Hey, with Ski in his name, you shouldn't wonder about his needs on this AC unit.

Additionally, remember, Eric lives in AZ so I'm sure he can appreciate something like this.

On the other hand, 10000 BTU's does qualify this for an Extreme Machine.

Great Handiwork and Enginuity!!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by pmontero:
<strong>Did you really need an AC unit with 12,000 btu's to condition the cab of that pickup? Just curious if you could have used something around 5k.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Most factory automotive air conditioners are anywhere from 15 to 30 KBTU, so it's definitely not oversized. Basically, I picked the largest size that would comfortably fit through the cab wall.

However, the larger exaporator size of a window unit is less prone to iceing over, so it doesn't cycle on and off like a dash unit (thermostat has been bypassed, so it runs full blast unless the compressor is manually shut off ). Takes longer to cool down than a dash air unit, but after it gets rolling, seems entirely adequate.

Tag, the generator is $729 at Home Depot. It's one of the few electric-start models in its size or price class. After being used for half of last summer and this spring, it has less than 50 hours on it.

The generator section also supplies 12 volts DC, which provides a fail-safe method of powering an electric fuel pump connected to the pickup's tank û if the generator dies for any reason, there's no chance of the fuel pump continuing to run. A Holley fuel pressure regulator reduces pressure to just a fraction of 1 PSI (to simulate the original gravity-fed fuel tank).

Man, if I hadn't seen the pictures I would believe this had been done. Great idea and definitely some unconventional (but effective) thinking!!

Skibane,

I was just thinking... if we went wheeling with you, we could bring a microwave, microwave popping corn, lilmule's George Foreman grill, a coffee maker.

Your cool truck is quickly becoming the wheeling chuck wagon... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Powell

WOW. When your lady says she is hot do you have to climb in the truck bed and pullstart the generator? I never thought I would see something like this. I bet you can freeze someone stiff with that. I guess it would be cool for camping.

Never mind I see you have a electric start.

<small>[ May 24, 2003, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: VMAX ]</small>

Ok. I've overcome my speechlesness. (I can make up words whenever I want!)

What I need are some photos, showing the whole truck. This has got to be the best Redneck Mod I have ever seen!!

Thats it. I'm starting a 'Redneck' Mod section on my Webshots Page!

How loud is that generator!?!?!
I have one, and I wouldn't want to listen to it while I drive! <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" />

This is better than the aluminum sided K5!!! By a long shot!

The generator's exhaust is quieted considerably by the Onan muffler (canibalized off an old motorhome genset), mounted under the pickup bed. The foam padding on the plywood enclosure also cuts noise somewhat, although you can definitely tell tne generator is running when standing outside the truck. Inside the cab, it's almost drowned out by road noise.

mrGUY, a true redneck wouldn't be caught dead driving an import pickup! It would be nothing smaller than an F-350, and the generator would be a Miller welder, running a swamp cooler stuck through the back window... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

What can I say? For your ingenuity you are a great candidate for Monster Garage .

<img src="http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/u/lamp.gif" alt=" - " /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I am damn impressed. If I did something like that I would give up 1/2 the way thru. Then I would be stuck with a hole in my bed, and a hald apart generator. LOL

This is the most hilarious, yet practical application on the forum. Being that recent Phoenix temperatures have been in the low triple digits, I can especially appreciate being able to let it run while in a store, as it takes less than five minutes for the interior of a car to reach butt melting temps. You have me wondering just how it could work in a Raider, and I'm thinking "not well."

Why not put on a remote start and fire it up from your living room?

And I guess you won't be having to spend $300 on a decent air compressor now, either. What's next, a chest freezer?

John B.