97up-list-digest Friday, April 30 1999 Volume 02 : Number 112



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

Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK??????
Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK??????
Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK??????
Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK?????? -Reply
FTE 97up - High RPM's
FTE 97up - passenger car tires for sale
Re: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?
RE: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?
Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK?????? -Reply
Re: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?
Re: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?
FTE 97up - Ham antenna question
FTE 97up - RE: low mileage problem
Re: FTE 97up - Ham antenna question
Re: FTE 97up - Ham antenna question

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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 08:30:58 -0500
From: "Charles Abraham"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK??????

Hi Max,

There was a post about two months back that identified the LSD problem
and the subsequent fix, but I can't find it. (Maybe someone else here has it?)
I'll continue to look and send you what I find.

Charles.

"Max ." wrote:

> My 250 SD PSD has a L.S. 3.73 axle. The other day took the truck out
> to the drag strip and ran it. However, I was surprised when the right
> wheel just spun and smoked when I 'power braked' the truck. Took the
> truck to the dealer, who says thats normal, and that anything over
> (now get this) 27 ft.lbs will cause the right wheel to spin and the
> axle not limit slip. His advice to me was anytime the wheel breaks
> loose, let off the diesel, and try to just ease into the throttle.
> This kinda makes getting the L.S. useless and a waste of money. and
> the darn truck makes 510 ft lbs. Is this guy for real or am I getting
> the big brush off????????????????????????
>
> Also my MPG and miles to empty gauges on the roof console will
> sometimes say 0 miles to empty or a mpg average of 26mpg (I could
> only wish). The service writer said that they called the Ford
> engineers, and the the two are for gas engines only and not designed
> for diesels and only for decoration.
>
> Lastly, does the radios on anyone's SD stay on after turning off the
> key for a few minutes, like the way the windows still work for a
> while until the door is open.
>
> Any info is much appreciated...Thanx
>
> Max
> '99.5 F-250 SD PSD CC
> 'I Still Love This Truck'
>
> _______________________________________________________________
> Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.msn.com
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 09:46:31 -0400
From: Ken Payne
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK??????

"Max ." wrote:
>
> My 250 SD PSD has a L.S. 3.73 axle. The other day took the truck out
> to the drag strip and ran it. However, I was surprised when the right
> wheel just spun and smoked when I 'power braked' the truck. Took the
> truck to the dealer, who says thats normal, and that anything over
> (now get this) 27 ft.lbs will cause the right wheel to spin and the
> axle not limit slip. His advice to me was anytime the wheel breaks
> loose, let off the diesel, and try to just ease into the throttle.
> This kinda makes getting the L.S. useless and a waste of money. and
> the darn truck makes 510 ft lbs. Is this guy for real or am I getting
> the big brush off????????????????????????
>

Your dealer is correct. Its not 27lbs, its a differential of
27lbs between each side. Its called "limited slip", not no
slip. Its designed to help in slick situations. Trust me,
it will help in snow and mud. If you're looking to lay 2
wheel drags with the truck you need a posi or trac-lock type
of axle. Keep laying drags and you'll wear out the clutch
pack in the LS in a hurry.

Ken
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 10:21:54 EDT
From: RAMWORKER aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK??????

The gist of the post you're looking for was that he had a bad LS unit. From
the description given here, I would say that this problem is also a bad LS,
and that his dealer is giving him the brush-off.

Best Regards,
Robert

In a message dated 4/29/99 6:38:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
abrahamc agcs.com writes:

> Hi Max,
>
> There was a post about two months back that identified the LSD problem
> and the subsequent fix, but I can't find it. (Maybe someone else here has
it?
> )
> I'll continue to look and send you what I find.
>
> Charles.
>
> "Max ." wrote:
>
> > My 250 SD PSD has a L.S. 3.73 axle. The other day took the truck out
> > to the drag strip and ran it. However, I was surprised when the right
> > wheel just spun and smoked when I 'power braked' the truck. Took the
> > truck to the dealer, who says thats normal, and that anything over
> > (now get this) 27 ft.lbs will cause the right wheel to spin and the
> > axle not limit slip. His advice to me was anytime the wheel breaks
> > loose, let off the diesel, and try to just ease into the throttle.
> > This kinda makes getting the L.S. useless and a waste of money. and
> > the darn truck makes 510 ft lbs. Is this guy for real or am I getting
> > the big brush off????????????????????????
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 10:54:06 -0400
From: GEORGE CROLL
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK?????? -Reply

some technical stuff about the LS.

The LS is just a clutch pack. Like a clutch it will slip if the force pushing the clutch plates together is less than the
forces trying to make the differential slip. When power braking something has to give, either the brakes or the LS will
have to slip. In your case the LS slips when too much brake pedal is applied. In a perfect world the braking would
be equal at each rear wheel and the LS would lock up and both tires would spin because the front brakes are
holding the truck back. In reality one rear wheel is braking harder than the other, the power is transferred to the
wheel with less braking which begins to spin. The LS attempts to lock up both wheels but the clutch pack cant
overcome the braking force on the wheel which is not spinning. Basically this sort of stuff just F%#%s up your LS
and your rear brakes.

