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Received: with LISTAR (v0.128a; list offroad-list); Sun, 18 Jun 2000 22:37:29 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 22:37:29 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: offroad-list Digest V2000 #83
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offroad-list Digest Sat, 17 Jun 2000 Volume: 2000 Issue: 083

In This Issue:
Re: Smut etc.
Re: [HI GUYS!]
Newbewheeler
BII Drop Top

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

Date: 17 Jun 00 22:04:28 EDT
From: Tim Turner netscape.net>
Subject: Re: Smut etc.


Black soot is NOT normal for a new non- diesel truck! Lemon laws should
apply in your case as you've been to the dealer numerous times for the same
complaint. Dealer techs get paid roughly 1/2 time for warranty work.. no
incentive to 'get it right' there! Service writers are not mechanics... if
they were they'd be in the bays!

"Brad DeFore" computerlogic.com> wrote:
> I liked the other
> response about oil missing, (I reeeeaaallly liked that idea) that would do
> it and they'd get socked for the whole thing!

WaaaaY too chancy. I don't know about Ford, but Chrysler would catch that.
At least refill all but 1 Qt. of oil. Also what if the problem is a sensor or
other problem external to the engine and the problem is STILL there with the
new engine?


With the soot it's obviously ruuning too rich.. this means gas is washing down
the cylinder walls; while complaining to Ford ask for an xtended warranty on
the engine to cover the extra wear involved. I know someone in the Tampa FL
area if you'ld like me to ask for a reference on a good dealer in that area.
(If there is one.)

Tim

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

Date: 17 Jun 00 22:18:27 EDT
From: Tim Turner netscape.net>
Subject: Re: [HI GUYS!]

Bad4dFillyaol.com wrote:

> Did y'all miss me!

Yes! ;-)

> and but I TOTALLY wanna get it painted purple

Go with what ya like..



Take the purple truck and look for another BF then.. I don't neccessarily
like the color Kim wants her convertible but it's *her* car. (If I was
younger and in your area..... the current BF might have to worry!)

> Will that make it harder to sell when I do decide
> to sell it? Cuz if so maybe I'll have to go with a more normal color? Any
> advice? Thanks y'all! =)

It's old enough to where the value is fairly constant unless you paint it a
really UGLY color. (Pink with purple polka-dots?) Might limit the buyers to
some degree, but OTOH there's somebody else out there that it would save them
from painting it that color and could be a plus. Be yourself and customize
Envy as *you* want to. After all it is your truck...

Tim

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

From: "Chris Samuel" email.msn.com>
Subject: Newbewheeler
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 14:04:10 -0700

Hi, Joe.
I'll take a stab at answering your questions.

-> From: "Joe Stewart" purepacket.com>
SNIP<
-> So far I have been off-roading a few times (staying out of the mud, these
-> stock tires aren't so hot), but I would like to take it to the next level
-> and try some more hard core trails.
->
-> The only problem is I'm a little green, and need some help on
-> where to get
-> started.
SNIP<
-> 1: I know I should have some sort of basic offroad toolkit. What
-> should it contain?

The first things in your "Tool Kit" should be to Fix people, keep them dry,
warm, comfortable, and to get them to help. Trucks can be easily replaced,
people (and Pets) can't.
So, first it should contain a good First Aid Kit.
A poncho/tarp and blanket(s) no matter where you wheel. Wood Matches in a
water proof container and you should carry some water. Flashlight with
extra Bulb and Batteries, I like the "Mag-light's". Oh and, DON'T FORGET A
ROLL OF TP! Note, put it in a plastic bag, don't ask...
After that the following would be a good start:
Fire Extinguisher, CB Radio, and a Cell Phone.
Tow Strap, full size Shovel, 2-ton minimum Come-a-long (or three), Tree
Savers, Clevis, and some chain with hooks. All of this stuff is to help you
get unstuck, or stabilize an otherwise unstable truck until help can arrive.
Unfortunately your truck is not user friendly when it comes to field fixes
so depending on you level of experience electro/mechanically will determine
what else you carry.
'Sears', for example, sells tool kits that offer a good spread of tools for
the buck. Read the service manuals and look at your truck to see which one
best fits "your" needs, find one that comes in a hard plastic case. Once you
have them lay out all of those nice new chrome tools on a newspaper and
paint em all day-glow orange and the case too. Chrome will disappear
amazingly out in the woods but that ugly orange just stands out, plus nobody
will want to "borrow" your tools!
In a zip-loc bag put a Service manual - Haynes would be my choice.
A 12V "test Light to trouble shoot electrical problems.
Buy some 16GA wire and some "Butt" connectors and crimping tool.
A good Locking Folding Knife, as a back up for the one you should have on
your person.
Of course some Bailing wire, Silicon Sealer, and Duct Tape should be in
there too. I would also suggest a bundle of Zip Ties in various sizes. Don't
forget a couple of pairs of heavy leather work gloves.
Spare parts... Here we come to the serviceability issue of any new truck.
If you have a computer failure your done.
If you have an electrical failure related to the computer your done.
If you damage a sensor or just confuse it with mud, or other dirt, your
done.
So what do you carry in the way of preparedness? I would carry a spare
accessory drive belt, Plug wire and spark plug. If there are sensors that
are in harms way I would eventually carry those. I would carry Electrical
Contact Cleaner, to "attempt" to clean a dirty sensor. For this I would
carry a quart of Isopropyl Alcohol and some "Q-tips" as they can also serve
in the First Aid Kit. Don't forget any specialty tools required by any of
the above.
Hard parts?
Well depends on where you go and what you do.
I carry a lot of spares, complete front axils, Break lines and fluid, "U"
joints, Oil-filter, and one of the catch cans that will contain the oil.
Several bundles of cloth rags. A can of "Bars-leak" for the radiator, 5 min.
Epoxy, a bar of soap., extra lug nuts, a grease gun, an extra hub, and
pre-greased wheel bearings in a zip-loc bag in a cardboard box. A Coil, set
of plug wires and new set plugs, rotor and cap. A full size spare tire that
is not located under the truck. I carry extra Fuel Hose and clamps as well
as any vital vacuum lines and fan belts. If I know that I may submerge my
truck I even carry an extra Alternator.
I can pack most of this in a milk crate and have hook eyes to secure it to
the floor when I'm out wheeling. Stuffed in along one side of the Crate is a
piece of 3/4 inch Plywood to use as a base for my jack should I need it.
When I get home I just pull it out and that's that. The first aid kit is
always in the truck.
Oh-ya, don't forget a can of WD-40, stuff will do a gillion things except
act as a lubricant.

