Cheapo Tow Rig project

Yeah I intend to tow to Uwharrie as well as drive it quite a bit for work. It’s getting a set of new tires and alloy wheels shortly, so after a set of tires I will be driving it quite a bit. Currently you can see the air in the rear tires so I’m not driving it much :eek:

I agree what’s the point if I don’t trust it. I made plans for the rental truck a while back. I just stumbled into this truck.
 
I'd like to think it'll get at least 10 mpg....
 
I like to estimate low. So 9-10 would be awesome since I expected and figured for 7.

I really think I’m going to take it.
 
Worked on my truck and Jeep some today. I have all the trailer lights working now. Turns out it was just corrosion inside the plug on the truck.

When I got to a good stopping point on the jeep I decided to hook it all up and do a test tow. I towed it thru some hilly, curvy back roads and then up the highway a few miles. Pulled one hill that’s not real steep but long and steep enough to get a feel of how the truck will do. I was VERY happy with how well the truck pulled!

It held 70-75 no problem. Cruise control works well, and the AC will freeze you out. I also went thru town to pickup a pizza to see how the stop and go was. It brakes good, accelerates good, in the curves out in the sticks it handles good. I could not be happier with it!

And the oil pressure seems to be right where @Croatan_Kid said it should be!
d3fb62275d928b50d1b9d1be46a12833.jpg


I still can’t get the brake light and ABS off. It’s driving me nuts, I HAVE to figure it out before I drive to Rausch Creek. Gonna get a scanner tomorrow.

New wheels and tires coming next week!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yeah, that's good enough I suppose!
 
ABS could be a sensor down at the wheel sensor. I had a Chevy I drove for work and the slightest bit of gunk/dirt/mud would get in there and throw a ABS light. I would take it to the car wash and hose it out it would go away. Not sure why it was so sensitive. On my 2500 4wd Ram when I see those lights in conjunction it means a front wheel bearing is getting squirrely and starting to crap the bed. FWIW.
 
Thanks! I’ve been reading up on it. Checking the wheel bearings and cleaning those sensors is my next move. Hoping it’s not a wheel bearing, but they are unit style and not terribly expensive so if so it won’t be a big deal.

I removed the ground from the parking brake assembly like mentioned earlier, nothing changed.
 
77GreenMachine said:
Worked on my truck and Jeep some today. I have all the trailer lights working now. Turns out it was just corrosion inside the plug on the truck.

When I got to a good stopping point on the jeep I decided to hook it all up and do a test tow. I towed it thru some hilly, curvy back roads and then up the highway a few miles. Pulled one hill that’s not real steep but long and steep enough to get a feel of how the truck will do. I was VERY happy with how well the truck pulled!

It held 70-75 no problem. Cruise control works well, and the AC will freeze you out. I also went thru town to pickup a pizza to see how the stop and go was. It brakes good, accelerates good, in the curves out in the sticks it handles good. I could not be happier with it!

And the oil pressure seems to be right where @Croatan_Kid said it should be!
d3fb62275d928b50d1b9d1be46a12833.jpg


I still can’t get the brake light and ABS off. It’s driving me nuts, I HAVE to figure it out before I drive to Rausch Creek. Gonna get a scanner tomorrow.

New wheels and tires coming next week!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
put some damn gas in that truck fool!!!!!!
 
I filled it up when I started, I burned it all in the 10 mile loop I made! :driver:

Haha I was heading to the gas station when I took this pic.
 
Not sure if you knew it previous to filling it up, but that jewel has a 34 gallon gas tank :D It's a blessing and a curse....
 
My buddy has an ABS scanner and checked it out. C0550 was the code, he cleared it and it can back right away. I have already cleaned the ground for it. From what I read it would not even be able to run a self test and throw that code if it was a bad ground so it means the module is bad. I’ll just learn to live with the light I reckon, I’m not really willing to spend the money to replace it. I rather have a touch screen radio than the light go away :D
 
Last edited:
7b95eb8fefd8ec9de96ed382ac095862.jpg
572585bd1968716e4472955813bd77d8.jpg


Thanks to an awesome customer of mine who is also a good friend, I scored a set of FREE brand new tires and some steel wheels. The wheels are in much better shape than mine, and came with center caps with all of the plastic lug covers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
That's a steal at twice the price!
 
Going to look at a camper shell tomorrow afternoon. If it’s pretty good I’ll be ditching this roof rack if anyone wants it.
 
Tires mounted, camper top acquired!
e0cf64792f3f67a3ba04e197e3bba8ee.jpg

5f0fdaeb97594bb5aa692de35f604996.jpg


Scored this for $50! Throw some cheap white paint from the parts store on it, wire up some 12V power and a light and I’m in business!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Camper shell test fitting. I thought my wife could help me put it on, but her little accountant arms just couldn’t do it. Luckily the neighbors heard our laughter and struggle and came to relieve my wife and give me a hand. I felt bad saying “yeah that looks great, now let’s take it back off”

902eff70911bedd80e94105f2fa9285f.jpg

f30aaa23e3d1d0a2f40b7a4f8a2553d5.jpg


I think this will be right nice for sleeping on wheeling trips, I won’t have to fool with a tent and I can keep everything dry. I’ll enlist the neighbor kids again when it’s time to take it on and off.

The real question is: should I bother sanding/painting it or just rock the green? Oreillys has gloss white for $6 a can, figure it will take 6-7 cans maybe more?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I'd paint it....but....that's just me :huggy:

It'll take 6 rolls of tape, paper, and likely 3 cans for the sides/front. The bear will be the TOP. 10 can's would be a safer bet (keep the receipt)
 
Would probably be easier/cheaper to spray it with a quart of while rustoleum thru hvlp
 
When I saw the alert that you commented I was so sure you were going to say paint it black! :D

I don’t have a paint gun, and my compressor is currently down. I’m sure I will paint it, I’m just not sure when. This truck has been cheap but with this and other things around the house, needs for the jeep, kids and life in general I feel like I am literally BLEEDING money. I need to calm down a bit and get back in gear.
 
77GreenMachine said:
When I saw the alert that you commented I was so sure you were going to say paint it black! :D

I don’t have a paint gun, and my compressor is currently down. I’m sure I will paint it, I’m just not sure when. This truck has been cheap but with this and other things around the house, needs for the jeep, kids and life in general I feel like I am literally BLEEDING money. I need to calm down a bit and get back in gear.
Click to expand...
I should have a couple paint guns, and my compressor works.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top