When it comes to tailgates, I have a 1000 lb lift gate on the back. It is solid and I have been rear ended, no muss, no fuss. I have even used it to straighten three pier corner post just by backing hard into it.

 

I had a guy in a ford F150 ext cab fold up his cab into our gate after making a mistake drifting in a parking lot after a snow storm. Not a scratch on the gate they are tough for sure. Kinda felt bad but... not really. Wish they would fold into the bed keeping the tail gate when not in use. Id have them on every truck I owned.

 

A really high quality tail gate when down can take a lot of abuse. At least on the older model trucks. I have a class 5 hitch on my truck as well. it supports up to 12,000 lbs.

On my ford ranger I have a class 4 hitch. It is much more than the truck needs. I have been rear ended 3 times in that truck. The hitch has saved it every time. The cars that hit me were totaled while i was able to drive a way. I have 3 small dimples on my bumper.

There is an old saying that some have forgot. That is "Watch your back Jack".

On my orange truck. I have plans to build an outside cage. I live in the DFW area and i am tired of being hit. Road rage is rampant.

I had a guy try and drive on the shoulder to get around traffic. I squeezed him into a barrier as he tried to pass me. I left orange paint on his truck and I was unfazed.

The price he paid trying to get around every one is going to cost him a lot of money. Maybe that taught him a lesson. Don't mess with me. I may be as crazy as you are or worse.

 

Ok I didnt mean to help derail this Thread ...

OP- when do you plan to fit these fenders? Also on the "cheap gate " vid (whatched on phone) what are you pointing out? Not that its not there but on phone I cant see it. What gate mfgr is that ?

 

Thats fine, I don't mind.

Rebuilding in April/May of next year I still got lots of part buying to do!

Im demonstrating that I can "dent" or bend the metal with my pinky finger, got it on ebay for $40 .

 

Took 5 weeks but she made it! No damage or anything. Shipping was expensive because it shipped via freight truck. Overall I am very happy so far. I did some measurments and it will not hit the windshield / cowling or wiper brackets. I will test fit it on my days off.

Also got the completely chromed out grille IMO it looks better than the blackish/gray.

 

I want that grill!!! Where did you get it?

 

Ebay! buy one quick though! I tried buying that damn grille 3 TIMES on ebay only to get an email saying they are out of stock! dammit why do they advertise them then?

Grille Grill ALL Chrome Front END FOR Ford Bronco F150 F250 F350 F450 | eBay

 

Got in on the truck, needs a few things worked out, but no major fitting issues, looks like Im keeping it!

What needs to be worked out:

-rubber moisture shield on cowling is lifting the hood too high
and needs to be lowered

-remote starter hood failsafe switch is also lifting drivers side front corner of the hood, needs to be lowered

-prop rod or light weight struts, the hood is wayyy too light for the stock lifting hinges, nearly impossible to close or may cause damage to hood from stress

 

That's pretty sweet. I'd be embarrassed to put it on top of my 4.9 though.

 

JBA all Stainless steel shorties with rectangle ports to fit the exhaust ports on the 5.0 $400 Summit racing

Magnaflow Y-pipe 93307 all stainless steel high flow cat $230 Summit racing























Not sure about the supplied gaskets:

 

So I evaluated a few things on the truck (what needs replacing, what doesn't, etc.) and took pics of the worst of the worst. I decided that I can't keep rebuilding this truck every 3 years or so and I want to do it right this time for good. So this will be the LAST winter I will drive it. I have a buddy who will let me lay it up in his garage for winter. I just find it is too much of a struggle to up keep it and winter beats the crap out of vehicles especially up here! The salt is unforgiving.

These bolts/studs is the source of my nightmares....



Cat back exhaust is holding up good. Can't say that about the clamps.









Oh dear...



Truck changes color with the seasons!!!!

 

man that sucks to see that nice truck like that. I am glad they use a lot less to no salt around here.
Trav

 

They don't use any salt here. Not really any use for it.

 

No salt here either.