SomedayAdventure's "Bear" Build Thread
- Thread starter SomedayAdventure
- Start date
trailwhale
Adventurist
Those are some sharp looking wheels!!!
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
And I slowly roll on
These are not at all supposed to be my every day tires. Sank them in my field today and enjoyed ripping myself out. They are awesome!!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
These are not at all supposed to be my every day tires. Sank them in my field today and enjoyed ripping myself out. They are awesome!!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
Overlanding in a full-size diesel truck
From the beginning, the decision to move from my 2001 Tundra to a more accommodating truck was a calculated move. I wanted an 8 foot bed and a full-size cab. I considered the newer tundras but unfortunately, they were mutually exclusive. Full-size cab meant short bed. Full-size bed meant smaller cab. And then there was a limitation of the engine. This led me to the diesels of either Ram or Ford. Also, this meant that stock I would have 400 hp and 800 foot pounds of torque for the models of that year. 400 more torque than any Toyota Tundra (rough estimate).
There has been a bit of a learning curve when it comes to diesels of this size. They don't operate in mud and sand like lighter trucks and there is an acceleration lag due to the diesel engines and the turbo spooling. This is fixed through quality programmers like my Edge CTS2.
But to the many jeep and Tacoma overlanding people out there, I did a quick size comparison using a tripod in my driveway. This is my 2014 powerstroke in the same place as a 2003 expedition XLT (using the magic of photography). Granted, I am 6'4", but it's rare for me to actually catch a glimpse of the scale of my truck.
The truck and expedition for information purposes only are in the exact same location and photographed from exactly location with the expedition being superimposed in Photoshop to represent the scale difference.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
From the beginning, the decision to move from my 2001 Tundra to a more accommodating truck was a calculated move. I wanted an 8 foot bed and a full-size cab. I considered the newer tundras but unfortunately, they were mutually exclusive. Full-size cab meant short bed. Full-size bed meant smaller cab. And then there was a limitation of the engine. This led me to the diesels of either Ram or Ford. Also, this meant that stock I would have 400 hp and 800 foot pounds of torque for the models of that year. 400 more torque than any Toyota Tundra (rough estimate).
There has been a bit of a learning curve when it comes to diesels of this size. They don't operate in mud and sand like lighter trucks and there is an acceleration lag due to the diesel engines and the turbo spooling. This is fixed through quality programmers like my Edge CTS2.
But to the many jeep and Tacoma overlanding people out there, I did a quick size comparison using a tripod in my driveway. This is my 2014 powerstroke in the same place as a 2003 expedition XLT (using the magic of photography). Granted, I am 6'4", but it's rare for me to actually catch a glimpse of the scale of my truck.
The truck and expedition for information purposes only are in the exact same location and photographed from exactly location with the expedition being superimposed in Photoshop to represent the scale difference.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
trailwhale
Adventurist
AWESOME comparison picture! I really like that a lot, it can be tough to get an idea of scale, that puts it perfectly into perspective! Great build too!!!!
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
The future is bright!
It's not here yet but I can feel my freedom coming.
It's not here yet but I can feel my freedom coming.
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
Well, finally got around to making some changes.
Introducing...my BDS Recoil traction bars.
So far, I feel like I notice an improvement in the performance of my truck. Specifically related to the "Ford flex" and general traction.
The power, especially in 4low, feels as though it's going directly to the rear wheels as opposed to curling up under the truck.
Basically, there's nowhere for the rear axle to go now so there's less power wasted. This wasn't the biggest hill by any means but by the sight of it, I personally wasn't expecting to just crawl up (4x4. 2x4 it could barely start the hill).
So, last night I thought I'd try some loose dirt on my property. It's also my sons Tonka truck dirt.
Not too shabby.
Next test is wheel hop in sand and just for fun...take offs after I switch my Edge programmer back to 'race mode'.
Introducing...my BDS Recoil traction bars.
So far, I feel like I notice an improvement in the performance of my truck. Specifically related to the "Ford flex" and general traction.
The power, especially in 4low, feels as though it's going directly to the rear wheels as opposed to curling up under the truck.
