From: owner-97up-list-digest ford-trucks.com (97up-list-digest)
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Subject: 97up-list-digest V2 #243
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97up-list-digest Saturday, September 11 1999 Volume 02 : Number 243



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

Re: FTE 97up - Re:Need a pickup bed
Re: FTE 97up - Re:Need a pickup bed
RE: FTE 97up - Re:Need a pickup bed
Re: FTE 97up - 99Sll recall completed today
FTE 97up - Look at what the competition is doing!
FTE 97up - Get a free F-150?

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Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 10:59:17 EDT
From: RAMWORKER aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re:Need a pickup bed

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all of the good information. You are all correct, there is going
to be a gap between the cab and the bed. Centurion out of White Pigeon,
Michigan makes a filler panel for this but absolutely will not sell us the
part
nor will they convert a "sold" truck for a customer directly, they consider it
"used" if it has been delivered to the customer, they only do trucks delivered
directly from Ford.

Cory is absolutely determined to pull this off, so we're left with this
option.
We'll take it to the frame shop and have the it and the driveshaft shortened
and the axle moved forward. The early estimate for this cost is about $400.00

We've also discovered that the aft axle fuel tank will not have any rear
support
after the frame is cut behind the axle for bed clearance, so the order was
changed to a midship tank, something we didn't want to do because of far
less fuel capacity.

We know that the frame rails are different, primarily due to elevation
changes
which we regard as a fairly minor problem. We're thinking of using leftover
bodylift spacers for this.

The estimated delivery date is 12/15/99, so we still have plenty of time
to see if a red takeoff bed appears.

Thanks again for all of the information. If you see anything in this post you
think is incorrect, please bring it to my attention. I'm not fond of
surprises,
(although they seem to be unavoidable in custom work) I like to have
these things well planned before I start.

Best Regards,
Robert

In a message dated 9/7/99 9:31:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time, aeagle rvi.net
writes:

> I put a pu bed on a 550 with a 3" gap I don't remember cab to axle
> measurement.
> Don't mind the gap first load shift on this thin metal makes the extra
space
> acceptable.
> no frame work but no factory holes line up or can be drilled. had to make
> brackets and cut bed under tailgate to clear frame. Better look at "Air
> suspension" not air bag's as an option. riding in an empty 5 ton truck
> was not even a little bit fun.


In a message dated 9/9/99 10:06:52 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Alan Hepburn.com
writes:

> I've heard that it can be done, but I don't know if it's worth doing.
> Unless I'm mistaken the F250/F350 CA distance is 56 inches while the
> F450/F550 has a 60 inch CA, so you'll need to either leave a gap
> behind the cab or move the wheel wells. Then you'll need to shorten
> the frame rails, but that's not a problem because they're made to be
> cut on the end as needed. Then there's the frame geometry - the F250/F350
> have a drop frame that kicks up to go over the axle while the F450/F550
> is a straight rail the entire length so mounting the bed will mean
> different mounts.
>
> There are companies that are building custom beds now that look like
> pickup beds - I've seen them advertised in Trailer Life and other mags
> so that might be an option.



In a message dated 9/8/99 7:17:34 AM Pacific Daylight Time, RSnovi aol.com
writes:

> pretty sure your going to have to bed painted in order to match up ,
because
>
> most fleet sale trucks are white or sometimes black. short bed may also
> pose
> a problem.
>
> Are you sure the frames are the same? i thought the larger 450 and up was
> slightly different, maybe its just more spring and brakes. I naturally i
> cant
> find the old brochure......anyone need some fire starter paper? :)
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

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

Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 13:05:18 -0400
From: Jean Marc Chartier
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re:Need a pickup bed

