Jump to content

Stormchaser - Project Storm Chase Truck Build

StormChaser

By StormChaser
in Member Build Threads

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 82
  • Created
  • Last Reply
StormChaser Enthusiast

StormChaser

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Wouldn't it be easier to just buy a tank? Lol just kidding. I am loving this thread. Looking awesome so far!

 

Haha thanks! I'm excited to see what it looks like with the real rack and lights mounted. A tank might be a tad too slow... H1 Hummer Alpha would have been my first choice, but the engine is weak and they're 3x the cost of this truck...

StormChaser Enthusiast

StormChaser

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Spent 8 hours today grinding and cleaning off rust, cutting, and cleaning up the cuts for the side hail guards and the roof rack. Hopefully we will have the roof rack mounted 2 weekends from now so we can measure out specs for the front windshield hail guard, and get the lights mounted!


HailGuards.jpg


Also got an email from Iron Cross Automotive today confirming that the bumpers have been shipped, so those should be installed within the month as well :)

StormChaser Enthusiast

StormChaser

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Bigger update! Iron Cross Automotive has provided us with some extremely heavy duty front and rear bumpers!

We spent this weekend mounting both bumpers, along with a 20" light bar, two 3x3 flush flood lights, and 4" diameter spot lights in the front bumper! Next weekend's installations will hopefully include welding and mounting our custom roof rack, along with mounting eight 3x3 lights on it. The next few weeks after that will include mounting a 2000W inverter straight to the battery, and mounting two extension cords (with a 3 way splitter on each) on the rear of the center console in the truck, and in a custom made box housing in the bed near the tailgate. I'm also planning on fabricating my own custom designed bed slides, and mounting an on board air compressor in the bed of the truck.

 

 

Iron%20Cross.jpg

Bumper%20lights.jpg

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...
StormChaser Enthusiast

StormChaser

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Truck is looking great! Have you thought about installing a Generator instead of an inverter?

 

I did but the generator takes a lot more maintenance and has to be constantly on for power, which isn't good when we're keeping laptops charged for 8 hours a day haha

sahls01gmc Senior Enthusiast

sahls01gmc

Posted
Posted

 

I did but the generator takes a lot more maintenance and has to be constantly on for power, which isn't good when we're keeping laptops charged for 8 hours a day haha

True, but how would the inverter stay on for "8 hours a day?" I'm assuming you'll have the truck running for that entire time? If so, then I see what you're doing.

StormChaser Enthusiast

StormChaser

Posted
  • Author
Posted

True, but how would the inverter stay on for "8 hours a day?" I'm assuming you'll have the truck running for that entire time? If so, then I see what you're doing.

 

Yupp! Some chase days we're driving for 14-16 hours

StormChaser Enthusiast

StormChaser

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Worked on the roof rack a few weeks ago but forgot to post a quick picture. We just set it on top of the truck because we haven't installed the mounts yet so it'll look pretty different, especially once it's painted black. Front will have 2 3x3" square lights mounted in each slot as well. Rack will be finished over my spring break, which starts March 6th, so stay tuned!


Roof%20Rack.jpg

StormChaser Enthusiast

StormChaser

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Also, does anyone know how I can get more publicity on the truck? I'm looking to both help out my sponsors, and get more known to help get more sponsors and help out the forecasting business. Does anyone have any ideas? All suggestions are appreciated, no matter how dumb you think they may be :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,914
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    AidenVorpagel
    Newest Member
    AidenVorpagel
    Joined

  • Who's Online   3 Members, 0 Anonymous, 1,347 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      10 Ford and Chevy engines proven to reach 300,000 miles   You may note a common 3K OCI on this list of gas motors. I skipped over the diesels. Dh'O. 
    • jake111
      Gasser Subforum Has Been Quiet - - So, Regenerative Braking and Using L10

