Shop Stories – RoadTraveler.net

December 28, 2020January 13, 2021

Dreaded Check Engine Light

Modern vehicles are typically great, but they are also complex, computer-controlled, and sometimes have unexplained gremlins.

Thankfully I was able to clear these codes on my 2014 Ram 2500 crew cab, on the second attempt, and they’ve stayed away for the last 10 days. There were zero drivability problems, and who knows what triggered the errors. Fingers crossed.

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James Langan, December 2020

January 9, 2020

Air Lift 1000 auxiliary air springs

My flatbed camper outfit works well, but I’m always tinkering, fine-tuning, and looking for small improvements. I’m still using and loving the TufTruck and Timbren springs, just also want to inflate these air springs again which have been sitting dormant for months.

Essentially the same Air Lift product has been on my 2006 4Runner for over a decade (they’ve been flawless, after another brand failed twice). Also on my 2014 Ram 2500 since new, including up to the Canadian Arctic Ocean a few years ago. That’s a good record, so I’ll give this one failure a pass.

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James Langan

Resources:

Air Lift Performance

Timbren

TufTruck

December 7, 2019December 7, 2019

iONBoost V10 WaganTech Diesel Jump Start

iONBoost V10 WaganTech real world diesel jump-start. Works!

WaganTech’s iONBoost V10 started my 2014 Ram/Cummins with dead batteries this morning, December 7, 2019. I moved the black/negative clamp to the battery terminal; it did not like using the fender ground. The Cummins 6.7L engine started immediately and easily.

It had been only two days since I last drove the truck. The factory batteries are six years old (not five), but they might be fine. I need to search for parasitic losses from aftermarket wiring, and do some other diagnostic testing.

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James Langan

Resources:

WaganTech

August 6, 2019

BMW 1150 GS oil change

Routine oil change. OEM oil filter from Sierra BMW, torqued the drain-plug to spec, and checked for leaks after completion. Then I rode about 400 miles of mostly twisty roads the next day. Lots of life remains inside this good, older machine, which has only logged 44,600 miles. I just need to make time to ride.

James Langan

Resource:

Sierra BMW and Beta Motorcycles and Parts

July 6, 2019July 6, 2019

20 Inch Wheels and Tires for Heavy Pickups

Are 20 inch wheels and tires better for handling heavy loads? Is the firmer ride on rough surfaces (both paved and not) worth the additional lateral stability? How about for all-around, dual-sport, and overland uses? I’ve never run 20 inch wheels before, preferring the proven off-highway formula of less wheel and more tire sidewall.

About a week ago I bought a used set of stock Dodge/Ram 20 inch wheels and tires, and have been driving on the worn factory tires to establish a 20 inch baseline on my heavy camper truck.

Tires and wheels at the end of this video are: Toyo C/T 35×12.50R17 on Ram forged aluminum (WFV) Power Wagon Wheels, Toyo R/T 285/75R18 on Ram Forged aluminum (WBJ) Big Horn wheels, Firestone 285/60R20 on Ram (WF3) black painted, aluminum, Black Appearance Group wheels.

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James Langan