Truck Upgrades Feb 2024
We are getting closer to being able to hit the road seriously later this year. A number of heavy-duty local trips this summer will familiarize us with what we have, what works, and how to use them
This will likely be my last post in this category for a while – more for my own reference than anything else. Based on decades of experience I will share what is working for me with my wallet reasonably intact. You may have other ideas or tips. By all means share them with me.
Spring 2024 Upgrades
Almost there.
- Rear suspension upgrade
- Addition of ARB locker in the rear
- Dashboard switch panel upgrades
- USB charger upgrades
- 18,000lb Winch
- Winch Cradle
- Engine Ratchet
- Air Compressor
- Drive Shaft
- Transmission cooler
Anyway, let’s get into some detail of the things that work for me. I can talk ‘maintenance’ all day but I’ll try be succinct.
Rear Suspension
- Part number 34-1465HD – 3600lb
- Work completed at Westshore Spring here in Victoria.
ARB RD139 Air locker
A rear diff locker is likely one of the most important additions where recovery gear is concerned. An open diff in the field is about as much use as tits on a bull. Why ARB? I have air. I don’t like spools. This ARB adds enormous strength to the ring carrier. No mechanical options for this diff. Done. ARB. We used them wayback. If an Ozzie can’t break it, I won’t.
- ARB RD1349 for this unit
- Plumbed directly to the onboard air tank, using the supplied ARB solenoid.
- Again I opted to use 1/4″ hydraulic line and JIC fittings. The only 6mm PVC tube is from the solenoid to the differential case fitting. A consumable as far as I am concerned
- I opted not to use the fancy child-proof rocker switch for a number of reasons. See further down for dash switches.
- Doug at Chosen Gear in Metchosin was a pleasure to work with
- Again, only Motul ML 105778 75W-90 Synthetic oil for my truck!
DashBoard Upgrades
No place to add any accessory switches on this truck dashboard. So I made my own. Threw out the massive rear window slider switch, relocated the exhaust brake, added a number of industrial on/off switches. Tidy, unlabelled, simple.
- AliExpress item. $2.20 instead of $18-something at Graingers for the same switch. AliExpress
- Steel, well finished, durable
- Large screw connectors. Nicest switches I have seen in a while.
USB Chargers
2007-era Truck. No USB chargers. Everything I own as far cameras, phones, VHF Radios goes charges via USB.
- Again an AliExpress item at 1/4 of the cost of buying locally
- Aluminum case
- Triple port (2 USB, 1 PD+)
- I have had several in the camper for years. They work extremely well
- Fast Charge, 3A I think.
- Used a useless little sunglass cubbyhole in the dash, made a plate. Done
- 0/1 USB/Volt Meter
- Onboard Compressor relay
- Air Horn relay
- Rear Diff Air Solenoid
- Front Diff Locker (pending)
- ECM lock out (pending)
- Light Bar/s relays (pending)
- Spare for now
18,000lb Winch
Hmm, this took a lot of thought. A Warn at $4000? Tough to cost justify. So I opted for a commercial grade Chinese brand, recabled the controller etc. for $800. We’ll see. I might regret it. No facilities for hydraulic on this little truck which would be my #1 choice.
- Rated 18,000lb on the first wrap
- Spooled it with 100′ 5/8″ nylon line. Just a hawse, no rolller fairlead.
- Added a front receiver to the truck
- Mounted the winch in a cradle so I can fit it front or rear. Don’t always need to pull forwards only.
- The whole thing is cabled with 2/0 tinned marine cable
- All ends terminated in the large 350A Anderson Quick connects, again AliExpress at a fraction of the cost
- All tinned copper lugs exceeding Anchor Marine specs. AliExpress again
- All isolated via a BIG 600A battery isolator. No fuses.
- I have sufficient line, snatch blocks, soft & hard shackles, tree savers to rig a 1:4 pull. It will work. I have time.
Air-up Compressor
Whilst I have 12 gallons of 140psi onboard air, there is no way that little VIAir compressor will reinflate 35×12 tires to 65psi in my lifetime. So, enter what I consider to be the best auxiliary compressor in the market place. The Outback Extreme Air…
- Model 007-222
- 1.5hp, 2.6cfm at 60psi
- Continuous duty cycle
- 20lb. It will live in a side box.
- 1 awg terminated in Anderson 350A QC to plug into the winch 2/0 – 82A@100psi draw.
- A beast. I’ll gladly carry and additional 25lbs….
SlimLine Ratchet
If you have ever replaced any of the Cummins engine’s devices that are serpentine belt driven, you know how much skin and blood you can lose when trying to unload the belt tensioner
Enter the Tekton 1/2″ Slimline 24″ ratchet. A life (and liver) saver. It eliminates hours of re&re for the fan shroud and stops the need for blood transfusions. Every Cummins truck should carry one.
- An Amazon item here
- SRH01224
- $100 but priceless
Drive Shaft Replacement
Thank you Doug at Chosen Gear. His diligence picked up that the u-joints’ cups of the rear yoke of the one-piece driveshaft were spinning. I guess 250,000kms of 1200ft/lb of torque andf 540hp at times do create wear.
The last thing I need to do is drop a driveshaft in Baja somewhere. It is a rather important item…enter a freshly-built HD unit from Wellbuilt Axle and Driveline. There is nobody I trust in BC to do that…
- I purchased mine through Amazon as I saved some freight costs.
- Part Number 52123220AD, but Wellbult Axle and Driveline automatically supplies their thicker walled unit.
- A piece of art.
Up-size Transmission Cooler
I am doing my best to prolong the life of that marginal 68RFE transmission. My kingdom for an AISIN, but hey, I need to make do….
- Mishimoto MMTC-RAM-03SL
- 244% fluid increase
- Thermostat for cold/hot climates
- Eliminates those horrid quick-disconnect fittings
A whole bunch of awkward work to install given that my access is blocked by the onboard compressor etc.
