Sounds about normal to me for hitting a puddle at that speed
CK5
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82 stepside. Thoughts and crazy ideas
- Thread starter KirsL
- Start date
Yeah I'd say any time you catch a puddle like that or say a gnarly mud hole with just one side it's like applying a brake to that wheel only.
It probably is. Maybe I'm used to how my dodge was, it wasn't bother anywhere near as much. If at all by puddles.
But it also weighed 2000lbs more and had a 165" vs 117" wheelbase. Both of which I'm sure helped.
But it also weighed 2000lbs more and had a 165" vs 117" wheelbase. Both of which I'm sure helped.
Type of tire has a lot to do with it too probably. Glad it was just a scare!
The weight definitely has to do with it.
Hydro assist is not a bandaid, its worth every penny of you wheel the truck. When your wedged against something and you can still steer its pretty amazing
I agree, seems pretty normal.
Were the tires on the Dodge as wide? Weight is a huge factor and wide tires are more susceptible to flotation / hydroplaning than narrow tires because the vehicle weight is distributed over a larger area (meaning less lbs per sq inch).
Were the tires on the Dodge as wide? Weight is a huge factor and wide tires are more susceptible to flotation / hydroplaning than narrow tires because the vehicle weight is distributed over a larger area (meaning less lbs per sq inch).
I'm super happy it was just a scare. Watching my dash cam footage, I went about 3 feet onto the dirt shoulder. Another 2 feet and I would have been into some very large trees!
Currently this is my daily. In the future some light wheeling will be done. But nothing crazy. Truck has too much sentimental value for me to destroy offroad.
The Dodge I always ran like a 305/65r17 and an all terrain tread.
The stepside has 315/75r17 Cooper sst. Which is basically a mud terrain.
Dodge weight around 8200lbs. Stepside is around 6100lbs.
I'm probably going to replace all the spring bushings in the front. Since they're the same age as the rears were. And the end links on the panhard bar. It's all cheap enough and good maintenance to do.
It drove perfectly fine this morning.
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Well, I guess the stepside wanted some attention.
We were going to do some house shopping, a totally different adventure. Stepside was in our reserved spot, joys of apartment life, so I figured we take it.
Go by a couple places, one was a definite contender, stop for fuel. Then start heading towards another house to drive past at least.
Just cruising the back roads to get there, about 50mph. Had the ac going since it's hot out. Everything is good, then bam.... this crazy loud squeal starts. I think a few seconds, then shut the ac off while pulling over.
Once stopped, I checked everything and then had my girl try the ac. Same noise instantly. AC compressor siezed, luckily the belt still turns and the belt didn't break. So we finished our little trip with the windows open.
Now, to see if when the compressor died, just how much if any debris it pushed through the system until it stopped.
We were going to do some house shopping, a totally different adventure. Stepside was in our reserved spot, joys of apartment life, so I figured we take it.
Go by a couple places, one was a definite contender, stop for fuel. Then start heading towards another house to drive past at least.
Just cruising the back roads to get there, about 50mph. Had the ac going since it's hot out. Everything is good, then bam.... this crazy loud squeal starts. I think a few seconds, then shut the ac off while pulling over.
Once stopped, I checked everything and then had my girl try the ac. Same noise instantly. AC compressor siezed, luckily the belt still turns and the belt didn't break. So we finished our little trip with the windows open.
Now, to see if when the compressor died, just how much if any debris it pushed through the system until it stopped.
Is it an R4 or r6 ? Might want to consider a conversion to sanden type
R4. The truck currently has the early style (88-95 6.2/6.5 serpentine setup which uses the R4.
I do have the parts for the late style (96+) which uses a sanden compressor. But like everything, will require some extra work to swap over. That would allow me to run dual alternators though.
Obviously sticking with the r4 is the quicker way to being operational again.
I haven't had a good rebuilt in years, not sure if new r4 is available. I never liked them very much. But if you are house hunting time and money may be a concern.
You can get new R4s, the one I had was new. I only installed in late summer of 21. So just 2 years old. The one before that also only lasted a couple years.
Not a great track record, but I believe it
Not to be the scrooge, but I have witnessed a buddy go through several new R4 units from NAPA in the last few years. I gave up and did a Sanden swap in 2018. So far, still works well! Not that I have tons of hours on it, but going to Moab and using it most of the day on the trail several years now.
Sadly they don't have a great track record, even new ones. Forget rebuilds of them. Those have a crazy high failure rate.
Making the switch to the newer setup has a lot of extra work tied into it.
Changing to the newer accessories setup will cause me to change intercooler piping around. Which I've thought about doing to improve it. New lines and hoses, I can make all of it. Probably even have pieces on hand to do it.
I think how fast I get the suburban back on the road will decide which route I go.
Making the switch to the newer setup has a lot of extra work tied into it.
Changing to the newer accessories setup will cause me to change intercooler piping around. Which I've thought about doing to improve it. New lines and hoses, I can make all of it. Probably even have pieces on hand to do it.
I think how fast I get the suburban back on the road will decide which route I go.
Yeah, that would suck to swap with conversion mounts like I did. Let alone a complete drive system swap.
Only way I can do it and know it'll fit. Is to upgrade the mounts.
So if a guy was looking for a serpentine set up to install on his 6.2 diesel, it would be wise to find the 96+ set up in the off chance he might decide to install an A/C system at some point?
There’s give and take with both setups. The early setup hug’s the engine a bit tighter and you can run the dual t-stat housing with minimal modifications.
But you get the r4 compressor and you’re kinda limited on alternator options outside of factory. But it does work.
The 96+ setup you get a better ac compressor and better alternator options with the option of running dual alternators. But if you have the dual t-stat housing and a mechanical injection pump. The coolant housing outlet takes up space the ac bracket needs. So you have to either run an early single t-stat housing or make a custom up radiator hose setup.
That said, if I was starting over. I would go with the 96+ and work around it.
