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This episode of the Off Road Podcast is Sponsored by Colby Valve.

 

Tonight, Aaron passes a test, Coy goes hobo, & Ben can’t stop

 

Welcome to the off-road podcast. A podcast about everything off-road. We cover the news, review products, and interview people in the off road industry.  Your hosts tonight are Aaron, Coy and my name is Ben.  Welcome to the show.
Patriotpatch.co 
We also want to thank our sponsor Patriot Patch. Head over to Patriotpatch.co and check out their selection of great patches, shirts, cleaning mats, signs , and stickers.  You can also join the patch of the month club for 15 bucks and receive a patch, matching sticker, and artist proof each month.

 

News brought to you by Colby Valve

• Dal-Motors.com – Caterpillar Pickup Truck
  • The construction equipment titan has decided to enter the consumer truck industry, and they’re not pulling any punches.
  • At first sight, you’ll note its commanding presence. This isn’t simply another attractive face in the pickup queue.
  • The grill is huge with a distinctive cat emblem clearly displayed. It’s accompanied by bright LED headlights that aren’t just for show; they’re intended to illuminate even the darkest job areas. The hood is high and robust with vents that hint at the power that lies beneath.
  • The Caterpillar pickup comes in two size configurations: crew cab with a 5 1/2 ft bed and extended cab with a 6 1/2 ft bed. 
  • The bed is lined with a scratch-resistant ultra-durable composite material. However, the true magic lies in the integrated power system. Multiple 120-volt plugs are incorporated into the bed walls, enabling you to power devices and instruments right from your vehicle.
  • The tailgate can be opened conventionally and it also features a split mechanism that allows you to open only the top half to load smaller goods more easily. The tail lights extend around the sides, increasing visibility and providing a contemporary touch to the design.
  • Color options are expectedly bold, with Caterpillar’s distinctive yellow among more typical  truck hues such as deep black, silver, and forest green. For those looking to make a statement, there is also a color-shifting option that transforms from gold to bronze depending on the lighting.
  • The overall style is boxy and utilitarian, emphasizing functionality over form. Nonetheless, its straightforward approach has great appeal. However, aerodynamics have not been overlooked. Despite its massive size, efficient air channels and an active grill system aid in reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency.
  • The integrated winch system is one of the most popular design features. A strong winch is hidden under the front bumper and is ready to deploy when needed. This feature alone distinguishes the Caterpillar pickup from its competitors, making it a true work  truck right out of the box.
  • The base model features a 5.0 L turbocharged V8 gasoline powertrain. This  engine produces 400 horsepower and a whopping 500 ft-lb of torque. It is coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
  • A 6.7 L V8 turbo diesel engine is available for individuals looking for greater power. This beast of an engine generates 500 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. It is also equipped with a heavy-duty 10-speed automatic transmission capable of handling the massive power output. Available with a smart exhaust brake system.
  • There are 2 more drivetrain options.  One is a hybrid design while the other is an all electric version.
  • It isn’t real.  Someone made this up and it is spreading across the internet.  Also, the article looks to be written by AI.
  • Their website also has “leaked” information about a John Deere pickup, an upcoming MR2, & the 2025 Jeep Comanche.
• Car Buzz – Stellantis Patents Mechanical Tank Steer
  • CarBuzz has discovered a new patent filed by Stellantis and it describes how future Ram 1500 trucks may someday be equipped with a complex tank steer system.
  • We’ve seen such ideas before, most notably with the now-discontinued Rivian Tank Turn, and more recently with the electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class and its G-Turn, and in those vehicles, the electric motors to each wheel control the unique maneuver.
  • The FCA patent suggests this is not the right way to go: “Such systems are expensive as they require four electric [motors], four power inverters, and [the] associated high-voltage cables and components.”
  • The nitty-gritty of the patent need not be discussed in excess detail, but the basics are that the Stellantis design employs a differential with planetary gears, two half shafts, and a gearbox.
  • There’s a little hiccup, which may become apparent as we discuss the next factor – the above mentioned combination of mechanical components can only control one axle, and for the system to work, it needs a twin on the other set of wheels.
  • With two differentials and two gearboxes, you need two sources of propulsion or a means of connecting each package to one motor. The patent mentions one electric motor per axle unit.
  • This would certainly be more efficient and cost-effective than a set of four electric motors and their associated hardware, but we imagine that such a system could also harness the unique properties of a hybrid drivetrain so long as the electric motor and combustion engine do not rely on and support each other.
  • The rest of the patent discusses exactly how and when the gears, differentials, and shafts would be engaged and disengaged, but there is nothing particularly new here that hasn’t been discussed in some form on Wikipedia already.
  • Military contractors operating around the turn of the century explored clutch braking, triple differential setups, geared steering, and dual drive systems, among other ideas. Naturally, each has its own benefits and drawbacks, but one of the most common shortcomings with any such system is achieving prolonged reliability – something that is especially difficult to accomplish when the torque demands and thermal side effects of such intense maneuvers are passed through mechanical components time and time again.
  • Why patent the idea, then? Because electric motors are expensive, and any way of increasing efficiency is worth exploring, if not for implementation on the cars of today, potentially for use in the EVs and hydrogen-powered pickups of tomorrow.

