97up-list-digest Monday, February 8 1999 Volume 02 : Number 034



=======================================================================
Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1997 and Newer Trucks and Vans
Visit our web site: http://www.ford-trucks.com/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe, send email to:
majordomo ford-trucks.com
with the words "unsubscribe 97up-list-digest" in the body of the
message.
=======================================================================
In this issue:

Re: FTE 97up - Fifth wheel install
FTE 97up - Re: brake rotors
Re: FTE 97up - Lowering the Super Duty Ford
Re: FTE 97up - Lowering the Super Duty Ford
Re: FTE 97up - door ajar
FTE 97up - PSD compared to Cummings
Re: FTE 97up - PSD compared to Cummings
RE: FTE 97up - PSD compared to Cummings
FTE 97up - ADMIN: Web site updates
FTE 97up - Re: Rocking 5W hitches
FTE 97up - New F150 Owner
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Rocking 5W hitches
Re: FTE 97up - Re: 97' F250 w/Power Stroke Diesel
Re: FTE 97up - New F150 Owner
Re: FTE 97up - door ajar
FTE 97up - lugs, locks,rotate/balance
Re: FTE 97up - Fifth wheel install

=======================================================================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 05:14:51 -0600
From: "Union Auto"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Fifth wheel install

We've Had to remove the 3" blocks on several trucks. It's not a major
ordeal to do and is covered by warranty. The only complaint I have is that
it sits overly level afterwards (looks like its going up hill, but is
actually level) and I'd recommend adding load boosters if you don't have the
camper package, because loaded the truck will squat slightly in the back
end.

Nathan Bernard

- -----Original Message-----
From: tworites home.com
To: 97
Date: Saturday, February 06, 1999 7:18 AM
Subject: FTE 97up - Fifth wheel install


>Wondering if anyone has had any problems with installing a fifth wheel
>hitch in a 1999 f-350 4x4 super cab. Was told the truck sits to high,and
>that the camper will not pull level.I was told to remove 3 inch blocks
>in the rear suspension.Would appreciate any response.
>Ray Wright Windsor,Ct.
>== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 07:01:05 -0500
From: Lee Haefele
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: brake rotors

>
> I have a friend who has a 97' F250 Cab/long box that warps rotors every 3K
> miles!. Yes, I've been in it with him, he is not unduly hard on the brakes,
> nor does he "ride" them, nor does he trailer.
>
> Rotors were actually CRACKED last time!.

Yes, make sure that the calipers are free, also that the rear brakes
are really working, make sure they are adjusted & have no grease leaks.
We had 87-89 trucks with this problem, Ford advised the dealer to set
the front wheel bearings with a small amount of play, this small
movement added to the rotor-pad clearance, this fixed the problem.
Lee Haefele
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 08:00:37 4
From: "Vaughn (VDB)"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Lowering the Super Duty Ford


What steering linkage check???
Are you refering to the steering column thing??

Thanks
Vaughn

You said:

In addition, as many
readers on
this site know, the recalls have started (GEM replacement,
steering linkage check and rear brake lines).

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 07:23:49 -0800
From: Gene Ball
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Lowering the Super Duty Ford

My truck was lowered by the dealer.
They replaced the shocks, ubolts and a brake line,
and removed the block!
The truck sat LEVEL.
When I hooked up to my boat, a little to lowe!
So I added a 1inch block, It looks great, rides great and drives better
then the factory ride highth!!
No need to change ubolts, shocks or break line with the 1inch blocks.
I got the blocks at a large auto parts store,$17.00 for the pair.
took me about 45 min to install.
Iam happy!!!
Gene Ball
1999 SD SB SRW CC 4X4 V10 Lariat

Robert Benne wrote:

