Just thinking and looking for opinions.

[Scott7022]

Yes I know opinions are like A$$Holes and everyone has one...

Still I want some honest or real off the cuff slaps or WTF's from the family. Now that this is out of the way let me be blunt I DONT REALLY HAVE FEELINGS FOR YOU TO HURT. Ok? We all on the same page? 

My trains of thought have come to an intersection or station and only one can move forward. This is my thinking. 

The rig is being designed, with CAD being done as I type. I haven't dropped a deposit as we are still in the design side of the game. This is my go-to builder. They design stuff for the Canadain oil fields to be abused. So as long as I can fit and get what I need to work as I need it this part is done except for the crying after I write the cheque. 

What to put it on! 

The idea of switching to Ford bothers a Dodge guy, (Viper, Ram SRT10 quad cab, and Challenger SRT) but in the comparison game Ford wins this race. 2005 to 2007 Ford F350 6.0 crew cab long box. I get the engine concerns but I know a guy in Georgia that dealer proofs these things to be better than new, which isn't hard to do as the engine was designed to be a toss away motor at 100 thousand miles. The idea of tossing another 20 large at a new truck with all new equipment just sits wrong with me. But the new trucks just aren't really designed for too much real offroad work. The suspension is too focused on pulling big numbers on a freeway. Something it will never do. A serious 2.5 level and lift is a bunch of money to do it right with 2.5 remote Icons and progressive springs. Steering stabilizers and 35 or 37-inch tires are a must for the terrain it will see.  This is basically the Calgary oil sands upgrade package just to run the roads in the weather they can see and make sure you can get to work. Add winch bumpers, rear tire carriers and boxes and this stuff add up real quick in the cash end of the stick. So my thinking is start with a cheaper truck that needs now or will need soon all the stuff you are going to replace and build it as you need it for you and what you need to carry. Build in an overbuild redundancy like bigger plastic tanks and fuel filter/pressure pump that ensures the engine only sees clean fuel. Simpler system than the newer rigs and easier to bulletproof. I don't really care much about the look of the older style compared to the newer style etc. I considered the 7.3 but the suspension and other 'comforts' in the newer style trucks make life a great deal more suited to the build. That and I can sleep with the 6.0 puking a little noxious fume over the 7.3 straight out.

[GotSmart]

My opinion, fwiw, is that you are working with a clue. Now once you have it designed look around and see What the used equipment sellers have for a platform. 

The manny will make it work.

[Blacktank]

the ford 6.0 has a horrible reputation

chevy square body is the lego of the truck world,tons of parts and any drive train over a 40 year span will bolt right in including the 6.5 diesel the military uses

dodge diesels are power houses

the chevy kodiak 4x4 is an unstoppable beast but on the big side

[GypsyDogs]

inspired by what he said..
Look into what various military chassis are..and why.
They would likely go for bolt/go swappable easy to acquire and reliable.

[Putts]

I've got the VT365 in Putt, it's the Navistar version of the 6.0. I was looking at the guy in GA thinking he's got the right stuff---I'm sure he does---but in a recent video he said he's not going to make the Big Dog heads anymore for non-commercial customers....you might be able to convince him otherwise, but I doubt I could. Also he seems to be steering his non-commercial work to another shop now---again, mentioned in a relatively recent video.

I'm going to see if I can get someone to swap a crate Cummins 5.9 12 valve into Putt. It's done all the time on Ford pick-ups, but the shops that do that regularly won't look at a weird step van. 

At any rate, the 6.0 does have problems, but they can be overcome with dough. Good luck!

[Scott7022]

I knew he stopped working on 7.3's he has gone public he was outsourcing the work. I had not heard he is not doing non-commercial vehicles anymore that is new. He was selling built trucks so perhaps that is going to be his direction going forward. I have talked to him a few times over the years. He basically saved the 6.0 rep...I have a friend that brought his in with 75 grand on the odometer with a fractured head. It was just a year old. They built it and now he has close to 700 grand trouble free. It was pricey at the time as he got a matched ATS tranny and did all the gears. Yeah, I could have my first publishing house make a call and convince him it is commercial. I think it might be time that is a factor. I'll drop it off and you call me when it is done and here is a 10 large cash deposit. I won't call. Would probably solve the issue too. Thailand or Cambodia for three months sipping boat drinks while someone pulls wrenches on a dirty diesel sounds good to me. DOne right, cheap or fast; Pick one scenario.

Thanks for the suggestions and the time to type friends, GOing to look at the Chevys and do a little more research. I don't care how it looks I care how it performs. Trucks, friends, etc... LOL!

Peace.

[tx2sturgis]

Wait, did I miss the part about the van?

[Scott7022]

Wait, did I miss the part about the van?

Vans don't really do bush 4x4. Yes, I know Quigley et al... But by the time you put in a roof to stand up then it is like threading a shoe box through cutting lasers while drunk and one-handed. Very few companies are approved to have a Canadian registration for aftermarket 4x4 conversion on vans. Why? Becuase they are inherently unsafe unless done correctly. A friend in White Rock is selling his 140 grand built rig and it is done right but I've been in it and it is sketchy and less capable than a stock 150 1500 1500m long bed truck without lockers. He has front and rear. 

Looking badass on the BLM or Baja isn't really the goal.

Gary looked at those topkick Chevys and they aren't just a little heavy... Bloody Tanks. But some with Monroe work done has perked my interest to check out departure angles an the like. Just don't know enough about them. So thanks for the research assignment!! 

[GypsyDogs]

saw a lightly used towtruck.. thought of you.
perhaps a utility flatbed type- and added storage bonus..... just thinking out loud.

sorry, I'll shush now.

[Scott7022]

Never shush. This is a global brainstorming thread. Well, that and if someone has a bad day they can call me an idiot and blame it on a bad design idea.
Many of these topkick Kodiak were used as recovery trucks.