Java's F450 RV

[CarterKraft]

Maybe I figured it out.
2" thick Polyiso foil faced insulation 2' wide by 2' tall will pass 10.3 BTU through it per hour.
That's not the entire surface area of your box I know but that is 3 watts of power for 4 sq ft @ R13.6
Maybe you could add up your box sq ft and R value and see what you come up with.

https://rimstar.org/renewnrg/heat_tr...lculations.htm

 

[Java230]

Maybe I figured it out.
2" thick Polyiso foil faced insulation 2' wide by 2' tall will pass 10.3 BTU through it per hour.
That's not the entire surface area of your box I know but that is 3 watts of power for 4 sq ft @ r30.
Maybe you could add up your box sq ft and R value and see what you come up with.

https://rimstar.org/renewnrg/heat_transfer_loss_calculations.htm

My batteries are backed up to the outside wall on one side, the bench on the opposite side and open to the area under the bed on the other two. Plus the top. I could insulate those three, but would still be a PITA. Maybe I will go poke around and see if I could even get a mat between them, they are tight.....

 

[CarterKraft]

My batteries are backed up to the outside wall on one side, the bench on the opposite side and open to the area under the bed on the other two. Plus the top. I could insulate those three, but would still be a PITA. Maybe I will go poke around and see if I could even get a mat between them, they are tight.....

If you can't insulate them heating them becomes less practical I'd think, better off to heat the space instead.

 

[Java230]

If you can't insulate them heating them becomes less practical I'd think, better off to heat the space instead.

Well the wall is insulated, and they are on foam, and the floor is kinda insulated.....

 

[aczlan]

Well the wall is insulated, and they are on foam, and the floor is kinda insulated.....

What what if you just put in a small muffin fan and a vent running off of a thermostat and powered by a relay that turns on when your main heater is on so that if the temperature is below X degrees and the main heater is on it will turn on the muffin fan and push air from your living quarters into the battery area?

Aaron Z

 

[Firstram]

Way too simple to work

 

[Java230]

What what if you just put in a small muffin fan and a vent running off of a thermostat and powered by a relay that turns on when your main heater is on so that if the temperature is below X degrees and the main heater is on it will turn on the muffin fan and push air from your living quarters into the battery area?

Aaron Z

That would warm my beer up maybe.... Not sure I want to heat that space tho

 

[GLTHFJ60]

A little bit smaller than this is what I\'m thinking. Sticking it between the batteries would be ideal, as you heat both batteries while the pad is on. This pad is a bit big, but it comes with an integral thermostat. 4.8a is a lot, but with your partially insulated compartment, I\'m not sure how often it\'ll run.\n\nhttps://smile.amazon.com/Upgrade-Ve...-Thermostat/dp/B077VLB1KK/?tag=91812054244-20\n\n^^ 4.8a when on.\n\n120v heaters (since you have your inverter running anyway) only take up about half an amp while running:\n\nhttps://smile.amazon.com/Zerostart-...ery-Blanket/dp/B0076DTCBW/?tag=91812054244-20

 

[Java230]

A little bit smaller than this is what I\'m thinking. Sticking it between the batteries would be ideal, as you heat both batteries while the pad is on. This pad is a bit big, but it comes with an integral thermostat. 4.8a is a lot, but with your partially insulated compartment, I\'m not sure how often it\'ll run.\n\nhttps://smile.amazon.com/Upgrade-Ver...91812054244-20\n\n^^ 4.8a when on.\n\n120v heaters (since you have your inverter running anyway) only take up about half an amp while running:\n\nhttps://smile.amazon.com/Zerostart-2...91812054244-20

4.8 amps isn't a ton. The 120v would have Inveter loss too, and draws about the same power. 50w vs 65. I like that the 12v is lower temp tho

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Yup. Again, not sure if this will increase your usable capacity, but 36* is pretty low for batteries under load, and these heater pads are cheap. Worth a try imo, you've got "before" graphs to say whether or not they help.