> I bot one of the early Ford SuperDuties (LWB, SRW, 4X4, Crew F350 w/Lariat
> Package) and because I use goosenecks to haul livestock and other items,
> much of the time offroad, I was very concerned initially about the tailgate
> height and the overall decrease in clearance caused by Fords new height
> standard.
> After much research, I found that Ford was going to come out with a TSB
> but in the meantime you could remove the blocks at the axle and replace them
> with 96-97 F250/350 4X4 blocks. By replacing the blocks and U-bolts, you
> effectively drop the back end about 1 3/4-2".
> When I took delivery, the dealer did the work for me after talking to
> Ford. The truck looks great, sits right when the trailer is attached and
> loaded (sits just about level) and overall, I think, has a better stance
> than from the factory.
> Ford has now come out with their TSB. In addition, as many readers on
> this site know, the recalls have started (GEM replacement, steering linkage
> check and rear brake lines). I found that the Ford TSB for lowering calls
> for replacement of the brake lines, U-bolts and shocks, something I never
> did, and I wondered if what I did was too little.
> I took the truck in to the dealer for the recalls and while there I
> asked him about the lowering TSB. I was surprised to see that Ford's TSB
> called for the complete removal of the axle blocks so that the third member
> sits right on the springs. That's why you need to replace the brake lines
> and shocks as well as the u-bolts. My service advisor (a senior guy and
> very knowledgable - a very rare combination) said that they have done the
> TSB on 2 trucks and that it levels the truck so that it sits level, but has
> not seen one under load after doing the TSB. He did say that one he had
> done looked slightly lower in the rear. He had NOT seen one lowered as mine
> was. He asked the mechanic that did the former TSB's to check out my truck
> to insure that there was not something else that should be done.
> In short, everything looked fine. In fact, both of them were very
> impressed and preferred what I had done over the TSB unless you needed a LOT
> of extra clearance. All in all everything has worked out fine and for any
> of you at this site who worries or needs the extra clearance, but likes the
> slight "rake" of the truck, try replacing only the blocks. It works
> great.....
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html



== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 11:15:25 EST
From: KVS427 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - door ajar

Not bulletproof is a good description.... I has an experience during the first
week with my 99 F-150 Lariet SC SB FS 4x4 where I was getting serious wind
noise coming home from work one day. No door ajar lights were on or
anything... come to find out the rear door wasn't totally latched but still
allowed for the door ajar light to go out.

Kevin
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 13:05:38 EST
From: Alevinson aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - PSD compared to Cummings

I'm going to say a bad word.......CUMMINGS....alright, now that we have that
in the open.

I'm looking at buying a diesel pickup in the next year. Has anyone out there
owned/drove both a PSD and a Cummings that can compare then on realibility,
towing power & fuel mileage?

Any comments would be appreciated.

I am also curious what rear end seems to work best with a 6-Speed PSD. 3.73
seems like it would be the best, I would be pulling various loads but also
doing lots of unloaded highway driving. 4.10 seems like overkill, yet
anything higher than 3.73 might not be enough??

Thanks,
Alex Levinson
Linn, Missouri
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 14:23:58 EST
From: JPatte5238 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - PSD compared to Cummings

My friend at work has a 1 ton Dodge Ram dually, he hauls a 4 place gooseneck
trailer. He was so disappointed in the power that he went to Cummins not
Dodge and install a bigger Turbo. $2,100 later, the 24 valve, six cylinder
bucket of bolts still lacks the power that he wants. Last week he made an
appointment to have his valves adjusted, and that's another thing that the PSD
has over Cummins, no valve adjustments needed ( I think). The only mileage
that he has spoke of is mixed driving 16mpg.

John Patterson
99 PSD Lariat 4X4
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 14:29:21 -0500
From: "William Suarez"
Subject: RE: FTE 97up - PSD compared to Cummings

Although I've only owned my PSD for a week now, I've driven the various
PowerStrokes, the GM's and Dodge's Cummins (no "g" Alex) and I firmly
believe the PSD to be the smoothest, most powerful, and stingiest on fuel
out there.

In the dead of winter, up here in New England, with less than 500 mile on my
truck (F250 SD 4x4) I'm already getting about 16 mpg. No complaints about
that at all.

I'm sure there are fans of the GM and Cummins power plants out there that
can give you as many compelling arguements for their favorites. Bottom line,
drive them all and then assess not only the power plant but the truck that
it's in.

