Large Family Sportsmobile - Page 5

TwoVans · 01-15-2010, 06:17 PM

Warholic,

Don't sell yourself short. That was worth 3 cents, easy!

Thanks for the input!

Rustywolf · 01-17-2010, 09:10 AM

FYI, to clear up a point I raised earlier: I checked and Fred Whorff is no longer with the company.

pjpvi · 01-17-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Applying the brake and gas can help with an open diff as well. In certain circumstances it can provide just enough loading to get the tires moving.

For what it's worth, I tried this today when I couldn't get up a particular spot and had both rear tires and one front spinning. The other front tire which was on fairly good ground, just didn't have any power going to it even when applying some brake with accelerator (the rear LSD locked up just fine though). I think had I had a front locker, I wouldn't have had any problem. A found that my cheaper alternative to a locker of sitting in the van in the middle of the "pond" instructing my two friends where to put rocks and logs eventually worked just fine.

TwoVans · 01-17-2010, 10:08 PM

Hence, the desire to have limited slip up front as well. I spoke with both Extreme Off-road and Dynatrac separately about it. Both recommended Detroit Truetrac without hesitation.

From my research, it looks like the strength of the Truetrac is that it is gear driven and doesn't require any special additives. So, it should provide the reliability I am looking for. The only thing I don't like is a disclaimer on the warranty about tire size. However, they do say it is ok if they are consulted first...

pjpvi · 01-18-2010, 09:04 AM

Are you putting the TrueTrac in the front, rear or both axles?

Phil

TwoVans · 01-18-2010, 10:41 AM

I'm leaning towards both.

TwoVans · 01-31-2010, 05:32 AM

Progress at last! My van has left the dealsership and made it to Custom Mobile Interiors in OH. With any luck, I will have Sprinter seats by the end of the week.

Turns out that SMB North is only three hours from there. The plan is to have them install the PH top before I drive it out to CA. Then SMB West for the rest of the interior in late March...

surfgeek33 · 01-31-2010, 10:14 AM

What's CMI doing to the interior?

Ray

TwoVans · 01-31-2010, 10:43 AM

They are simply installing the Sprinter seats. As previously discussed, SMB wouldn't go there for liability reasons.

CMI is cautiously optimistic that they can make it work. They said they have done many installs into the cargo variant of the Sprinter. As far as I know, this will be the first time this has been attempted into a Ford van.

The risk is there will obviously be no crash testing. My wife and I are ok with that, as long as it is done like the Hoover Dam (10x stronger than it needs to be).

The van just got there on Friday. They said they would evaluate and give me their recommendation on Monday...

If it's a go, pics to follow...

surfgeek33 · 01-31-2010, 10:47 AM

Sweet! Keep me posted. Something to think about on our next build.

Ray