This problem can be solved by installing a valve in the rear brake lines which "disconnects" the rear brakes. This
allows braking on the front wheels only and the limited slip will work fine and you can leave rubber all you want. I
am not sure how this might affect the antilock braking system if you did this, it might cause problems I am not sure.
This is also a bad idea to run on the street as you will not have any rear brakes, and I hope no one woudl even think
of doing this at any place other than a track for some kicks.

George Croll
EPA-OAR-ARD
(202)564-0162
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 09:44:38 +700
From: bwat wa.freei.net
Subject: FTE 97up - High RPM's

Thanks gentlemen...Yes the high rpm is just for 5-10 seconds at
start up, then idles down to around 800rpm. I live near Seattle,
so it is not a cold climate. I thought it might be tough on an
unlubricated motor to rev that high. Not so....by consensus?

Thanks, Brent from sunny (today!) Seattle

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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 12:46:10 EDT
From: Cookies aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - passenger car tires for sale

Set of 4 Dunlop D60A2 225/60/HR16". 7k. miles on set. Excellent condition.
$200 INCLUDES UPS shipping anywhere in continental US. Were $451.00 new.

Please, no fitment questions. Find out for yourself. :-)

Randy
cookies aol.com
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 10:23:53 -0700
From: chuck007
Subject: Re: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?

Have 97 F250 LD with a 3.73 LS and wonder if it is possible to replace the
rear diff with a 4.10 ls with little or no modifications......would have
someone else actually do the work. Would this screw up the engine computer
and resulting performance or does the chip have to be replaced too. BTW, the
engine is a 5.4L.
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 11:01:25 -0700
From: "Larry Drum"
Subject: RE: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?

Chuck,

The 4.10 Rear will install easily with no modifications to the "Rear" of the
truck. I had the 4.10 Rear end put on my '96 when I had it and all that was
needed was to Re-Calibrate the speedo...

Hope this helps.

Larry
'99 F-150 XL, Bright Red, 2WD, 4.2 V-6, 5 Spd. 3.55, BugFlector II, Vent
Visors, Rhino Lining Bed Liner.


- -----Original Message-----
From:owner-97up-list ford-trucks.com
[mailto:owner-97up-list ford-trucks.com] On Behalf Of chuck007
Sent:Thursday, April 29, 1999 10:24 AM
To:97up-list ford-trucks.com
Subject:Re: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?

Have 97 F250 LD with a 3.73 LS and wonder if it is possible to replace the
rear diff with a 4.10 ls with little or no modifications......would have
someone else actually do the work. Would this screw up the engine computer
and resulting performance or does the chip have to be replaced too. BTW,
the
engine is a 5.4L.
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 14:32:47 -0400
From: Chris Akers
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - LS- How does it worK?????? -Reply

GEORGE CROLL wrote:
> holding the truck back. In reality one rear wheel is braking harder
> than the other, the power is transferred to the wheel with less braking
> which begins to spin.

This may be true to a very small degree (different braking force),
but the real reason the rear passenger tire will always try to
spin more is the natural torque rotation of the driveshaft effectively
plants the driver tire into the pavement while lifting the passenger
tire up off the pavement. Since the friction between the pass tire
and the road is less than the friction between the driver tire
and the road, the pass tire will always try to spin first. (unless
you're in reverse, in which case the opposite is true. :-)

If you really had one rear wheel braking more than the other,
your truck would tend to steer/pull in the direction of the
stronger brake when brakes are applied. Anyone who has ever
had a leaky rear wheel cylinder can attest to this. :-) Whoa Nellie!

To test the limited slip effect of a differential, you can do
the following easy test... jack one rear tire off the ground,
release the emergency brake and put the truck in neutral. Be sure
the tires that are still on the ground are adequately blocked
to ensure the truck doesn't move! (It's not my fault if you
get run over by your own truck :-) Now try to turn the wheel
that is in the air... you really shouldn't be able to turn it
by hand, and if so, it should be damn tough to do so. They
make a special tool that attaches to the lugs so that you can
put a torque wrench on the effective centerline of the axle...
so you can actually measure the breakaway torque of the limited
slip unit itself. 90-150ft-lbs is a typical range for many factory-
style limited slip diffs. IMO, a reading of 20-30ft-lbs would be
pretty much useless as a limited slip.

HTH,
jC. '67 Camaro, '95 Z28, '98 F150 - lugnutz.com
- --
Chris Akers mailto:jca celotek.com
Celotek Corporation phone:919-462-1900 x259
P.O. Box 14285 fax:919-462-1933
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.celotek.com
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 16:49:18 -0700
From: "Rob Bryan"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?

