Not a Bronco, but to tow with???

[RJLougee]

So... a few months ago I picked up an RV to restore, make an expedition rig out of, etc... It started as an '81 F250, 2WD with a carb'd 300 six and T18 trans. I've been working like a dog for the last week trying to get it going for some camping next week. Actually started it this afternoon, fired right up and purred like a kitten, woo, hoo!!

Just had to share, MTF.
Joe

[Rox Crusher]

That's a cool looking rig Joe

[Gunnibronco]

I really like it. Great tow rig.

[Eck]

Sweet!

[Digger]

That's sick!

Any more pics?

[Kinder]

Very cool, love the full bed replacement.

[Moab Mike]

If you ever want to sell that...........................

[horseplay]

Keep us posted on how she pulls. Looks great!

[Jesus_man]

That's cool Joe! Should be a fun project!! You'll need some patience driving the highways with the 300 I6. I recall driving my dad's '85 to Pueblo once and it couldn't maintain speed headed up and down the hills between Walsenburg and Pueblo...empty. But that's not what you got it for!

[hockeydad4-22]

That is SCHWEEEEEET!!!

[Dirtheadz]

awesome overland potential!!!

[RJLougee]

So Tuesday I took it out for it's maiden voyage, to my favorite camping area, Happy Meadows. Just got back home. Took my Wife, Son and Grandson out for the trip.



Much work has been done to get it to this point:
1. Replaced the carb'd 300 with an '95 351W, running the FRPP harness with an A9P EEC.
2. Replaced the T-18 with a ZF 5 speed, backed by a BW1356 transfer case.
3. Added the RC D44 front end, 4.10 gears and a Trac-Loc. This is held in place with extended radius arms, some BCBroncos coil springs, F250 shock mounts and some Procomp MX-6 shocks.
4. I swapped out the rear D60 and put in a Sterling with 4.10 gears and Trac-Loc, installed an add-a-leaf for clearance/carrying capacity. Put disk brakes on it as well.
5. All custom exhaust I did myself so it will come out if I need it to. Dual 2.5" into one 3", then 3" muffler and tubes out the back.
6. New seats/mounts in the cab. I'm not delighted with them, but they're OK.
7. Built the big old bumper out back, integrating a large storage box into it.
8. Still working on updating all the interior lights to LEDs, etc...

For the most part, it drove well, although I feel the engine was not pulling like it should have been. Seems like it was missing power. I think there's something wrong with this harness, so I'll be playing with that this weekend.

Major things yet to be accomplished:
1. Redo interior and update the appliances, etc...
2. Install solar system, extra batteries, controller, inverter, etc...
3. Install DirecTV system.
4. Get the cab A/C system installed.

[Digger]

That's just awesome.

Those sound like some well thought-out upgrades.

[Rox Crusher]

That thing was "earth roamer" before Earth Roemer was cool !

[Dirtheadz]

The more I see this thing, the more I love it!!! Bad A$$!!!

[RJLougee]

For the most part, it drove well, although I feel the engine was not pulling like it should have been. Seems like it was missing power. I think there's something wrong with this harness, so I'll be playing with that this weekend.

And I was correct. Ran codes on it, got a couple unexpected ones, for the TPS and MAF. Figuring, based on the code, that it was more likely electrical, I started tracing things out and pin#26 (VREF, kinda important...) had pushed out of the EEC connector and wasn't providing reliable power to those two sensors. Fixed that.

Go for another decent test drive and check codes again, get one for low flow readings from the MAF meter. Pull that and "lo and behold", like an idiot I used a MAF meter that was calibrated for bigger injectors. Well, no wonder...

So, I swapped that out and so far, seems much better. Gotta take it on a test drive and find out.

More to follow....
Joe