 

[Java230]

Yup. Again, not sure if this will increase your usable capacity, but 36* is pretty low for batteries under load, and these heater pads are cheap. Worth a try imo, you've got "before" graphs to say whether or not they help.

I will see if I can get a prey bar between the batteries and make some room.... Even If I just grab a 120V pad for when I have shore power (ski lots are all getting set up for power and charging RV ppl..... Might as well burn as much as I can!) I have a spare set of leads to my driver side tool box I could run it on.

 

[CarterKraft]

That would warm my beer up maybe.... Not sure I want to heat that space tho

Priorities man, haha

 

[Java230]

Going back and picking up the "build" part of this again


Blew another boost coupler off, I think the hose clamp broke?? They are usually on the coupler, this one was MIA.

Stole a couple house clamps off the water tank to make one big one. Ghetto, but it worked! (note: zip ties will not hold boost

)

Rain, and Dutch Oven pizzas, we peaced out and headed north to get away from the rain....

Quite little CG off Highway 20.

Beautiful area!

Now.... Rear tires are chunking, thoughts? Sharp rocks or bad pressure? Only the outside edge on the rears. I was thinking maybe it was wheel spin on sharp stuff?

Ive replaced the rears, that will get posted in a bit.... New ones chunk too. think its just the hard rubber compound.

Another lovely weekend in the desert! It was HOT though, 95. and sunny....

A view from the top. Damn cool rocks.

And I think I need some new blocks.... These dont like heavy trucks and soft surfaces....

Also, Sika 252 DOES NOT bond to ABS well at all. I thought it was going to be ok for my panel, but it let go on two feet, and was loosing grip on the others also. Sadly screws were added to my roof, as I saw this from my second story window about 5 minutes before I was supposed to be driving away. I did use the primer and adhesion promoter they wanted, but was warned by the tech guy it didn't bond that well to ABS. The aluminum mounts I used in the middle are rock solid still. I squirted some 5200 in there and added screws before we left. If that fails I will try 3m panel bond...... But sadly there are 12 screw holes in my roof now.....

BOLDING THIS AGAIN SINCE ALL THE RV PEOPLKE SWEAR BY IT. DONT USE SIKA 252 FOR ABS SOLAR PANEL MOUNTS


Threw my back out so even little mundane jobs SUCK. But I got all the screws I added to the roof sealed since its supposed to rain.

And my Maxxfan over the bed quit going both directions, a quick email to their service department said it was most likely the board from my descriptions. Since I am a pack rat.... I still have the old Maxxfan I pulled out in the attic. Swapped guts around and its back to normal! No obvious component failures.

 

[Java230]

Maybe I should date these.... This is Jun 7th 2019

One more little project done. Light switch for the bathroom light. We never use it.... But its just been hanging wires for a couple years. At least I can turn it on and off if I want to now.

Start with a block, set up to route out the back for a wire pocket.

Remove unneeded material.

Screw to ceiling. It also get screwed to the wall panel to support that. Its been needed for a long time....

And its volcano season! Skis going back in

June 10th
Quiet CG, big mountains, nice weekend.

Poured rain Friday which kept the people at bay. Rolled in late and still found a NICE spot. New awning is so much better. The additional 2' of stick out is AMAZING.

Rain meant snow up high!

Snowing when we left in the morning but cleared right up. It was HOT. Skinned up 3k feet.

Nice little trip back down

Been wanting to do this for awhile now, so I kicked myself in the butt to get it put together before the NW Overland Rally.

The Ultimate ARB Fridge Mod. Kegerator.

Kegs are awesome, you can get beer that is not bottled or canned, good for large groups etc. But a big trash can, lots of ice etc to cool it is a pain in the butt. So I got to thinking.

Not wanting to drill holes in my fridge (and have a completely reversible mod) lead me to this. Space the lid up. Some maple 1x3 was used.

Trying to figure out the hing brought me to a "oh duh" moment. Make it a wedge! We only need a spot for the faucet and a beer line in. Two minutes with the table saw and boom.

