After the Cap is Gone
Big Red is for Sale!
Big Red is up on Facebook Marketplace. You can also find him on Cars.com Shop Used Cars or as a paid ad on AutoTrader.com. You can also check him out, he will parked on the lawn at 998 County Route 411, Westerlo, NY.
If you are interested, text me at 518-281-9873 or email andy@andyarthur.org. Looking at $4,500 simple cash deal – I have title in hand, you can see the frame rust easily by climbing under the lifted truck. I think is a fair price, noting the potential cost of frame repairs needed but also the lift kit, tires, and ARE MX Outdoorman Cap. I have a few people looking, so he might go right away or maybe not. I want him off my parents lawn by end of summer, so if no bites, it’s going to Carvana, Carmax or Cash 4 Cars or possibly a donation program.
Learn more about the History of Big Red and some of my adventures with him.
Here’s the listing if you are interested.
Last December, a local repair shop said “Big Red” would need frame repairs prior to passing inspection. I decided to take it off the road then and bought another truck. It took several months to acquire my new rig and move gear over, but now it’s time to sell.
THE GOOD
- Ownership: I purchased this truck brand new in 2011. I am the sole owner and have the original clean title in hand.
- Powertrain: 2011 5.3L V8, 119,144 rural/highway miles (not used for commuting). Runs well, no lifter ticking, starts right up (battery kept on a charger through winter). Drives and shifts smoothly.
- Interior/Dash: Air conditioning blows cold. No idiot lights displayed on dash.
- Upgrades: 6-inch BDS lift kit with leaf springs. 35-inch BFG AT KO2 tires put on in 2023 with significant tread life left, plus a full-size 35-inch spare. BulletLiner spray-in bedliner.
- Cap: High-rise ARE MX Truck Cap equipped with premium Outdoorsman Windoors (side access windows with built-in screens).
WHY I AM SELLING
Three areas in the frame need section reinforcing/welding due to rust/rot to pass inspection and be made road-legal. The mechanic says it is completely fixable. However, because I often travel to remote country areas without cell service, I decided it was simply time to upgrade my truck rather than manage a project.
PRICING & CAMPER SHELL OPTIONS
- Package Price: $4,500 takes everything pictured (Truck, Rockstar/6″ BDS setup, and the high-rise ARE cap).
- Truck Only: $3,500 if you want just the truck (I will remove the cap prior to sale).
- Cap Only: If you are interested in buying just the ARE MX cap, message me with a fair offer.
LOCATION & LOGISTICS
Located on the lawn for viewing in Westerlo, NY. Cash only. No trades. Serious inquiries only. Text 518-281-9873 or email andy@andyarthur.org
Camper Shell
Big Red
Why I decided on a second 100-watt Renology panel for my new rig
I am moving the 100-watt Renology panel from my old truck cap over to the new one. Once I do that I plan to order a second panel of the same specs to mount right behind that one. I believe I have enough room on the truck cap to do that, and the existing panel has served me well that 8 years I have had it mounted to the truck for my needs.
At first I was hesitant to stay with the same set up as frankly those 100-watt Renology panels are overpriced on a per watt basis when some 450 watt residential panels can be had for a similiar prices. But the 100-watt Renology I’ve had has proven to be quite reliable and fits well. A second panel will be easier to mount too, as it will be flatter on the roof bend. And using two panels over one one panel has a major advantage with partial shading, which often is an issue with camping in woods. The new panel only adds 13.1 lbs to the roof is well within the caps’ design capacity with two panels and the kayak on the roof.
Indeed if I had good sunshine, the 100 watt panel would be more then sufficient to almost always be topped off as my lead-acid battery storage is pretty limited – and with remote start the SuperDuty is easy enough to start up to top off the batteries. Plus with the 6.8L engine, I am not worried about excessive idle causing premature wear when plenty of people leave their SuperDuty trucks idling all day – that’s part of the reason why the first generation 7.3L had lifter issues.
Almost tempted to order that second panel and install both at once, but I want to get the cap and measure out first before I start mounting the panels. I might also need to get another aluminum strip for mounting the second panel across. But it’s a summer project. I am also not sure if my existing PWM solar controller can handle two panels at maximum output, but I figure if necessary I’ll swap out for a MPPT controller should I have issues with the old one burning up or failing.
