Well my girl friend really messed things up in her life ,so now me and the bull nose are pulling double. Long story short the girlfriend got a dwi an lost her license.. so now I am her ride to work , store an whatever . This is not fun for me or the old bull. This is my question to whoever out there in the forum, what can I do to help keep my truck in good shape.. the motor is a newly rebuilt 302 ho efi out of a 88 Lincoln mark vii an runs good. Most of my fluids are new , along with belts and hoses . The trans is a np435 with a 11" Luke clutch an fly wheel with only about 15,000 miles on them. So drive train is decent. I'm thinking about ball joints are next , I have never done them on this truck . Is there anything special ill need to change them ? . I sure hope this old truck makes it for a year of taxi service! Damn! This girl will be the death of me😡 Also anything I could do for better gas mileage? It's 4wd an a 3.50 gear running 31x10.5x15 . Thx for any input

 

I say dump the girl and preserve the Bullnose. In all seriousness, I've been looking to do the balljoints in the spring. I've giving them a quick once over and look like a bear to get out. It looks to me like they're pressed in which will make getting them out a challenge. I think a big hammer, torch, PB Blaster and a lot of patience will be the keys to my success.

 

Can't she get a Blow and Go installed in her car? I'm not sure what your state laws are but they'll often allow them for first time offenders here.

 

Lol yea the thought has crossed my mind, idk we have been together sense high school an I'm 30 now . An yup the ball joints look really in there , I might just have to have the girl friend buy me a new compressor so I can use my new air chisel !. As far as the blow and go thing, she got a dumb *** for a lawyer an I guess it's to late to go back idk 😐. I know one thing when I do the ball joints I'll be installing the moog for sure

 

Yes, to change the ball joints, you will need a special ball joint removal tool (rent for "free" from the box store) and a tie rod fork. You will also likely need an impact wrench and a very large hammer for getting the steering knuckle to release from the control arms. Other useful tools will include jack, jack stands, rags, assorted impact sockets, perhaps a spindle nut socket (4x4 only), and lots of patience. While you're there, you should also likely replace the steering components (tie rods, center link, etc). You'll also want to get an alignment after it's all done. It took me 2 evenings after work to do this job so if you've only got the one vehicle, you might do it on a weekend.