Replace both outer tie rod ends today. Went pretty smooth. The old ones weren't sloppy but they were pretty close. I could twist one of the studs by hand.

 

I replaced my outers last year, should have done them all. My outers were kind of loose and they felt like they had worn themselves in to a groove. Guess I'll run the inner's another year or so and then replace them.

 

I find the inners wear very little compared to outers. Which is a good thing as inners usually cost more than outers....

 

I don't know how old mine are, probably original. But they sure look old. I paid $19.99 a piece from Napa for my outers, it's about the same price for the inners. Guess that will be a short project next year.

 

You are fortunate, the right inner on Darth was $105 20 years ago. Crew cabs have a unique steering setup that allows the inside front wheel to get almost 90° to the frame.

 

$105 from FORD? or a parts house?

 

Sounds about right for a Moog part. I went cheap on mine from internet. We'll see how long they last.

 

The Napa ones I got seem to have a pretty decent reputation. I can get Moog parts for $30-$45 a piece off the interweb if I look in the right place.

 

From a parts store, I think it was TRW brand.

 

I went to the junkyard today and scored two good fenders and hood from a 1986 F-250 XL. The hood had the built in under hood light on it which is a big bonus and I also got the windshield washer and coolant reservoir also.

 

Kind of slim pickings at the pick a part today, only two bullnoses in the entire yard....

 

Did you get the rear wheelwell trim? That shown on the front wheelwells is what Dad's truck had and it is hard to find. HARD. Not many trucks had it and it may be worth something.

Also, depending on what year your truck is you may find the coolant/wiper bottle's bracket, which should still be on the left fender, is what you need. There's a slight difference and the early bracket can be modified to fit the later bottle, but why if you have it available.

 

I'm going back to the yard tomorrow to grab a few more items. The rear wheel well trim was there but I didn't see how good it was. The fronts are a bit dinged up. I'm adapting '89 doors with power windows and locks and I need the harness that goes from left to right in the cab. There was a lot of the original emissions stuff on the 460 too so if anyone needs some...

The coolant/washer reservoir is still attached to the fender so I'm guessing I don't need the bracket.

 

You obviously have the bracket. Well done, my son.

 

Gary, he has a dually, no rear wheel trim is used on them since the dually fenders are fiberglass.