'55 Chevy 3800 Cummins

[Cobound]

[xj_man_646]

Looking good, Matt.

Details on your 3D printed phone mount? I think you've mentioned it before, details elude me though.

[6DoF]

it's the magnetic QuadLock mount with wireless charging. i have the locking one in the jeep to keep things from falling out. but they are SUPER nice to just slap it up there, it's clocked and won't slide, plus charging.

https://www.quadlockcase.com/collect...42042648887467

as for the 3D print ... just the same ball size on a base that fit the dash hole, one screw thru the middle and a washer trimmed for the cord hole on the back. i've made these ball mounts before and the thin post can be a weak point, running the screw up into the ball makes them super solid.

[6DoF]

testing FTW ... holy crap ... i think i was getting close to an electrical fire. the fuse block i used in the back is NOT up to the task!

i got some speed valves on the front bags for dump, and 4 corner psi sensors wired to the dash. while testing the sensors and setting the valve speeds the compressors, fans, and water pump were running. i didn't want to go over the pump duty cycle, so i turned the truck off and went to pull the fuses ... WHERE I BURNT MY HAND! not just ouch, like blistered 2nd degree burn on the '+' stud! whole panel was hot enough to smell it. all the wires were cool 6-8" away so they are doing fine, but the panel was cooking everything.

pumps were probably pulling 15+ amps each ... the fan bank was maybe 15 total ... and the water pump is like 3. new fuse panel is rated for 40amps per fuse or 150amps total. the grounds i'm also splitting off into a separate block.

FAKK ...

[wrath]

What panel was it? Was it a Blue Sea Systems?

[Cobound]

How does that case compare to others - thicker, lighter, heavier??

I like my case now, and my 67 Designs - but that system is pretty decent...and I have multiple vehicles I could use it for that the 67 Designs doesn't build them for.

But it really looks like it comes down to having to use their proprietary case for that head to work.

[6DoF]

i love the case. one pc, real snug, has proven very protective and robust, and the whole integrated mount is basically an unnoticeable thickness. last 3 phones have all had these cases, not one issue.

[nblehm]

I love the Dakota digital dash in my j10. Wish I would have done it sooner.

[6DoF]

everything has been perfect, first shot, but i was actually having issues with one of their modules ... called, got what sounded like a less than knowledgeable tech ... then he had me fixed up in like 3 minutes. game on.

they do now make a set for my Ram too, but not the fancy one

[nblehm]

I was all about making my original gauges work in the j10. And they did but the temp gauge was wonky (like a lot of them fsj). Now I’m a convert, anything old that Dakota digital makes gauges for will get them. Just work so well

[6DoF]

100% agreed, if there's any question just do it. they even have a sick HDX now for the XJ/TJ!

[6DoF]

new fuse block is much nicer, and much cooler!

found a new suspension sensor was leaking, hope that's fixed now

driveshaft should be ready today or tomorrow. i'm so anxious for street trials!

worked out the alignment last night and that went easier than i thought for my first attempt at an IFS. i was WAY off to start, so there's no way this isn't better tech tip, rather than buying the spendy alignment plates, this worked amazing. 2 dollar store pizza pans on a drip tray with oil between them. i could wiggle the truck and move it side to side, i could turn the steering, engine off, full weight of the cummins, with one hand reaching in the window.

[6DoF]

IT'S A REAL TRUCK!!! holy sh!t, shoot, crap, AAAAAHHHHH!!! i'm can't even contain myself i'm so excited. it has no business being as good as it is already, i'm freakin out.

[6DoF]

ok, so reality. first drive went REALLY well.

did a little around the block and some quick back n forth while the wife was at home on-call to get me if issues ... then grabbed her and we drove right out to town for bolts. the idea was back roads out to tractor supply and back. well, they didn't have what i needed, things were going well, so WTH n down the road to ACE. they had what i needed and ended up with about a 23mile loop.

it rides good for no adjusting yet, brakes are awesome, clutch is nice, shifts smooth, runs strong, makes all kinds of turbo noises even at next to no throttle, shockingly quite to drive, the air suspension has stopped leaking after the drive even! the looks i got were fun, we'll say it catches some attention.

engine needs more gauges and a good bit of tuning. won't idle below 1000, has a haze at idle, and won't start without a throttle blip. i'm pretty sure the governor springs are set wrong, and i just needs lots of time turning screws. the big issue is that i'm 98% sure if i go full send, i'll YEET the head gasket. so i'm trying to be careful!

steering is a touch stiff, but less notching while driving than i thought it would be moving around the yard. i'll still want to adjust angles one day, but good enough for now. speedo isn't showing, hopefully just need to re-sink the gps module to the dash, S475 turbo drain is leaking oil, and the breather is NOT enough and started blowing oil. much more breathers need added.

[Cobound]

All I got is....

[MBood82]

It's crazy how far that truck has come. I'm thrilled to hear that it went as smoothly as it did for the first ride, that has to be a shot in the arm to getting the details sorted now.

Can't wait to see it with an Airstream behind it!

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by MBood82

It's crazy how far that truck has come. I'm thrilled to hear that it went as smoothly as it did for the first ride, that has to be a shot in the arm to getting the details sorted now.

Can't wait to see it with an Airstream behind it!

thanks!

and as much of a shot as it's been to keep dialing it in ... i need to start building my shop now. no clue how much time that'll actually take.

[6DoF]

Friday night i got out to the first cruise, had an absolute blast talking to everyone. no one really knew what it make of it! there was a huge parking lot behind where i'm taking the picture, i was "late" and in the overflow. ended up with a few rows of cars in the grass yet that evening.

Goal Achieved! grass shut in the door

[6DoF]

turbo drain seal fixed, no leak. the stupid o-ring wasn't thick enough for the groove they put in the part. i just cut a new paper gasket from a roll i had, left the oring, and tightened her back up. guess that worked.

catch can had an internal filter that was restrictive, ditched that. i also forgot to put the steel wool de-mister in the can, so added that. then added 2 more breathers off my 2 oil caps in the front of the engine, no more breather oil. just the front main and rear main leaking oil

added some firewall insulation, as you could imagine that was getting uncomfortably hot inside with the hot pipe basically touching. the wrap does a lot, but not quite that much. it's just warm now, so huge game on.

[6DoF]

the wife had a dream recently that i had 3D printed mounts for a Bluetooth speaker under the dash. she woke up and ordered me this little Bose unit. no way i wasn't going to then print mounts for it! so far no latch of any kind, just cradles it. the rubber like body seams to keep it from moving at all.

with a mount, seamed like a great place to put and hide my "AFC Live" fuel control. should work just like the production version from Power Driven Diesel, but was like 10x cheaper. one bypass valve, an orifice valve to slow the boost signal to the injection pump, and one pressure regulator to set max boost the pump sees. allows you to set the springs and screws in the pump for max power, then dial it back for no smoke and smoother daily driving. or if lazy, have the screws n springs set wrong, and dial in appropriate fueling. in my case, i need to keep the power in check as i should have enough turbo and fuel capacity to yeet the head gasket before i shift gears.