Nate's build

Oh my does this mean crawl box??

 

Just that things will be moving a lot slower. I won't have time to do anything on the truck, or anything really, for a while till I get some stuff squared away. Lots of class and studying in the coming months.


And maybe.....

 

SAS!

 

Ha! I wish!!
That'll be down the line years from now. But the hamster wheel is spinning on that though. Can't really throw down the kind if cash needed for SAS all at once, especially for those Currie axles! Maybe get some junk yard axles and slowly rebuild them over the years. I've been on the look out for a 79 ford kingpin front Dana 60. 14 bolt rears are plentiful and cheap. Would need to shave it though.

One can dream....

 

Nate, does the back panel still fit with your wiring harness installed? I've also got an access cab I've been filling with communications gear. I however have a daughter who actually likes riding on the jumper seats.

Cheers and great looking build!

 

Just curious is that in cab battery a sealed unit or is it just a regular battery ?

 

It does. Everything is strategically places to still fit with back panel in place. I did have to trim a few pieces of plastic on the back side of the panel to clear the boards but not much. It isn't noticeable once the panel is on nor does it effect anything. I'll try and snap a few photos next time it's off if you'd like.

 

It's a sealed unit. Manufacture states it can be mounted in any direction expect upside down. It's fully sealed so no worries of any leaks or gasses being vented in the cab.

 

Some People forget about that part. I always ask when I see betters in cab looking good man. That fuse panel is glorious

 

That would be great. Also, I'll be interested in which solar charge controller you got to go with the Renogy panel. Many of them are a chassis = hot rather than chassis = ground.

I've been considering putting the same panel on the top of my truck bed tool box, and then put a second battery inside the tool box in addition to a 500w Linear Amplifier for the HF transceiver which will draw upwards of 60a @ 13.8v. I figure the extra battery will help ensure the truck continues down the road at night.

 

I never understood why everyone wants a 79... Only year high pinion or something?

 

High pinion, stronger king pin rather than ball joint, driver side drop, longer "short" side gives more space to mount suspension

 

And this was only for one year??

 

78-79

 

^^^ That!

Still deciding on controller. Cheapest way is PWM controller. But as you mentioned, some are positive ground and others negative ground. We need negative ground. Other option is MPPT controller. Much more efficient than PWM also more expensive and larger. Size is a major factor for me since I'm trying to get it all behind the rear panel.

Check out Crom's build. If you don't have dual batteries now and want to go solar, look at the CTEK Dual 250S. That's what he has. Looks pretty legitimate. It's even a MPPT controller. That'll save you money in the long run.

 

Nate, hey I just sold my ARE topper I bought used. I had it a little over a year, but it leaked and I couldn't track it down. Plus it was heavy as hell to take off when I had to. I just bought the Bedrug full bed insert, with the sides and bulk head cover too. I want a bed cover, but I'm on the fence between a new LEER XQ or the Softtopper. I really like the looks of a hard shell but I like the idea of the soft top being lightweight, cheaper and ability to have full use of my bed with just folding it down. My concern of course being, does the Softtopper leak? I'm not worried about the Bedrug getting wet, because it won't hurt it at all. But I plan on sleeping in the bed when camping and hauling gear that I don't particularly want getting wet. I'm pretty OCD and I really don't want ANY water getting in if possible. The ARE I had only let water in to run down the inside perimeter walls of the bed but then it would soak into the Bedrug and eventually my gear would soak some up too. I know there is always a chance of water getting in based on the situation. I just want it dry majority of the time with the average rains. I hear guys saying they even run thru the brushless car washes and theirs do not leak. I know you have now had yours awhile and just wanted to get your thoughts about it, since my sole purpose in life is to have your trucks twin. Thanks for any input. --Daniel

 

You know man, I can only share my experience with the Softopper to help you make a decision. With that being said, I will say I have been looking at hard tops lately.

I have shit thrown in the back of my truck all the time and have slept back there plenty of times even when raining while camping. I've never had an issues with stuff getting wet back there. But honestly, I never pay attention to it. That, coupled with the fact that it never rains in Southern California, doesn't give me many chances to see how well it's actually sealed.

They do provide a seam sealer to put on the stitching if you desire, but I never used it and things have been fine. Also, I have the doggy window option which I leave rolled open all the time. If you were to not get that, it'd be sealed even more.

I like the fact that I can fold it down if needed, it's lighter, costs less and easily installed and removed by one person. That, and the tan is bitchin' with Pyrite Mica.
I've only been looking at hard shells because I may want to start carrying more crap on longer camping trips and get the matching Prinsu CapRac for a hard shell. I don't feel like having to make a exo-bedrack to go around the topper just to store stuff.

So if you are really anal about it, this might not be the right choice. But like I said, I never have issues with leaks. But then again I don't pay much attention and it never rains out here. Thanks for the kind words and I hope that helps. Good luck!

 

Love your truck man. Thumbs up!