Build thread: Big Red Beast
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Okay now I've got the front tires replaced so that I don't have 2 different sizes on there. However, not before it threw my ABS computer into a fit and destroyed my front brakes. Because of my own stupidity a simple blowout will now cost me close to $1500!
Went away for the weekend with my wife. Coming home yesterday, passing through Romney, WV I heard some grinding and metal scraping and knew it was the caliper(s) going bad again. Of course no shops are open on a Sunday afternoon so I managed to get it to release enough to limp my way home. Took it to my mechanic this morning, and he told me that's most likely what happened. They'll warranty the caliper, but I have to pay for pads, rotors, new brake hose, and labor. That plus replacing all 4 tires now will be the most expensive blowout ever! Not one of my prouder moments
. And that's from having 2 different size tires for not even 2 months.
Went away for the weekend with my wife. Coming home yesterday, passing through Romney, WV I heard some grinding and metal scraping and knew it was the caliper(s) going bad again. Of course no shops are open on a Sunday afternoon so I managed to get it to release enough to limp my way home. Took it to my mechanic this morning, and he told me that's most likely what happened. They'll warranty the caliper, but I have to pay for pads, rotors, new brake hose, and labor. That plus replacing all 4 tires now will be the most expensive blowout ever! Not one of my prouder moments
. And that's from having 2 different size tires for not even 2 months.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Okay I promised you all that I had some things in mind for the Beast. I am attaching pictures of a Leer aluminum cap that I purchased today after work. I found this in Craigslist for $100, and went to look at it last week. It had been sitting on a 2008 F-150 long-bed so I knew it would fit. I do have some fit and finish issues I need to sort out, mostly in how it sits on my truck. Because of how Ford designed the outer bed sides on these trucks, it can be very difficult to mount a cap, and get it to sit right. Those of you with the shorter beds may not notice it as much, but it's a lot more pronounced on the 8' box. Then I will be slowly building out the inside and outside to make it more comfortable for camping. This is only phase 1, I got the thing on there and got it home. I'm calling it my Redneck Motorhome!
. Those of you with the shorter beds may not notice it as much, but it's a lot more pronounced on the 8' box. Then I will be slowly building out the inside and outside to make it more comfortable for camping. This is only phase 1, I got the thing on there and got it home. I'm calling it my Redneck Motorhome!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I'll post pictures next weekend after I finish up, but today I started installing some insulation inside the shell to cut down on noise and heat. I'll finish up next weekend, provided it doesn't rain too much.
It's been a long time since I last had an aluminum cap on a previous 1995 Ranger I owned, at least about 11-12 years. I had forgotten how hot and humid it gets inside there!
It's been a long time since I last had an aluminum cap on a previous 1995 Ranger I owned, at least about 11-12 years. I had forgotten how hot and humid it gets inside there!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Quick update: After a couple of attempts at finding the right amount of the appropriate kind of insulation, I settled on a roll from Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It should be here later today. I plan on putting it up this weekend. I'm also going over to my cousin's house on Sunday to get an extra pair of hands with making the cap sit better on the rails. I'll try to get pics and post them.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
It's been awhile since I updated here. I started to install insulation yesterday in the cap but didn't get very far. But I also added one more handy little device, and I tucked it out of the way where it unnoticeable, but very accessible. I added a 3-outlet power outlet and mounted it in the storage bin under the center seat. There is a cord coming out that is not noticeable against my black rubber floor mats. For right now it plugs into my cigarette lighter or the power outlet on the dash, but it also has the extra wire too that later on I can hard wire it directly into the truck. Maybe I'll just tap into the power wire going to the lighter. I just wasn't feeling that adventurous yesterday. To be honest I've always been a little intimidated by electrical wiring. One reason I didn't become an Electrician!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Okay here's some pictures of the insulation. I bought this from Amazon, it's a roll of 25' x 40' thermal-type insulation material that's a bit like bubble wrap. I used sheet metal screws and flat washers to screw it to the supports inside the cap. Then used duct tape at the edges. I finally finished this up yesterday. This has been hangin' over my head for months! I sampled several different types of insulation before this, and this was the best value. I bought this roll off Amazon for $20, and it gave me more than enough coverage to line the roof of the cap. I have plenty left so if I need to do a second layer I can, or I have some for another project.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Curtains are on the list. Eventually. Sorry Alex but no **** carpet. I HATE 70's décor!!! LOL 
Actually I think I'm going to need to do a second layer of the insulation, this time running the length of the cap. The first layer isn't staying up so well so if I put a second layer up, screwed into the support ribs, in overlapping strips; I think that should do the trick. I have plenty of insulation left, I just need to buy more hardware. That's the cheap part. I won't be able to do it this weekend since my wife and I are going away for our anniversary. Hopefully she doesn't have too much planned for me for next weekend.
Actually I think I'm going to need to do a second layer of the insulation, this time running the length of the cap. The first layer isn't staying up so well so if I put a second layer up, screwed into the support ribs, in overlapping strips; I think that should do the trick. I have plenty of insulation left, I just need to buy more hardware. That's the cheap part. I won't be able to do it this weekend since my wife and I are going away for our anniversary. Hopefully she doesn't have too much planned for me for next weekend.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks! I bought that at Harbor Freight last Christmas for less than $5. At the time it was a cheap way of adding a tailgate step. Something for me to step onto so my feet don't slip off the tailgate. Now that the shell is on there I more or less crawl into my truck bed.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Can anyone tell me what's missing in this picture?
Coming home from work today, just as I was merging onto the interstate I heard something plastic fly across the road. I looked when I got home and sure enough I was missing a hubcap
My truck looks naked now! 
Coming home from work today, just as I was merging onto the interstate I heard something plastic fly across the road. I looked when I got home and sure enough I was missing a hubcap
My truck looks naked now!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Sorry I posted this from my phone and the picture did not attach. This migh make more sense
