</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 Skibane:
<strong>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" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Well, you have a point there. <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" /> But you don't have to be a redneck, to do a redneck mod. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

You certainly get extra credit for the very clean mounting job. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> Hell, if I had to deal with four months of 100+ degree temps, I'd be temped to do something about it also.

Now, tell me you have a home-made, wooden, truck bed cap with asphalt shingles on it, and make my day!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

all i can say is, "Don't mess with Texas!"

how do the components hold up while offroading?

Another, advantage is that you don't have to buy an expensive off-roading light package. Just run down to your local Home Depot and pick up one or two 500W or in your case where BIGGER is BETTER (Texas that is) 1000 W halogen Quarts lights and it's instant daylight.
Necessity is the mother of all invention!

Wow! Having put a few UT Coeds through College a buck at a time at "Sugar's" in Austin, I knew that some good things came out of Texas, but this takes the cake!

After much research on-line and discussion w/Pro Contractor pals, I bought the same Generac Generator for remote House Construction power and am very happy with it several hundred operating hours later. The 10 Amp, +12 VDC output is really handy for keeping a spare Deep Cycle Battery topped off, or for running a TEC Fridge while building.

Besides the Electric Start function, I sprung for this Generator due to the fact that it has ~50% surge power capability over the 4 KW base output rating; handy for kicking on high-Amp-draw Power Tools reliably.

With Grid AC now having been buried ~900' to the building site, the Generator continues to be handy for remote repair around our acreage, and as eventual Grid/Solar outage backup power. By strapping it up to a Hitch Ball, you can "tow" the Generator to where you need it.

FYI, see here a site for cleaner-burning Propane Conversion kits:

Generator Propane Conversion

Another mod I considered was to put a mechanical Timer in parallel on the Generator. The Generator "Run" switch "OFF" position merely grounds a circuit, according to the Schematic. For example, an 8 hour adjustable Timer could be set to run for ~4 hours and shut off the Generator automatically; handy for charging my Trailer Batteries into the night while not running the Generator longer than is necessary.

Thanks for the details on the amazing/hilarious/utilitarian Mod!

Yes, having on-board AC power does raise some interesting possibilities for operating other accessories. I hadn't considered a chest freezer, JohnnyBfromPeoria , but a small refrigerator has crossed my mind! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> The fact that there's no rear seat in the extended cab leaves plenty of room for a small one...

Engineer Guy, I could certainly see where converting to propane would be the way to go for home standby power û No fuel stabilizers to add, easy starts after months in storage, easy tank changes, cleaner operation, etc. However, being a permanent fixture on a daily driver, mine gets "exercised" regularly, and the fuel is never more than 2 weeks old. I'm failrly confident it would work whenever needed for home backup power.

As you may be aware, Generac Portable Power Products was purchased by Briggs & Stratton a while back, which should make repair parts much easier to order. I've found that Jack's Small Engines has a good selection in stock for decent prices.

Also, the oil filter that Generac charges $8 for at Home Depot is actually the same one used in 1988-2001 Toyota Corollas and Celicas with the 1.5L or 1.8L engines:

AC/Delco PF1233
Beck/Arnley 041-8102
Bosch 3311 $5.49 á á
Fram PH4967 $4.29 á
K&N HP-1003 $14.99
Luberfiner PH2840
Mobil-1 M1-103 $11.99
Motorcraft FL836
STP S4967 $2.99
Wal-Mart (SuperTech) ST4967 $1.99
WIX 51394

Nice being able to do a complete oil change for under $4! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

(BTW, both the STP and Wal-Mart parts are American-made by Champion Labs, while the original Generac part is made in Taiwan. )

I can see it now, a nasty heat wave hits, the power is out, and theres 20 Texans huddled around the coolest <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> truck around!!
Excellent job, post some interior photos when you can.
JohnnyB is correct, in <img border="0" alt="[Satan]" title="" src="graemlins/satan.gif" /> Phoenix, that would be awesome.

This needs to come back to the top. If you're new around here and haven't read about or seen this thread, you are missing out.

Skibane, any chance you could reload your pictures? I remember it made the whole thing look so, dare I say, practical.

John B.

Wow, did you use a sand barge dredger to dig this thread up? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Funny how interest in this topic always perks up around this time of year... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The original, stock Generac Generator...


...and A/C unit...


Generator frame and ventilation hole in truck bed, post-Sawzall...


Repackaged generator electronics...


Everything bolted in, without enclosure...


Enclosure details...


Installed...


Finished!


Inside view


Control panel

Thus musta gone down before I got here.

Totally cool!!