Vecman's Build - Boyhood Dreams Realized!

[Starwhitecclb]

Honestly I can't remember what the factory gauge sizes are for the various upfitter wires, so that may rule that out entirely if the factory wires are the wrong gauge for a proper crimp.

Though, you can always fold the factory wire back over on itself to artificially change the gauge size (if it's too small). Just strip a little extra insulation to achieve this.

For ferrule type crimps, I'm a fan of 6 jaw crimpers. Not sure if this would work. Definitely inexpensive and worth trying though on the Deutsch terminals.

https://www.amazon.com/Hexagonal-Preciva-0-08-16mm%C2%B2-Self-Adjustable-End-sleeves/dp/B09Q399L8J/ref=sr_1_3?crid=285QJ3EAUY4ND&keywords=6+jaw+ferrule+crimper&qid=1693363965&sprefix=6+jaw+ferrule+crimper%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-3

Thank you, I will look into that. Internet research tells me #14 for 1-4 and #10 for 5-6

 

[Vecman]

Well, I just finished reading my build thread, and decided it’s time to update everyone some more. This truck is really so fun to work on.

My OCD just wouldn’t let go of the fact that I had an mis-sized spare, so I pulled the trigger on a Carli trophy hitch. I lifted my spare 37” once into the bed, and I about killed myself! So, trophy hitch it is. It is a very nicely built piece, but, due to this upgrade, I had to remove my entire onboard air setup and stuff. What… a…. pain!!! So, once the hitch was installed, I had to redo the entire air setup. Bitter sweet, since I’ve learned a thing or two since the original install. So I was able to do a much cleaner wire job and plan for some other goodies. Here is the tank sitting on top of the trophy hitch against a cross bar. THe brackets were just to add some stability and to sandwich the hitch plate. So 2 bolts go through the hitch, and 2 just sandwich the plate.

Also added this fuse box to handle everything back there. I have a large cable running to this box, and I can access it without having to remove anything. If I need to, the air tank can come out easily, as it’s attached with a quick release to the compressor, and just one air line to disconnect the same way. So i can pop it out easy and quickly.

 

[Vecman]

This new install allowed me to do a few other additions. I’ve been wanting power in the bed, so this is my solution. I added a 125 amp Anderson plug and a DC plug with USB ports as well.

Not my preferred place to put these, but since I have builtright panels on the side, and there isn’t space to mount this on the inside portion (caps hit the panels as well) this is where they had to go. They don’t stick out much so I don't’ think this is gonna cause me any grief. Time will tell.

 

[Vecman]

This past June I had a great trip up to Wyoming, and enjoyed myself camping and fishing. It really helped me decide that I want to do more “overlanding” with this truck, and have some real fun adventures. This also helped me decide on a few extras, such as the power ports above. I have a battery bank, diesel heater, and want to get some dometic type fridge/freezer, so I know have the ability to plug the battery bank into the truck, so it stays charged while I’m driving, plug the fridge, diesel heater into the bank, and just unplug the bank once I”m at camp. Very easy. This Anderson plug in the bed also serves another purpose for me..

 

[Vecman]

My onboard air is great to have always available, but due to a single compressor, it’s very slow when I need to air all 4 tires. Just random needed air, it’s’ totally fine. After my trip, I purchased a Morrflate TenSix Pro compressor. Wow, what a difference! I built my own 4 tire inflate setup, that was actually quite fun to do, and with this new pump, it’s amazing! I aired down all 4 tires to 15 psi, took about 5 min to do that. Then, I let my onboard air system inflate back to 65 psi (normal pressure I drive at). The onboard system took 54 min. Ouch.

Aired down again to 15 psi. Hooked up the new Morrflate compressor. That baby aired them back up in 14 min!! I was shocked! My next set of tires are going to be mud terrains, and most of the ones I’m looking at are max 50 psi, so this setup is gonna be lightning fast, especially since I won’t be airing down to 15 on the trails without some kind of bead lock.

I cut the jumper cables off this compressor, and installed an Anderson plug. So I can just plug it into the bed and go to work. I have the old alligator clips connected to another plug, so I can take this into other vehicles and it will still be able to connect to the battery as well.

 

[Vecman]

Another issue I ran into on my trip this summer, was getting stuck in a spot where the closest tree (in a dang forest no less) was 5 feet behind me, but over 200 feet in front of me. I have an extra 150 feet of line, and my drum is almost 100 ft, it just didn’t leave enough on the drum to be able to pull me out of the snow. I will post some pics of that trip shortly. Anyway, I bought a cheap winch to mount on the rear hitch as needed. It plugs into a 350 amp Anderson plug under the truck

Same with the compressor, I have a set of alligator clips that can also plug into this so I can use it on any vehicle if needed.

 

[Vecman]

Many of you have ways to jump start the truck outside of the engine bay, in case your truck is locked and the battery is dead. I figured I’d use my big Anderson plug for this. So, here’s where I mounted the big Anderson plug for the winch. I also have a large plug that shrinks down to a smaller plug in case I need to use this location for a smaller device/load. And, I have a set of alligator clips tucked up into the trophy hitch that are nice and tight, but still easily accessible in the event I am stuck somewhere, and don’t require the tire to be lowered. Then I can just go alligator to alligator and jump start the truck.
(The picture looks a bit weird from this angle, but it’s well above the exhaust, and cannot be seen from outside the truck. So I like that it’s somewhat hidden)

 

[Vecman]

I’m debated about putting an isolator switch on this, and probably eventually will, but need to figure out where to put it so I can access it without getting inside the truck. Here’s the alligator clip connector (same one that’s tucked away in the hitch - previous post/pic)

 

[Vecman]

So, the onboard air is finished, and, much better installed than the first version, which is nice. The extra power access areas are done and functioning perfectly, and I’m very happy with how this all turned out. The other project was a-pillar lights (XL80s). They definitely worked really well in harmony with the rest of the light setup I have. I’m just not 100% in love with the look. I used bad ass mounts and their f-series hood mount. Not quite as robust as the SDHQ mount, but they work fine and no issues. I’ll wait to see what @BroncoHooves comes out with for his light setup, and decide if I will keep these or switch to his product.

