Builds Puffin the 80: LSX376 Poverty Pack(ish) build and adventures (4 Viewers)

[RivMan]

Next up, the inevitable mechanical gremlins that show up before any big trip.

On my drive to work the next morning, the truck was running ok, but had a very slight misfire. After work, that misfire turned into a full on dead cylinder, with a flashing SES light. Code was a misfire on Cylinder #3.

Since I was almost packed for our big trip, I had most of my tools and spares on board.

I swapped out the plug, wire and ignition coil with no effect. I didn't have a spare injector, so I just swapped #1 and #3. The misfire followed the injector, so I guess it's time to upgrade those!

The L92 injection system I'm running uses very small (30lb/hr) injectors. I decided to swap out the entire set for a set of GM 12613412 50lb/hr injectors. They're OE on L96 flex fuel engines, so they should flow plenty for my needs, while still being available if a replacement is needed. No photos, but those were swapped out and the ECU calibration updated with the new flow rate. The idle is much smoother now, I'm guessing these original injectors weren't working too well.

-Rob

 

[RivMan]

With the mechanical issues sorted, I turned back to the interior buildout.

The dual battery system was finished up.

• RedARC BCDC1240 Charger
• SOK 100 AH battary
• Tesota Overland Power distribution system
• 12v -> 36v converter (for Starlink)

I finished up the drawers, vinyl wrapping the faces to match the tailgate. I also installed the custom kitchen pull out my buddy (New Holland Overland) designed. It probably won't get used this trip, but I wanted it there anyways.

-Rob

 

[RivMan]

With that all finished up, it was time for the exterior.

I installed my Bowfin roof rack, and finished it off with a set of Touge Nation stripes!

I had the enlist the help of my wife on the stripes, she is much more particular than I am.

Up next, a 6,000 mile road trip to Newfoundland!

-Rob

 

[NeverFinis]

With the mechanical issues sorted, I turned back to the interior buildout.

The dual battery system was finished up.

• RedARC BCDC1240 Charger
• SOK 100 AH battary
• Tesota Overland Power distribution system
• 12v -> 36v converter (for Starlink)

View attachment 3934538

I finished up the drawers, vinyl wrapping the faces to match the tailgate. I also installed the custom kitchen pull out my buddy (New Holland Overland) designed. It probably won't get used this trip, but I wanted it there anyways.

View attachment 3934544

View attachment 3934549

-Rob

I would love to see the final design of that kitchen pull out!

I was thinking about voltage booster for starlink but I went with an Anker Car Charger rated for 167.5W and a DeWalt Charger, just for portability reasons.

For house internet backup during power loss, and remote from vehicle setup, I can use a Dewalt USB-C battery charger.

I carry Dewalt batteries with me for camp lights and recharging other devices away from the vehicle, and they get recharged from the housing battery.

 

[Stoshu]

What an amazing transformation Rob. Truck looks incredible!! So happy that you took it to its maximum potential.

Wishing you and the family many miles of fun in this spectacular rig!

 

[RivMan]

T

What an amazing transformation Rob. Truck looks incredible!! So happy that you took it to its maximum potential.

Wishing you and the family many miles of fun in this spectacular rig!

Thanks man, she will be continuing some epic trips!

We're rolling out today for the 6,000 mile, three week trip to Newfoundland! She's loaded down and in the parking lot waiting for me to finish work.

Soon!

-Rob

 

[RivMan]

I would love to see the final design of that kitchen pull out!

I was thinking about voltage booster for starlink but I went with an Anker Car Charger rated for 167.5W and a DeWalt Charger, just for portability reasons.

View attachment 3934668

For house internet backup during power loss, and remote from vehicle setup, I can use a Dewalt USB-C battery charger.

View attachment 3934666

I carry Dewalt batteries with me for camp lights and recharging other devices away from the vehicle, and they get recharged from the housing battery.

I also have the same Anker charger, and a shorter USB-C cable for the Starlink. I wanted the 36v converter so that I could run the super long, factory power cable. Sometimes we camp in the shade, and I wanted to be able to locate the dish out in a clear area. Batteries would probably do the trick, but I prefer running from the aux battery system in the truck.

