97up-list-digest Wednesday, November 18 1998 Volume 01 : Number 281



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1997 and Newer Trucks and Vans
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In this issue:

Re: FTE 97up - Re: drop-type weight distributing hitch
FTE 97up - Re: No spare tire
Re: FTE 97up - Re: No spare tire
FTE 97up - Diesel 7.3L Power Chip by U.S. Gear
FTE 97up - RE: Lockers
RE: FTE 97up - RE: Lockers
Re: FTE 97up - Re: My truck doesn't have the 4x4 stickers on the bed
FTE 97up - V10 Gas Milage
FTE 97up - Re:F-250
FTE 97up - Re: PTO/120V power
FTE 97up - Re: Ford 99 Superduty Spare Tire Kit
FTE 97up - Where the Super Duty Lariats Are (good news and bad)
FTE 97up - Re:oil leak
Re: FTE 97up - Where the Super Duty Lariats Are (good news and bad)
Re: FTE 97up - Where the Super Duty Lariats Are (good news and bad)

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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 08:09:15 -0500
From: "Larry Hackler"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: drop-type weight distributing hitch

Be careful! The drop I had on my original one was not enough, So I had to
buy another. Make sure the drop is enough or you may have to send the first
one back.

Larry

- -----Original Message-----
From: Bud Feuless & Miki Magara
To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Monday, November 16, 1998 8:48 PM
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: drop-type weight distributing hitch


>Thanks, everyone, for your input on this. I finally found what I was
>looking for at Reese's web site. They have a draw bar with 5 holes to
allow
>up to (I think) a bit over 5" of travel up or down, that mates with either
>their trunnion or round-bar type weight distributing hitches and has the
>10,000# plus rating I'm looking for. This stuff ain't cheap, but at least
>it works with a 2" square receiver, meaning I can use the Ford factory
Class
>IV.
>
>Thanks again, Bud
>
>
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 09:56:32 -0500
From: Gary & Nancy Brinck
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: No spare tire

> what a bunch of crap no spare for a truck, man they are really getting cheap.
> I would have never bought my truck if there were no spare. Thats like saying
> I want Super Duty so i can be stranded. I think some one at FoMoCo. should
> definately do some homework on this one.

Maybe Ford has...statistically you are much more likely to need a spare battery than
a spare tire, at least according to a Popular Mechanics article from several years
ago. But I bought the spare anyway - it's a backup that is carried out of sight and
isn't that expensive. If I use it once, it's worth it!

Gary
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 10:14:06 EST
From: RSnovi aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: No spare tire

In a message dated 98-11-17 10:09:41 EST, you write:


Maybe Ford has...statistically you are much more likely to need a spare
battery than
a spare tire, at least according to a Popular Mechanics article from several
years
ago. But I bought the spare anyway - it's a backup that is carried out of
sight and
isn't that expensive. If I use it once, it's worth it!

Gary >>

well ever been on a log trip with a heavy trailer and a moron driver flatten 2
tires pulling into a gas station at 8 am. Glad it was not my trailer! just
some of those little trivial things that set you back, we sat there for 2
hours waiting on a guy to come back with 2 mounted tires.

Ross S
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 10:16:38 -0500
From: Henry Hatchell
Subject: FTE 97up - Diesel 7.3L Power Chip by U.S. Gear

Anyone with info on performance of chip please respond.

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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 10:08:53 -0700
From: JJ/Rae
Subject: FTE 97up - RE: Lockers

I have a friend who has air lockers in his explorer and he has had nothing but trouble with them. He's had leaks, short's, hoses getting ripped out ect ect ect. I went and got a Detroit Locker from Dick Cepek and had them install it in our 97
F250 PSD. So far I love the locker and it has displayed none of the problems you usually find, of course it might be due to the longer wheel base of a F250. The biggest thing I've noticed is that when were out in snow and mud you end up going
straight instead of turning :-)

JJ

- --
USAF Security Forces 1* NRA Lifer ICQ # 14108174
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.thewowfactor.com/bigbroncos/detail.htm?detailid=220
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 15:30:29 -0600
From: scott anderson
Subject: FTE 97up - Lockers

Can anyone tell me anything about the Arb Air Lockers?

Are they worth the money?

Are they hard on the truck?

