Retirement truck

ttengineer

Adventurer
How much Ford is left in a 4wd van with an aftermarket t-case rolling on 37's?

Engine, computer, tranny. All interior dash parts.

They come with Dana 60s which parts are globally available for but would be pretty bulletproof in that application as well as the t case.


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Wallygator

Adventurer
Sound like they would both be good options to me. I'm hoping by the time I retire you can still buy vehicles that don't drive themselves... My fear is by then no one will own vehicles. Autonomous phone booths will pick you up and drop you off everywhere.... Man, I hope that isn't the case...

From my cold dead hands......

See this movie for a glimpse of the future. ;) WALL-E

16-9-WELL.E-780x439.jpg
 
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Regcabguy

Oil eater.
A retirement truck for anyone would have to be a classic because everything now-a-days is computerized. The support for the computer controls aren't going to be as long as retirement. Therefore the best retirement truck would be all mechanical...LOL
The older ones are certainly simpler but everything's going bad just like me.
 

wild1

Adventurer
July, 2005 I bought my first truck & truck camper. It was a Bigfoot 9.4 on a Chevy 2500HD short bed crew cab 4x4. I had that for 13 years as I worked my way into retirement. My trips got longer and longer eventually up to 6 months. After a camper fire a few years ago, I went with an Arctic Fox with a slide (at this point fully into retirement). I hated the slide and the Arctic Fox was a piece of junk compared to the Bigfoot. After about 2 months I traded that in on a 37' Renegade with a Frieghtliner cab and 3 slides (once again I hated the slides). After a few months I unloaded that as it was just too big (but damn it was nice). Then I went with a new Ford F350 diesel long bed crew cab 4x4 and a Northern Lite 10.4. For me (and I'd say I'm pretty much full time.....today is Day 701 on the road), this is the perfect size and anything less won't work for me (although plenty of people I meet do with less but I'm not so sure it's cause they want to but that they have to.....but certainly not in all cases). I also tow an old beater Jeep and that's a necessity for the lifestyle. As you get older it's just really difficult not to have a few amenities. Plus it's great having that truck bed when you need a truck bed.

One tip I would give to preretirement is to work on your health and being fit. I think a lot of people spend time on planning things like the perfect rig but staying healthy is something that I think is often overlooked but is key to enjoying those golden years. Good luck.....retirement is amazing.....

View attachment 538431
After 15 years of retirement traveling in our F-350/alaskan combo we just set up for the next phase with a very similar combo. We have a 3500 Ram short box crewcab diesel with a Northern Lite 8-11. We have a JLU Rubicon with a sleeping platform that we can tow or take solo for short trips. This makes a super flexible stable that can do about anything while bringing all our toys to make it fun. The whole setup cost about what a Sportsmobile cost and is a whole lot more comfortable and flexible.
 

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texasnielsen

Outdoorsman
Why do they not have a free standing floor?
I would suggest reviewing the construction techniques of the many manufacturers of truck campers online. The times of plywood stapling have been replaced by many of the companies in business now. FWC as an example does not "just use a piece of 3/4 plywood stapled to the sides of the base, which are also just 3/4 plywood"... https://fourwheelcampers.com/company/our-story-the-history-of-pop-up-truck-campers/
and no, I have no affiliation with FWC. Just prefer to see facts posted versus opinion on your question...
 

ballencd

New member
What about something like this? Full Chevy 4x4 capability, straight axles, gas or diesel, manual or auto (i'm building mine with a 5 speed manual and a diesel).


photoshop van image.jpg
 
I would suggest reviewing the construction techniques of the many manufacturers of truck campers online. The times of plywood stapling have been replaced by many of the companies in business now. FWC as an example does not "just use a piece of 3/4 plywood stapled to the sides of the base, which are also just 3/4 plywood"... https://fourwheelcampers.com/company/our-story-the-history-of-pop-up-truck-campers/
and no, I have no affiliation with FWC. Just prefer to see facts posted versus opinion on your question...

No information in that link regarding updated floor construction. My "opinion" is based on the construction of the FWC that I own. I'll go ahead and call that a "fact."
 

texasnielsen

Outdoorsman
No information in that link regarding updated floor construction. My "opinion" is based on the construction of the FWC that I own. I'll go ahead and call that a "fact."

My bad. I guess they must be lying in their marketing literature “Everyone associated with Four Wheel Campers is grateful that the company developed a pop-up design and standardized on welded aluminum frames.” https://fourwheelcampers.com/company/our-story-the-history-of-pop-up-truck-campers/

?
 

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