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2016 F150 FX4 & 2019 FWC Hawk shell build out

F150 Hawk Shell

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#11 larryqp

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Posted 26 September 2019 - 01:38 AM

Here's the outside of the cabinet, with my leveling blocks directly below and my grill/stove unit below it. I plan to add handles to the blocks for easy removal and also store some 2x4s next to the blocks, in the empty space, for added height when needed.

 

I also mounted my fire extinguisher between the seat back and the cabinet. It easy to access when in camp. I do wonder if I should have one on the driver's side for driving access, if I'm the only person in the truck.

 

My 5 seater F150 is now a 2 seater. Everything is removal in about 15 minutes, but don't plan to remove them very often, if at all.

 

 

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

  • Cabinet.jpg

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2016 F150, FX4, XLT super cab

2019 FWC Hawk Shell

2009 Ford Ranger 4x4, XLT, Supercab total loss on 7/30/19

2014 FWC Shell total loss on 7/30/19

Towed behind our home which is a 2005 Kountry Star Diesel Pusher


#12 larryqp

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Posted 16 October 2019 - 12:11 PM

Taking delivery soon.

 

On Saturday, 10/19/19, I start my trip to Bozeman to take delivery on my 2019 Hawk shell. My install date is 10/25/19, so I am building in lots of extra time, just in case I run into any snow events. I'll stop at a friends' place in Buena Vista, CO for a night or 2 and then he'll join me and we will drive up to Bozeman. I think I have done all the needed mods to the truck, previously posted, except remove the tailgate, I'll do that when I get to CO and store it in a shed I have there. I tried to sell it on craigslist in Houston, but no takers. I was able to sell my OEM tires.

 

I'm really psyched to get this thing, although I'm not looking forward to spending nights in various motels on the way north. I've never enjoyed motels, but I'll be camping on the way south. Glad I ordered the furnace and thermal pack insulation from the factory, rather than making that part of my build out plans, I should be comfortable.

 

I already took advantage of the 2 sale events that Renogy had and purchased two 260 amphr 6V AGM batteries and 2 100 watt solar panels, they will be install as soon as I return. I salvaged my controller from the wreck so I'll just reinstall that.


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2016 F150, FX4, XLT super cab

2019 FWC Hawk Shell

2009 Ford Ranger 4x4, XLT, Supercab total loss on 7/30/19

2014 FWC Shell total loss on 7/30/19

Towed behind our home which is a 2005 Kountry Star Diesel Pusher


#13 larryqp

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Posted 03 November 2019 - 11:29 AM

I picked up the new Hawk Shell from FWC Montana on Thursday, 10/24/19, Stephen was great to work with and he got everything done a day early for me so I could head out the next day before the snow came. I stopped at Walmart after spending one night sleeping on the mattress and bought a 1.5' inch thick,  52" x 73"memory foam mattress topper, for around $30, it was perfect. Had a great night's sleep.

 

Over the last couple of  days I have installed the two Renogy 6 volt, 260 ampHr AGM batteries, GoPower solar controller and the two 100 watt Renogy solar panel. I mounted the panels to the yakima roof rails using 1" square aluminum tubing. I wanted to use stainless steel hardware with nylon washers, but the local Loew's didn't have the correct size stainless in stock. I'll keep an eye on the bolts and swap them out if I see any corrosion.

 

We gonna take off for a short camping trip Monday to a local state park. It will be a good test of the new system, plus we will have a chance to consider what other mods we need.


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2016 F150, FX4, XLT super cab

2019 FWC Hawk Shell

2009 Ford Ranger 4x4, XLT, Supercab total loss on 7/30/19

2014 FWC Shell total loss on 7/30/19

Towed behind our home which is a 2005 Kountry Star Diesel Pusher


#14 larryqp

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Posted 21 November 2019 - 01:49 PM

Making progress. Just added two cabinets, which will not only serve as storage, but also a place to wire both 12 volt and 120 v outlets to run our Cpap machines depending on whether we are boon docking or plugged in at a state park. I still have access to the factory long storage boxes in the benches, plus they also serve as supports for the front dinette back rests.

 

The cabinet on the passenger side is much smaller to allow use of the window and curtain.

 

I used 1/2 birch plywood and painted the edges with black paint. I think everything is a pretty close match to the factory woodwork. The slam latches are on order.

 

I'll post more pics with the power outlets and slam latches installed in a few days.

 

Attached Thumbnails

  • IMG_3524.JPG
  • IMG_3525.JPG

  • 0

2016 F150, FX4, XLT super cab

2019 FWC Hawk Shell

2009 Ford Ranger 4x4, XLT, Supercab total loss on 7/30/19

2014 FWC Shell total loss on 7/30/19

Towed behind our home which is a 2005 Kountry Star Diesel Pusher


#15 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 21 November 2019 - 02:12 PM

Looking good!