Are they hard to install?

How much do they cost?

What is a good company to buy it from?

Do they provide a great increase in traction over stock set-up?

How do you engage/disengage the locker?

I have a 1997 1-ton Regular Cab Powerstoke with a manual transmission and 4.10
gears w/limited slip in the rear....if that matters any.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Scott Anderson


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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 17:06:29 -0600
From: scott anderson
Subject: RE: FTE 97up - RE: Lockers

>===== Original Message From "JJ/Rae" =====
>I have a friend who has air lockers in his explorer and he has had nothing
but trouble with them. He's had leaks, short's, hoses getting ripped out ect
ect ect. I went and got a Detroit Locker from Dick Cepek and had them install
it in our 97
>F250 PSD. So far I love the locker and it has displayed none of the problems
you usually find, of course it might be due to the longer wheel base of a
F250. The biggest thing I've noticed is that when were out in snow and mud you
end up going
>straight instead of turning :-)

Thanks for your input! I really appreciate it!
>
>JJ
>
>--
>USAF Security Forces 1* NRA Lifer ICQ # 14108174
>http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.thewowfactor.com/bigbroncos/detail.htm?detailid=220
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------
>Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 15:30:29 -0600
>From: scott anderson
>Subject: FTE 97up - Lockers
>
>Can anyone tell me anything about the Arb Air Lockers?
>
>Are they worth the money?
>
>Are they hard on the truck?
>
>Are they hard to install?
>
>How much do they cost?
>
>What is a good company to buy it from?
>
>Do they provide a great increase in traction over stock set-up?
>
>How do you engage/disengage the locker?
>
>I have a 1997 1-ton Regular Cab Powerstoke with a manual transmission and
4.10
>gears w/limited slip in the rear....if that matters any.
>
>Thanks so much for your help!!!
>
>Scott Anderson
>
>
>== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

Scott Anderson


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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 20:49:30 EST
From: Scoop531 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: My truck doesn't have the 4x4 stickers on the bed

i am a fleet manager for a big contracting company in Pa we rent pickups of
budget rental when our trucks are out on jobs and we need a few extras and
from talking to the manager of the Budget near me they take off any stickers
or decals added extra from the factory plus almost all of the trucks they get
are special ordered so they say what the want on there. I brought the same
question up to the manage a couple months ago i rented a 97 f-150 but it was
mising the sticker for the ORP he told me what i just said

Scoop
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 18:02:39 -0800
From: "Dave Sturtze"
Subject: FTE 97up - V10 Gas Milage

Wondering what everyone else is getting for gas
mileage on 99 F250 4X4 SD SC LB V10 Auto 3.73 ?
I'm on my second oil change with Mobile syn. and
I'm still only getting 11mpg highway empty not
towing and 8 mpg city. The dealer says I don't
have a problem but the Do*g* I had before this
same only 2wd ) got 16 to 18 highway and 12 city.
Thanks
Dave


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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 21:05:54 -0500
From: Lee Haefele
Subject: FTE 97up - Re:F-250

The Ford Dealer order book listed it under"Major Std Equip". For the
F-350 cab-chassis (not sure about pickups) it said "Vacuum booster*,
footnote *, N/A W/DRW or Diesel, DRW or Diesel gets Hydro Boost". Also
my window sticker said Hydro Boost. Finally the vacuum boost brakes
just don't stop a 10,500 lb truck, they take too much pedal pressure to
stop quick enough.
Lee Haefele

> Scott Evanson wrote:
>
> How were you able to determine which brakes were to be installed?
>
> Lee Haefele wrote:
>
> > >
> > >
> > > I'm about to order a F-250 Super Cab, Longbed, 2wd, V-10, Automatic,
> > > stock tires. It will be used mostly for pulling a Fifth Wheel travel
> > > trailer weighting 9650 loaded. I like to travel at 60 to 65MPH. Both
> > > the 3.73 and 4.30 axle ratio are listed for this load.
> > For heavens sake get the 4.30 gears for this much weight. 1) The V-10
> > produces max torque at 2700 rpm...sort of high for a truck engine.
> > 2) The auto shift trans runs about 97% with torque conv locked, so you
> > don't get the extra rpm from the conv.
> > I would recommend that you get an F-350 DRW, for safety, stability &
> > traction. You did say towing was primary use.
> > I have 99 F-350 DRW 4x4 V-10 auto cab-chassis model, with utility body
> > & bucket lift. Weight is 10,500 & 4.30 gears are just right, I think
> > this has .72 overdrive, where the std shift is about .76. Rpm at 60 in
> > OD is about 2100, around 2900 in 3rd, which is then good for hills. A
> > F-350 DRW should also come with "Hydro Boost" brakes, the vacuum boost
> > brakes require too much pedal pressure for heavy use, but make your
> > dealer call Ford first on this, mine came with the wrong booster & is
> > being changed finally.(After a long runaround).
> > Lee Haefele
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 21:22:05 -0500
From: Lee Haefele
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: PTO/120V power

