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Yes, I thought about that. But I already had the relay wired up and installed. The only problem was it was no longer pulling in with the stator voltage like it did new. So I just extended the trigger wire from the alternator to the ignition module. In fact, I only had to add a short piece of convolute as there was only a small gap in the existing convolute runs.
But, I will use the Chrysler switch on Big Blue in the near future. I want to get his fuel pump, ignition, and starter wiring back to stock. And, that will include his choke wiring as it is connected to the coil.
Well, I think Rusty is ready for sale. Got the AFR meter out today, and as I was cleaning I realized that the transfer case shift boot was adrift. It was a cheap aftermarket unit that came on Rusty, but I had an extra stock one and put it on. Of course, that required removing the seat and the carpet, but it gave me a chance to clean Rusty well inside.
I glued the boot down with Blackjack, just like I used on the cowl seal, screwed it down, and then put the carpet over it. It was a really tight fit, but I think it turned out well.
Rusty will make someone a good truck! I bet you will miss him [soon!]
Agree. Showed my 5 year old grandtwins a picture of Rusty and Big Blue and said I am going to sell Rusty. My granddaughter started crying, and my grandson said "I'll drive Big Blue!"
Truth be told, he probably will drive Big Blue. Their mother and father both drive manual transmission vehicles daily, and their mother prefers it. She jumped right in Dad's truck a few years ago and drove it when it had the ZF5. But, her brother has never gotten the hang of it. So, to whom will Big Blue go?
As for their affinity for Rusty, they've been allowed to play in him a couple of times, including turn the steering wheel and tug on the shift lever - neither of which moved. And, at their mother's suggestion, I took them "off-roading" in Rusty on a friend's farm. Essentially we putt-putted around in 4-Lo going up and down narrow lanes between trees. But, Big Blue's only taller, not wider, and will easily go there as well. In fact, with the LS front and rear axles and bigger tires it should handle it easily. So, more memories coming....
.... And, at their mother's suggestion, I took them "off-roading" in Rusty on a friend's farm. Essentially we putt-putted around in 4-Lo going up and down narrow lanes between trees. But, Big Blue's only taller, not wider, and will easily go there as well. In fact, with the LS front and rear axles and bigger tires it should handle it easily. So, more memories coming....
I thought I had a picture of my oldest son "driving" my old CJ5 off-road when he was 2. He sat in my lap with his hands on the wheel with the Jeep in 4-low. He had a HUGE smile on his face! Unfortunately I only have it on video tape, so I can't post it here (it's not in a Ford anyway).
The kids both started actually driving the Jeep, and then later the Bronco, when they were 10 years old. Put it in 4-low with the engine off. After they were belted in and ready I started it in gear and worked the hand throttle while they steered. Their mom couldn't take it and had to get out and take video! And we did hit some trees and rocks that I'd have missed. But they had a blast with that too.
And both kids love driving the Bronco with a manual trans. My older son even asked if we could swap a manual trans into his '98 Buick!
I strongly encourage people to figure out ways to let little kids drive their trucks. As Gary said, memories in the making!
I'm looking at a picture from a couple of years ago of my grandtwins riding on my garden tractor with me. They were quite young and couldn't steer. But, last summer they started understanding that steering isn't just moving the wheel back and forth, and I let them steer some as we putt-putted around the yard.
Then, late last summer I upgraded from the garden tractor to a zero-turn, and when I took each of them for a ride on it they wanted to "steer". But, that's quite different than with a steering wheel, so it didn't work well at all. In some ways I'm going to miss that tractor. But, I mowed yesterday and the ZTR sure makes that bunches easier.
I guess we'll need to get Big Blue out in the field and learn to steer there.
Well, I thought Rusty was ready yesterday, but then I realized last night that he was due for an oil change. So, one Bosch 8500 and 6 quarts of Conoco Synthetic Blend 10W-30 later the oil is ready. And, while the old stuff was draining out I checked all the other fluids, topped a few up, and greased the u-joints, tie-rod ends, and slip joints.
Janey and I are headed out for a dinner-date, and we'll take Rusty. Gotta make sure everything is as close to "right" as I can make it.
I thought I had a picture of my oldest son "driving" my old CJ5 off-road when he was 2. He sat in my lap with his hands on the wheel with the Jeep in 4-low. He had a HUGE smile on his face! Unfortunately I only have it on video tape, so I can't post it here(it's not in a Ford anyway don't worry about it).
Sure, you can! Get a VHS to USB (or maybe RCA) adapter and record digital copies of what the VCR plays.
Time for an update. I'm thinking Rusty doesn't want to leave as he's throwing up lots of problems. Yesterday I drove Rusty and had two problems. First, there was a coolant leak at the radiator. Second, the idle didn't come down as it should, suggesting the choke wasn't coming off. So today I put him back in the shop.
The coolant leak turned out to be a loose hose clamp. So I checked every clamp on Rusty, but only the one that was loose was at the upper radiator connection. Anyway, now I'm sure there aren't any loose clamps.
As for the idle, sure enough the choke wasn't coming off. Turns out that the choke heater had gone bad. I installed the spare I had and now all is well.
And, while I had Rusty in the shop I installed a good tach to replace the one that works randomly. The one I installed is one Jonathan/Ford F834 sent me some time ago. Yes, I'm selling Rusty so will lose the tach. But, it just seemed wrong to sell him with a bad tach when I had a good one.
Tomorrow I'll take pictures and list Rusty on Craigslist.