The 3.73's should do you fine if your not planning on towing over 12.5 or
13K (correct me if I'm wrong here folks).

Bill Suarez

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-97up-list ford-trucks.com
> [mailto:owner-97up-list ford-trucks.com]On Behalf Of Alevinson aol.com
> Sent: Sunday, February 07, 1999 1:06 PM
> To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
> Subject: FTE 97up - PSD compared to Cummings
>
>
> I'm going to say a bad word.......CUMMINGS....alright, now that
> we have that
> in the open.
>
> I'm looking at buying a diesel pickup in the next year. Has
> anyone out there
> owned/drove both a PSD and a Cummings that can compare then on
> realibility,
> towing power & fuel mileage?
>
> Any comments would be appreciated.
>
> I am also curious what rear end seems to work best with a 6-Speed
> PSD. 3.73
> seems like it would be the best, I would be pulling various loads but also
> doing lots of unloaded highway driving. 4.10 seems like overkill, yet
> anything higher than 3.73 might not be enough??
>
> Thanks,
> Alex Levinson
> Linn, Missouri
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 15:44:47 -0500
From: Ken Payne
Subject: FTE 97up - ADMIN: Web site updates

1. 13 trucks added to pictorial section.
2. Several links sections updated.
3. Speaker installation for 1999 F150s article added to tech
article section.
4. RSAC tags updated in the BBS, classifieds and chat sections.
If you have children and content control in your web browser,
this will allow them to visit any portion of the site except
for chat which has a tag for mild slang/adult language.
I've seen enough of this in the chat that I felt it was best
to re-rate it.
5. Some portions of the BBS are faster (and some are still just
as slow and we're still working on it).
6. Server can now handle up to 20 simultanious users (chat can
handle even more, about 500). Browsing the site should be
faster during peak times. We'll need a full T1 connection
within 6 months. We've had 19% compounded monthly growth
since we started and we're projecting about 500,000 monthly
visitors within 7 months.

Ken Payne
Admin, Ford Truck Enthusiasts
http://www.ford-trucks.com


== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 18:13:24 -0500
From: Gary & Nancy Brinck
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Rocking 5W hitches

Bill wrote:
>>After talking to the drivers that haul trailers
from the manufacture to the dealer and hearing the problems
with trailers hitting the side rails on the pickup using the
rocker type, we went with the fixed.

Trailers hitting the side rails? Must be one heck of a "rocker"
or the trailer was far to close to the rails to begin with! But
the point is a worthy one - make sure you have at least 6 inches
of clearance over the rails.

By the way, hitting the rails is also a problem at the rear of
the bed when leveling off from a sharp hummock, as sometimes
occurs where a driveway comes up onto a road. This is not a
rocker problem - it results from the fore/aft tilt mechanism. A
long wheelbase and a long bed make this problem more likely
- --
Gary


== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 21:49:57 -0500
From: Ron & Deb Emerson
Subject: FTE 97up - New F150 Owner

Listers.....

My name is Ron & I just purchased a '99 F150 XL 4x2....Nothin' fancy but I
like it just fine...Have a question about Ford stock wheels that would fit
on it. Right now I have the stamped steel spiral lookin' 16" wheels. I
would like to put a set of those Ford 16" aluminum wheels (the ones with 3
sets of two "spokes" each, probably from the '97 or '98 model years). I saw
an F150 4x4 with these......My Questions, are the lug patterns & spacing
the same on the F150 4x4 & the 4x2? If so, are the wheel offsets different
on the two? Thanks for any info...

Ron

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 20:24:15 -0500
From: Bill
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Rocking 5W hitches

I've towed various 5th trailers since 1982, they have all
been setup to clear the side rails by 5" when level and
never yet have had a problem none of the trailer were over
31'. I talked to a man pulling a 5th in Ohio this past
summer that had used the rocker type hitch and hit the side
rail when coming out of a gas station, he said the drive was
uneven and he exited at an angle. I think more than
anythings its learning where you can go and where not to go
and both types of hitches are fine. Possibly the problem
with the dealer haulers is they get into spots getting into
dealerships the average camper will not see often.