Currently the cable TV industry is installing mostly Tripp-Lite (sp?)
PV-1200 transistorized 1200W inverters with excellent results.($495) I
just got my first one after using Honeywell Rediline motor inverters for
years. The Tripp-Lite is much better, powers 1/2" drill just like any
house outlet, have not tried Skillsaw yet. Use heavy batt cables (#0)
to avoid low voltage.
Lee Haefele

> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 21:48:19 -0500
> From: "Keith Veren"
> Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re:PTO
>
> Thanks Lee. Not anticipating hydraulic uses such as wrecker or dump-body,
> rather I was hoping to be able to hook-up (permanently) a small generator of
> sorts so all I have to do is "flip a switch" and I can have nice fresh 240 V
> / 120 V available anytime (just for short time periods, to use power tools,
> temporary lighting, ect., for a couple hours or so). Is this possible???
> Thanks again for the response.
>
>
> Keith
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 22:15:40 -0600
From: "Bud Feuless & Miki Magara"
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Ford 99 Superduty Spare Tire Kit

In response to the note:

Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 13:56:22 EST
From: RSnovi aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ford 99 Superduty Spare Tire Kit

In a message dated 98-11-16 12:04:33 EST, you write:

what a bunch of crap no spare for a truck, man they are really getting
cheap...

etc... etc...

I propose a new rule for this board: Anyone who disrespects Nathan has to
drink 14 quarts of used PSD crankcase oil before they are allowed to post
again. I have never seen Mr. Bernard be anything but civil, helpful, and
respectful to the other members of this board and I think he deserves the
same (or more). His gratuitous and informative posts are an important asset
to all of us and I doubt that any of us want to lose that just because
somebody mouthed off once too often. Anyhow, Nathan is dead right.

The facts that the bumper and spare are options are clearly spelled out in
the F-Series propaganda with the other options, to the point where they
specifically mention that the Front bumper is standard! This is also
spelled out quite well in every price guide on or off-line that I have seen,
including , Edmonds.com and ConsumerGuide. I don't fault
anyone for making this gaff..., it took me a bit to figure out the rear
bumper bit. But if I'd placed my order without it, it would have been my
own fault, not the dealers.

I, like you, am an informed buyer. A smart dealer knows that he should
neither attempt to coddle nor cheat us. Unlike most buyers, we know what we
want and what it should cost and want no B.S. about it! We judge our
dealers by how quickly and how well they service our orders. We are not the
kind of buyers who walk into the showroom needing the salesman to hold our
hand and help us decide between the Escort and the F-350 Dually. We often
deal with the fleet salesmen. My point is, when they see us coming, their
attitude changes... overall for the better. I assume that none of us want
the dealer to demonstrate the wonderful drivers' side lighted make-up
mirror, charge us $500 for the "Vehicle Protection Plan" that's in a bottle
in the glove compartment, nor step us through our order when we walk in
knowing what we want.

By the fact that you are here, you are most likely people who look twice
before you buy, ... informed or even picky buyers! So you would have gone
through the standard equipment and options lists with a fine tooth comb,
just to make sure you got all the goodies you want, right? Right!

The Navy has a sign over the only stop light at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station
that reads "This Is a Stop Light." You are all far too intelligent to need
this kind of treatment from Ford. Accept your error gracefully.

