PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

I got the flag set up for this weekend!

 

Don't even worry about it in the slightest. Mileage doesn't matter so long as the truck is well maintained and functioning as it should. I've got 200k miles on mine and have regularly been in 100+ weather out here in the CA/AZ deserts. Always with the AC blasting too. No problem with high speeds (it's actually lower speeds you probably have to worry about due to reduced airflow.)

Only time I ever had an overheating problem was while lugging very slowly up a steep incline over 6-10" boulders trying to keep a smooth and steady ride for our gear and passengers. It was only warm, maybe 80 deg and high altitude (thin air). I was going to upgrade the radiator after that but when I went to do the install I found a 12" diameter blockage between my radiator and condenser - it was dog hair. Cleared the blockage and haven't had a problem since.

 

Here is Sacramento, 116 yesterday.
This was a 10-15 min drive to the lake to get the dogs out.
Usally the engine temp would be 185…rarely go over that.

transmission would be at max like 130 on the drive to the lake. Yesterday was a little warm for the truck.
Takes a while for the ac to cool down the truck as well.

 

I've talked to a couple older people who described having to crank the heat when driving through Death Valley to keep the radiator from boiling over. Obviously, vehicles have come a long way in the last 50-60 years!

 

They have signs all over the state for cars to shut off their AC when going up steep highway grades, I've never had any issue though. Its more of a precaution for people in vehicles that might be poorly maintained or already suffering from a cooling issue.

 

I’m from Imperial Valley/Mexicali desert. Tacomas run just fine with the AC on when there are no maintenance issues with your truck(such as leaks, coolant pump issues, damaged radiator, etc.)

 

On another note, I had the water pump in my truck replaced when the dealer replaced my frame last November with about 140K miles on the clock, as preventative maintenance...

 

Nice!

 

This was just a dry run; I'm not driving around with them on the truck until Friday...

 

I drive mine almost daily. Rush hour on the way home stop and go for an hour in 110. All systems go! AC blowing cold no overheating.

 

Which scan gauge is that?

 

You won't have any issues with any modern vehicle even in death valley even sitting at idle with the A/C on.

I didn't even have issues with my '79 F150 in 100+ temps crawling in the desert (Aside from myself being incredibly uncomfortable in the cab lol)

Modern cars are built to work basically anywhere that anybody might like to own one. A lot of people live in very hot and very cold places.

 

I removed the rubber weatherstrip at the base of the windshield to let hot air out and cooler air in. My first truck mod, actually

 

Last week I had to turn around in Utah on my way to Vegas. I had a dog with me, so I had to run AC. My NY truck did not like the heat or the elevation. Getting back home through Colorada was a 6-hour adventure. Hell of a time for the water pump to go.

 

I'm guessing the 1979 F150 doesn't have A/C?

 

It did not lol. But it had a .060 bored 351m and a 7.1 first gear with a 4:1 transfer case. It did a lot of low speed, high RPM work and it held up fine.

 

In Arizona last year we had 40 straight days of at least 110*, never missed a beat. I know it's hot when I go to start my truck, turn the key to the on position and I can see the temp gauge move.

 

"Oh, so it's one of THOSE days"

Yah, we get those here too lol

 

A joke? On an internet forum? Well I've never

 

My 1984 Monte Carlo was one I had to run the heat in the summer occasionally when it ran hot, and that's in MA which isn't exactly scorching. Flow and fans were okay, just how it was back then.

Ultragauge but I can't tell which version