Daily Driver / Tow Pig Build....

mjonesjr

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These pictures start on the day I bough her (4/11/11) and work through the latest pictures I have.


(4/12/11)
I picked up a '97 F-250 Powerstroke 4x4 extended cab, automatic yesterday. It has 110,xxx original miles on it. The original owner only ever towed his 16' pontoon boat with it. He bought it new in '97.

This is going to be my tow rig and daily driver.

Plans:
- 3" Down pipe to 4" exhaust (getting done on 4/13/11)
- Chip
- Intake
- 2" front leveling kit
- Line-X bed
- Line-X rocker panels

I don't want to do a whole lot to this. Just keep her maintained so she last me a while.


Pictures:
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(4/19/11)
I got the rear tank replaced. It was a pain in the ass.


I got a new stainless steel exhaust put on. It removed the factory cat and muffler. It also replaced the restrictive down pipe with a 3" round down pipe. I can't decide if I like the muffler or if I want to take it off completely.

Exhaust kit in the box.
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On the Rack.
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Factory Down pipe and cat.
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I got a new Westin bumper from Summit. Finding a good used one was a pain in the ass. The weight rating on the bumper is 8,000# load and 800# tongue weight. I don't trust a bumper for that, so I put a Class IV hitch on it as well that has a rating of 7,500# trailer (10,000# with weight distribution) and a 1000# tongue weight.

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Hitch Installed.
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The hardest part was deciding where to put the factory 7 pin trailer plug after the bumper and hitch was installed. Since the truck was ordered from the factory without a bumper, the factory location wouldn't work. I decided to drill the hole in the bumper instead of letting the plug hang down. It was nerve racking, but I think it looks a ton better.
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(4/21/11)
I filled up the front tank last night from 1/2 full. It was mainly in town driving and I got 16.9 mpg with it. I drove the truck on the interstate to my dads and back today (185 mile round trip) and I filled up when I got back from 1/2 tank (front tank only). I got 18.9 mpg on the interstate. Both mileage readings is unloaded. The in town number includes some heavy foot action too. I was quite amazed by the fuel mileage. It is much better than the 8-9 mpg my Dodge was getting.


I hooked the trailer up and towed with it the "new" truck for the first time. It pulls amazing. I need to find out if it will hurt the transmission hauling the XJ like below in OD. The XJ and trailer combined weight is about 5,500#.

Truck and trailer only.
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Truck, trailer, and XJ.
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I also can't decide if I want to put on a leveling kit. The front sits a tad bit lower than the rear with a load. I don't want it to look sagged when I load the truck.



(4/29/11)
I took the bed off on Wednesday to fix the fuel tank venting problem (now holding 42 gallons of fuel). When I had it off, I found a little typical Ford rust that needed immediate attention.

I also undercoated everything that wasn't the body color with rubberized undercoating. Hopefully this solves the rust issue.

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"Hey, why ain't we moving?!"
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mjonesjr

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(5/6/11)
I added a bug shield today.

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I also added a set of gauges to it yesterday. I thought I should monitor the EGT's and the transmission temp.

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(5/30/11)
I did the 6637 filter mod a couple weeks ago. I finally got it painted and put back in this weekend. This makes all the difference in the world in air intake and lower EGT's. It is much cheaper than any aftermarket intake system that does the same thing. This cost me total of $75 ($65 of which was the filter, WIX).

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I also added a torque converter lockup switch today. I was amazed the difference in how the truck would pull itself and how well the transmission did down shifting during braking. Without the switch engaged, the transmission would go to neutral when you hit the brakes; now it down shifts.

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(6/5/11)
I washed the truck up this weekend and took a couple pictures of it.

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I also added a 2.5# ABC fire extinguisher in the cab. I have a 10# ABC extinguisher in the tool box as well.

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(6/11/11)
I got my windows tinted. They are Indiana legal, 20% rear sides and rear windows and 30% front door windows.

Much better looking, cooler in the 94+ heat, and keeps people from being nosey.

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(6/14/11)
I got a new set of shocks. Took forever to get them from 4 Wheel Parts (3 weeks).

Old vs. New:
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Front Installed: They were changed when I realized they were upside down
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Rear Installed: (Took the boots off to keep crap from rusting the piston)
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(6/22/11)
I decided to see what the fuel pressure was. Just so happens that a normal fuel pressure gauge to go on the schrader valve wouldn't fit because of the mount to lift the engine out. I decided to build my own. It was quite easy with some 1/8" brass fittings and a 300PSI liquid filled gauge.

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Started by removing the HPOP and fuel bowl cover.
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Put everything back together and got this. I kept the schrader valve in case I ever wanted to check the gauge itself. This way also made it easier to get to the schrader valve.
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This was my fuel pressure right after putting the gauge on. (bounced between 25-40PSI)
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I removed this out of the fuel bowl.
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I put in a zinc plated BB in below the spring.
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Once I put this back into the fuel bowl, I got this PSI on my gauge. (bounced between 50-70PSI)
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It seems to idle a little better now. I haven't driven it yet, but I would imagine it will run better as well.



(7/6/11)
I installed a HPOP cross over line. It helps smooth out spikes in PSI in the high pressure oil that runs the Powerstroke fuel injectors.

I picked this up from Strictly Diesel ( http://shop.strictlydiesel.com/store.php/products/KCM_OBS_HPX ). After installing and starting the truck, the injectors seem to be a bit quieter than before. I have yet to drive it with the cross over.

This is a quality piece. It took me about 20 minutes to install.

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mjonesjr

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(7/19/11)
I got a new set of headlight/marker lights. They look a ton better than the factory ones.

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I also started collecting parts to put an intercooler on the ole girl.

I got a '02 Powerstroke intercooler. It has aluminum ends on it unlike the '99-'01 intercoolers which had plastic ends. The plastic ends were known for cracking.

I still have to get an early year '99 intake spyder and intercooler tubes. There is a guy on the Powerstroke forums who makes custom polished aluminum intercooler tubes for the OBS 7.3's for $200 shipped.

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(7/20/11)
I finally got the leveling kit installed on the front. The hardest part was getting the center pin hole in all the springs lined up.

It is still a little nose down, but not near as bad as before.


Before:
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After:
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(7/23/11)
I got my TS chip installed this weekend and I must say, this isn't the same truck. I thought all the talk about the chips were a little inflated, but it is all it is cracked up to be.

I still need to find a spot to mount my switch. I wish they would add about 4' to the wire. I would like for it to be mounted in my center console.
 

mjonesjr

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I snapped a few pictures today out in the field while I was picking up some stuff.

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I also had to replace the engine cover bracket.

The broke one.
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The new one.
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Cover re-installed.
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I also got the Ranger HVAC shut off so the antifreeze will not be flowing through the heater core when the HVAC panel is in the Max A/C position.
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A few random shots of the engine bay.
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