-Rob

 

[RivMan]

It's been a while since I've updated this thread! I'm going to pick back up where I left off.

With Newfoundland in the GPS, we set off. First stop was fuel and a weigh in.

With the trailer:

Without the trailer:

Not too bad for a fully loaded truck!

The first stage of the trip was a multi-day 1,500 mile drive to North Sydney, NS

To keep our 7 year old entertained, we setup a "zone" with activities, distractions and snacks. This worked great for the trip!

We crossed into Canada in Sarnia. Smooth border crossing, with a thumbs up from the customs officer on the rig!

 

[RivMan]

One of our first stops was a Toys-R-us, which had closed all of their US stores years ago.

The miles just flew by! We even made a detour to have lunch on Prince Edward Island. We figured it was worth the extra miles to add another Province under our belt.

 

[RivMan]

After three long days of driving the truck started acting odd. It was fine cruising, but on a long hill, or heavy acceleration, it picked up a BAD misfire. After a while, the misfire was constant, and moving from cylinder to cylinder at random.

It had been raining HEAVILY since we left home. Almost all day and night for the last few days. I started checking a few things under the hood, and found that my Radius airbox had a ton of water in it, and the filter was soaked!

The airbox has a water drain bolt, however because I mounted it tilted, it was no longer at the lowest point. Luckily I brought my drill, and added a new drain hole in the bottom. After replacing the air filter, the truck was running perfectly again!

Finally we arrived in North Sydney, NS to catch the overnight ferry to Newfoundland. Most of our friends had already arrived. We boarded the ferry and crashed for the night.

 

[RivMan]

Our first few miles in Newfoundland really set the tone for the trip. Everything was green and beautiful.

 

[NeverFinis]

Thanks for the updates!

The airbox has a water drain bolt, however because I mounted it tilted, it was no longer at the lowest point. Luckily I brought my drill, and added a new drain hole in the bottom. After replacing the air filter, the truck was running perfectly again!

That was a ton of water. I wonder if it was just normal condensation that built up over time. I have the same intake, but facing forward.

I was wondering about that bolt being the right solution. I was thinking of installing one of those rubber drain nipples that many OEM uses that automatically drain water. They close under vacuum (engine running), but are normally slightly open to drain water.

Something like this

 

[RivMan]

Our first camp in Newfoundland was an epic dispersed spot overlooking the ocean.

 

[RivMan]

Thanks for the updates!



That was a ton of water. I wonder if it was just normal condensation that built up over time. I have the same intake, but facing forward.

I was wondering about that bolt being the right solution. I was thinking of installing one of those rubber drain nipples that many OEM uses that automatically drain water. They close under vacuum (engine running), but are normally slightly open to drain water.

Something like this
View attachment 3993927

That's a great idea, I'm going to look into those.

-Rob

 

[RivMan]

Day 2, we headed to Gros Morne National park.

Gros Morne is home to the Tablelands. It's one of the only places on the planet you can walk on the Earth's mantle. The landscape quickly changed from the green mountains to an eerie dead zone. The rocks and soil of this area are actually toxic to plans, and almost nothing grows there.

 

[RivMan]

Day 3: More Gros Morne, this time we toured Western Brook Pond. The fog was thick, and we couldn't see what we were in for!

The view we came for:

Our view:

Luckily the fog lifted while we were there!

 

[RivMan]

On day 4 we finally saw the sun!

We started with some more hiking in Gros Morne

And ended the day at an epic dispersed camp site in LaScie, complete with icebergs and a great spot to bring out the RC Crawlers!

 

[RivMan]

Day 5 brought us to Twillingate and another free camping area on the water.

 

[RivMan]

Day 6 brought us to another ferry over to Fogo Island and some very cool hikes.

 

[RivMan]

Day 7 had us back on the ferry off Fogo, including another iceberg. I would have loved to stay on the island for a few more days. It was one of the coolest spots we visited. Our camp for the evening treated us to the best sunset of the trip!