Basically, there's nowhere for the rear axle to go now so there's less power wasted. This wasn't the biggest hill by any means but by the sight of it, I personally wasn't expecting to just crawl up (4x4. 2x4 it could barely start the hill).
So, last night I thought I'd try some loose dirt on my property. It's also my sons Tonka truck dirt.
Not too shabby.
Next test is wheel hop in sand and just for fun...take offs after I switch my Edge programmer back to 'race mode'.
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
So,
Chelsea has been away since wednesday and I thought I'd take the boys out. 4.5 hours later, here we were.
From San Diego to the Trona Pinnacles is a simple 3 hours and 45 minutes...unless you have 4 boys under six years old...and you're completely alone (adult wise). Half way there I was smacking myself as I was already exhausted from the day made this trip on a snap decision rooted in fatherhood guilt.
By they way, in case we're not friends on another platform and you don't know...Off Road Warehouse can burn in hell. They did my wiring and that for the fourth time, the lights went out. This time the 50" bar on top (lit when I went out but as the sun went down and right when I needed it...nothing).
Now, as far as photography, I unfortunately couldn't get more than 30 seconds to myself without the two oldest demanding that I allow them to use the streamlight flashlights (fun for them) or the baby crying because "car seat no fun no more". FML
more later...this thing stopped loading pics
Chelsea has been away since wednesday and I thought I'd take the boys out. 4.5 hours later, here we were.
From San Diego to the Trona Pinnacles is a simple 3 hours and 45 minutes...unless you have 4 boys under six years old...and you're completely alone (adult wise). Half way there I was smacking myself as I was already exhausted from the day made this trip on a snap decision rooted in fatherhood guilt.
By they way, in case we're not friends on another platform and you don't know...Off Road Warehouse can burn in hell. They did my wiring and that for the fourth time, the lights went out. This time the 50" bar on top (lit when I went out but as the sun went down and right when I needed it...nothing).
Now, as far as photography, I unfortunately couldn't get more than 30 seconds to myself without the two oldest demanding that I allow them to use the streamlight flashlights (fun for them) or the baby crying because "car seat no fun no more". FML
more later...this thing stopped loading pics
Sounds like a classic adventure. It just turned out different than you expected, but don't they all. Undoubtedly better than staying home and Mom will be appreciated by all but ORW won't, so what's new LOL
Right?
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
Round one: remount all of the Baja Designs lights on the frontrunner rack. This will require me to fabricate a bracket and drill new holes in the rack.
Round two: mount CVT Mt Thielson tent to the rack. This way I'll have a full-time tent anywhere I go
Round three: start dual battery project to be placed in the bed of the truck. This is so I have an extra store of power to run electronics such as the computer and refrigerators in the back of the truck on long trips.
Round four: find appropriate solar panels. I was recently inspired by another off-road vehicle to have a permanently mounted solar panel on the truck. I'm considering putting it on the cab just behind the sunroof. That is, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the light bar. This would feed directly to the dual battery system all the time. I will also need additional solar panels just for general camp set up.
Round five: pending successful completion, implement secret prototype project with Bedslide. Fingers crossed.
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
PROJECT POWER:
Ok...well, I seem to be a bit out of order.
I've skipped round 1 and 2 and jumped to round to round 3 and 4. So, this is what's going down.
The first part of "PROJECT POWER" is power storage. I did a bit of checking around and had a lot to learn when it came to batteries. Honestly, for me, it broke down to "deep cycle" and "starter" batteries. I had just upgraded my trucks standard onboard batteries to a newer Ford model with greater cranking amps and learned that THOSE types of batteries can off-gas.
I had been driving around and discovered a FISHY smell coming from somewhere. Living in a rural farm community, I honestly thought (for about a day) that every farm and orchard had just put out fresh manure. Eventually, I found the odor under my hood and discovered my left battery was steaming. The precise cause is not "officially" known but due to electrical problems I soon discovered after, my STRONG belief is that Off Road Warehouse wired everything to that battery and overloaded it. It's a fact that they wired my lights and other components incorrectly (using the wrong gauge wire, fuses, wiring looms etc).
I am NOT a wiring guy and put my faith in the reputation of others. Some of you know I work in Law Enforcement and drive a heavily wired vehicle that demands the use of its upgraded electrical components dozens and dozens of times a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It even has a full-time computer running in it along with a big radio. I found out that the guy that wired my patrol car was actually an American Adventurist "Mitch Moerch".