This is going to work great.

Next up is the latch.
Aluminum plate was cut to the size of the cutout for the latch. Bent and screwed in place. No additional holes in the fridge. A little sloppy, I have been doing this 10 minutes at a time as I can sneak it in....

Take it all back apart, make a ghetto rig and grab the router!

Slot cut top and bottom.

And a neoprene seal is added to the groove.

And the magic that makes it work! A giant block of aluminum. This is a two pass cooler, but I have the beer run through both, as I expect the keg to be pretty warm (70+ most likely). You can see the jumper tube between 1 out and 2 in.

Decent forward seal faucet in place, these are so much better than the "standard" faucet. Much less funk growth.

All plumbed.

Garage is a disaster, but its all set up, I left about 12' of beer line thinking I can stash the keg under the truck out of the sun.

Need to play with pressures a little, but 15PSI seems about right with that much line and it being 3/16" ID.

But great success!!!

 

[Java230]

June 17th 2019

Another fun weekend in the woods!

Electric chainsaw is pretty slick so far. Quiet and no stink.

Went and climbed some rocks. There is a little child in the pic

It will fit.....

Cameras sure flatten everything out....

Made it

Not sure that's going to wash off...... Lots of branches....

More little project trying to get wrapped up before the NWOR.

Old water pump, LOUD, from a 20 year old RV, free from my garage during the initial build.

New water pump, sold as "quiet" still a diaphragm pump, I was worried it would be similar loud. It was not free, it IS QUIET! But the water pulses a bit, may look into an accumulator tank eventually, but my god its so much QUIETER! (yes its crooked, no I dont care right now.... I was not making new flex lines.)

Tidied up the wiring that has been flopping since forever?

The water pump crapped out earlier this year.... IDK if it froze or what. But bummer.

Misadventures in upholstery.... Oy. Not my forte.

Cut and pack in a bunch more insulation

definitely the correct stapler?

What am I doing?!

Spray glue?

Getting somewhere.....

Now the hard part..... Cant be tight as the truck moves, looks worse in the pics....More staples.
Those ribs on the back wall didnt help at all with no stretch fabric....

I DINT LEAVE ENOUGH SLACK IN THE FABRIC IT COMES UNTUCKED FROM THE HEADLINER AT TIMES

Switch panel and power by the bed came out ok though, no more wires hanging out of the wall.

Passthrough trim done!

Attempted to bathe truck. Its marginally cleaner....

Good times as always at the NWOR! Weather was great, got to see lots of old friends I don't get to see to often. Lots of drool worthy trucks and thanks to all the vendors!

Nightly raffle is always fun!

Snuck out and climbed Peshastin one morning.

Entered the cooking competition and won!

 

[Java230]

AUG 12th 2019


Lots of leg powered excursions lately, so we haven't used the truck in forever, but with thunderstorms predicted all weekend that sounds like a perfect reason to take the truck.

Spent Friday night up in the mountains. It rained so hard it sounded like golf balls being poured on the roof! Yep, glad I took the truck.

It cleared up in the AM and we did a quick hike. Then headed South Ish.

Had a lazy afternoon, climbed a few easy routes and just hung out. Made some skottle pizza's and watched thunderstorms in the distance. Its finally getting cold enough to break out the propane fire pit too.

Also saw one of these! Glad it was a ways away!

Big truck little roads!

As stiff as the M608's are they still deform at street pressure under a heavy ass truck.

Not bad at all.

Climbed til it was too damn hot and went and jumped in the river for the rest of the afternoon. Beware of nude beach

Stopped for lunch at a lake, its SUPER low, we are literally parked 1/2 mile into the lake. Its good and solid where its dry.... Muddy areas not so much, I avoided those like the plague.

Now onto a serious topic. Coilovers (or other options....). I need to do something to get this thing to ride better on FS roads. If you may or may not remember I have kelderman air ride leveling kit. Its honestly marginally better than the OE coils. I have to run ~80psi in the bags to keep their suggest ride height. I think this is likely very close to the OE spring rate. Its at 6200lbs on the front axle.

