Ford F350 Super Duty install.

[Tracker]

Originally Posted by gewecke

Very sharp! One question, why the cover on the minibar?

73,
n9zas

I imagine it's an out of service cover.......

[tcm4368]

I just noticed the dirt on the brake pedal too! Can't have it perfect...I wouldn't wanna drive it then. LOL! As for the cover, it's just an amber light bar, I use it if I ever have to move farm equipment at harvest time. So it's covered to protect the lens. Ford started building their own diesel for the 2011 model year. My folks have had a 2000 7.3, a 2006 6.0 and now this 2011 6.7. All were purchased new. I didn't see it in my budget to have a 2011, so this gently used 2009 with the 6.4 works well....it's a vast improvement over the 6.0 the folks had, but it dosen't compare with the new 6.7 Ford. Don't get me wrong, we're very pleased with this truck, but if your budget allows, get the 6.7....you'll like it even more. It's rated at 400hp and 800lb of torque, also it's very quiet and smooth.

[tcm4368]

Also, thanks for the compliments on the truck....we appreciate it. Search my username to see pix of our other installs.

Trent

[tcm4368]

Here are afew new pictures of our install. Verizon is trying to eliminate any old Alltel phones on their rate plans, and we have been told by several people that it wouldn't be long and our M800s will not work with Verizon. I also tried to have them reactivate one of my old ones as we added another truck to the fleet and I wished to use it, they said they wouldn't reactivate it because it wasn't a Verizon phone. So I decided to eliminate afew phones and go with a smartphone. I removed all out M800s and installed Wilson Sleek boosters in their place. I had to find a SMA to mini UHF adapter to reuse the old antennas, but my local electronics store handled that. I'm hoping we get comporable range with the Sleeks as we did the old phones. Installation was easy, as a hardwire kit is available as an option. i just removed the old phones and tapped in the the power we used for them. In the F350 I wired an 12V socket under the dash and used the lighter cord that comes with the kit. At $20 a piece, I was too cheap to buy hardwire kits for them all. So far I like the smartphone. It pairs up with the SYNC in the F350 automatically for hands free. I also have Blue Parrot headsets for use in the trucks. I really hated the idea of wearing a headset, but after using it, is isn't bad at all, and in the trucks the audio quality is 10x's better than the speakerphone in the M8's no background noise whatsoever. We just wear it during calls, so we are compliant with the new laws.

Trent

[Rt169Radio]

Looks good.

[tcm4368]

I enjoy looking at others install pictures too. It's interesting to see other people ideas, and maybe incorporate them into my setup. Or it's nice to recieve compliments that I inspired someone to try what I have done. I'm by no means an expert and don't claim to be, I have no training in electronics and don't even have my HAM ticket eventhough I've got afew friends in town that suggest I join them instead of just monitor. I just take pride in a job done right. I see some posts on the forums that aren't even worthy of a picture, but the poster probably did the best they knew how, and that is the only way to learn. I see others that make mine look like nothing. I look at how my "quality control" has improved since I started installing my stuff as a teenager, and I'm 36 now...even i think I've learned a thing or too! Thanks for the compliments.

Trent

[KC0CSE]

WOW what a set-up !!!!! great job!!!.....pulling trailer boat....do you have to go through the DOT weigh area?

[tcm4368]

Not with this as it's our own camper/boat and we're not running "For Hire." I've watched enough "Shipping Wars" that I've often wondered if I could make more with my F350 than my big trucks! With the Kenworth, however, we are required to stop if we encounter a weigh station, which is few and far between where we operate.

[SFD790]

Just wondering What antenna do you use for the CM300? looking at getting one soon.

[tcm4368]

So Sorry, I haven't visited the site for awhile. It's a Maxrad for UHF. I can't remember if this one is non-ground plane or not, I have several in my stash, as our Kenworth trucks are fiberglass. I run the short antennas as they clear my garage door. If we are going to be on the road any time, I usually install the longer loaded antennas.