Long story short, I went to Goose Gear to get the wiring fixed as the last I had heard was he was working up there, despite living in the bottom of San Diego (the drive is nuts). I went to GG and found out that he wasn't there anymore. I got in touch with him and found out he was still able to do the work and might be starting up on his own as a mobile wiring specialist. Worked for me.
ADVENTUREWIRED to the rescue.
Honestly, the first major hurdle for this project was understanding how I was going to produce, route, and harness energy. I know that my truck is only capable of producing so much. On a typical outing (adventure), we employ at least the SnoMaster Expedition Series 95D (size of an 85+ but is double door and function). If night comes, then we employ the Baja Designs off road lights. LED and all they still need a fair amount of juice. We recently got the wiring fixed for those and got to use the side view S8 series lights I installed to see cute little deer in Vail Colorado.
fridge link: https://www.snomasterusa.com/product/expedition-series-bdc-95-stainless-steel-acdc-fridgefreezer/
To solve the limited power problem, I decided onboard deep-cycle batteries were needed. After talking with AdventureWired, the decision was made to go with the Odyssey 31M-PC2150 battery. These are about $400 a piece and I opted to go with two. My father (white truck aka Polar Bear) wanted to do at least four batteries to start with, as he is self-named "Captain Overkill". He really is captain overkill and this is great when he engineers furniture or home fixtures and things you want to last, but sometimes he passes the intersection of "utility" and drops off into unnecessary or even detrimental. In this case, an excess of batteries this size would have a shorter lifespan because they would not ever maintain a full charge (it would take 14 hours of driving just to charge them). So...two it was.
The plan is to mount them in the bed of my truck on the front right passenger side. With another secret project I have going on, this will make for the perfect place to keep these.
The decision was made that the alternator would be the primary power sourse for the batteries and they would charge as we go. To link the batteries (and for other power sources) we chose the CTEK D250S.
Now, whats really cool is how we plan on monitoring the Odyssey batteries power! CTEK also makes a monitoring system that wirelessly allows you to see the power level and even charging history of the battery and even a bank of batteries.
I came to the painfully back and forth realization that Chelsea would not approve of the overall project unless she could use any her desired necessities along with our work gear. This meant laptops, camera batteries, drones, flash/camp lights, Kuerig coffee maker, blender (for my mom actually) etc. This meant we would need an inverter. We decided on the Xantrex 2000 model.
Finally, the alternate power source was planned out. I knew I wanted solar panels after I went to a few campsites that did not allow generators. I had also been a few places where a generator created an unwanted noise and smell. My plan was to mount the panel to the blank space on top of my Powerstroke's cab. After looking at what needed to be done with the 50" light bar and hearing about excess wind noise that might be a byproduct of its placement there, I decided not to go that route. For now, we are going to be using a suitcase solar set up to provide additional power. The plan is to deploy the Renogy Eclipse 200 watt solar suitcase.
It's a lot of work but should be really useful once it's all installed. I am actually looking forward to not having to unplug the fridge every other week when I'm not using it just to make sure my truck doesn't die.
Onwards and upwards as they say.
Ok...well, I seem to be a bit out of order.
I've skipped round 1 and 2 and jumped to round to round 3 and 4. So, this is what's going down.
The first part of "PROJECT POWER" is power storage. I did a bit of checking around and had a lot to learn when it came to batteries. Honestly, for me, it broke down to "deep cycle" and "starter" batteries. I had just upgraded my trucks standard onboard batteries to a newer Ford model with greater cranking amps and learned that THOSE types of batteries can off-gas.
I had been driving around and discovered a FISHY smell coming from somewhere. Living in a rural farm community, I honestly thought (for about a day) that every farm and orchard had just put out fresh manure. Eventually, I found the odor under my hood and discovered my left battery was steaming. The precise cause is not "officially" known but due to electrical problems I soon discovered after, my STRONG belief is that Off Road Warehouse wired everything to that battery and overloaded it. It's a fact that they wired my lights and other components incorrectly (using the wrong gauge wire, fuses, wiring looms etc).
