Av8r3400

I was quoted $8k to put one in my truck.  
 

A rebuilt center is not that expensive, but your open diff is not acceptable as a core so therefor you need to pay full price.  Then plumbing and programming are more. 

Excellent looking kit!

Deep Dudu defined:

"Thunderstruck"

22 hours ago, aknavy said:

Out of curiosity, has anyone had the BluDot and the Tuson DirectLink to compare the two's performance?

I have.  I will repeat the sentiment of the previous repliy by the esteemed "Old Goat".

Hands down there is no comparison.  While the DirectLink system is one of the best, the control and proportionality of the air system is of no comparison.

Thanks for posting that, Rick.  

2 hours ago, rpsinc said:

Dont know this person but would like to learn about the change.  Where can I find it?

Please message me if you would like any further details.  The BlueDOT system is great and works wonderful, but the "Kit" is not complete and requires some amount of fabrication and customization.

Warren (WIP) was my inspiration.  I saw his setup at the national back in '21 and was motivated to follow his lead.  He sent me some of his details to the installation and I sort of copied his system, tailored to my rig.

I was very happy because almost right away I needed to switch back to electric over hydraulic when my HDT went down for the count last summer due to being struck by lightning.  Once winter breaks here, it will be switched back and ready to roll and stop on air-power.

Lest we devolve into a conversation of politics, a 7% increase IMO, is more than acceptable considering the current economic conditions, especially in the insurance sector.

My business' insurance went up approximately 18% this year.

This past summer I exercised the option to have my truck towed.  Since this was part of a major (!) insurance claim, my regular vehicle insurance covered the towing cost.   This proved their coverage on my HDT.

Prior to this, at the time of major confusion, I did contact Coach Net to inquire on getting the truck and possibly the trailer towed.  They were more than willing to help with the tow situation and were also willing to "stand by" while I negotiated with my regular insurance.  The take-away I have is that Coach Net, was willing to provide a tow (undetermined how far or how quickly) at the place and time of my problem.  I can not comment on if this service would be available at all points on the map or on the calendar.  Never the less, this still sounds better than what Sam's is/was offering. 

Thunderstruck update:  I've been collecting bits and pieces that still need to be repaired or replaced.  I now have all of the little "chicken light" LEDs on the bed that need replacement.  Once the weather gets above 0º F again here, I'll start working on this stuff.  I still need to replace the inverter and troubleshoot the Boogey Light systems.

But, we're getting closer...

So, is this converted to 4x4 with side by side parts?

I'm sure you could transplant a big cam 400 with an Allison behind it, but it would sure sound better with a 12V71T or 8V92T...

It was a difficult choice, but with the limited availability of Vacation time for the DW and other factors we have decided to cancel our reservations for Deer Run in April.

We chose to save that week for the National Rally down in Hutch in October.  So, we look forward to seeing everybody this fall instead!

It's frightening to think how many trucks like this are on the road as we speak.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to everyone!!

On 12/15/2022 at 3:52 PM, NTPA Announcer said:

I'm not " The leader of the pack " ( Vroom Vroom ) , But I'm interested how many are planning to show up.  

Thank you !!

We still have our reservation at Deer Run and at this point plan to come.

Now we even have a truck to get there in, too!

I brought it home on Saturday.  I did check on it this morning and it's still there, I didn't dream the trip...

She got her bath today. She's still filthy because a bath at 34ºF is just not that effective.

The good news is that she's home and back in her barn.  Now to start trouble shooting all the add-on lights.

"Thunderstruck" came home today.  It ran and drove perfect.  

Tomorrow she gets a bath...

I'm thinking when I get the truck back, this will have to be one of the first modifications I add to it...

5 hours ago, jenandjon said:

Glad you got it fixed. Did your insurance rates go up?

I don't know yet.  The truck claim at the moment is up to about $35k.  This does not include what ever I need to fix yet with the Boogey lights, inverter and other "up fitter" items that were not OEM on the truck.

To complicate things, the DW tagged a deer with her car a couple weeks ago to another $7500 claim...

The truck is finished!  

There is only one minor issue that they will not fix, the driver side headlight will not go to high beam. This is not as bad as you may think, because these are the Deep Space lights from Dave Dixon.  The high beam is controlled by a motorized shutter.  I just need to contact him for a new bulb.  Easy to do.

The rest of the Boogey lights and inverter and such may be more of a project to fix...

Now I just need to get the logistics done to get there and bring the truck home.  Hopefully next Saturday.

We've confirmed our reservation.

Hoping we'll have a truck...

I thought maybe we might be going to get the truck on Friday after thanksgiving, but not yet, I guess.  They discovered that the steering wheel buttons are not functioning, so that needs to be fixed.  This week is the Wisconsin state holiday of deer hunting rifle season so every company is strapped by short staffing, so they were unable to get it into the shop again to address this.

Maybe next week...

On 11/17/2022 at 7:52 PM, Larry Burkett said:

Well it sure is good to hear that it is almost back to complete working order. That has been quite an adventure from writing it off to almost ready to go again.

It's been quite a bit more of a roller coaster than I have shared...

This is an older video, of a different brand hitch, but may offer some good insight.

This video is how I have based by hook and drop procedures.  I have this type ET hitch.

They had to get another TCM.  The first one had a fault of some sort.  That is now working properly but they are still fighting with the instrument cluster.  We're close...