Monte's 04 Build Thread
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,080
Likes: 5
From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
Not sure if the rails are removable. Frankly my buddy has one that slides in and out but the rails stay. He uses his truck just like that no problem.
I didn't know gooseneck hitchs and fifth wheel converters are out their. I don't really care for gooseneck and fifth wheel. The only trucks I have gooseneck in is my 88 F150 (soon to be removed and installed into brother's 91 F250), dad's 89 F250, and the hauler truck 89 F350 which both 89s have flatbeds.
Trav
I didn't know gooseneck hitchs and fifth wheel converters are out their. I don't really care for gooseneck and fifth wheel. The only trucks I have gooseneck in is my 88 F150 (soon to be removed and installed into brother's 91 F250), dad's 89 F250, and the hauler truck 89 F350 which both 89s have flatbeds.
Trav
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,654
Likes: 20
From: Tewksbury, MA
Yeah the B&W gooseneck hitch has a fifth wheel converter that sits in the opening that the ball is in. I dont have a use yet and the only reason I'm considering it is it would serve 3 functions for me.
- a mount for my Ex tank
- a gooseneck and fifth wheel hitch
- lastly a crossbeam to help frame stability since I'm removing the spare tire corssbeam
I feel like its useful because it seems like the best bang for your buck but if theres a better option why not. I do agree they dont look great and if there's no use then id rather not have it but I feel like it serves a lot of functions that are useful even though I dont tow a fifth wheel...yet lol.
- a mount for my Ex tank
- a gooseneck and fifth wheel hitch
- lastly a crossbeam to help frame stability since I'm removing the spare tire corssbeam
I feel like its useful because it seems like the best bang for your buck but if theres a better option why not. I do agree they dont look great and if there's no use then id rather not have it but I feel like it serves a lot of functions that are useful even though I dont tow a fifth wheel...yet lol.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
Do you know someone that can weld? otherwise why not fabricate a cross beam where its needed? Possibly a bolt in and set it up for a gooseneck later in case you decide to go that route.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,654
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From: Tewksbury, MA
I agree Trav I don't need it so I'd rather not have it but i was just trying to kill as many birds with one stone as i could lol.
EDIT: I just checked out the conversion PDF I posted before and the tank is no where near the gooseneck hitch so I'm going to go the crossbeam route instead. When i was going through the pictures in my head it was a lot closer than it really is lol.
Link in case anybody hasn't seen this yet: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...350%20tank.pdf
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,080
Likes: 5
From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
I was going to say I don't see a reason that would intrude with the gooseneck hitch. The one in my F150 was installed with just a beam from one side of the frame to the other and 4 angle struts to the bottom of the frame. Not sure how well it works and I don't plan to find out but it does look sturdy and doesn't look like something that would get in the way (given my F150 is a long bed and an 88).
Trav
Trav
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 21
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I don't remember if you have a backup cam, but I just found this one on Jalopnik for $13!!!
Esky Waterproof NTSC Universal Car Rearview License Plate Backup Camera ? NeweggFlash.com
Esky Waterproof NTSC Universal Car Rearview License Plate Backup Camera ? NeweggFlash.com
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 20
From: Lake Ann, Michigan
If your gonna buy one I went with two of these. One on the front and one on the back. They offer a 170* view instead of the 135* and are only a few dollars more.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Tewksbury, MA
Thanks guys, I already bought one though ill link it of I can find it, I got a similar priced one but I plan to eventually get an 08+ gate and at that point ill convert to the OEM camera and maybe move the old one to my expy which is a pain to back up compared to my truck lol.
Also I just ordered some 6" led bars on amazon im going to try and mount them into my headlights in the blinker area and make a new led blinker. I'm taking a gamble since the lights were $30 each but its cheap to try and if they fail I will just take them apart and fix them at work because thwy were cheap. Some people had water I trusion issues but they will be installed in a sealed headlight so I shouldnt have a water problem. I'm going to try and get creative so bare with me ill show you guys when I get them in what my plans are lol.
Also I just ordered some 6" led bars on amazon im going to try and mount them into my headlights in the blinker area and make a new led blinker. I'm taking a gamble since the lights were $30 each but its cheap to try and if they fail I will just take them apart and fix them at work because thwy were cheap. Some people had water I trusion issues but they will be installed in a sealed headlight so I shouldnt have a water problem. I'm going to try and get creative so bare with me ill show you guys when I get them in what my plans are lol.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,654
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From: Tewksbury, MA
Ordered all the brake line tools and parts this morning hopefully i can get rolling on this project soon now that i am about to finish installing the new fuel tank in my 95.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,654
Likes: 20
From: Tewksbury, MA
I haven't made much progress i got my light bars in but has not hooked them up or installed them yet. I might send out to have them finished just because I have so much on my plate with the truck between all my projects I've been juggling. Between fixing the 95 School starting and my job (just got hired full time I've been an intern for 5 years lol) i have very little time and i need to fix the 95 so my grandfather can drive her around and so i can get it out of the way to make more room for the 04 to fix the brake lines and get the Ex tank and 08 dash(which is very very close to being finished) done.