      By jake111 · Posted

      Thanks newdude!  By the time manual selection is needed, I'm probably too much of a control-freak to depend on the transmission sensing braking to activate automatic downshifting.  I would be anticipating the situation and already be manually downshifting.   This truck replaced a 2004.5 LLY diesel with the Allison 5-speed.  Putting it in T/H made noticeable differences (when the torque converter locked, upshift points, downshift behavior).  On this 2024 gasser with the 10L1000 I haven't been able to detect much, if any, difference.  Ok, I can never tell now when the torque converter locks up.  But I also don't notice differences in shifting.  For downhills, I've probably already manually downshifted by then anyway.  Since it's also more awkward (than the 2004.5) to engage/disengage I don't even bother.  Or maybe it doesn't really matter with just a 3k lb. camper in the bed?   Thanks also for the list of reasons the charging system might select various voltages.  However, what I am seeing doesn't fall into any of those categories.  It very definitely, and very consistently, rises after coasting/braking.  Maybe not immediately, but not very long after coasting/braking.  Very consistently drops voltage when no longer coasting/braking.  It might also be interacting with the camper battery charging (I might disconnect the camper and see if it changes the charging behavior).  I also need to recheck turning on headlights for when I want to force it to charge the camper.   Another JR, in June I converted the camper to LiFePO4.  Since it's not a good idea to try to charge lithiums directly using truck, I installed a Victron Orion XS DC-DC charger (which BTW is AMAZING!!).  Being cheap, I only had to buy that one item (besides the battery, of course) to do the conversion.  The camper OEM 120v battery charger (only 19 years old and works perfectly) and the truck feed the input to the DC-DC charger (not at the same time).  But I didn't want the camper charger feeding back to the truck so I kept the old separator.  I considered replacing the separator with a 30amp diode but that means more work and might add another 1/2 volt drop.  One thing that surprised me was the voltage drop over the long 10awg wire run, so I can only charge smoothly at 8 amps (because the DC-DC charger is completely configurable).  Another reason I don't want an added voltage drop with the diode.  I might also be a little lazy but all this work is being done under the sink with a small cabinet opening.    
    • davester
      cam upgrade in CA

      By davester · Posted

      apparently CA smog is (or at least was)  checking that the vehicle is using the oem and/or a ca smog approved tune, so I expect you'll fail inspection doing it.
    • davester
      Possible lifter tick after DOD delete

      By davester · Posted

      yes, leaking exhaust will mess up o2 sensor readings, which in turn messes up fuel trims.
    • Grumpy Bear
      Sugar Bears 2015 GMC Terrain SLE-2 2.4 AWD

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      286,740 Mile Services   8/6/2026   New AC Compressor. Refrigerant oil and dye, evacuate and charge system.  New exhaust system from cat back.  New Iridium plugs plus replace #3 coil Repair/rewire headlamp wiring (passenger side) and replace all forward bulbs. Polish lenses of both assemblies.  Pull rear rotors, clean and adjust parking assembly. Inspect, clean and grease front calipers. Check pads and shoes.  4 wheel power bleed of brake system. Dot 4 Reset idle speed 50 rpm higher New Serpentine belt.    Will need new pads in the rear in about 5K more miles.    Tax Title and License out the door just short of a grand.    AC clutch had bitten the dust. 1 year warranty on the pick and save replacement. Thing will make a Polar Bear cry Uncle.  He spent quite some time on the wiring. It was in the harness and he does nothing half. I got off cheap. I have considerable more light down the road. Sylvania Silver Star replacements.  Gas seal between the porcelain and shell of plug #3 was blown, cooked the coil. That was the cold miss.  Love the new exhaust. I can sneak into the neighborhood again.  Nice to have a working parking brake again. Belle Tire never got it done. That was disappointing.    This was one of her bigger bills and still way cheaper than a payment even given the oil consumption. This thing cost me under a hundred a month in repairs and normal routine costs. What is my incentive to replace it? 🤔           

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...