Airing down helps, but honestly its a bitch for say 10 miles of gravel.

Running Bilstien 5100's in the front, perhaps a better shock would help? Not really sure, it doesn't seem bouncy, but harsh on any impacts.

Thoughts or suggestions?

SPENT THE MONEY OF FOX RESI SHOCKS.... NO DIFFERENCE REALLY. I THINK THE BAGS ARE JUST TOO SHORT.

Data on the bags. In theory i should be over 90 psi with 3100lbs/side on them. assuming I am reading that right.

Well this happened! Only highway driving so far.

Fit well and the resi's tucked in nicely. Im at 4 clicks (12 total) up from full soft on the high speed compression, and full soft on the low speed.

Only done freeway for the most part. So far its a big "Meh" A little improvement, but not a ton.... FS roads this weekend I think. Pretty sure they are way long too

Gotta take some more measurements....

 

[Java230]

SEPT 10TH 2019


Just thinking to myself and out loud I guess.

If I need more height in the bags, and don't want lift why not just trim the lower bag mount down an inch? I'm assuming the bags will be Ok higher.

Probably not all that hard to unbolt them, cut them down and reweld. They are the ones with the angled plate.

I STILL THINK THIS IS THE BEST SOLUTION. RUN A SHORTER BRACKET AND 2" TALLER BAG

And.... My oil leak is getting worse! Grrrr no idea where it's coming from now. Looks like rear main ish as the most of it is around the back of the oil pan and the bellhousing.

Upper pan doesn't look like it's leaking.

Underside is well oiled now...

Begin ramble...

Spring rates. you need a minimum to hold the weight up. No two ways around that. BUT with the air bags, you have to add pressure to get the height. A spring can be made taller at the same spring rate correct? Where in the air bag the spring rate is increased with air pressure. However in theory the spring rate is as low as it can be to hold the weight at X height?

Zip ties on the shock shafts show I am not using the front suspension. Nearly NOT AT ALL. When I got to the start of gravel, I hopped out, three fingers of movement on the shaft, ~2.5" uptravel.... Thats not much (and not bottoming out on the bags)

Here is after a pretty decently rough section. A bit more movement, but still not much...

I did try inflating the bags to 9" tall. No difference, a bit worse even perhaps (more spring rate...). And they sit funky on the bases like that, not happy looking.

Frustrated.

Should I go back to coils? Just try to find taller softer ones?! Anyone have an idea of spring rate needed? 6200lbs on the front axle.


Went and played on the rocks.

Shoved my phone in and took a bunch of pictures.... This one caught my eye once it was on the computer. Looks like possibly the dipstick (or whatever that tube is..)? There is no "gunk" stuck there, high flow spot?

Ok some progress!

Took the truck to the store, hit a couple big hills and got oil to 200 degrees.

Half a roll of paper towels and a can of brake clean later we have this. Clean ish.

Idled in the driveway for 10 mins, now look at the bolt holding the dipstick! Should I replace the whole thing or just try to do the Oring?

our fucking shitting me. That's all that's left of the Oring, if there was ever one....

Gonna put this one down as a win (so far!) a couple hundred miles and a couple passes and it's leak free! Going hose down the Underside with degreaser, I really hope this was the oil leak all along!

Bag data!!!

A little hard to read, But shows the curves and spring rates. spring rates @ 80psi 535, @100psi 658 (at 9")

Played with air pressures this weekend.

Tires at 58.

Air bags at 70 which is just under 8" tall, its a bit better, BUT it does bottom out at this pressure.

At 60 its not any different feeling than 70 really. at 80 its harsher.

The Kelderman guys think I am feeling the rear end.... Maybe my expectations are just too much for this heavy of a truck?

 

[Java230]

Front still sucks. Haven't had time for ping tanks yet.

But we got the first snow of the season! (which apparently does not show up in night pics

)

Nearly no one around, nice morning hike.

