Daily Driver / Tow Pig Build....

mjonesjr · May 30, 2012

I got the rest of my lines under the truck changed and cleaned up. Instead of any soft line being slid over and clamped to a hard line, I'm actually using the proper fittings now; even on the fuel pump.

mjonesjr · Jun 14, 2012

I moved my MAP line location today and could tell a big difference. The turbo spools faster, it hits 18-20 PSI (measured on the cold side of the intercooler) in no time now. The truck doesn't seem to lug as much now as it did right after the intercooler. The transmission shifts are different now as well. They seem to be firmer and not as much "slipping" into gear as before. I didn't notice the transmission shifting changing after the intercooler install, but I didn't drive the truck for 4 weeks before installing the intercooler (in the paint shop).

I'd like to see dyno results with the MAP line in both locations to verify what my findings are. I'm trying to round up a local dyno to put my truck on, if I do that is one of the things I will try.

Just as a side note, moving my boost sensor to the cold side of the intercooler, I'm only seeing 3 PSI drop across the intercooler at WOT. At normal driving speeds (55-60 mph) I'm not seeing any drop.

mjonesjr · Jun 18, 2012

I installed a 24v, 1A diode into one of the OEM headlight bulb plugs. This will allow me to have my low and high beams on at the same time when I turn the high beams on.

This is ONLY possible because I'm running an upgraded headlight wiring harness. The OEM harness is only used as a trigger for the relays in the upgraded harness.

Low Beam Light Pattern:

Low & High Beam Pattern:

Diode Installed:

96stacked&smoken · Jun 18, 2012

Never seen that before.lol

Dzlnut · Jun 19, 2012

I just read this entire thread, very impressive build. This is very practical truck.

Jomax · Jun 20, 2012

mjonesjr said:
Got the truck all waxed up. It's been 7 weeks since the new paint was put on so it was time. I used Meguair's Ultimate Wax in the paste form. It took a whole can to do a good wax job and took about 4 hours to wax it. She feels like slick glass now and even the paint looks deeper.

I started to update my e-fuel fittings today by installing a shut off valve before my fuel/water separator. This should make updating my soft lines under the truck and all my lines under the hood much easier since there will be no fuel being forced because of gravity.

I'm going to be cutting out as much soft line as possible and reducing the number of bends and curves in the soft line. I've got some 90* fittings I'm going to add to the filter base in the next week or so.

You used WAY too much wax. That stuff goes on thin thin thin. I guess U liked the smell too much?

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2000 Black DRW F-350
2012 pearl white Focus

96stacked&smoken · Jun 20, 2012

A can is alot but looks great and it was fresh paint so it prolly needed it.

mjonesjr · Jun 20, 2012

That is a lot of truck to wax. I've never put wax on a vehicle too thin. I like to coat it on good and thick. The paint seemed to suck it in anyway since it was new paint.

96stacked&smoken · Jun 20, 2012

Reminds me, i need to wax mine.lol

SouthFlstrokin' · Jun 20, 2012

mjonesjr said:
That is a lot of truck to wax. I've never put wax on a vehicle too thin. I like to coat it on good and thick. The paint seemed to suck it in anyway since it was new paint.

Not a whole can thought. Half a can is even too much lol

mjonesjr · Jun 20, 2012

SouthFlstrokin' said:
Not a whole can thought. Half a can is even too much lol

Not when the directions on the can say to apply 2 coats for best results :morons:

mjonesjr · Jul 13, 2012

I got a new set of Mickey Thompson Classic II's for the ole girl. They are 16x8. I've got to order a new set of rear center caps though. The ones that came with the wheels are not deep enough for the hubs. Hopefully they will be here by Monday.

I'm also going to be getting the bed lined and rockers lined in a couple weeks. This is what a Photoshop rendering with the rockers look like.

SouthFlstrokin' · Jul 13, 2012

Don't do that to that beautiful paint.... Looks great now.

96stacked&smoken · Jul 13, 2012

Wheels look great, but black bottom looks weird.lol

mjonesjr · Jul 18, 2012

I got my rear center caps and installed them today. Before putting them on, I torqued the hub nuts just for safety reasons. They all torqued good and didn't need tightened at all.

Truck looks much better.

96stacked&smoken · Jul 18, 2012

Looks killer. were did you get the center caps? mine didnt fit either.

SouthFlstrokin' · Jul 18, 2012

I like it. Looking good.

mjonesjr · Jul 18, 2012

96stacked&smoken said:
Looks killer. were did you get the center caps? mine didnt fit either.

I got them from Summit. They are Mickey Thompson part # 101220.

Countryboy07 · Jul 19, 2012

Truck Looks GREAT!!!! Please do not put the black at the bottom, it will ruin the look you have IMO.

mjonesjr · Jul 26, 2012

I swapped out the front F-250 leafs (add-a-leaf installed in them) for a set of F-350 front leafs today. Holy crap the truck rides so much better. Now the rear is what is stiff on the ride. I need to get the front swap bar frame brackets and install the front sway bar.

The fender height with the F-250 springs and add-a-leafs was 39.5".

F-250 with add-a-leafs compared to the F-350 springs.

F-350 springs, F-250 springs, and the add-a-leaf for comparison.

F-250 leafs compared to the F-350 leafs. The F-250 leafs are considerably thicker than the F-350 leafs.

Both shackle bushings looked like this. All the spring and shackle bushings got replaced with poly bushings.

Shackle bushing out.

Leaf spring poly bushings.

Shackle and front part of the leaf installed.

All back together.

The final ride height with the F-350 springs installed is 39" to the fender. That gives me right at 1" lower than the rear with the 2" F-250 rear blocks installed. I can't decide if I want to install the 4" F-350 blocks and have right at 3" rake.