Sgtsandman's 2019 STX FX4

[JohnnyO]

@Robertmangrum.rm - you might try rockauto for plain steelies like that, when I got a extra set of rims for my hhr for winter they looked a lot like those. The rims on my ‘09 escape are a “spare only” Im not sure who else deals in the dorman product line or if dorman has their own site you could directly order from.
apologies to @sgtsandman for the “sidetrack “.

Tire Rack has steelies for most vehicles at a reasonable cost.

 

[sgtsandman]

I've been busy on this one, getting it ready for this upcoming summer and doing some upgrades to make preventative maintenance easier, as well as doing some upgrades out of necessity.

One upgrade was to install a Mikes Build Shop dipstick for the transmission. Not only is the OEM one inconvenient to get to, you stand a good chance of getting burned by the exhaust. This kit puts the dipstick back up in the engine compartment where it belongs and now comes with a funnel for easy refilling of the transmission without special tools.

Right before the girlfriend got her new to her Escape, her foot slipped off the brake pedal. Resulting in her bumping into the person ahead of her, smashing the plastics in the center of the bumper.

After tallying up what all the parts would cost to repair the damage and being that very little would be covered by insurance after meeting my deductible, I looked at options for off road bumpers. I found a stubby bumper at American Trucks made by Barricade that ended up being about the same price. After getting it, the build quality for what it is supposed to be designed for is.... questionable but better than plastic and will give a place to put a winch in the interim until I can get a proper off road winch bumper later on.

All of this needs to be removed and the lower lip of the bumper needs cut off (the metal on the Barricade is more substantial than the factory bumper), which didn't take much to do.

Winch tray in place

Bumper installed. I wanted to get a picture before the front portion of the Barricade was mounted but time was getting short and it was getting cold.

Also, the fiberglass cab has been removed and a Softopper and Datin Metal Fabrication canvas cage was installed. After doing some research, the rack on the Leer would not have been up to the task of holding the rooftop tent, let alone any of the other gear. This cage is rated for 1,000# static and running the math for off road equipment, about 667# dynamic. For what I plan to mount on it, I should be well below that amount.

 

[sgtsandman]

I finally got a chance to take some pictures of the progress I've made so far. Here is some pictures of the Topoak Stellar RTT and Overland Vehicle Systems HD Nomadic 270 LTE Awning installed.

 

[sgtsandman]

Here is the RTT and the 270 awning opened up.

 

[sgtsandman]

RTT rework. You can you can see the 2" X 2" aluminum tubing in a couple of the pictures. They will get painted black at some point. I still need to get some more slides that hold the bolts in the channel on the RTT so I can permanently bolt the tubing to the RTT. Lining everything up with the tubing able to move around is a bit of a monkey and a football situation but I figured it was more important to bolt the RTT to the rack than the tubing to the RTT.

I also had to move the RTT more towards the passenger side to make room for the original brackets I was going to use for the awning. So, the spacers for the shower tent are going to be even bigger so the brackets for it will clear the RTT. 3' X 6" rectangular tubing now. I'll just face them so the opening heads into the wind to reduce drag.

Since the solar shower needs to go on the cab roof rack, as well as a future solar panel, I can't move the RTT anymore forward. The shower is going to be over hanging in the front more than I'd like as it is.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I really don't know the first thing about RTTs...

But that one is BIG... and just looks like it would fit a full size truck better.

You're gonna be pretty wide across the top. My luck I'd have the shower awning ripped off quick.

I think it fits better moved forward. Sure is a nice setup... I see a bunch of camping fun in your future.

 

[sgtsandman]

I really don't know the first thing about RTTs...

But that one is BIG... and just looks like it would fit a full size truck better.

You're gonna be pretty wide across the top. My luck I'd have the shower awning ripped off quick.

I think it fits better moved forward. Sure is a nice setup... I see a bunch of camping fun in your future.

It's size is partly because of the opening design and partly because it is a hard shell. Believe it or not, it's one of the lightest offerings out there and still keeping a fairly robust outer shell. There are lighter and smaller ones, but they are mostly for one person and need a tray to support the floor of the RTT. The fabric ones have a reputation of collecting dirt and are much more time consuming to close up. While I haven't timed it it, I suspect it takes me about two minutes to setup or break down as it sits right now.

 

[sgtsandman]

I figured out a way to mount the shower tent/awning without using a spacer and having it stick out further into the wind and things trying to rip it off.