Remember the random stereo static I get? Welllll the electrical gremlins are coming out..... My turn signal indicator on the dash dimly lights up (not flashing) randomly....

TURN SIGNAL STILL DOES THIS IF ANYONE HAS IDEAS......

Some hiking, some climbing.

Old counterweight house for a removed chairlift. Wont be standing much longer.

Sign was tucked in the bushes, chair was last in service in 1994 it appears.

Maxxfan started making all kinds of floppy noises on the freeway..... Ugh.

MAXXFAN HAS DONE THIS AGAIN.... THE ROOF MAKES A SUPER LOW PRESSURE ZONE THAT IS ALWAYS TRYING TO LIFT THE LID. i REPLACED IT AGAIN AS THEY ARE THE BEST DAMN FANS OUT THERE. I TRY REALLY HARD TO REMEMBER TO CLOSE IT BEFORE DRIVING NOW TOO....

And a quick little project. Uhhhh yeah my truck does not have reverse sensors any more. Goodbye button.

Perfect little hole....

A little file action and wala. It fits a standard 1 1/8" gauge. Temp gauge coming soon! I have wanted an outdoor temp forever.... Handy for knowing ice etc in the winter. This is a little Blue Sea Gauge, ill probably throw the prob in the door jamb. Need to get it wired up now. Hoping I can steal power from that switch I pulled out. That is TBD...

I MOVED THE SENSOR ALL THE WAY TO INSIDE THE FRONT BUMPER. IT STILL PIKC UP ENGINE HEAT..... SUPER ANNOYING.


Been wanting an outdoor temp gauge for awhile. Ford had one in the rear view in some pickup models, but it appeared from my google research that it was not a standard part included in the wire harness/build in the 450's. I also dont have a rear view any longer.

Finally got the Blue Sea one wired up last night and its a nice little unit! Oled screen and daylight readable. The docs says it has a "snowflake" that appears under freezing too.

Tied to the light leads for the old switch. This way it turns on any time running or headlights are on (I always have running on....).

Sensor is in the drivers door jamb, should get good reading, be protected form wind and not get much engine heat there.

 

[Java230]

Headed up, just starting to snow

Getting better

Parked! Right at the top of the ridge.

It started dumping!

Pretty spot.

A couple wheelers went by in the morning

Forecast was calling for up to another 12", we decided to bail out to a bit lower elevation. Glad we did, got another few inches, and it was about half the snow where we stopped as up above.

I did get a little project that I have put off forever done. As with anything deadlines seem to get things done. Picking up the new bumper this weekend and need something to strap it on to. So the second tow point is on the list.

Exact repeat of the pass side. Take everything apart.

Hold it in place with two of the bolt bolts. This just lines everything up. I then reamed the holes an 1/8" larger. I wanted to do it in place so there was minimum slop in the bores.

Fun spot to drill through 1 1/2" of steel.... Add proper grade 8's and torque. I am debating adding another bolt..... The shear on those is about 14k each. With puts me right about 4x GVW. I think I want a little more. One 3/4" down the center might happen....

While I was there, I used one of the many Helwig coozies from the NWOR to wrap the heater fuel pump in. I dont know that it will do much, but I have wanted to try.

COOZIE MAKES ALMOST ZERO DIFFERENCE.....

Buttoned back up. Should make strapping a front bumper to the back bumper much easier

Its not ghetto if it works?

Powdercoat is gone, and it took a good whack at some point, buts its still pretty straight and the price was right. 9 hours of driving later (4.5 with the bumper) and it didn't fall off

 

[warren91]

just one quick thought as to your suspension issue. The main issue is spring rate not air bag pressure. If you added more volume to the air bag the spring rate would go down. As in add a bigger pressure line or possibly a tank. then in theory you would get less psi increase per inch of compression.

 

[Java230]

just one quick thought as to your suspension issue. The main issue is spring rate not air bag pressure. If you added more volume to the air bag the spring rate would go down. As in add a bigger pressure line or possibly a tank. then in theory you would get less psi increase per inch of compression.

