1986 GMC S-15
- Thread starter Andrew_S
- Start date
Andrew_S
Observer
Thanks for the good words guys.
Pushed through this sled track to get to a lake on Saturday.
Instantly rewarded for our efforts.
Ended up with a limit of these super hungry brookies.
Really impressed with how well the truck does aired down to 10psi.
Finally tested out that smitty built compressor. Definitely does the trick.
Fish head chowder and fillets for days.
Pushed through this sled track to get to a lake on Saturday.
Instantly rewarded for our efforts.
Ended up with a limit of these super hungry brookies.
Really impressed with how well the truck does aired down to 10psi.
Finally tested out that smitty built compressor. Definitely does the trick.
Fish head chowder and fillets for days.
Todd n Natalie
OverCamper
Wow! Your freezer must be getting pretty full!
ocblaze
Member
It looks like y’all’s fall hunting season is going well! I can’t wait to watch the SAS build! It’s gonna be great!
Random question but would you mind sharing what vacuum sealer you use for your meat? Mine died after last season and I’ve got two white tails in the cooler right now.
Random question but would you mind sharing what vacuum sealer you use for your meat? Mine died after last season and I’ve got two white tails in the cooler right now.
Andrew_S
Observer
We have two big stand ups, and they are getting there.
After my performance this hunting season, I'll need to catch a lot of fish.
We have a cheapo costco prosumer vac unit. It's ok, I would like to upgrade to something a bit better in the future. Thanks, you & I both.
We spent another night out at one of our favourite lakes. This evening I had a quick realization that if we went with the original canvas pop-top, it wouldn't have last very long with the all the embers this camper gets pummeled with. My hats off to the canvas pop top & roof top tent crowd. I would always be so nervous about burning a hole in the material.
-9 in the evening, -15 in the morning. One of the best purchases we made was that little planar.
First light, headed towards the lake.
Bumped this cow & calf, maybe 50 yards?
Tough go of it, almost 12" of fresh snow with slush underneath.
Quickly rewarded for our efforts with some great looking brookies.
Coffee & Bacon over a piping hot fire on the lake. Great way to start the morning.
Packing up to go for a drive.
Checking out a nearby logging operation. Love this big iron.
Spotted this cow bedded down nearby
Cooler, chuck box, ice fishing sled/gear & a christmas tree.
Surf & turf for dinner.
Todd n Natalie
OverCamper
I was wondering the same thing. Looks like it?
YetiX
Member
Yes, those are deer(?) hearts.
Andrew, you have a hell of a wife. Her getting out there with you and sharing the experience is awesome!
Andrew_S
Observer
Yup, hearts, moose hearts to me more specific.
Some hunter discard the organs, but in my opinion heart is one of the best cuts.
I don't know if this is happening for everyone but these supply chain issues are really putting a hamper on my plans. I ordered some coil buckets weeks ago and I can't even get an estimated date for shipping. Here's hoping I'm able to finalize the outstanding parts in the next couple of months and finish this axle swap in the early spring.
Some hunter discard the organs, but in my opinion heart is one of the best cuts.
I don't know if this is happening for everyone but these supply chain issues are really putting a hamper on my plans. I ordered some coil buckets weeks ago and I can't even get an estimated date for shipping. Here's hoping I'm able to finalize the outstanding parts in the next couple of months and finish this axle swap in the early spring.
Andrew_S
Observer
It's been a hot minute.
We've had family visiting for over 2 months now. Now much camping or forward progress has happened..
The truck has developed a code 45, 02 rich intermittent stumble recently. Have started troubleshooting but not getting anywhere fast. Swapped the 02, no change.
Plugs look decent. Going to mess with the tps next,
Been doing a bit of snowboarding with family.
Also a bit of ice fishing.
Here's a common sight when the ice is slick.
Deer run or get chased out onto the ice and then can't make it back to shore.
Fish tacos on the menu.
Picked up the wife an early b-day present.
While I'm at it, oooof that's an expensive expression. I did the lower ball joints on the front axle, then I convinced myself to do the uppers as well.
Finally received my coil buckets in the mail. These are artec tj coil buckets.
Another day out on the ice with a buddy.
Rained all day, the hut was so key.
Fishing was non stop
These perch are some of the best fish you can put on the table in my opinion.
Came home with about 25-30.
Not much of an update. I'm leaving for Ontario next week, wife is leaving for Hawaii the week after.
Then I have a home reno, 2800 sq ft flooring project to complete in February. I need to find a way to turn a 24 hour day into 36 hours, maybe even 48...
We've had family visiting for over 2 months now. Now much camping or forward progress has happened..
The truck has developed a code 45, 02 rich intermittent stumble recently. Have started troubleshooting but not getting anywhere fast. Swapped the 02, no change.
Plugs look decent. Going to mess with the tps next,
Been doing a bit of snowboarding with family.
Also a bit of ice fishing.
Here's a common sight when the ice is slick.
Deer run or get chased out onto the ice and then can't make it back to shore.
Fish tacos on the menu.
Picked up the wife an early b-day present.
While I'm at it, oooof that's an expensive expression. I did the lower ball joints on the front axle, then I convinced myself to do the uppers as well.
Finally received my coil buckets in the mail. These are artec tj coil buckets.
Another day out on the ice with a buddy.
Rained all day, the hut was so key.
Fishing was non stop
These perch are some of the best fish you can put on the table in my opinion.
Came home with about 25-30.
