oh and welcome to FTE Buck!

 

If there were some way of putting a counter on the front hubs, I'd wager even the early 80's trucks aren't usually locked in more than 5-10 times from the time they're new.....Now if you live in a snowy area, fine, but no use in it if its a pavement queen.....

Personally, I think 4x4 is nice, but in the instances I have been stuck, the 4x4 would have only complicated matters, cos at least you still have some control in a 2wd (Snow drifting/sliding), in the 4x4, once all 4 wheel start freespinning, you're screwed....

Plus it literally pisses me off to see people paying for something they technically don't NEED....The money spent on the 4x4 swap could easily tune the whole truck up, or drop it like I am doing to mine...

Its your truck, your money, but its just free, friendly advice...

-Wes

 

If you really didn't like spending money on stuff you didn't NEED, you wouldn't have a tv, vehicle, running water, a toilet, etc etc...
What are the basic necessities again? Food, water, shelter? There's nothing wrong with wanting something and working to get it.

 

Try adding a turbo. There was a thread a little bit ago about puting a turbo on the inline six.

 

Alright, ya got me...lol
I was meaning, that if he doesn't need the 4x4, he could easily use it to further the truck in other regards....Yes, I do not NEED my truck lowered, but I am doing it for more than personal reasons......Everything that I have read about a lowered truck lends me to believe it is gonna save a bit of gas, maybe not much, but some....But yes, I agree, I was being somewhat of a hypocrite.....Didn't mean it completely like that...Ask my GF, I'm horrible with words.....

-Wes

P.S-The bit about people buying stuff they don't need, I mean the ones that get a 4x4, lift it 6", put 35" tires on it, floor it EVERY where they go and then bitch about the MPG's....

 

x2... Or the ones that will jack it up, put giant **** tires on and a huge HD bumper and winch on the front... Then never take it off the pavement, never use the 4x4, never use the winch, never take it out in snow... Basically spend a load of cash on it and then make it a Garage Queen... and then complain about road noise... Really... I mean Really...

I guess I don't have a lot of cash to blow so if I do buy something at least it will be spent on something that has practicle value... Not to make the truck "look really cool"... Just as a base line I am talking about the guys that have $30K-$60K trucks... Or spend $4000 on a new HD bumper and winch that will never get used... Small visual improvements to improve curb apeal are good...

Anyway I get where you are coming from Sidewinder...

 

A turbo is a ton of $$coin$$ for a 16y/o to come up with... which btw buck... Are you in auto shop at your HS??? If it's not offered like at my old HS you might be able to spring for a Comm College auto shop class and learn to do the basics... Swaping cams, rebuilding engines, P&P heads...

I would kinda like to know myself now that you started this thread if there are any projects that will add HP to the I6... I know i have read a post by Paul (sn: conanski) that 300 I6's don't have an aftermarket following for high performance parts... I am curious if there are any proven projects that increase HP and TQ on these old EFI I6's???? and the money vs hp gain ratio???? For that I think we have to go to the 300 I6 forum...

 

Yeah I got the 16' factory rims 7 lug. I spray painted the lugnut covers chrome to make it look half decent for now.

Yes sir, I am in Auto Tech. We actually don't do anything involving rebuilding engines or trans, They won't let us get into the fun stuff. My uncle owns a body shop and my Dad has restored a Chevelle and Malibu, So I have some knowledge already.

I have decided to go with rims this style: (Yes, I know these are not 7 lug)

http://http://www.tirerack.com/wheel...All&sort=Brand

I think they will look nice. What do you all think?

I also decided to go with a black grille, clear white headlights, with the black bezels. It is something different that will look good on my truck, I believe.

New tires, wheels, grille, and lights are my main concern right now.

Thanks for all your help, really do appreciate the info.

- Buck.

 

Another good place to get good deals on parts is Rock Auto. Some other places to keep in mind later are NPD, LMC, and Bronco Graveyard.

 

How are you running 16 inch 7 lug wheels on a 150?

Thats cool that your in auto tech.

 

You know what I have discovered lately is that Amazon has the same parts and prices Rockauto.com does and ships for free... Shipping can add up quickly on Rockauto because they have a bunch of distributuion wearhouses. IE you get charged $5-$10 from each shipping source. I always find amazon to be cheaper if you can wait a extra day or two for the part using super saver free shipping... You just have to get your part numbers from Rock auto and type them into amazon.

Oh and WTF????? 7 lug?????? I thought f150's were 5 lug and then 8 lug on f250's and f350's. And chevy's have 6 lug... hmmm. Something seems amiss here............ Do you have 8 lug axles? or 5lug? I just figured you put 8 lug wheel covers over 16in 5 lug steel rims....

 

I think it's better, imo, to spend my money at rock auto, even if it's 5 bucks more for shipping to keep them open. They have excellent customer service and a huge parts selection to choose from. I also know that my money is going to pay American workers, so that's another big plus.

 

Yeah and I usually do my business with them if it's $5 difference... but if I have a big order like, say... 3 cars needing struts, break pads, end links, tie rods, suspension bushings, shocks, suspension mounts, fuel filters, fuel injectors, water pumps, and timing belts... Well you can see where I am going with this... The difference was way way more than a $5 difference so the free shipping was definatly worth it!

 

Good point about Amazon having free shipping. I have purchased a few Motorcraft parts there over the years.

I feel the same way.