Another trip under this rigs belt. This time, no problems getting there & back. Was only a 500 mile trip tho. lol
@KurtECV joined me on the trip, kept me company, helped set/break camp, and was great to have along for the experience.
It towed fine keeping it in 3rd gear (OD off), and under 65 MPH the entire time. Engine temps hit 203, and trans temps hit 208 for highs, in a very hilly Ozark terrain. Averaged 12.3 MPG. Used 1 quart of oil. That oil usage still irks me pretty good. I think I am going to plumb the trans back to the new aluminum radiator.
The new headlights needed adjusted badly. On the way home, we stopped at Kurt's work, and adjusted them better for my leg home in the dark. I need to adjust the light housing dealio's, after removing the grill. The single vertical adjuster, won't do it alone. These things are stupid bright! I have never had a vehicle with lights this bright before. Holy mudder of gawd!
The bad stuff learned from this trip:
So there is a mystery clunk in the front end I need to find, and fix. Hope it's something simple, but knowing this truck, prolly not.
The steering is only about 75% capacity, and less than 50% in 4wd. It's a chore to turn the wheel, and off road, tires me out fairly quickly. I give up trying to figure it out, after $2k, and every component changed.
Brake pedal still drops to the floor randomly now & then in low range. I give up on this issue too, as it has been worked on so much over the years trying to fix it, it just makes no sense as to why it happens, even after an engine swap, and every single component changed....... AGAIN!
Rear bumper needs some love. The trailer shown it's weak point. It dropped at the hitch, and raised at the side tubes, hitting the fenders. I already have a fix thought of for that.
Dr door handle needs replaced. It lost it's spring, and the handle flops.
I reset the trip OD, and it froze. Won't work at all now. No idea what to do about that one, as it's a new to me issue.
The good stuff:
The new wheel well liners worked as intended. Stopped all the off road mud/debris from filling the voids, and cleaned off easily with a hose.
The rig works well off road. Best it ever has. For an IFS rig, it even surprises me how well it does. Level 3-4 trails was a chore or not even doable, for this rig years ago, now they are fair game.
The Overlanding people loved the setup, and was in awe as the rig walked right up and over obstacles they fought. I strapped one of them up a rock wall on a trail. Heh heh.
Pictures given to me by the event host, while on the trails. Finally, someone else took some pictures of this thing, doing more than just posing! LOL!
Few minor fixes, and it will be ready for the next meet in Moab, come spring.