> make sure you have at least 6 inches
> of clearance over the rails.
>
> By the way, hitting the rails is also a problem at the rear
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 21:57:50 -0500
From: Ron & Deb Emerson
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: 97' F250 w/Power Stroke Diesel

At 07:27 2/6/99 EST, you wrote:
Cookie.....
Make sure your master cylinder is doing something called
compensating....(Letting the brake fluid leak back (intentionally) to allow
the pads to back off the rotors). This happened to me on an 88 Plymouth
minivan & it got so bad it stopped the van in it's tracks !!!! A new master
cylinder fixed the problem for me. Hope this helps...

Ron
>ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
>
>
> From: Cookies aol.com
> Subject: FTE 97up - 97' F250 w/Power Stroke Diesel
>
> I have a friend who has a 97' F250 Cab/long box that warps rotors every 3K
> miles!. Yes, I've been in it with him, he is not unduly hard on the brakes,
> nor does he "ride" them, nor does he trailer.
>
> Rotors were actually CRACKED last time!.
> Pads replaced w/cracked rotors
> One caliper rebuilt (leaking) >>
>==================================================
>== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>
>

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 22:41:01 -0500
From: Jean Marc Chartier
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - New F150 Owner

Ron & Deb Emerson wrote:
>
> Listers.....
>
> My name is Ron & I just purchased a '99 F150 XL 4x2....Nothin' fancy but I
> like it just fine...Have a question about Ford stock wheels that would fit
> on it. Right now I have the stamped steel spiral lookin' 16" wheels. I
> would like to put a set of those Ford 16" aluminum wheels (the ones with 3
> sets of two "spokes" each, probably from the '97 or '98 model years). I saw
> an F150 4x4 with these......My Questions, are the lug patterns & spacing
> the same on the F150 4x4 & the 4x2? If so, are the wheel offsets different
> on the two? Thanks for any info...
>
> Ron
>
Ron,

The 97-98-99 F-150's have the same wheels for 4x2 or
4x4's. You can interchange the OEM wheels as you see fit.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 22:44:54 EST
From: CERESJohnG aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - door ajar

Your probably right about the switch being on the latch. Mine is a bit older
and I'm following the threads on new one's to see what the issues are. But.
It's still a switch, and unless Ford or any of the rest of them have changed
the way they do business, the switch is a a non-repairable plastic bodied
something that is probably sticking until vibration shakes it open. that or
it's loose in it's bracket.

Gus

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 00:33:26 EST
From: RSnovi aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - lugs, locks,rotate/balance

Well it is now time for my first rotate and balance tommorrow on the new
F250SD 4x4 PSD/SC/4x4, anyone have any tips? I am going to have a guy i trust
handling it, he has a '91 F250 6.9. My question is are there any locks? if so
where is the key for them before i go hunting for it. I havent quite figured
out how you get the caps off to get to lug nuts either, they have somewhere to
pop a screwdriver in or something? Just so i can tell him since this is
probably the first one he has messed with.

thanks,
Ross S
RSR Inc.
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 22:52:58 -0700
From: Dale Ellis
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Fifth wheel install

I have a 1997 F250HD 4x4, and pull my Excel 30-5 5er with no problems.

Under no circumstances would I remove the suspension blocks from the rear
suspension. If you really need too change anything to tow level, then I
would strongly recommend doing a spring-over-axle on the trailer to get the
needed height. Of course that assumes that your trailer has leaf springs.

Dale Ellis

At 2/6/99 06:08 AM, you wrote:....

---

To access the rest of this feature you must be a logged in Registered User Of Ford Truck Enthusiasts

Registration is free, easy and gives you access to more features.
If you are not registered, click here to register.
If you are already registered, you can login here.

If you are already logged in and are seeing this message, your web browser is blocking session cookies. Change your browser cookie settings to allow session cookies.