3/8” is pretty common
dang, mine is i believe 1/4 in.
The hockey puck looking rubbers is what I’ve used the most. I’ve used the square ones you linked but they flattened out after a couple of years. You don’t need them until you get to Alaska and add to the feet to mount the machine. Diego switched to 3/4 bypass hose a couple of years ago. He said it’s better than 1/2 I was using. I don’t have any other data than that. I definitely wouldn’t use anything smaller than 1/2. When you mount the machine it’s a lot easier to run the bolts thru the top and lay a box end wrench on them while you tighten underneath if you are by yourself. I’ll take a lock washer any day over those annoying nylon nut things
Nylon nuts wouldn’t be so bad if they weren’t going on halfway and welding on there. Probably my fault as bolts were a bit longer than they should be but trying to make sure with what was available locally.
Cut the bolts next time if it makes it easier. I keep threaded rod around because it’s easier to make your own lengths sometimes.
My buddy literally has like a 13 piece tool set. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve had to do to make a lot of this happen. On the plus side, i know what to get him for Christmas. It’s just so frustrating when You literally have everything you’d ever need in your garage 2000 miles away 
I will be taking a video of the interior with some items blocked out shortly and will ask your guys advice/input for where I’m putting stuff.
2 Likes
Maybe off topic but I wish I had used the search bar sooner to look up ‘silicon grease’. After all the research I put in before building a rig I never ran into it. Also, when I was about to wire up the electric start, a buddy recommended I buy the 6 gauge cable from a car stereo place because it’s crazy flimsy & easy to work with. He was right! You could use it as a jump rope. Don’t forget in line fuses while you’re at it but the first piece of equipment on any rig should be a fire extinguisher in my opinion.
3 Likes
I totally agree with fire extinguishers. When I was a young pup, I managed to burn both my motorcycle and my best friend’s Lexus to the ground because I didn’t have one nearby. That was an expensive lesson. I’ll have one or two in there attached to the walls.
1 Like
Here’s my planned layout with stuff blocked out. What are your thoughts because I’m sure y’all can organize this stuff better than me
Fuel tank needs to go behind the machine, or someplace where the exhaust isn’t blowing over the top of it.
1 Like
I don’t know if that link will work. It’s too my off grid Facebook group.
That link didn’t work for me. Do you have the group name and I can search for it?
Last thing of business was that I secured the first reel. The next two should be relatively simple when I come back eventually.
I’ll mock up what it looks like behind the machine. This was a little more annoying than it should be because of my buddies took set but now that I’m done for this trip and about to have a cervesa now that I’m getting over that head cold…I’m feeling relatively content.
Get a piece of cardboard and make a template for the reels. It will make drilling the holes much easier next time.
2 Likes
Oh the reel wasn’t bad at all actually! Went relatively smoothly. The bolts they included were pretty useless even for stacking another but I had a bunch of extras that I had left over so it all worked out. Definitely needed longer bolts.
Just joined
Read the comments on the first post that’s up and you’ll see the fire extinguisher lol
Wrap is complete. Doing a 2 week hitch starting tomorrow and flying straight to Las Vegas to grab the truck afterwards and start heading to Washington to get it on the ferry.
12 Likes
Fought with Penske because they had given me a truck with 4 dry rotted tires and a windshield with a few cracks as well as some other odds and ends that they were contractually obligated to fix.
They ended up cutting me a check for 2200 dollars so that I could replace tires, windshield, etc. I’d call that a win, especially before a road trip.
Took me much longer than expected, but I have a 2019 GMC Savana 3500 with 80k miles that’s wrapped and just about set up for business up here! I have a day or two to be in Arizona to put as big a dent into plumbing as I can, and then the next pictures will be of me road tripping!
9 Likes
Coming along nicely, sir! Love to see it.