 

[Vecman]

So, back in early June, I traveled up to Star Valley Wyoming on my way to a big fishing trip on Lake Yellowstone. I went up early to off-road and camp and try to complete the Wyoming cutt-slam (catch 4 different species of cutthroat trout). I had all kinds of gear, including my garmin satellite communication device (Montana 750 I think it’s called). The snow was still melting off, and all the creeks were more like mini raging rivers, so the fishing wasn’t going well. As I was traveling deep into the woods, there started to be snow on the roads. It was 2-3 feet deep, icy, but were in patches ranging from 20-60 feet in length. I felt confident I could get through it. Well, until I didn’t….

This photo does not do the depth of snow justice. I had GoPro footage of me getting out of the truck to fish early on in the trip. The hood was just above my shoulders. The footage at this part of the trail shows the hood at my waist!

 

[Vecman]

So, I tried everything I had - winch (no trees ahead of me, and nothing to pulley off of to pull from behind), traction boards, airing down the tires, digging out the buried tire with my crappy small shovel, and the truck just wouldn’t budge. So, I setup my “camp”, ate dinner, slept, and then when I woke up the next morning, hit the SOS button on my Garmin. Within 2 hours I had a guy show up and gave me just a small tug from the back and boom, free. So frustrating to have all this stuff, and just got stuck in the worst spot on the trail possible.

The trail, unfortunately, wasn’t level, so the night was a bit off balanced. Haha

 

[Vecman]

This is the guy that rescued me…. With a jeep…… ugh…….

Nice thing was, I had zero stress. I was completely prepared, and because I had the satellite communication, I didn’t have to hike out 12+ miles and then wait for a random passerby. $500 later, I was back on the trail, and camping back where there was less snow.

On a positive note, the guy in the jeep told me I had one of the best SD rigs he’d ever seen for doing what I was doing. I asked what I could have done differently. He said different tires and air down prior to getting stuck. Other than that, just clearance and weight really going against me. But he was very impressed, which made me feel real good about everything I”ve done to this truck.

 

[Vecman]

The better place to sleep..

Then the rains came… and then lightning, and I thought, you know, the roads could be sketchy, so I bailed and went and stayed in the Marriott! Haha

 

[Vecman]

I learned I hated the in-bed tent. I bought a cheap one just to try it out. I bought a putco rack for the bed and will be acquiring a roof top tent very soon. Roads were, in fact, very slippery coming out of the trails, so it was a smart decision to leave when I did.

But the yellowstone fishing was awesome!

 

[Vecman]

I bought this device for the next trip, so that if I happen to get stuck in a random spot that has no trees or anchor points, I have another option (along with the rear winch now also)

Pull Pal | Off Road Anchoring | Home

PULL PAL makes the original foldable winch anchor device for 4x4, Off-Road, UTV, Jeep, ATV and all-terrain-vehicles.

www.pullpal.com

 

[Vecman]

Putco rack.. stake pocket mount, 300+ pound dynamic load, and allows me to roll up the tonneau cover still. I’m happy with it.

 

[Vecman]

Project list - I still have some flashing light modules to finish installing. I went ahead and switched out all my upfitter connections to single connectors. That was nice. Replaced my OEM batteries with AGM, also very nice. Very very happy with the build, and how everything works. I also did some tuning and some changes when I did the pusher intake install. 200hp gain, and man, this thing is even more fun to drive! I got rid of the pedal monster, as the tune seemed to remove the lag between the pedal and truck response. Since I did a tune and got rid of the pedal monster, I also got rid of my vent pod mount, and now the only thing over there is my e-venture dial. Much cleaner. I really do love this truck.

My one thing I may still do, but not sure, is get some new wheels that have bead locking capability. Icon is coming out with 17” wheels for the SD that have their new innerlock technology. I like it a lot, and it seems real promising. My only hesitation is I really love my axel wheels. I’m really not willing to give them up, so I’m debating whether to just get a second set of wheels/tires (eventually) that I use when I plan to go off-roading and stuff, so I can air down a bit more safely. But I’m still up in the air on that.

 

[dzrtdzl]

It's about the journey, as they say. Looks like fun! For wheels just get a set of Method bead grips. They work great and no real bead locks. Out enjoying life!!

 

[Vecman]

It's about the journey, as they say. Looks like fun! For wheels just get a set of Method bead grips. They work great and no real bead locks. Out enjoying life!!

Yeah, I’ve seen those. I do prefer the Icon tech a bit better. Pricing is similar. I’ll check them out once officially released and decide.

 

[Vecman]

View attachment 129142

I ended up removing the tailgate keeper. I just was bending and getting in the way. It never installed properly for me, regardless of the modifications I made. I’m not concerned about this so they’re gone

*EDIT - Latchlid is the product I removed. I still have my tailgate keeper and love that product.