->
-> 2: How about some general off road driving tips altogether? I am fairly
-> competent on-road, but I find I have a hard time judging what my truck is
-> capable of. (I have already just about ripped one of the front
-> tow hooks off
-> going through a gully that I thought looked perfectly acceptable to drive
-> through...)

There you have it. Push your truck and yourself in little steps to find out
your collective limits. If your not afraid of damaging things (with-in
reason) then go to the point where you just "softly-crunch" things. Find an
industrial park where they have paved the loading ramps and try driving over
across and down them at low speeds, pushing a bit higher until you get a
feel for your truck.
Jack up each corner of the truck (or use the ramp) until a tire is hanging
in the air, see how much movement (articulation) you have. Remember that the
front of the truck has a much better "approach angle" then the rear or
"departure angle"; in other words you can drive the front end through things
that will hang up the rear, leaving you stuck.
Believe the seat of your pants! If your getting "Puckered" then perhaps you
should reexamine what your doing...
If your faced with a spot where you are even the slightest bit unsure of
get out and walk it first, look for " Tire Rippers", "High Centers", "Truck
Tippers", "Ruttz", "Drop-offz", and other "Gotcha'z", look for ways to get
around them. Watch for the "Sliderz", that will simply slide the truck from
where you want to be, to THE place that you don't want to be. Look for, and
remember, places to turn around! Always walk any and all routes that you
intend to back-up!!!!!
->
-> 3: What upgrades should I get for offroad? In what order? I
-> assume that the
-> first thing to do is get some real tires. How big can I fit? Do I need a
-> lift? What is next after tires?

TOW HOOKS FRONT AND REAR.
I have said this before here; a 33 inch tire will take you most places, but
not all places. If your thinking about anything bigger then you need to step
up to a 3/4 ton truck, or running gear from one.
For the sake of your 'lightweight' running gear I would stay narrow on the
tire width, no more then 12.5 section. Use the minimum amount of lift
required to clear the tire, this may in-fact be more then you expect.
Unless you wheel at night then you don't really need much in the way of
lights, except for back-up lights and you need them any time its dark. Don't
make the mistake of mounting the lights below the bumper unless you like
buying them!
A winch is a real good tool to have on the truck. If you get one learn how
to use it safely!
Make no modifications to the engine with the exceptions of possibly adding
a K&N air filter mounted HIGH AND DRY, and possible a CAT Back exhaust.
Reliability is the key to Wheeling.
As you push the limits farther you will inevitably exceed the limits of
what the factory expected, IMNSHO with late model trucks the factory never
intends you to go farther then the end of the gravel road! When you do
exceed the limit you will fail components, and once they are broken then you
have choices, just repair them and wait for the next failure or make a
modification to eliminate the breakage.
Do relocate all of the gear box vents just as high as you can get them even
if you never intend to go out in the Mud, You will inevitably do so
unintentionally and regret it!

->
-> 4: My dealership told me that my truck has the 3.55 rear end
-> with Posi (or
-> whatever Ford calls it) but he didn't check, he just said "most"
-> of the Off
-> Road packages have it. How can I tell for sure?

Look on the tag that is attached to the differential housing and then look
up the numbers at the dealer.

SNIP<

This got much longer then I intended. In rereading this there is a bunch of
stuff here and it could all add to $$$. Don't let that scare you as you can
acquire these things, and more, over time, and it's funny how some things
just become necessities after you get out there and wish you had...
The best thing you can have when you starting out is an experienced friend
with you. You can often learn a bunch by riding along with them and if you
trust them, watching them drive your truck over some nasty'z.
Wheeling is the single most expensive automotive hobby that I have found
when you really get in to it. For me it is also the most rewarding,
something that the whole family can do.

Remember that it is suppose to be fun.
Muel



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

From: "J Cope" <88biixltfncool.com>
Subject: BII Drop Top
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 23:35:19 -0400

I've had the idea for a while to remove the upper back of my '88 BII, making
it look a bit like a pickup. I saw one the other day that had this done,
and it looked even better than I thought it would. I was wondering if
anyone had done this themselves or knew anyone who had and could give me
some tips or advice...
Thanks!

JC
'88 BII XLT
10k tow hooks
40ch CB
K&N > Light bar
Headlight Stone Guards
30x9.5 BFG A/T TA KOs
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://88biixlt.web.com/

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

End of offroad-list Digest V2000 #83
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