Stock or fabbed?
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 380
From: Near Los Angeles
Stock or fabbed?
I have an interesting dilemma: Since my truck is highly modded, now when I go on long trips I bring spare parts with me in case something breaks. I also bring my master list to remind what year and model parts I need for replacement, like Taurus 3G alternator, Caddy calipers, Saginaw p/s pump, Astro van hydroboost, chevy C3500 4X master, etc. I don't mind it, but I just thought I'd see what members think.
Do you prefer oem or modded, or do you care?
The only thing I would add is that since custom changes, the driving pleasure and dependability of the truck, as its safety factor, have greatly appreciated.
Do you prefer oem or modded, or do you care?
The only thing I would add is that since custom changes, the driving pleasure and dependability of the truck, as its safety factor, have greatly appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Palatka, Florida
I have this dilemma on my 96. Sometimes I am glad i have did everything to it, and sometimes i wish i wouldnt have. But i do appreciate driving it alot more now. So i can say it is worth it.
I do work on it more then I would if I hadnt modded it alot, but it is not like I work on it a whole lot.
I do work on it more then I would if I hadnt modded it alot, but it is not like I work on it a whole lot.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
I pretty much prefer stock. I like the stock look and stance. On my project I'm making a few changes, mainly drivetrain, a mildly modified 390 and custom built C6, a few suspension mods. Everything else (except interior and exterior color) will be stock.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 618
Likes: 1
From: central oregon
I vote for modded! I love to modify to better the truck like power steering, disc brakes , on board air, using oem style parts instead of spending buku bucks on some bolt on kit that works halfass or costs for replacement parts are outrages.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Chino Hills
I prefer modded with better parts.
The factory left so much on the plate back then in terms of power, mpgs, comfort, and whatever personal touches each of us may prefer. That I find it silly not to make the truck the way you want it as it is for many of us a 40 year old truck.
As long as you use common since, and good practices I wouldn't think twice about what I have done.
I feel that as long as you have a book like you do of what parts you have used you will be fine if something goes wrong.
The factory left so much on the plate back then in terms of power, mpgs, comfort, and whatever personal touches each of us may prefer. That I find it silly not to make the truck the way you want it as it is for many of us a 40 year old truck.
As long as you use common since, and good practices I wouldn't think twice about what I have done.
I feel that as long as you have a book like you do of what parts you have used you will be fine if something goes wrong.
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 380
From: Near Los Angeles
I prefer modded with better parts.
The factory left so much on the plate back then in terms of power, mpgs, comfort, and whatever personal touches each of us may prefer. That I find it silly not to make the truck the way you want it as it is for many of us a 40 year old truck.
As long as you use common since, and good practices I wouldn't think twice about what I have done.
I feel that as long as you have a book like you do of what parts you have used you will be fine if something goes wrong.
The factory left so much on the plate back then in terms of power, mpgs, comfort, and whatever personal touches each of us may prefer. That I find it silly not to make the truck the way you want it as it is for many of us a 40 year old truck.
As long as you use common since, and good practices I wouldn't think twice about what I have done.
I feel that as long as you have a book like you do of what parts you have used you will be fine if something goes wrong.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
I'm somewhere in the middle and prefer upgrades that were either offered in the series (73-79) or using compatible OEM style parts.
For example, I retrofitted the integral PS and steering components from a 79 Bronco and have a 3G alternator (yet to be installed) from a 96 T-Bird. I'll fabricate non-mechanical parts but largely rely on easy to find replacements. I generally avoid non-OEM ignition systems unless they can be easily stored in the rig and replaced in the field... it's not like every parts store has the right MSD ignition box on the shelf either
I think the only non-Ford item on my rig is the rear view mirror... got it off a bowtie only cuz it was the right size. The rest of the parts I got were from Econolines, bumpsides, or other Ford products.
Now don't get me wrong, I think custom drag links, track bars, and custom width axles and Wilwood brakes are cool... it's just that when you're out in the middle of nowhere with a 4x4, a stock piece (like an axle) is waaay easier to get shipped than a custom piece that has to be fabricated. The difference is a couple of days compared to, potentially, weeks.
For example, I retrofitted the integral PS and steering components from a 79 Bronco and have a 3G alternator (yet to be installed) from a 96 T-Bird. I'll fabricate non-mechanical parts but largely rely on easy to find replacements. I generally avoid non-OEM ignition systems unless they can be easily stored in the rig and replaced in the field... it's not like every parts store has the right MSD ignition box on the shelf either
I think the only non-Ford item on my rig is the rear view mirror... got it off a bowtie only cuz it was the right size. The rest of the parts I got were from Econolines, bumpsides, or other Ford products.
Now don't get me wrong, I think custom drag links, track bars, and custom width axles and Wilwood brakes are cool... it's just that when you're out in the middle of nowhere with a 4x4, a stock piece (like an axle) is waaay easier to get shipped than a custom piece that has to be fabricated. The difference is a couple of days compared to, potentially, weeks.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
Stock.
But yall keep putting add-ons on if you want. It makes the originals look that much better.
But yall keep putting add-ons on if you want. It makes the originals look that much better.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Niles, MI
my motto: STOCK SUCKS!! the factory has never, and will never build the perfect vehicle for anything....
When I had my 72 Maverick, it was a melting pot of at least 15 different cars...man that was fun when I forgot what car what part came from
When I had my 72 Maverick, it was a melting pot of at least 15 different cars...man that was fun when I forgot what car what part came from
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Falls City, OR
As I have had my 79 for only a few months I have some of the same debates. I decided if a modification presents large reliability/operational benefit over OEM then I do it. If not I have been sticking with original.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 320
Likes: 47
From: Eastern TN
A combination of both is fine with me. There are some things these old trucks have that can't be duplicated and should remain stock. But then again there are some modern parts that have come out that only enhance the overall driveability of these trucks.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: N. IL
I've been thinking about writing down all the different parts on a note card should something go wrong with my truck. In my conversion I tried to use as many off the shelf parts as possible, but there somethings that were custom fabbed.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
It'd be a good time to draft your own build book or build sheets to log part numbers or which other Fords donated their parts to your rig.
For common referenced parts in my fleet (cap, plugs, wires, rotor, oil filter, air filter) I cut out all the PNs from the packaging and photocopied the entire group on a single sheet of paper. Oh, each vehicle has a file folder for quick lookups.
For common referenced parts in my fleet (cap, plugs, wires, rotor, oil filter, air filter) I cut out all the PNs from the packaging and photocopied the entire group on a single sheet of paper. Oh, each vehicle has a file folder for quick lookups.