 

Main Topic  

 

Aaron- 

Went camping at the end of June to the NE corner of Oregon and visited Baker City & Sumpter

• Borrowed my mother in laws ‘05 Silverado 2500 DMax
• Blew a tire night before leaving and had to have all 4 replaced(Ben’s fault) 
• 1st day we went to several museums including an Oregon Trail Museum.
• 2nd day we went to the Sumpter Dredge then another museum. Then my daughter got strangely sick.
• Had to head home a day early because we didn’t know what was wrong with her. 

 

Coy camping at my creek

• Coy brought lots of deep fried foods for his deep fryer
• I was sick the whole time
• Kids played in the water 8-9 hours each day
• 99* each of the days

 

Family camping at Green Peter Reservoir

• House battery wouldn’t hold a charge
• Want to switch to Li-ion
• Fun days playing in the river that fills the reservoir
• Homeless camps and selfish people are going to get the dispersed camping areas shut down

 

F-150

• New transmission and thermostat

 

Nissan

• Finally found some Bronco wheels to mount my Kenda Klever R/T skinny 35s to
• Tire store gouged the 3 or 5 wheels which only had 400 miles on them
• Promptly had to take the tires off because I lost a caliper bolt and wore through a brake line.
• New lines installed but still need to bleed the system.
• Pulled the front diff out and hauled it to a shop that does diff work to get the ARB locker fixed.  Part is out of stock until after the Moab trip.
• Welded up broken bracket for my ARB compressor
• Installed Mic Mag that Coy gave me for Christmas
• Considering taking off my Canopy before Moab

 

Working on the shop more.  Got all my work benches made and installed.

 

Passed my Journeyman Test.

 

Bought a couple GMRS walkie Talkies.  Bought on Amazon Prime Day deals

 

Built a boat for a Viking Funeral

 

Ben- 

 

• got the icons installed in the front of the 4runner and did some clearancing got some help from my youngest son
• Broke the prefilter and replaced it with a new unit 
• 3d printed some rock light mounts for my rack with the Harbor Freight rock lights for some side lighting
• I went to the track on the 4th of July and watched some racing. I kind of have the bug now

• Got the kidney stones removed via laser 10/10 would not recommend 

• I bought a budget welding hood off Amazon on Prime Day and some new front marker LEDs because mine are flickering
• Kids came home from Montana and did a drive up to above Wilkinson and caught some stupid people with a fire that they left unattended let my oldest try his turn at driving on a forest service road 
• Built a new gate for the backyard
• I lost my front brake line in the parking lot 

 

Coy- camped at Aaron’s

 

Went racing did not become an ace

 

Lived like a hobo at a holiday inn

 

My chair broke

 

Made progress on the aluminum lot lizard

Sleeper cab is on the trailer

Starting  to sort the wiring out

Fill plate for the cab access made

Teardrop camper door ordered

can i re-use this? show bunk heating cooling unit

 

Next Week:  Prepping For Hunting Season

 

Closing Statements

Thanks everyone who listens to us weekly and also to those who watch us live on YouTube.  We really appreciate you.  Please share us with your friends and help us grow.  God bless America!

Don’t forget to visit Patriot Patch and join the Patch of the Month club. Check out our Gaia affiliate link for up to 40% off. Also, don’t forget to head over to Warn, Colby Valve, and 4Patriots to see all of their great products. We are a proud part of the Firearms Radio Network. Got a question or comment?  Send it to us through our Linktree account or by searching for Off Road Podcast.  Also, you can listen to us live at overlandradio.com Mondays at 7 pm Pacific.  When off-road please remember to have fun, tread lightly, and be safe and courteous. Thanks for listening.