“All I need are big dreams and open highways”
I worked on the shop truck demo rack, the goal is to have the demonstration rack up and running with minimal setup time.
Utilizing a couple key pieces as the base configuration. The Bed Slider allows easy access to the booth components and supplies. The Varidesk piece is a new addition the allows the dash display to sit on a pedestal that can be set 11 different heights. This is important when I drop the truck down and the display becomes too low to use properly.
I drove the CaDually into work today.
The work commute is approximately 110 miles total. I had been testing the air ride since repairing the bad section of air hose.
I cruised over to Stockton for an Optometrist appointment. I had laid the CaDually out on the parking lot for security reasons. Yeah, also because I wanted to see it laid out.
I got another leak on the CaDually. These leaks are due to me not knowing about routing the air lines properly. In this case I had a line that had too much slack and was able to reach and make contact with the muffler system.
The CaDually barely fit onto the flatbed. I’m surprised that AAA sent such a small truck, maybe that is why it was the shortest wait for roadside service I’ve ever had. The driver “Robert” didn’t have to any of the truck tasks. I drove the truck up the ramp and drove it down. I wasn’t sure if the Robert ever drove a Dually up a flatbed. Even though I never have, I had more confidence in my experience doing it.
On our way back to Valley Springs this dude started falling asleep on the wheel. He crossed over the other side of the double border lines onto traffic a few times. One instance of stopping at a stop sign I thought he was going to plow into the car in front of us. I offered to drive the rig home but he pointed to a dash camera that was pointing towards us. I had no idea we were being recorded. LOL!!
I run dual exhaust that both mufflers are near the center of the bed, in front of the transmission pumpkin. The ride side airline really needs to have the exhaust system in mind. I found this “thermo-sleeve” at a local NAPA store. It works perfectly for a 3/8″ air hose. I used all 3′ on the section of air hose that is in the engine bay. The hottest source that is nearby is the heater hoses that go to the radiator and water pump.
The protective sleep may be overkill but after seeing what the muffler did to an exposed piece of hose I decided on the extra protection layer.
I have re-routed the air line from the front passenger side to the rear air manifold. I’m using rubber looms along the way, I have spaced mounting points every 18″ or so. I’m also using tie-wraps for less critical areas until I can get the proper mounting hardware.
I’ve tested the air ride system to see if there are any kinks or areas that may contact any hot spots. I haven’t detected anything but the real test is always out on the road and using the system at its fullest.
EDIT: August 20, 2023 – I’ve driven CaDually a couple hundred miles and slammed CaDually as many opportunities i could. No leaks whatsoever. I leave the bags almost fully inflated at night and there is no difference 24 to 48 hours later.
We headed to San Luis Obispo for the annual C10 SLO DOWN show. The year the promoters stopped taking truck registration when the count hit 1000!
We got our tickets early enough so there was no issue not being able to get CaDually onto the golf course lawns.
The event organizer slated 7am as the opening time to allow the Registered trucks to enter with the guest and spectators coming in 2 hours later at 9am. We left our home at 2am and arrived just about the opening time. I think the locals got pissed the line was moving so slow and took off down the street going down the wrong side of the road.
Once we got into the venue wifey hooked me up with some grub!
Starting the air ride suspension upgrade. I’ll be removing the existing setup and installing all new modern components:
I asked Marcelo Chicano to come up with a logo for the shop truck rear window. This particular design required 3 important elements. The logo covered Lay N’ Play, Hoppers and the Mini Truck Bed Dancers.
I’m super happy with the results. The photo included is the actual logo photoshopped onto the rear window of CaDually.
I should mention the artist is located in Brazil and does fabulous artwork. I will be adding more graphic projects in the future and use his services exclusively.
I used the CaDually for the first Lowrider show held at the San Joaquin county fairgrounds.
I was probably one of the first vendors to arrive so getting a parking primo spot after I dropped off my booth items was a pick and choose scenario.
I picked up a couple parts that will be used when I redo the air ride system.
The first purchase was the Viair Dual 485C stealth black compressor kit. The air ride suffers from several known issues. The most glaring is the slow leaks. I have applied JB Weld into two areas I found to have pinholes.
The other issue is the time it takes for the dual air tanks to fill up full capacity. As they say, the compressors are “tired”. Meaning they no longer provide enough air in a timely manner.
The next item was a set of compressor mounting brackets that requires being welded to the frame. The current dual 480C compressors are mounted using self tapping screws. These are not mounted very well and one of the screws had popped off and landed near my tire. That would have sucked getting a flat.
The tonneau cover may seem inconvenient at times if you’re wanting haul stuff that is taller than 19” height. I say the benefit of having a giant locked trunk out ways the dump run instances.
If I ever have the need to haul something large I will remove the cover to prevent damage to it.
The CaDually had been left outside for a good period of time judging by the water spots left on the body and windows. This was all over the entire truck not just on the side where a sprinkler next to a driveway would have caused throughout the years.
I did research and found a product called Bar Keepers Friend, the soft cleanser. This stuff works hell of works great!
