Brians F/R Locked Long Travel Camping and Overland Build

Haha giving photo creds to the BA photos you took! Whens the next trip lol?

 

Exactly the same. I’ve changed a lot since I did my conversion. But at the time when I was mostly stock, I didn’t have noticed a fuel mileage difference. Tires and bumpers killed my mpg more than converting to 4wd.

Also, I’m an idiot so I did my conversion when I only had about 25k miles on the truck. I didn’t get a new transmission. I found which parts were different between the A340E and the A340F and got just those components. Then I tore the transmission apart and swapped those components. So I needed up with my original low mileage transmission. Cost me about $400 to do that. I thought I was worth it at the time. If I had more miles on the truck like I do now, I would have sourced a used 4wd trans.

 

Yeah im going from my trans that has 104k to to this A340F that has 53k. It will also be a straight swap. All the connectors are the exact same as well. The only thing different is the output shafts and thats it. My truck is a 2012 and this trans came out of a 2014. I wanted to get one as close to my modal year so i knew there were very few differences. To my luck there was non haha. How hard was it to modify your crossmember? Did you make a harness for the 4wd indicator on the dash? I would be interested in how you did that.

 

Easy. I mean it is if you can weld. If not, someone should be able to help you pretty easily. It's also not a bad first welding project.

No. I didn't really see the need. The switch I wired up for the ADD has a light to indicate when it is engaged and the t-case has a physical stick. Seemed like a lot of extra work for little pay off.

 

I heard its pretty simple a couple of connections to the glove box location that connects to the gauge cluster.

 

You're probably right. I just didn't bother to even research it.

 

Do you have any pics of what your underside looks like?

 

Dang Brian, looks like it's all coming together. You got the bulk of the parts you need and an awesome resource to refer @jowybyo to if you have any questions!

 

Thanks Jonny, yea still need front diff and the big parts will be done. Let me know if you see any. Preferably one that has mounting feet and breather lines attached to it.

 

I'll be on the lookout brotha. I'm on FB marketplace quite a bit looking for trucks parts that I don't need! lol

 

I knew someone was going to say something lol

 

More pics for the last trip

 

I want to go on a trip with you just so I'm not alone when I'm going up steep hills on the hwy getting passed by fully loaded 18-wheelers. There are some hills around here that my truck struggles to make it up. 4.88's help but not enough.

 

Come on man lol. Planning on more trips up into the TN GA and SC area soon. I Have 5.29 and honestly even with all the weight on my truck it will hold 80mph at about 3000rpm. Hills it will hold 70ish in second and about 45ish in 3rd. usually about 10* to 15* degrees. @cubie knows how my truck drives lol. He followed me all the way to GA traverse lol

 

There's a long 8° grade here and even in 2nd I can barely hold 50mph. I'm planning to swap to a 5spd by next year. I think that will help a bit.

 

You drive like a bat out of hell! lol

 

When i jumped from 4.56 to 5.29 there honestly was no comparison. before i added the rear bumper truck road perfect for a 4cyl. Its def under powered but not horrible. My truck is not gaining anymore weight except the front diff and transfer case. when i take the tent off it makes a pretty big difference as well. I can see how 4.88 would not be enough lol. Do you have full armor?

 

LOL Anna hates following me

 

Yea pretty much. Fully loaded with a RTT, rack, HC rear bumper with swing out, front bumper, sliders, skids, a fridge, kids and a wife that likes to take too much stuff. We ride pretty heavy. The 4 banger doesn’t like gravity.

 

What's up Joe! Hopefully you can provide Brian with some valuable info to help get his conversion completed! Brian's a good dude.