I am NOT a wiring guy and put my faith in the reputation of others. Some of you know I work in Law Enforcement and drive a heavily wired vehicle that demands the use of its upgraded electrical components dozens and dozens of times a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It even has a full-time computer running in it along with a big radio. I found out that the guy that wired my patrol car was actually an American Adventurist "Mitch Moerch".
Long story short, I went to Goose Gear to get the wiring fixed as the last I had heard was he was working up there, despite living in the bottom of San Diego (the drive is nuts). I went to GG and found out that he wasn't there anymore. I got in touch with him and found out he was still able to do the work and might be starting up on his own as a mobile wiring specialist. Worked for me.
ADVENTUREWIRED to the rescue.
Honestly, the first major hurdle for this project was understanding how I was going to produce, route, and harness energy. I know that my truck is only capable of producing so much. On a typical outing (adventure), we employ at least the SnoMaster Expedition Series 95D (size of an 85+ but is double door and function). If night comes, then we employ the Baja Designs off road lights. LED and all they still need a fair amount of juice. We recently got the wiring fixed for those and got to use the side view S8 series lights I installed to see cute little deer in Vail Colorado.
fridge link: https://www.snomasterusa.com/product/expedition-series-bdc-95-stainless-steel-acdc-fridgefreezer/
To solve the limited power problem, I decided onboard deep-cycle batteries were needed. After talking with AdventureWired, the decision was made to go with the Odyssey 31M-PC2150 battery. These are about $400 a piece and I opted to go with two. My father (white truck aka Polar Bear) wanted to do at least four batteries to start with, as he is self-named "Captain Overkill". He really is captain overkill and this is great when he engineers furniture or home fixtures and things you want to last, but sometimes he passes the intersection of "utility" and drops off into unnecessary or even detrimental. In this case, an excess of batteries this size would have a shorter lifespan because they would not ever maintain a full charge (it would take 14 hours of driving just to charge them). So...two it was.
The plan is to mount them in the bed of my truck on the front right passenger side. With another secret project I have going on, this will make for the perfect place to keep these.
The decision was made that the alternator would be the primary power sourse for the batteries and they would charge as we go. To link the batteries (and for other power sources) we chose the CTEK D250S.
Now, whats really cool is how we plan on monitoring the Odyssey batteries power! CTEK also makes a monitoring system that wirelessly allows you to see the power level and even charging history of the battery and even a bank of batteries.
I came to the painfully back and forth realization that Chelsea would not approve of the overall project unless she could use any her desired necessities along with our work gear. This meant laptops, camera batteries, drones, flash/camp lights, Kuerig coffee maker, blender (for my mom actually) etc. This meant we would need an inverter. We decided on the Xantrex 2000 model.
Finally, the alternate power source was planned out. I knew I wanted solar panels after I went to a few campsites that did not allow generators. I had also been a few places where a generator created an unwanted noise and smell. My plan was to mount the panel to the blank space on top of my Powerstroke's cab. After looking at what needed to be done with the 50" light bar and hearing about excess wind noise that might be a byproduct of its placement there, I decided not to go that route. For now, we are going to be using a suitcase solar set up to provide additional power. The plan is to deploy the Renogy Eclipse 200 watt solar suitcase.
It's a lot of work but should be really useful once it's all installed. I am actually looking forward to not having to unplug the fridge every other week when I'm not using it just to make sure my truck doesn't die.
Onwards and upwards as they say.
Last edited:
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
So here's a little update.
The batteries and control systems were installed successfully .The solar panel is all set to go.The only problem...The bedside doesn't fit with the batteries.
So what to do?
Why, cut to fit of course!!
Squared it off and measured twice. No turning back.
Now just to install and ensure it fits .
The batteries and control systems were installed successfully .The solar panel is all set to go.The only problem...The bedside doesn't fit with the batteries.
So what to do?
Why, cut to fit of course!!
Squared it off and measured twice. No turning back.
Now just to install and ensure it fits .
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
She's almost up to speed
Does anyone like Bushwacker Fender flares?
Any other options?
Does anyone like Bushwacker Fender flares?
Any other options?
SomedayAdventure
Adventurist
Putting my BDS and BFGoodrich KM3s through their paces