Cheers, Bud


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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 21:14:14 -0600
From: "Bud Feuless & Miki Magara"
Subject: FTE 97up - Where the Super Duty Lariats Are (good news and bad)

The good news: Jack Roach Ford in Houston, TX has a loaded red Lariat 350
Club Cab Dually with the V-10. Some guy cancelled his order after it
arrived. They're motivated (they didn't waste any time trying to sell it to
me, but it's not quite for me...).

The news that seems good until you get to the end: Planet Ford, a dealership
that just opened up near the Woodlands in Houston has at least 20-30 350 and
250 Super Duties... and they're all Lariats! They have 4x4, 4x2, every
color under the sun, mostly diesels and a few V-10's. Here's the
downside... every single one is customized with two-tone airbrush fade
paint, full length fiberglass running boards, wood inlay around everything
from the a/c vents to the doors, bugguards, ventvisors, heavy tint, the
works. They seem to think that all that cr*p is worth about $7000. I think
they are just trying to up the ante in a neighborhood noted for never asking
the price before buying. They have TWO of the black Lariat 4x4 250's with
PSD that I am dying for, but have converted them into (excuse the term) ...
"White Trash Glamour-Mobiles!" I especially think the 4x4 Off-Road versions
look pretty stupid with running boards that droop within a few inches of the
ground (if you enjoy the idea of showing up at your next off-road slug-fest
with your truck dressed in a pink tu-tu, this truck's for you!).

Somebody want to explain how these abominations to humanity got hold of so
many fine trucks... only to completely spoil them for the rest of us?

Regards, Bud


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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 22:27:31 -0600
From: "Bud Feuless & Miki Magara"
Subject: FTE 97up - Re:oil leak

>From these loose details, I can only guess, but the most common source of an
oil leak in this area to my knowledge is usually just a loose oil line to
the turbo. This is a pretty common installation and maintenance error (did
you have any other work done recently?). The bad part here is that turbos
can overheat PDQ when starved of oil. You don't mention turbo flame-out or
severe depletion of oil, so I hope your leak is small. Someone else here
may be more familiar with the PSD than I, but the oil inlet and return hoses
are usually between the turbo exhaust and intake and are usually heavy
braided hose with brass or stainless steel fittings. If you find them,
check for leaks there. You would be well advised to have the dealer inspect
the turbo bearings carefully if this is the problem and/or do an oil
analysis (on fresh oil, not the oil you have had in it since break-in),
which would show the resulting particulate matter in the oil. - Bud


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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 23:26:07 -0600 (CST)
From: dfloyd fnord.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Where the Super Duty Lariats Are (good news and bad)



> "White Trash Glamour-Mobiles!" I especially think the 4x4 Off-Road versions
> look pretty stupid with running boards that droop within a few inches of the
> ground (if you enjoy the idea of showing up at your next off-road slug-fest
> with your truck dressed in a pink tu-tu, this truck's for you!).

What is the point of a 4x4 with such a low clearance anyway? Even going over
a speed bump will mean scratches and gouges on such a low running board. I
do get the point of having a step or a running board, but one that low is
just dumb.


>
> Somebody want to explain how these abominations to humanity got hold of so
> many fine trucks... only to completely spoil them for the rest of us?

PT Barnum. There are those Yuppies who don't want to buy a sports car, but
want the "rough and tough" truck image... so that is what they get.

I feel that if a 4x4 cannot be used for going off-road for emergency SAR work,
its useless (except as a toy.)

>
> Regards, Bud
>

PS: This sounds like nitrogenous cow waste, but I was chatting with a friend
of mine who told me that there is some aftermarket company out there who does
4x2 -> 4x4 conversions. I have my doubts, as so much stuff needs to be
replaced (2 driveshafts, front diff), but does such a thing exist? I am
thinking of betting with this person that such an aftermarker converter doesn't
exist, but want to make sure.
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Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 00:54:13 -0500
From: "Eddie Pettit"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Where the Super Duty Lariats Are (good news and bad)

>PS: This sounds like nitrogenous cow waste, but I was chatting with a
friend
>of mine who told me that there is some aftermarket company out there who
does
>4x2 -> 4x4 conversions. I have my doubts, as so much stuff needs to be
>replaced (2 driveshafts, front diff), but does such a thing exist? I am
>thinking of betting with this person that such an aftermarker converter
doesn't
>exist, but want to make sure.


I'd take that bet. I've personally helped convert an El Camino, Pinto,....

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