RAMWORKER aol.com wrote:
>
> Hi Guys,
>
> Thanks for all of the good information. You are all correct, there is going
> to be a gap between the cab and the bed. Centurion out of White Pigeon,
> Michigan makes a filler panel for this but absolutely will not sell us the
> part
> nor will they convert a "sold" truck for a customer directly, they consider it
> "used" if it has been delivered to the customer, they only do trucks delivered
> directly from Ford.
>
> Cory is absolutely determined to pull this off, so we're left with this
> option.
> We'll take it to the frame shop and have the it and the driveshaft shortened
> and the axle moved forward. The early estimate for this cost is about $400.00
>
> We've also discovered that the aft axle fuel tank will not have any rear
> support
> after the frame is cut behind the axle for bed clearance, so the order was
> changed to a midship tank, something we didn't want to do because of far
> less fuel capacity.
>
> We know that the frame rails are different, primarily due to elevation
> changes
> which we regard as a fairly minor problem. We're thinking of using leftover
> bodylift spacers for this.
>
> The estimated delivery date is 12/15/99, so we still have plenty of time
> to see if a red takeoff bed appears.
>
> Thanks again for all of the information. If you see anything in this post you
> think is incorrect, please bring it to my attention. I'm not fond of
> surprises,
> (although they seem to be unavoidable in custom work) I like to have
> these things well planned before I start.
>
> Best Regards,
> Robert
>
Robert,

Could I suggest you ask the body shop for an estimate for a
filler panel to go between the box and cab. If you shorten
the frame and move the drive shaft you are potentially
leaving the frame and drive line with no warranty coverage.

Regards

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

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

Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 13:33:24 -0700
From: "Jeff Schapker"
Subject: RE: FTE 97up - Re:Need a pickup bed

Full Effect puts F350 beds on F450/550's http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.fulleffect.com/
Scherer Truck Equipment 800-373-8725 and Fontaine 800-366-8246 make new beds
for these trucks.
C&C Fiberglass 219-546-2868 offers a bolt-on bed and can support a variety
of towing equipment.



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

Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 14:21:00 -0700
From: "Neil Plocek"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - 99Sll recall completed today

I had my recall taken care of this morning. It is quite an interesting fix
for the box retainer. Looks like a couple of black battery cables attached
to the frame. Of course, my truck needed both parts of the recall, but it
only took a total of an hour and a half to complete. If you need to take
your truck in for this recall, do your service dep't a favor. Take the truck
in with as little fuel in the tank as possible. If yours is one of them that
also needs the tank locator bracket replaced, they have to drop the fuel
tank. The mechanic that did mine, figured out a short cut that knocked an
hour off of the expected time necessary to do the job. He still had to drop
the tank a bit, but did not have to pump out the fuel.

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

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

Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 19:56:38 EDT
From: RAMWORKER aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - Look at what the competition is doing!

Hi Guys,

Check out the new Chevy/Isuzu Diesel engine.
This is great, I can't wait to see how our respective
favorite manufacturers are going to respond to this,
that is, if the new engine has a decent injection pump,
snicker, snicker ;-)

Also check out the Allison automatic that Dodge
was supposed to get, sigh :-(

All of the below was lifted from alt.autos.dodge.trucks

Best Regards,
Robert

Click here: The
6.2L/6.5L Diesel Page News
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/news4.htm

Subject: Will GM Duramax compete with Dodge's Cummins
From: arcaeh aol.com (ARCAEH)
Date: Fri, 10 September 1999 06:09 PM EDT
Message-id:

News is beggining to become official about the new diesel from GM.
Below is some information and a link to a GM press release:

Engine Description: 90-degree V-8
Displacement: 6.6L/403ci
Bore and Stroke: 103 mm x 99 mm
Compression Ratio: 17.5:1
Dry Weight, less clutch: 835 lb
SAE Net Horsepower: 300 3,100 rpm
SAE Net Torque: 520 1,800 rpm
Boost Pressure: 18 psi 1,800 rpm

Cylinder Block Material: Induction hardened Gray Iron
Crankcase Material: Aluminum
Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum w/ 6 bolts per cylinder
Valve Arrangement: 4-valves per cylinder
Valve timing: Gear driven timing set, single cam
Fuel Injection: High Pressure Common Rail Direct Unit Injection
Oil Capacity: 9.8L/10.3 qt w/filter
Oil Cooler: Internal, Unitized plate construction

So what does everyone think? GM is stepping it up to 300HP(but only to
520ft.lbs).






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

Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 20:03:27 EDT
From: RAMWORKER aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - Get a free F-150?

Hi Guys,

For the Nascar fans here in the D/FW, Texas
area who don't listen to talk radio, heads up!
Here's your opportunity to win an F-150.

Click here: WBAP News/Talk 820
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.wbap.com

Best Regards,....

---

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