Current vehicle: F-350, crew cab, 8’ bed, diesel (172” wheelbase) Will be replaced with the following proposed project:
Get a duce, preferably one with drop side bed.
Remove bed.
Build a mount for a spare tire on the back of the cab
Build a custom tool box to mount beside the tire behind the cab, doors facing out for access standing on the ground.
Build a custom “Brush guard” to mount a 15,000lb electric winch (Much smaller than “factory” so way less extension of bumper required.)
Remove 1 rear axle. 4 link the remaining rear end, use air for suspension to allow both a nice soft ride and airing up to haul stuff.
Have front springs re-worked to compliment the air on the rear for a good ride.
Cut bed to 8.25 feet long. Build a “Headache rack” in the front of the bed, reinstall (Headache rack optional…. might look stupid??)
Cut frame to appropriate length for spare tire and bed as noted above.
Convert to super single 52”
Mount a 15,000lb winch on the back of the truck along with both the pintel and 2” receiver.
Remove engine and trans. Replace with Cummins 5.9, auto trans and run muffler exhaust out the back.
Convert lighting to 12 volt. (Anything else left that needs 24v now?)
Install power steering
Install 2 air ride seats in cab.
Install a metal locking center console from Tuffy that is designed to go into open top Jeeps. Radio goes in the console, I think they make one that will hold the CB too.
Install heat, A/C, a basic AM/FM radio, CB radio and a couple 12v “Lighter plug” outlets, and cruise control.
Insulate cab to the max for both sound and noise. Black rubber mat for cab floor.
Install some under-bed tool boxes space permitting.
Install a basic hoist/crane to the front right corner of the bed (Something like this: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-with-cable-winch-37555.html )
Paint OD Green - Everything except the wheels (black) tires, lights and windows and running gear/frame. Running gear/frame gets painted flat black.
Use completed vehicle as daily driver.
QUESTIONS: Being pretty new at the whole “MV Thing” I need to know from those of you that know better what parts of this plan have flaws. Tell me what won’t work and why and recommend possible fixes/solutions. Also tell me what else you would do to make the plan work better.
Think about the following issues:
Reliability.
Things that can be done to reduce frequency and cost of maintenance.
Comfort.
How to make this thing cruse comfortable at 75mph all day long.
My current DD is large so I am not afraid of this being a large vehicle in traffic or parking. The above changes should provide for a ride that is comfortable enough to live with w/o much problem.
I would like to find a way to prevent theft or other unauthorized use other than a chain on the steering wheel. I thought about a hidden fuel cutoff switch or key lock but that seems pretty easy to bypass for somebody that has a few minutes and the balls to get into the truck. Any ideas? Maybe an industrial sized parking boot?? Lol…. (But that is just as lame as a chain on the steering wheel.) Do any of the cabs actually lock like a civilian vehicle?
So, what do you think, what is your advise? Open to anything constructive.
Last edited:
5 tons are harder to make float and fly.