Yes, I think that is the idea behind the Ping tanks or using taller bags. More air volume.....

 

[Java230]

Well another great PNW weekend done. Drove a few different road Friday night, and settle in here so we had enough phne service to stream the football game. Sometimes its nice

No other people, no cars, will put it on the quick stop with service camp list.

Did a pretty good hike, almost 10 miles. Dodging some rain, but the weather held out pretty well. Snow wall behind the ladies..... Need to climb it next summer.

Back to out normal spot for this area for Saturday evening. Why people have to move fire pits I don't know.... But it got moved. Been coming here for 16 years now! Just a great night in the woods.

Bumper is at the powder coaters. Trying to find a winch to throw in it before it goes on..... May just do it later, but I hate to have to take it back off to get one in.

Christmas time!

Bumper back from powdercoat. It was rusty enough in places you can still see the pitting, but get it dirty and it will be fine.

All new hardware, and reassembled.

Grrrr Moisture inside. Cant find the leak..... Maybe windshield. Pulled headliner as the marker lights seem to be a common one, all good there.

STILL NEED TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS ONE AARON Z SUGGESTED PULLING THE PILLAR COVERS.... i DID NOTICE THAT MY WIRES ENTERING THE CAB WERE DRIPPING A LITTLE. LAZY ME JUST RAN THEM TRHU THE DOOR SEAL. ADDED DRIP LOOP. BUT WILL PULL THEM SOON.

 

[Java230]

New light arrived. I knew it was going to be close, 30" bar, but I couldn't find and good specs on the bar with brackets. Buuuut its REALLY tight. Light I cant bolt the brackets on tight. I may be able to mount it behind the uprights, but I need to get the bumper on and check grill clearance.

If anyone has any good ideas LMK.

That is with it tight to the other side.

End of summer mode. Clean everything out of the back.

Holds lots of goodies. 7 pairs of skis, a full size shovel, all the dump equipment, axe, chairs and carpet.

Engage mobile ski cabin.

Not much snow, but the weather was good.

Finally a day without meetings. Bumper time. Took the truck to work this morning and nosed into the shop. Unfortunately the door isn't big enough and neither is the shop....

Installation is the reverse of removal?

Brackets where close.... Reamed the holes to fit. Also the back one was single sided, they used a carriage bolt there. I drilled through the other frame rail to through bolt it.

Also had to cut the bolts down as they hit the intercooler.....

Swapped the Rigid fogs over to the outer holes.

Bumper mounted up!

Now onto the BD light bar. No way it fit period. I tired and tried no dice.

So A little CAD later, and I made new mounts that used the body holes. Adjustment will come from the clamps that hold it to the bar.

And on the KC tube clamps, only thing I could find that fit 2 3/8" tube nicely.

Couldn't get much tighter!

 

[Java230]

Finally some decent snow in the PNW! Baker got 38" in 48 hours. Go time.

Stopped and did some snowshoeing on the way up.

Pretty damn decent snow!

Hung out with friends by the fire until way too late....

Nearly no lines, great opening day.

ade it up to Baker to find an absolute disaster of a parking lot. 12-14" of new snow meant cars stuck everywhere, 3 loaders, a D8 dozer and two snow cats trying to clear things.... It was entertaining.

Woke up to another 8" overnight. Still nuking.

Light was a little flat, but the snow was decent!

Shoveled the roof....

Sunday cleared up and was pretty damn fantastic!

What a nutty weekend. Headed out late on Friday, with a big storm coming in.

Did not make it very far.... Highway closed. Tree fell and a car hit it. But they cleared in about an hour.

Made it to the pass as it was nuking snow. Parked finally.

Get up early! We got 4th chair Sat and 6th Sunday. Line gets big!

It didn't stop snowing..... This was Sunday 7am

So much snow!!

And then this..... Pass closed in all directions. I guess we are spending another night..... At least we have a nice spot to sleep, unlike the employees.... WSDOT did take a group down Eastbound, but quite a few slept in the lodge.

