Well, it's time for our Bi-annual trip to visit family and get some things from the great state of Texas. I'll be keeping tabs on performance and mileage and posting here for those who want to see or follow along. A lot of new things are being done this week regarding getting him ready to go. I'll post those in the morning. It's time for bed! Oh, and no trailer this time except the U-Haul double axle we'll be towing back. It's going to be nice to take a trip empty for once.

 

I hope everything goes well. Have fun!

 

Have fun!

 

Keep her below 85 and between the ditches!!

 

Thanks dudes. Jarrett, I'll be seeing your butt!! better have your beer on.

Well I have done all of the normal stuff getting ready for a long trip. Tomorrow I'll be changing oil, fuel filter, and trans fluid. Sunday I am putting on a new water pump from Alliant along with a 180* thermostat and the ring fix because "been there, done that"! LOL It's yet another PO thing I have to fix. The three bolts on the thermostat housing do not even match. One of them is an allen head with the wrong size washers stacked (prolly because the bolt was too long). It's also getting a new clutch today with an SMF conversion and new hydraulics. I was going to do this myself, but the weather and lack of space to do it well and efficiently were not available. I am a little disappointed I couldn't do it because I sort of feel defeated that someone else had to do it, but I needed it done and done right, soooooooo yeah.

So, since having Whitey, he has been cleaned thoroughly and gone through mechanically. I'll get a photo this morning of before I started and where he sits now. It's been a big improvement aesthetically as well with a redone grill, headlights, and tail lights. Also he got new factory Alcoas thanks to Jarrett. I must say the truck has come a long way in the last 3 months. I have fixed most of the POs neglect and mistakes and am pretty happy with it. Here is a list so far:

1) All new UVCH and harnesses from Riff Raff (Motorcraft)
2) fixed oil pressure guage with new Motorcraft sensor
3) new Motorcraft CPS
4) New Alliant Waterpump
5) 180* Thermostat from Strictly diesel
6) Thermostat housing leak fix
7) All fluids/filters changed, engine, diff, transmission, transfercase, fuel
8) new Toyo tires
9) Factory Alcoas
10) Bed rail caps and bed mat
11) Dash rebuilt and cleaned all gauge faces
12) New LUK clutch kit with hydraulics and SMF conversion
13) New bluetooth radio and dash light fix (burned fuses)
14) New back glass and 3M limo tint
15) new headlight and tail light lenses
16) Sanded and painted grill
17) Removed K&N and replaced with 6637
18) New windshield
19) Motorcraft wipers
20) all new pulleys and tensioner pulley
21) new Gatorback belt
22) new PCM
23) Edge Insight CTS
24) reprogrammed TS Chip by Andrew
25) 3" DP with removed KITTY
26) Glowshift Boost and EGT gauges

That's all I can think of for now. I am excited to get him on the road and cruise, sight see, and rest from this crazy past few months. I am expecting really good mileage with the 3.55s. Traveling with the 4 month old should prove interesting. It'll prolly take 3 days instead of the usual two, but I am good with it. We have 2 weeks to get everything done with family and seeing some FTE buddies. I am going to see a great band with Jarrett and do some beer drinking and then down to the HIll Country to whoop on Travis I'll be posting photos and data as always. Thanks for following along! It makes this fun.

 

drive during nap time, that was the trick to success when I did a VA trip


took us two days for 800 miles and lots of stops

 

Nice progress so far man! I think I will be driving Charlee in the weekend we see each other... We're gonna need a group pic!

 

Happy trails, enjoy your stay.

 

Relatives JK, I'm lucky and have good ones! Be safe!

 

Don't let your daughter hear that. She'll feed you to the cheetahs!! Lol!!

Give er hell Byron!

 

But I'm her Daddy! lol


You should see her job besides the Cheetahs. Wild dogs that they feed ribs to. My hair stood up on the back of my neck when I saw them eat them bones and all!!! They must have a case iron stomach!

 

Thank ya! Looking forward to it!

Will do! I need to stop by and say hi one of these days Dangit!

Will do Todd! I don't have trans temps to watch anymore so I am STOKED!!!!

 

What route you taking Byron?

 

Going 15 to the 40 on he way there and then the 20 to the 8 on the way home. Whaddya think ?

 

When she told me that story about the deer she hit. Lord, I about came out of my shoes it blew me away. All 5' nothing of her! LMAO!

BTW, what did she ever decide to do with the car?