For those of you just joining the "Adventures of Stinky", he's been abused by the previous owner (I should have known better) that I "picked up" for $10K (reasonable price in the Pacific Northwest). Once I got into the repairs on him, it became one of those "penny-pound" projects. With repairs, upgrades, and mods - I'm into him for another $20K. Many would find this foolish, and if my crystal ball had shown this would happen - I would have spent the extra money on a truck in better condition with fewer miles ($18K to $20K around here).

That being said, I will use a quote from one of the members here: With the work I've done to the truck, "Stinky is one fine specimen". I had a recent setback, calling into question a number of possible causes - including something in the engine itself. I was in the process of rounding up all the finishing touches on Stinky, getting ready for an impending long journey - then the banging under the hood got to the point where I parked him for weeks now. Before I summoned the "attitude" to work the problem, I had to revisit how far I'm going to take this - because my wife and I are planning to downsize to a 5er permanently.

We have been shopping for 5ers, and the weight limit for Stinky is 12K pounds before we enter a liability situation. We shopped for F450s (7.3L) across the nation, as well as 5ers we'd feel comfortable in. Calling our lifestyle into account (budget isn't a serious issue), my "investment in" and familiarity with Stinky, and plans for the 5er - my wife and I reached a definitive conclusion this weekend: We're all-in with Da Big Stink. The catalyst was finding the right 5er model that fits all of our criteria. Without the support from my loving wife, Stinky would be a parts truck for the next SD PS.

If there really is an issue with the engine, that won't stop me - I have already saved up a Buck$Zooka nuke round for this contingency. All the running gear underneath is essentially new, but I still have to replace the driveline that was bent at one time.

The wrenching begins this coming weekend, starting with dropping the tank (again) to find the source of the bubbles in my fuel pre-filter. I then move on to the fuel line at the heads, installing bigger check valves. I'll fire up and watch the oil spouts on the sticks and listen with the mechanic's stethoscope. Once I have all my AE readings on PERDELs logged again, that Swamps 140 IDM (on the bench) is going in for another round of watching and listening under the VCs while AE logs PERDELs.

Yes... I'm going to drag all of you (kicking and screaming) through yet more chapters of "The Adventures of Stinky". If nothing else, you can learn just how bad "bad" can get - and you can appreciate your truck's behavior all the more. I think it's safe to say you'll be thinking "Tugly may be crazy for hanging in this long, but at least we're all learning from his efforts."

 

Hope all goes well rich. I will be following your findings.

 

I will be watching this. As I do believe that I own Stinky's long lost brother!

 

Rich personally I think you are truely blessed to have such a supportive wife ! She puts up with Stinky and yourself so in my book she must be saint. I myself would rather have a high maintenance truck and a low maintenance wife anyday !!!

I think you have a very sound game plan. I think finding or having a 5er build to your specs is the way I would go. Maybe a 5er with 3 axles to compensate for Stinky or a set of air bag helpers to get a balanced combo will be the key. Because I am sure you will always have Stinky's power dailed in. But once you get the 5er I would plan on a JW or BTS because honestly I don't know if I would trust the HD4R100 for more than 10k or Stinky's power levels either. But if you could find a F450 xl or F350 drw for cheap you could put you cab and powertrain in it. The only thing Stinky is lacking for towing heavy is suspenion and brakes. Personally after towing with a DRW I will never go back to towing with a SRW. But I do miss driving around town in a srw. I think Stinky will be able to handle your towing needs. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the Swamp's 140 IDM.

I know most guys would have thrown in the towel by now on a truck like Stinky. But I am glad to see that you won't be defeated.
"You Can Do It !!!"

 

In all fairness, Tug and mind you, just look'n in through the window, because, i'll admit, i dig reading "these adventures" but...you didnt need the more powerful hpop, nor the s.s., tuning/chip, ladder bars that just may have played a role into the bent driveline...etc, to "gear up" to haul a 5'er. There's plenty of mid aged / seniors out there, doing the same, and i dont see their pillars blasted with gauges nor a BANKS sticker slapped on the fender...not barking Tug

Anywho...them CV's your referring to, are in fact, not cv's, in all practicality. They actually bleed pressure back to fuel bowl, to eliviate pressure in the heads, when motor is off. So, going "bigger' with cv's, hopefully you have atleast, the R.R. FPR, which, that will diminish head pressure

 

Rich, no one has the right to judge your commitment to perfection. I sincerely hope you get what you're striving for and I really appreciate you sharing your journey with us.

 

Can I find this book on Amazon? Maybe for a Kindle? :P

You should make a movie. Stinky would be a great leading character.

 

It's already been done - it's called "Christine".

 

HA!!! LMAO! WOW! They use a lot of makeup then.... Christine was sexy!

 

Speaking of movies, I think we should all encourage Rich to wear a headband camera while embarking on his next chapter of Adventures with Stinky. 8 second clips are not as satisfying or as informative as 8 minute forays as flys on the wall. Just from reading the first few chapters of "Adventures", like others, I too think the script is worthy of a movie. I'm sure Rich can do a better job than a lot of 7.3L related videos posted on YouTube currently.

 

Just want to say thank you for all your time and effort.

(The only thing which could make your posts more interesting would be bringing back CSIPSD for you to discuss them with.)

Free CSIPSD!

 

My vote would be for ernesteugene instead.

 

Justin03PSD: Good cast of characters. I know CSIPSD and ErnestEugene play a role in the following movie:




but which character is Tugly?

 

I honestly thought about making one of those "add-a-subtitle" Hitler skits with my jumping 'jector ventures... but it would be cliché at this point - and self-indulgent.


Longer vids? I have the technology, but the time to produce it is the missing ingredient in that soup. It would be one thing if I could just narrate, crop, and post - but I don't narrate. I find the sound of my own voice on a recording very annoying - like fingernails on a chalkboard.

 

Hahaha. The first time I heard myself on an answering machine I thought, WTF, that's embarrassing. Lol