 

[Terrys87]

Just read thru your build. Dont guess I ever seen an oil pan heater. That is a good idea. I really cold weather, I like to let my automatic cars sit and idle in neutral. Not sure if it does much good but still better then trying to pump thick syrup thru the tranmsission.

Nice camper set up. Camping is nice to just get out and relax.

 

[sgtsandman]

Just read thru your build. Dont guess I ever seen an oil pan heater. That is a good idea. I really cold weather, I like to let my automatic cars sit and idle in neutral. Not sure if it does much good but still better then trying to pump thick syrup thru the tranmsission.

Nice camper set up. Camping is nice to just get out and relax.

While somewhat beneficial for the cold and getting proper lubrication to all the important parts faster and better, some of the heating, like the block heater and the oil pan heater is more so the truck warms up faster on cold mornings than because it is really necessary (I really don't like cold anymore). We generally don't get cold enough here that block heaters, oil pan heaters, battery blankets, and transmission pan heaters are really needed or are necessary. Though, with the reputation these 10R80 transmissions are making for themselves, every little bit helps.

Thank you on the camper setup.

 

[sgtsandman]

I took advantage of the break in the rain to get a few more things done and I managed to get a couple of pictures before the next bout of rain came in.

The 2 each, 2 gallon water containers are mounted, 4 each mini Maxtrax recovery boards, and a small shovel have been mounted on the passenger side. There was just not enough room to fit a bigger shovel. The solar shower needs a 90* elbow and pipe extension for the on/off valve. I can reach it but Jessica is too short. Wasn't there a song about short people in the 1970's?...

The driver's side is pretty much done as well. I'm just waiting on a Rotopax extension that is compatible with a 3 gallon fuel can to come in. It's supposed to be here Monday. That will give me 5 gallons of reserve fuel. The can you see in the picture is a 2 gallon one.

The high lift jack has been mounted and the boot installed to protect the mechanism from most of the weather. I may break down and buy a taller jack since there is enough room for one and keep the 48" for the 2011.

There is 2 each, 2 gallon water containers on this side as well. Plus a waterproof first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher.

You can see there is also room for a solar panel that I may or may not be able to install this year. It depends on money. I still have to buy and build the drawer box for the bed and install the 12 volt refrigerator slide and tie downs for other gear that shouldn't be allowed to roll or slide around. I have the slide but I still need to get the tie downs. Plus, the box itself needs to be secured to the bed also.

 

[sgtsandman]

I haven't forgotten this build thread. I've just not had anything noteworthy enough to post anything. The one deck half panel is just about finished. I'll take a picture of it and post it once I have the panel itself back together. The up rights to hold the gear still need to be painted. So, far from complete yet. Functional, but mostly still bare wood and metal that needs paint to be protected from the elements, dirt, and wear and tear.

Meanwhile, here's a picture of the truck being used. This was at Buena Vista Campground before we drove to the Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, CO. Yes, I'm missing a center cap. I don't know what it is about that particular hub, but it likes to throw center caps on occasion. This is the second one with this particular set of wheels and the OEM wheels that came with the truck threw one the other day. All of them have been that front, right side. So, it isn't the wheel(s), it has something to do with that hub.

 

[SenorNoob]

Sure it's not the way you hit certain things on the front passenger. Like say rumble strips on the side of the highway?

 

[sgtsandman]

Sure it's not the way you hit certain things on the front passenger. Like say rumble strips on the side of the highway?

It's been more than one driver as well as different road conditions. The first one on the steel wheels was when Jessica was driving it and doing her home health care job. The second was while we were on the trails in Colorado at some point. I can't remember if it was before or after we had aired down the tires. The first day was with full tire pressure and the gravel roads were ROUGH, I was driving. The center caps on the steel wheels have to sit in between the flanges that engage the center bore of the wheels just so in order to fit and stay put. So, they are more susceptible to getting knocked off anyway. Being different drivers, I would think it is not a driving style issue. She's more of a lead foot than I am any way.

The center cap on the wheels that come with the truck don't even contact the hub and it was perfectly fine the whole time it was on the other wheel locations before it was rotated to the front right.

That all being said, the condition of the roads around here, especially outside edge, it is entirely possible your theory is more in line with what the problem is. While not super costly, it is annoying.

 

[SenorNoob]

Take a cue (is that the right word?) from me and give the center caps to someone that can use them? LOL

I've not cared for anything spring loaded on the wheels since my 87 Skylark hubcaps. Damn near impossible to remove (seriously 2 3ft pry bars), but would fall off if the pothole was just right.