Well haha we had a good run, and you guys here on this forum have given me so much advice, and so many tips on these trucks. I can't begin to thank all of you guys enough for the help, and the know-how you guys possess. I regret to have to say this, but i no longer have a tank of a truck. on the 30th there was a fire and totaled the entire truck. Let a friend drive it to work because his rear end was out, and when he was about to turn in he noticed glowing and smoke, pulled over, turned the truck off, lifted the hood and it was already in flames. I don't know how it happened, what caused it, and the fire was at the back of the engine where the block and the transmission mate up. I had nothing back there that could cause a fire, but it happened and this was the result..









It sucks because I had just bought new tires for her too!! lol this is the nicest she's ever looked since I got her:


What are my plans next? I'm already searching for another F-250, looking to find another one with the 351W or maybe even a 460! I'm also looking at a beautiful 95' PSD XLT, but this will not be my last Ford truck.

 

Thats a real shame man, sorry about your lose. Was a good looking truck. Glad to hear nobody got hurt though. It can live on as part truck to help keep others on the road.

 

The only thing salvageable was the rear end, the bed and the driveshaft. pretty much everything from the middle of the cab up front was damaged. since I'm in college, and work when i'm not in school, we let the tow yard have it for the cost of the towing bill $250! but yes, i'm glad my friend wasn't hurt, and i'm kind of glad it happened with him there and not me, cause i wouldn't have stopped trying to put out the fire.

 

That really is a shame. I wouldn't have gave it to the tow company, it still has lots of serviceable parts and the new tires!!

 

If i was in a better situation i wouldn't have, unfortunately that's not the case. I still have 30 days to get it before they claim it, so i may pay the fee, just trying to figure things out first.

 

If the bed was in good shape, I'd say it'd be worth paying the cost of the towing fee and selling the box. I felt I got a good deal with my replacement box when I paid $400, and it needed some body work.

 

Well the previous owner put a bed liner in there for a reason..lol i took it out one day, and put it immediately right back in. However I am still deciding whether or not to keep it, It was my first truck, and I know all I know from that truck. More of a sentimental value than anything. I'm thinking...maybe..possibly get an older fixer upper, and use parts from it..but i don't know yet.

 

Looks familiar...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24183730@N03/2339567248/http://www.flickr.com/photos/24183730@N03/2339567248/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/24183730@N03/, on Flickr

Did you have working cruise control?

 

You beat me to it, I was going to mention the same thing and ask "if" the recall had been done....



.

 

O wow! that's harsh. I think if it hadn't been so close to the fire station it'd look like that, and no it did not have cruise control.

 

Did Ford never fix that thing? My '90 had a recall for a fire at the base of the steering column, is that what you guys are talking about?

My '89 has non-working cruise control, am I in danger of this happening?

 

The recall was for the "electric switch" on the front of the master cyl.. (this is what disengaged the speed control (cruise) when you hit the brakes) They changed the switch and added a fuse, if yours has not had the recall done Ford says to unplug the connector and all will be good..

The problem was the Switch could leak brake fluid into the electrical contact area and cause heat to build up and set the brake fluid on fire.. This could happen even if the truck was not running or even had the key turned on, as there was power to this switch at all times..

I hope you understand this gibberish..... I don't have the exact Ford wording but this is how I understood it..

 

^^^
This is correct.
But I don't think models that old were affected.
(The first recall, they mistakenly put the fuse on the ground wire of the switch. )

The pic is of my neighbors truck.
It burst into flames early one Sunday morning.
Thankfully it was parked on the street and not in his attached garage.

 

I did some digging and here is a list of the recalls for 89 F-series https://www.ford-trucks.com/recalls/recall.php/m-FORD/y-1989

 

That's why I went to NAPA and got an improved "switch" and a fuse holder and did my own recall... I don't trust having anybody mess with my vehicles..

I also took care of the recalls on my Birds too....