Not much of an update. I'm leaving for Ontario next week, wife is leaving for Hawaii the week after.
Then I have a home reno, 2800 sq ft flooring project to complete in February. I need to find a way to turn a 24 hour day into 36 hours, maybe even 48...
Andrew_S
Observer
I almost forgot. I went on a bit of a snow blower kick in December.
First I picked up this no-start Ariens 24" for $50.
Got it running "ok" and it worked great.
Then I picked up this craftsman 10-30. It was a pile, no fuel, no spark, no drive, no auger, seized chute cable.
Cleaned the carb, new plug, cleaned the contacts, drive shear pin, new belts, new cables.
Chews snow and spits it out amazing now.
Sold the Ariens after getting the craftsman going.
First time ever really digging into small engine stuff. It's fun, could see doing more of this in my future.
This was all inspired by this unit. Bit of a snow blower nerd now.
We picked this up for the team earlier in 2022.
First I picked up this no-start Ariens 24" for $50.
Got it running "ok" and it worked great.
Then I picked up this craftsman 10-30. It was a pile, no fuel, no spark, no drive, no auger, seized chute cable.
Cleaned the carb, new plug, cleaned the contacts, drive shear pin, new belts, new cables.
Chews snow and spits it out amazing now.
Sold the Ariens after getting the craftsman going.
First time ever really digging into small engine stuff. It's fun, could see doing more of this in my future.
This was all inspired by this unit. Bit of a snow blower nerd now.
We picked this up for the team earlier in 2022.
1stDeuce
Explorer
Man, I love your updates Andrew. A little truck, a little life, and a lot of just good reading!
From a while back, I recall you were going to school, for engineering I think... Still working for some sort of DOT organization I assume? Did you get your degree?
Hopefully life is working out well in that respect...
It may not solve the issue exactly, but putting in a heated O2 might improve driveability some... I'm about do do the same in my new-to-me 1993 K2500 suburban. It tends to surge going in and out of open loop when going downhill... The first thing to check on these old TBI trucks is the vacuum lines. The old plastic lines get brittle and break, leading to vacuum leaks. If the line to the MAP sensor breaks or leaks, it will go rich on you...
Good Luck!!!
From a while back, I recall you were going to school, for engineering I think... Still working for some sort of DOT organization I assume? Did you get your degree?
Hopefully life is working out well in that respect...
It may not solve the issue exactly, but putting in a heated O2 might improve driveability some... I'm about do do the same in my new-to-me 1993 K2500 suburban. It tends to surge going in and out of open loop when going downhill... The first thing to check on these old TBI trucks is the vacuum lines. The old plastic lines get brittle and break, leading to vacuum leaks. If the line to the MAP sensor breaks or leaks, it will go rich on you...
Good Luck!!!
Really enjoy reading your camper build and your adventures. You are living the life that I can only dream.
I am really inspire to build a lift top camper similar yours but a little worry about the actuator raising and lowering issue and also the seal. From what I can gather, your camper have only moving restriction on the two side and not the rear or the front? How is the is the seal working out? Is there anything you would do differently if you were to do it again?
Keep it up!
I am really inspire to build a lift top camper similar yours but a little worry about the actuator raising and lowering issue and also the seal. From what I can gather, your camper have only moving restriction on the two side and not the rear or the front? How is the is the seal working out? Is there anything you would do differently if you were to do it again?
Keep it up!
Andrew_S
Observer
Good memory, yes I finished up a civil tech program I had started in my youth. It's paid off 3 times over at the moment. I work in local government and have been very fortunate when it comes to opportunities to advance lately.
Thanks for the suggestions. I think* it's a tps issue. I'm going to mess around with it a bit and see if I get any noticeable change. If not, I'll definitely be digging deeper.
Thanks, really appreciate that.
The camper is limited in side to side movement, and also restricted in forward movement by a strip of HDPE at the very back.
It can slide backwards but I also have internal stops on the actuators. It's not ideal to have the actuators prevent movement when they are at full extension but it's a safety, just in case. Once the top is popped and the walls are up, it cannot move at all.
The seal is working very well, it's a 3/4" D shaped bulb seal.
I learned a lot on this build and if I were to do it again there are a few things I would change.
- Originally purchased a synchronizing actuator set up
- I would have gone with a slightly larger gap, maybe 1" all the way around. 3/4" is a bit tight but it works.
- Lighter material, I could have probably dropped 100 lbs is if I went a thinner aluminum sheet & lighter wall tubing
- I think I would go with sandwich panel for the upper box next time
A few other things but that sums most of it up.
Been away visiting family in Ontario for a weekish,
Got a little riding in
Some much needed R&R at the family cabin
Beers and a bonfire with the old man & brother
back to regular business,
New upper WJ balljoints are in,
Front axle is almost* complete
Picked up a couple of donuts to get these axles off of the jack stands. They are an absolute bear to move around now. I also needed a way of getting the truck into the garage for repairs after the SAS swap is complete. The way it sits now w/ the camper on, I have all of 1" clearance to the top of the header. With more of a light and 33's, there is no way it's coming in the garage without smaller tires.
This IRO truss kit was designed for the stock short arm suspension. With the long arm kit, the upper radius arm contacts the truss hard at the moment. I'll pick up some scrap and loop it down to alleviate the issue.
Next up is burning these together.
I draw a lot of inspiration from other builds. This one is pretty awesome,
Also, wow this thing is such an awesome unit!
