I have some design simplifications that will incorporate into a Rev1 build for the driver side, and should make for a much more reasonable "production version".
David
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban
- Thread starter AgDieseler
- Start date
David
Drive to the airport early this morning revealed an electrical gremlin I'll have to trace down - intermittent power to the headlights, blinking in unison and separate from the parking lights. I had the tilt column ball replaced by my preferred mechanic (I hate breaking down the column), so the switch or plug has likely been disturbed.
Still to do:
- balance and rotate tires
- reinstall skid plate
- fix headlights
- smoke a brisket and venison backstrap
Always one more thing.
David
Still to do:
- balance and rotate tires
- reinstall skid plate
- fix headlights
- smoke a brisket and venison backstrap
Always one more thing.
David
You forgot add boosts
Tires rebalanced and rotated. One had thrown a 5oz weight, so I had a nice shimmy above 60.
Also, there's something of a run on fuel in North Texas. I topped off the Suburban with 16 gallons at a big rig pump, so no line, but there must of been cars waiting 10 deep at each of the gas pumps. Pandelerium.
Time to season the meat. We smoke tomorrow.
David
Also, there's something of a run on fuel in North Texas. I topped off the Suburban with 16 gallons at a big rig pump, so no line, but there must of been cars waiting 10 deep at each of the gas pumps. Pandelerium.
Time to season the meat. We smoke tomorrow.
David
Last edited:
I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates breaking the column down.
But ( as with all electrical) check grounds first. I've had some odd blinking issues and I have found a bad ground several times
Just packing the essentials - brisket, a bird, venison, and 10 gallons of diesel. Harriet supervised.
I'm leaving an extra 5 gallons of 93 just in case, but the wife probably won't even deplete the battery on her local trips (Chevy Volt). 10 gallons of diesel gets us at least another 140ish highway miles should we run across an empty station or two.
Headlights seem to work fine. I cleaned the spades on the main switch and the dimmer, and I have a new dimmer switch in hand should that give me fits.
Running around town has been a good ops check for everything else. Just need to stage gear and tools.
David
I'm leaving an extra 5 gallons of 93 just in case, but the wife probably won't even deplete the battery on her local trips (Chevy Volt). 10 gallons of diesel gets us at least another 140ish highway miles should we run across an empty station or two.
Headlights seem to work fine. I cleaned the spades on the main switch and the dimmer, and I have a new dimmer switch in hand should that give me fits.
Running around town has been a good ops check for everything else. Just need to stage gear and tools.
David
See you on Friday.
So when's pound sand time?
Only hardcore wheelers carry a spare muffler. 
It's for my codriver. He snores.
David
David
Pretty sure a Suburban packed like that fits the #crawl&haul sticker too.
Have fun!
Nice branding! 
We're in Raton.
The louvers showed their worth as the ambient temps climbed and the water sat steady at 180F on the flatter bits. Interesting development - the fan clutch engages at 195F whereas it used to climb to 205ish. I'm good with that.
I missed the mountains.
Tomorrow: Pikes Peak.
David
The louvers showed their worth as the ambient temps climbed and the water sat steady at 180F on the flatter bits. Interesting development - the fan clutch engages at 195F whereas it used to climb to 205ish. I'm good with that.
I missed the mountains.
Tomorrow: Pikes Peak.
David
Last edited:
Woohoo! 
You're pretty much running our route from last year backwards.
You're pretty much running our route from last year backwards.
It's been a long and excellent day.
Five mountain passes and one mountain - Raton, Wilkerson, Monarch, Kebler, McClure, and Pikes Peak. The WiFi at the Carbondale KOA is not too speedy, and has choked and regurgitated on itself the few times I've tried to upload photos and videos of the 14,115' summit.
Tomorrow: ORD, then Moab.
David
Five mountain passes and one mountain - Raton, Wilkerson, Monarch, Kebler, McClure, and Pikes Peak. The WiFi at the Carbondale KOA is not too speedy, and has choked and regurgitated on itself the few times I've tried to upload photos and videos of the 14,115' summit.
Tomorrow: ORD, then Moab.
David
Coolest motel sign, ever. On the road at 6.
First half of Pikes Peak was fogged in. Temps were cool, trucks running great.
Passing tree line, the clouds cleared. A few turns have token guard rails.
Last switchback.
I've hiked a lot of peaks, and the camping and physical activity before hand go a long way to acclimating me to the new elevation. There was no such physical activity here, so 14k' registered with me. The truck, too. I get an incomplete burn above 10,000', so it's like someone popped white smoke.
Descend, and head west to Buena Vista, Salida, Monarch pass - quite the test of the cooling system as we crested in 2nd at 40mph - Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Kebler Pass. @Stephen recommended this scenic path to Carbondale, and it was well worth it. Stands of Aspens and dramatic rock cliffs. I think I want to hike Gunnison or White river next.
The last leg of Kebler and McClure were in the dark. 14 hours in the truck, and we were wiped.
See y'all this evening. We're at the Moab KOA tonight, and then Moab Rim Thursday through Sunday.
David
First half of Pikes Peak was fogged in. Temps were cool, trucks running great.
Passing tree line, the clouds cleared. A few turns have token guard rails.
Last switchback.
I've hiked a lot of peaks, and the camping and physical activity before hand go a long way to acclimating me to the new elevation. There was no such physical activity here, so 14k' registered with me. The truck, too. I get an incomplete burn above 10,000', so it's like someone popped white smoke.
Descend, and head west to Buena Vista, Salida, Monarch pass - quite the test of the cooling system as we crested in 2nd at 40mph - Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Kebler Pass. @Stephen recommended this scenic path to Carbondale, and it was well worth it. Stands of Aspens and dramatic rock cliffs. I think I want to hike Gunnison or White river next.
The last leg of Kebler and McClure were in the dark. 14 hours in the truck, and we were wiped.
See y'all this evening. We're at the Moab KOA tonight, and then Moab Rim Thursday through Sunday.
David
Last edited:
Sweet shots! I bet that 6.5 is like wtf are you trying to do?? Kill me!
