Off to the dark side...

[tdavis]

My Ram is averaging about the same mileage. It's' a 2003 and it just hit 200,000. The 7000lb Ram gets better mileage though.

When I had the F150 with the 4.6/5 speed, the mpg was worse than this.. with the Superduty, it's actually closer to the 15/17mpg in city driving..

 

[Josh P]

My 99 grand cherokee gets 15-17 in town and 23-25 on the freeway. My Jeep liberty diesel got 26 mpg for the short time I drove it stock.

 

[tdavis]

Rear locker got stuck in the locked position. Used that opportunity to install a LubeLocker gasket.

Also updated the dash to a digital dash. Been dealing with firmware bugs with the vendor...

Love the offroad mode of this dash.

 

[Josh P]

Rear locker got stuck in the locked position. Used that opportunity to install a LubeLocker gasket.

Also updated the dash to a digital dash. Been dealing with firmware bugs with the vendor...

Love the offroad mode of this dash.

View attachment 453942

View attachment 453943

That's sexy!

 

[tdavis]

Removed the old Android radio and it's dash replacement parts due to application crashes. Installed a more up to date Android radio and put back the old dash parts.

 

[410Fortune]

Who Makes that one and how big is the tablet portion? I like that it has a knob

 

[BKennedy]

That would be good for GPS mapping software with my older eyes.

 

[tdavis]

Who Makes that one and how big is the tablet portion? I like that it has a knob

This is the radio https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCBQ431G it's been "discontinued" because the newer versions now have Android 13 instead of Android 12..

It has also been customized for Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep vehicles. They do make generic versions, with up to 15" screens.

That would be good for GPS mapping software with my older eyes.

This is so true. The only downfall to this radio is for some reason, they don't put in a compass. I added the jeep compass unit when I pull the original radio, but it doesn't read it off the can-bus. I can use my cell phone with Android Auto, or use the ruggized tablet with it's huge battery I picked up over Christmas.

Next step is to figure out which GPS mapping software to get - OnX just announce an upgrade for finding dispersed/boondocking sites.. I know of a several others, just haven't decided yet which one to really purchase and pay the bucks for maps.

 

[BKennedy]

Link to ruggedized tablet? I've been looking at a tablet for navigation. Maybe fab a mount or get a surplus cop car mount for the Explorer

 

[tdavis]

Link to ruggedized tablet? I've been looking at a tablet for navigation. Maybe fab a mount or get a surplus cop car mount for the Explorer

Ruggedized Tablet is the tablet; large battery, large screen, compass, gps, lte support.

 

[BKennedy]

I like that. Not too big but would make it a lot easier to read maps. This mount was suggested and I think it would work with a little modification, if any.

https://a.co/d/fkQZ2rN

 

[tdavis]

Well, of course the battery has to die.. Even though it's less than 4 years old.. The caps have swelled off the old battery (it's an AGM), so it's dead. This is like the 4th battery now..

 

[Josh P]

I haven't had good luck with AGM batteries.

 

[tdavis]

I did a quick scan to see if someone makes a lithium starter battery.. and then quickly decided it wasn't worth the cost.

 

[Rick]

I haven't had good luck with AGM batteries.

I have run them in our Ram\Cummins for years. I usually get 6 to 7 years out of them. I can't remember the name off hand but I have been getting them from Batteries+.

I also have had good luck with Optima Yellow Tops in the performance cars and in the Pumpkin.

 

[410Fortune]

As I understand it not all vehicles charging systems are compatible with agm

Interstate / Kirkland batteries are the best imo Costco warranty it like no other

I run agm in most equipment around here but they are only $145 + core for a group 65 at the local farm tractor store / Dura start brand they hold up well in the cold climate with solar battery maintainers (trailers, tractors sit a lot)
My cars I just run lead acid the old 80-90 fords don’t seem to get any benefit from agm

 

[Josh P]

AGM does do well where it's not extremely hot in the summer. 18 months is all I'd ever get out of them. Always died in the summer in Phoenix.

 

[Rick]

These are the AGMs from Batteries+. No problem with the AZ heat.

 

[Josh P]

The old grey top interstate batteries would last my dad between 10 to 15 years. They don't make them that good anymore.

 

[tdavis]

Yea, almost all LA batteries today are using recycled lead.. the purer the lead, the longer they last.