Hi everybody,
we made it to the Built-thread section
We are new to the forum and the US, here's my initial thread in the CA/NV section (I know, might be a little misplaced).
This was/is our expedition rig back in Germany, but he's not here
Here is his latest adventure, the big one to the east.
We arrived 3 weeks ago in California and I started looking. A F250 7.3PSD would have been nice, but they are huge, and a little above our budget (which is 10k for a safe-running 4x4 truck that might be able to carry a slide-in). We then looked at a Dodge 2500 ECSB with the Cummins 5.9, and the exterior size was fine to us, it can carry a slide-in when we want to upgrade, and it seems to be somewhat reliable, given some precautions (let's see how this turns out in the end). It was a constructor's car, not in great shape overall, but any mechanical issues were quickly resolved and the maintenance was on time. So, we bought her and spent quite some time on cleaning and getting out all the dirt and dust.
I know, way too much text, so here's a first pic:
It needs quite some more TLC, but the price was ok with some room left for that before we hit our limit. It has 255k miles, the engine was replaced at 75k (I guess it was a 53, not it's a 56). Transmission was replaced at 200k, the VP44 was also replaced around that time. So after all I read on the internet, the major hassles were already dealt with once. I ended up ordering a pressure gauge for a first check of the lift pump, and I'll see which one I will pick for permanent reading. I plan on a Trans temp and pressure gauge. I don't need boost, exhaust temp and so on. Any input here is welcome
The truck is completely stock.
The toolbox is already gone, the contractor's rack will be on craigslist soon, and we keep an eye open for camper shells (any experience, how about the fitting of non-Dodge caps?).
A basic sleeping platform will do it for us, but some time in the next months and years we keep our eyes open for a FWC or a small hardsided slide-in.
We plan on doing mostly weekend-road trips, not heavy offroading. No major mods (lift etc) are planned so far. Most miles will probably be highway from the bay area to Yosemite, Tahoe, the coast etc. Once we're done with our jobs here (which will be in 2-4 years), I fantasize on a Baja or NW-and-Canada trip (depending on the season).
Things to come in the next weeks:
- new shocks, the front right is leaking a bit and I think the others might be worn, too. Which ones are good? I read about Bilstein or Rancho? As I said, no heavy loads so far and soon, no heavy offroad, 2 people, 2 mountainbikes, some weekend-trip stuff.
I got a repair manual and figured out this will be the first repair done in the driveway.
- new tires, the ones on them right now are pretty worn down. What is a good 80road/20dirt tire that should give us a good mileage? Snow grip, offroad grip and ************ looks are not our top priority. Rather mileage, sound, and durability.
- steering: the truck is a bit wobbely on the highway. I understand this is a built-in Dodge feature. I might slowly proceed to upgrades here. Any recommendations? I thought about the DOR steering thing, which other components are reasonable to change or upgrade? So, far, I guess pretty much everything has 255k miles on it and might be in the corresponding shape. Any pictures how I can quickly determine whether I have the HD steering?
- camper shell: hopefully a raised-roof, 2-windoor, insulated ARE for 200$. I guess this won't happen, so probably whatever comes across for a good price.
- sleeping platform: we took down the box yesterday and pressured the bed. There was a whole forest in it. Let's see what we end up with. We have no equipment yet, and I think we will stick to a KISS ice cooler and a gas stove. I'm not even sure if I throw in an aux battery.
Any upgrades/hints/opinions are more than welcome.
Also, I did all the mechanics on my 1990 Volkswagen syncro van on my own. But, I came here with not a single tool and don't know anything about trucks. So, any ideas for an honest, competent mechanic on the Peninsula are welcome. I plan to do some stuff on my own, but I won't buy a complete workshop equipment here, as we will go back to Germany in 2-4 years.
Oh, yes, the name: our syncro is waiting at home for us. Bringing him to the US was not really an option. But, he will be our perfect expedition vehicle forever, and there are enough destinations for him. His name is Kalimero (which is, when written with a "C", an Italian comic figure). Calimero's girlfriend is Priscilla, so we figured out the truck's name is now also Priscilla.
