Outing For Big Blue or Blue?

[Gary Lewis]

A shovel is a good idea - I'd planned on taking one but had forgotten. Planks are a good idea, but I don't have any. Should have purchased the recovery tracks I looked at recently.

I forgot to list the chocks, but they are in the tool box on the truck. And I have a recovery/tree saver strap, but a digging bar is a good idea. And maybe the sledge to drive it in if necessary.

Carpet is a great idea. I think I have some old stuff that would work well for getting down to change out the tires w/o wearing all that mud for the rest of the day.

Thanks!

Got the hubs lubed and the lug nuts torqued down on the trailer. Sure glad I did as the hubs took 1/2 of a mini tube of grease each, so while they were surely lubed there wasn't any excess in there. And the lug nuts were all over the place on torque, so I'm glad I checked them as well.

As for the truck, I did get the iPhone set up to play through the radio - and it sounds GOOD! In addition I got the shutoff valve in the heater hose so the incoming air won't be heated. But, since it will get below freezing tonight I may want to leave it on for the trip over on Tuesday.

Anyway, I'll report more on WHYDTYTT.....

[Gary Lewis]

Got the hubs lubed and the lug nuts torqued down on the trailer. Sure glad I did as the hubs took 1/2 of a mini tube of grease each, so while they were surely lubed there wasn't any excess in there. And the lug nuts were all over the place on torque, so I'm glad I checked them as well.

As for the truck, I did get the iPhone set up to play through the radio - and it sounds GOOD! In addition I got the shutoff valve in the heater hose so the incoming air won't be heated. But, since it will get below freezing tonight I may want to leave it on for the trip over on Tuesday.

Anyway, I'll report more on WHYDTYTT.....

Spent most of the day trying to resurrect an old air tank my brother gave me. Thought I had it nailed after I tapped and plugged every orifice on it, but it was sitting at 125 PSI at 5:00 and is now down to 80 PSI 4 hours later.

Just looked and Tractor Supply has one on sale for $20. Think I'll pick that one up when I'm out tomorrow.

But, I did adjust the headlights tonight and they work great. But we put the trip off until Wednesday due to weather, so tomorrow I can finish getting the tools ready, gas the truck and the two 5 gallon containers I'm taking up, and get everything loaded.

[Bruno2]

Spent most of the day trying to resurrect an old air tank my brother gave me. Thought I had it nailed after I tapped and plugged every orifice on it, but it was sitting at 125 PSI at 5:00 and is now down to 80 PSI 4 hours later.

Just looked and Tractor Supply has one on sale for $20. Think I'll pick that one up when I'm out tomorrow.

But, I did adjust the headlights tonight and they work great. But we put the trip off until Wednesday due to weather, so tomorrow I can finish getting the tools ready, gas the truck and the two 5 gallon containers I'm taking up, and get everything loaded.

Chance of rain again today. More later this week.

I dont think Big Blue will have any issues working in the mud. Those trucks are harder to get stuck than people think even with a trailer on. However, the mess and clean up is demoralizing.

I would go buy 1,000' of chain and just pull it from the street lol.

[Gary Lewis]

Chance of rain again today. More later this week.

I dont think Big Blue will have any issues working in the mud. Those trucks are harder to get stuck than people think even with a trailer on. However, the mess and clean up is demoralizing.

I would go buy 1,000' of chain and just pull it from the street lol.

Yup, today we have a chance of rain and Grove, where I'm headed, has an even higher chance. But tomorrow is to be clear and dry. And my buddy has a tractor so he can pull the vehicles within reach of my 100' of winch line, 25' of chain, and 20' of retrieval line - plus probably 100' of ratchet straps of various sizes.

However, I understand what you are saying about cleanup. Back in the early 90's we had a Toyota Previa van with AWD. Took it out in the mud and it was unstoppable. And then the cleanup started. I spent many dollars in quarters at the car wash and left the place a mess. Then, when we got home a couple of days later I went under and spent a day breaking the mud out of places I couldn't believe it could get.

So, while I'm in Tractor Supply today getting the air tank I'll look at their chain.

[Gary Lewis]

Yup, today we have a chance of rain and Grove, where I'm headed, has an even higher chance. But tomorrow is to be clear and dry. And my buddy has a tractor so he can pull the vehicles within reach of my 100' of winch line, 25' of chain, and 20' of retrieval line - plus probably 100' of ratchet straps of various sizes.

However, I understand what you are saying about cleanup. Back in the early 90's we had a Toyota Previa van with AWD. Took it out in the mud and it was unstoppable. And then the cleanup started. I spent many dollars in quarters at the car wash and left the place a mess. Then, when we got home a couple of days later I went under and spent a day breaking the mud out of places I couldn't believe it could get.

So, while I'm in Tractor Supply today getting the air tank I'll look at their chain.

Well, we are loaded. All I have to do in the morning is to top the two air tanks off (the new one and the old one), add some water and Gatoraide bottles to the cooler, and be off. Here's the check list - please tell me what I'm forgetting:

And, here are a few shots of a loaded truck:

 

[Bruno2]

Well, we are loaded. All I have to do in the morning is to top the two air tanks off (the new one and the old one), add some water and Gatoraide bottles to the cooler, and be off. Here's the check list - please tell me what I'm forgetting:

And, here are a few shots of a loaded truck:

Looks ready!

I worked with a guy a couple of years ago that told me something interesting. He worked on a big ranch in AZ years ago. When I say years ago I am saying he will be 88 in August and this was when he was a young man. Joe Lynch is his name. Joe said on the ranch the work trucks had bumpers made of 4" pipe. The pipe had ends welded on as well as NPT bungs where air chucks were installed. Every morning they would pressure up the bumpers for a reservoir in case they needed it (apparently this was a BIG ranch) in order to not become stranded.