You need to take it to a driveline shop and they will replace the 3.73
ring-and-pinion set with a 4.10 one. Your current LS will remain unless you
ask them to change it. Since it is a '97, you will need a new gear for the
VSS on the transmission if you want the speedometer to read correctly with
the new gears ('92-'96 and '99 LD trucks need a conversion constant changed
in the computer to get the speedo right, while -'91 trucks need a new gear
on the end of the speedo cable and '97-'98 LD and '99 SD (?) trucks need a
new gear on the VSS).

Rob


> Have 97 F250 LD with a 3.73 LS and wonder if it is possible to replace the
> rear diff with a 4.10 ls with little or no modifications......would have
> someone else actually do the work. Would this screw up the engine computer
> and resulting performance or does the chip have to be replaced too. BTW, the
> engine is a 5.4L.
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 17:57:09 -0700
From: chuck007
Subject: Re: FTE 97up -Upgrade Rear ?

Thanks for the responses........will the new 4.10 rear on this F250 LD have a
noticeable effect on my towing ability? any comments?
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 21:03:33 -0400
From: "Pete Elliott"
Subject: FTE 97up - Ham antenna question

Has anyone drilled a hole in their roof for a VHF (or UHF/VHF) antenna? If
not, what are you using for antenna?? I'm looking for hints, tips,
warnings, or ideas.

Thanks!

Pete
KC8MIG

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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 22:01:25 -0400
From: "Philip Street"
Subject: FTE 97up - RE: low mileage problem

Yea, Pete! Sounds like my truck and the type of driving I do. Nothing
against all you F-250/350 SD, PSD, V-10, 4WD, Auto, BFT's, SP (super priced)
truck owners out there but I thoroughly enjoy my 1998 F-150 SC, V6, 2WD,
5-speed, 3.08, 235/70R16. :) I have averaged 19.0 mpg since I bought the
truck new last August, 1998. Lately I've been getting around 20 mpg with
mostly commuting but lots of short trips mixed in between.
I know this really isn't answering your original question Mike, but I do
think you should be able to do better than 15 mpg with your V6.

Phil

> Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 21:03:30 -0400
> From: "Pete Elliott"
> Subject: FTE 97up - low mileage problem
>
> Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 06:47:43 -0400
> From: "Marue, Mike"
> Michael,
>
> Wish I had a good suggestion, other than to ask about your driving habits.
> I have a 1999 F-150, V6, manual transmission and 3.08:1 differential. I'm
> getting around 20 MPG driving to and from work, soccer games, Cub Scouts,
> Girl Scouts, and various other "dad stuff". Some of the commuting is
> Interstate, but it is rush hour interstate. Your mileage sounds
> low, unless
> you have different gearing (ie. 4.10 and up) or have put on
> monster tires of
> some kind (mine are standard 235/70 r16 -- boring, but efficient). I
> noticed a significant seat of the pants performance difference around 2000
> mi. and better fuel efficiency too.
>
> You might check the basic stuff, if you haven't yet, like air
> filter, spark
> plugs, etc...
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Pete
>
> p.s. just to brag a little -- we loaded about 3/4 ton of logs (for a Cub
> Scout project) into my 1/2 ton V6 F150 the other day. It handled it with
> absolutely no problem. Who needs a SuperDuty PSD??? ;-) (yeah yeah, I
> know, someone who wants to load 2 tons of logs and pull another seven tons
> behind!)
>


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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 19:56:06 -0700
From: denton sprague
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Ham antenna question

Hi...I drive a 98 Ford Explorer, and I have always ran Larsen brand antennas
and mounts for years. None of the mountings have leaked so far..
In my case, I mounted the antenna, a dual bander a few feet from the back of
the Explorer, put some tape over the area for the hole and used a quarter for a
template.
I used a small drill bit to make the initial hole and then a Dremel tool to
round out the hole. Snaking the coax from the hole underneath the headliner was
easy...I just used an old 5/8 wave 2 meter whip I snaked from the hole to the
back of the rig. I then taped the coax to the end of the whip and pulled the
coax through from the hole to the back of the Explorer.
Hope this helps someone.

Pete Elliott wrote:

> Has anyone drilled a hole in their roof for a VHF (or UHF/VHF) antenna? If
> not, what are you using for antenna?? I'm looking for hints, tips,
> warnings, or ideas.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Pete
> KC8MIG
>
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Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1999 22:12:32 -0500 (CDT)
From: Sandman
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Ham antenna question

I use a larson mag mount on my truck. I just run the cable out the door.
The main reason I do this setup is because I park my Ranger in a garage,
and have to take the antenna off to get into the garage. It works fine
for me, but defintely is not ideal.

Phil....

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