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I am haunted by waters


#16 Vic Harder

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Posted 21 November 2019 - 06:38 PM

Making progress. Just added two cabinets, which will not only serve as storage, but also a place to wire both 12 volt and 120 v outlets to run our Cpap machines depending on whether we are boon docking or plugged in at a state park. I still have access to the factory long storage boxes in the benches, plus they also serve as supports for the front dinette back rests.

 

The cabinet on the passenger side is much smaller to allow use of the window and curtain.

 

I used 1/2 birch plywood and painted the edges with black paint. I think everything is a pretty close match to the factory woodwork. The slam latches are on order.

 

I'll post more pics with the power outlets and slam latches installed in a few days.

black paint on the edges... brilliant


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#17 larryqp

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Posted 30 November 2019 - 01:54 PM

Well, cabinets and wiring are done except for the Hella outlet for the National Luna Refrigerator which should be here Monday. National Luna includes one with the refrigerator so I'll install it after it arrives. I've wired both 120volt and 12 volt outlets into each cabinet. Both my wife and I use Cpap, so we will have either voltage access, whether we are connected to shore power or boon docking. I used surface mount outlets so as not to take up space inside the cabinets.

 

I also wired 2 USB plugs into the passenger side cabinet, it will serve as a charging station for our phones at night, there is plenty of room below the bed. I also included a pic of my bumper mounted water can.

 

Things have worked out well. In our previous Eagle shell, we traveled with our chairs, and Container store cloth boxes, strapped down either on or to the benches. That meant we had a lot of stuff to move and strap down before we traveled and unstrap when we got to camp. With this setup, the chairs are strapped in the back seat area, our two cloth boxes, pillows etc fit in the dinette storage and we also have room for clothing, toiletries and can goods in the two cabinets. So, everything is out of the way.

 

We also still have access to the long FWC storage boxes in the benches, by moving the cushions, albeit the wiring does take up some room in them.  

 

Doing all the mods, have been a challenge since I don't have a shop. All the work has been done on the patio of our RV site with hand power tools, so don't look to close. LOL

 

Now that it's camping season in TX, we hope to get in a number of beach trips along the Gulf Coast.

Attached Thumbnails

  • Dinette and cabinet.jpg
  • Jerrycan.jpg
  • Cabinet Driver side.jpg
  • Pantry with latches.jpg

Edited by larryqp, 30 November 2019 - 02:00 PM.

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2016 F150, FX4, XLT super cab

2019 FWC Hawk Shell

2009 Ford Ranger 4x4, XLT, Supercab total loss on 7/30/19

2014 FWC Shell total loss on 7/30/19

Towed behind our home which is a 2005 Kountry Star Diesel Pusher


#18 larryqp

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Posted 08 September 2020 - 01:30 PM

About seven weeks ago I ordered a set of custom leaf springs from Alcan Spring Company in Grand Junction Colorado. I requested OEM height and an additional 1100 lbs carrying capacity. Prior to placing my order, I weighed the truck and camper, fully loaded, water, food, propane etc. I was 600 lbs over the GVWR. So I thought getting an extra 1100 lbs of capacity would be good. I also put the camper and truck on a diet. I removed the rear seat and some other misc stuff. All total, I removed over 120 lbs.

 

Last week I got an email saying my springs were ready. Alcan needed me to measure my U-bolts so they could fabricate new U bolts. Thursday I drove to the Alcan factory to get my springs and have them installed by Shawn at Top Notch Garage, which is just down the road from Alcan. Bill, the owner of Alcan, was intrigued by my F150/FWC combination. When he found out I was having Top Notch do the install, he volunteered to load my new springs into his pickup truck and drive them to Top Notch. Talk about customer service. WOW.

 

By noon, Shane had removed the airbags and installed the new springs and U bolts. I was on the road heading back to my summer location near Fairplay, CO. The truck now sits about an inch higher than factory height and rides like the camper isn't even on the truck.

 

I kept the airbags, but really don't see why I would ever put them back on. They served their purpose which was to carry the camper for 10 months until I could get to Colorado and get the springs. I wish I couldn't avoided the air bag expense, but that's another story.

 

Cost:  $1,100 for the springs, $39 for U bolts and $400 for install.  Piece of mind: Priceless

 

I highly recommend Alcan, they will ship the springs. I had a set on my previous Ford Ranger FWC combo for 3 years and so it was a no brainer to do it on the F150. 


Edited by larryqp, 09 September 2020 - 11:30 AM.

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2016 F150, FX4, XLT super cab

2019 FWC Hawk Shell

2009 Ford Ranger 4x4, XLT, Supercab total loss on 7/30/19

2014 FWC Shell total loss on 7/30/19

Towed behind our home which is a 2005 Kountry Star Diesel Pusher






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