So long,
I'll keep this thread updated,
Mike
we made it to the Built-thread section
We are new to the forum and the US, here's my initial thread in the CA/NV section (I know, might be a little misplaced).
This was/is our expedition rig back in Germany, but he's not here
Here is his latest adventure, the big one to the east.
We arrived 3 weeks ago in California and I started looking. A F250 7.3PSD would have been nice, but they are huge, and a little above our budget (which is 10k for a safe-running 4x4 truck that might be able to carry a slide-in). We then looked at a Dodge 2500 ECSB with the Cummins 5.9, and the exterior size was fine to us, it can carry a slide-in when we want to upgrade, and it seems to be somewhat reliable, given some precautions (let's see how this turns out in the end). It was a constructor's car, not in great shape overall, but any mechanical issues were quickly resolved and the maintenance was on time. So, we bought her and spent quite some time on cleaning and getting out all the dirt and dust.
I know, way too much text, so here's a first pic:
It needs quite some more TLC, but the price was ok with some room left for that before we hit our limit. It has 255k miles, the engine was replaced at 75k (I guess it was a 53, not it's a 56). Transmission was replaced at 200k, the VP44 was also replaced around that time. So after all I read on the internet, the major hassles were already dealt with once. I ended up ordering a pressure gauge for a first check of the lift pump, and I'll see which one I will pick for permanent reading. I plan on a Trans temp and pressure gauge. I don't need boost, exhaust temp and so on. Any input here is welcome
The truck is completely stock.
The toolbox is already gone, the contractor's rack will be on craigslist soon, and we keep an eye open for camper shells (any experience, how about the fitting of non-Dodge caps?).
A basic sleeping platform will do it for us, but some time in the next months and years we keep our eyes open for a FWC or a small hardsided slide-in.
We plan on doing mostly weekend-road trips, not heavy offroading. No major mods (lift etc) are planned so far. Most miles will probably be highway from the bay area to Yosemite, Tahoe, the coast etc. Once we're done with our jobs here (which will be in 2-4 years), I fantasize on a Baja or NW-and-Canada trip (depending on the season).
Things to come in the next weeks:
- new shocks, the front right is leaking a bit and I think the others might be worn, too. Which ones are good? I read about Bilstein or Rancho? As I said, no heavy loads so far and soon, no heavy offroad, 2 people, 2 mountainbikes, some weekend-trip stuff.
I got a repair manual and figured out this will be the first repair done in the driveway.
- new tires, the ones on them right now are pretty worn down. What is a good 80road/20dirt tire that should give us a good mileage? Snow grip, offroad grip and ************ looks are not our top priority. Rather mileage, sound, and durability.
- steering: the truck is a bit wobbely on the highway. I understand this is a built-in Dodge feature. I might slowly proceed to upgrades here. Any recommendations? I thought about the DOR steering thing, which other components are reasonable to change or upgrade? So, far, I guess pretty much everything has 255k miles on it and might be in the corresponding shape. Any pictures how I can quickly determine whether I have the HD steering?
- camper shell: hopefully a raised-roof, 2-windoor, insulated ARE for 200$. I guess this won't happen, so probably whatever comes across for a good price.
- sleeping platform: we took down the box yesterday and pressured the bed. There was a whole forest in it. Let's see what we end up with. We have no equipment yet, and I think we will stick to a KISS ice cooler and a gas stove. I'm not even sure if I throw in an aux battery.
Any upgrades/hints/opinions are more than welcome.
Also, I did all the mechanics on my 1990 Volkswagen syncro van on my own. But, I came here with not a single tool and don't know anything about trucks. So, any ideas for an honest, competent mechanic on the Peninsula are welcome. I plan to do some stuff on my own, but I won't buy a complete workshop equipment here, as we will go back to Germany in 2-4 years.
Oh, yes, the name: our syncro is waiting at home for us. Bringing him to the US was not really an option. But, he will be our perfect expedition vehicle forever, and there are enough destinations for him. His name is Kalimero (which is, when written with a "C", an Italian comic figure). Calimero's girlfriend is Priscilla, so we figured out the truck's name is now also Priscilla.
So long,
I'll keep this thread updated,
Mike
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