[Gary Lewis]

Looks ready!

I worked with a guy a couple of years ago that told me something interesting. He worked on a big ranch in AZ years ago. When I say years ago I am saying he will be 88 in August and this was when he was a young man. Joe Lynch is his name. Joe said on the ranch the work trucks had bumpers made of 4" pipe. The pipe had ends welded on as well as NPT bungs where air chucks were installed. Every morning they would pressure up the bumpers for a reservoir in case they needed it (apparently this was a BIG ranch) in order to not become stranded.

Many of the overlanders install bumpers like that. Someone put a roll bar in his truck and the roll bar was a tank.

But, when I do the EFI upgrade to Big Blue I hope to include a York compressor that will give me something like 6 CFM of air at 30 psi. Add a tank and I'll have plenty of air.

As for the "old" guy, 88 isn't sounding nearly as old as it used to. I hope to still be active when that time comes, and it'll be here soon - too soon.

[FuzzFace2]

Looks ready!

I worked with a guy a couple of years ago that told me something interesting. He worked on a big ranch in AZ years ago. When I say years ago I am saying he will be 88 in August and this was when he was a young man. Joe Lynch is his name. Joe said on the ranch the work trucks had bumpers made of 4" pipe. The pipe had ends welded on as well as NPT bungs where air chucks were installed. Every morning they would pressure up the bumpers for a reservoir in case they needed it (apparently this was a BIG ranch) in order to not become stranded.

I have also heard the off road guys do the same and some times the roll cage.

They also use and old AC compressor, York piston type, as an air compressor run off the motor. They say there is enough oil in them not to worry for a bit.

Could also make up a fitting to fit in a spark plug hole, hook a hose to it and the other end to the flat tire. Start the motor and blow the tire up.

Gary, if the air tanks leak down I would stop at a station closer to the pickup site and fill the air tanks, the gas cans unless you need them for big blue, and fill up big blue.

I know the 12v lighter compressors are not great but are better than nothing.

When you are messing with other stuff it could be running and filling 1 of the air tanks.

Dave ----

 

[Gary Lewis]

Looks ready!

I worked with a guy a couple of years ago that told me something interesting. He worked on a big ranch in AZ years ago. When I say years ago I am saying he will be 88 in August and this was when he was a young man. Joe Lynch is his name. Joe said on the ranch the work trucks had bumpers made of 4" pipe. The pipe had ends welded on as well as NPT bungs where air chucks were installed. Every morning they would pressure up the bumpers for a reservoir in case they needed it (apparently this was a BIG ranch) in order to not become stranded.

I have also heard the off road guys do the same and some times the roll cage.

They also use and old AC compressor, York piston type, as an air compressor run off the motor. They say there is enough oil in them not to worry for a bit.

Could also make up a fitting to fit in a spark plug hole, hook a hose to it and the other end to the flat tire. Start the motor and blow the tire up.

Gary, if the air tanks leak down I would stop at a station closer to the pickup site and fill the air tanks, the gas cans unless you need them for big blue, and fill up big blue.

I know the 12v lighter compressors are not great but are better than nothing.

When you are messing with other stuff it could be running and filling 1 of the air tanks.

Dave ----

I'm sure 12v compressors have gotten better, but back in the early 70's I had a Coleman unit that worked - slowly. I had really wide rear tires on my '72 F250 due to the 9 1/2' self-contained camper it was carrying. One Sunday we were ready to leave a campground and one of the tires was low. I hooked up that compressor and we played several hands of cards before it was pumped up sufficiently.

When you go overlanding you routinely "air down" to get as much tire width and traction as is possible. But, when you get to the end of the trail it is time to "air up". Big Blue's tires are probably as big as those on the '72, so I'm looking for more capacity than what I've seen in the 12v units.

Given that, the York I have is probably going to find its way onboard. The bracket looks easy, so all I'll need is a serpentine clutch/pulley, a tank, a cutoff switch, and some wiring. It might have really come in handy tomorrow.

But, you are right - I can fill up the leaking air tank when I get to Grove tomorrow, as well as fill up Big Blue's gas tank. He only has the one 19 gallon tank, and the gauge is pegged on Full. So, I'm carrying 10 gallons of "reserve", just in case.

[Bruno2]

I'm sure 12v compressors have gotten better, but back in the early 70's I had a Coleman unit that worked - slowly. I had really wide rear tires on my '72 F250 due to the 9 1/2' self-contained camper it was carrying. One Sunday we were ready to leave a campground and one of the tires was low. I hooked up that compressor and we played several hands of cards before it was pumped up sufficiently.

When you go overlanding you routinely "air down" to get as much tire width and traction as is possible. But, when you get to the end of the trail it is time to "air up". Big Blue's tires are probably as big as those on the '72, so I'm looking for more capacity than what I've seen in the 12v units.

Given that, the York I have is probably going to find its way onboard. The bracket looks easy, so all I'll need is a serpentine clutch/pulley, a tank, a cutoff switch, and some wiring. It might have really come in handy tomorrow.

But, you are right - I can fill up the leaking air tank when I get to Grove tomorrow, as well as fill up Big Blue's gas tank. He only has the one 19 gallon tank, and the gauge is pegged on Full. So, I'm carrying 10 gallons of "reserve", just in case.

The 7.3 DI motors had air compressor options. I dont know if they had them in Ford applications or if it was other trucks that used air brakes. The 7.3 is an International motor so it was used by different truck manufacturers in many different applications. I have done some mild research, but havent found where I could get the bracketry and such.