We moved to a different spot, and got a bunch more snow. This was Monday morning now. Luckily I just had to shovel the windshield and hood, and was able to pull right out of that spot. 4x4 low FTW! Waited for a couple hours in the morning, hoping they would open the road, but after talking to a truck that had run the West side it wasn't happening. Trees down, lots more threatening to fall. A car hit by a tree. Semi truck out of gas, no power, no gas. They did open East, so we started the long trip home.... Big loop with two more passes, but it was the only real option. Pass is still closed.

Stopped to shovel the roof off. The truck felt REALLY heavy with that up there.

Made it home finally. Truck is filthy from all the road grime.... Long trip, but great skiing!

 

[Grendel]

I need to move out there... I also need to make <Jim> 6wd.

 

[Java230]

I need to move out there... I also need to make <Jim> 6wd.

I would love to watch that build

 

[Java230]

Electrical upgrades inbound.

New inverter charger. Had to go with the 3kw as the 2kw that I wanted is the "compact" model and 6" taller.... New control panel for all the Victron stuff to talk to each other.

Since I was planning 2kw not 3kw, all my connections are undersized..... All new connection goodies for 400A. The inverter is set up to run dual 1/0 cables for pos and neg. Not quite sure how its all going to fit..... Fingers Crossed.

Another great weekend done!

Skied with these two awesome ladies.

I love this truck.

361lbs of batteries are scheduled for delivery Wednesday.

itting the bigger inverter is going to be a project..... Someone didn't exactly leave room...

This just happened.

As the saying goes, 10lbs of **it in a 5lb bucket...
Old vs new

Out with the old

New in place

High and negative low volt done ish

Too much **** to connect to the negative stud of the shunt....

Old ones coming out

New insulation, I had a piece under the old ones, but it was thin and crushed over time. 1" of XPS used this time.

The old cases showed a little rub wear between them, nothing really to worry about, but I added a little protection anyway. Old inner tubes, should give just a hint of space/cushion

And all in place!

And wired up. Need a bit more wire, and one USB to VE Direct for the victron stuff. I didn't realize you have to leave the head of the BMV in place, I was going to pull it and use the color control only.

 

[Java230]

OK one more time..... Is a "custom" tune that much better than a canned tune? No I wont have my truck on a dyno etc. Its just a what I would call tailored more than a "canned" tune?

I am fine with what I have now (delete and +70hp), I do wish it held 5th longer on steeper grades (lower rpms=more boost and more egt), but otherwise it drives fine.

Thoughts? Worth 1k??

 

[JNHEscher]

OK one more time..... Is a "custom" tune that much better than a canned tune? No I wont have my truck on a dyno etc. Its just a what I would call tailored more than a "canned" tune?

I am fine with what I have now (delete and +70hp), I do wish it held 5th longer on steeper grades (lower rpms=more boost and more egt), but otherwise it drives fine.

Thoughts? Worth 1k??

My buddy gave me his Livewire tuner. I haven't done anything but use it for reading codes and checking operations, but I helped put it on his 6.0 a few years ago. It works on the 7.3 as well. Made his truck go from 0 to 100mph in about ten seconds with not a single puff of smoke. Not sure if that help you any, but I was rather impressed by it because every other diesel with a tuner I've seen rolls enough coal at stoplights to make a charcoal briquette.

 

[Java230]

My buddy gave me his Livewire tuner. I haven't done anything but use it for reading codes and checking operations, but I helped put it on his 6.0 a few years ago. It works on the 7.3 as well. Made his truck go from 0 to 100mph in about ten seconds with not a single puff of smoke. Not sure if that help you any, but I was rather impressed by it because every other diesel with a tuner I've seen rolls enough coal at stoplights to make a charcoal briquette.

SCT is just the computer that talks to the truck. Do you know who's tune was on it? Quite a few people write tunes for the SCT

Edit maybe I should add I am not looking for a rocket. I little more HP sure? But I want Mpg and longevity first.