Maps work nicely in Kansas, Toto, where you have a road choice every hour or two and even then you know the direction you are going and which way north is. Then you get to the East Coast, like DE, where there are decisions to make every minute or two and it will say "Highway 7 North" and that road will be going south. Then, get to Europe where it is like the East Coast but you can't read the signs - if there are any. We lived in England before there were GPS devices and my wife didn't see anything but the map. Now, with the GPS, she got to enjoy the trip and let Frank or Lori tell us when to turn.

 

I wanted to leave something for you to do to keep your poor brain from atrophying. The old Mercury Turnpike Cruisers used to be around 1725 at 60 mph. They had 14" wheels and a 2.69:1 rear gear.

 

That's great.


Got me a new sig line. LOL.

 

I miss my F150.


Luckily, I haven't had a moment of weakness, so it's still sitting in my backyard.

As soon as I get my Ranger situated, I'm gonna start working on the old girl again. I now work at the local Advance parts house, so my parts will be a few dollars cheaper.

 

Sounds good Shaun, just be careful what you buy, some of Advance's stuff is the best Chinese crap, but the do carry or can get a lot of Motorcraft parts. I usually get my FL1A filters there.

 

Good job - both on keeping the truck as well as getting a job. Or, is it another job? Last I heard you were working several jobs.

 

I refuse to buy any major mechanical parts from Advance. I've seen too many bad things happen with their low-price garbage. I plan to utilize as many Motorcraft parts as I can.


It's another job. I left my job at Dixon Land Management so that I could work closer to home. Now instead of driving 35 minutes to work, I'm driving 15 minutes to work. I took a pay cut, which sucks, but I'm saving in fuel, so that helps a little.

I'm still also working at the local Kohl's, and I still have the same three lawn accounts that I've had since High School.

I'm hoping that within the next year I can find a decent 9-5 job to replace Advance. As much as I like working on my trucks, I'm learning quickly that the automotive field doesn't interest me as much as I thought. My heart is with Agriculture, and so that's where I need to be.

 

Gary, according to my tach at 65 mph, it looked like midway between 1500 and 2000 rpm which would be 1750.

 

Yup, just about what I thought. A bit taller gearing than mine. The taller OD and larger tires.

 

According to the tachometer on my truck, 60 MPH is 2260 RPM. The van turns around 2600 at 60 and gets 14-15 MPG at that speed. My truck probably gets 14-16 at that speed. But I don't really know yet.

 

Well, last night I committed to painting the truck. I removed the bed and put it on metal saw horses. There is a little more body work to be done and then I am building my own paint booth in the back yard. It won't be perfect, but a presentable work truck. The color will be a blue jean blue(ish).

Now I am so tempted to get a quart of POR15 for those nasty looking frame rails.

 

From the picture you sent me it looks like the frame is ready for something like POR15. But a nephew of mine told me he's using something I think he called PRO16, which is supposed to be UV stable in the base coat, which POR15 isn't. And, without that stability it will turn milky white from UV exposure. POR15 requires some kind of topcoat, like their Chassis Coat, but I find painting that stuff, which is very glossy when wet, over the glossy POR15 is difficult as you don't know which is which. I'll try to get the info on PRO16 and post it.

 

Thanks Gary, however I don't need a lot of UV protection on the frame, which is going to be under the truck. Remember that 9" rear we rebuilt at the G2G? I used POR15 on it and yes it has faded, but looks a helluva lot better than the frame does. If Pro16 is cheaper than I might take a look at it.

 

The rear axle might not get much UV, but the spot between the cab and bed will. But it will still look and be better than rust.

 

lol Gary, that one little spot I'll throw on some rustoleum black enamel and be done with it. Probably won't even do that. If you let a coat of road grime build up on the POR15 that'll give it some UV protection lol. I just went and wiped the axle with my finger, I thought it was faded but nope, still as glossy as the day I put it on.