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[X] Re-attach the rear view mirror
[X] Check axle, transmission, and transfer case lubes
[X] Upgrade sun visors
[X] Increase choke 1 notch
[X] Install latch to tool box
[ ] Aim headlights
[X] Wash & wax it
Tonight my wife and I are taking it over to Owasso, about a 45 mile round trip, to go to dinner and to check the truck out before my 5:00 AM departure tomorrow. When we get back it'll be dark and I can align the headlights and call it DONE!
Here's a pic of the rear view mirror installed as well as the "new" sun visors - note the clips just above and either side of the mirror. The visors on the Bullnose trucks are one of my few pet peeves for these trucks, and the newer ones fix the problems. (Yes, they are brown, but I can paint them later or find some blue ones.)
And here's the latch for the tool box. Somehow all 4 rivets were broken, but I had the right ones as well as the backing plates, so we are back in business and can lock the box.
And, here are a couple of shots after the "wash & wax". In actuality, it was more of a spit bath, and the waxing was preceded by a round of rubbing compound. I tried polishing compound but that wasn't enough. The light blue cleaned up nicely, but the dark blue is a metallic and it is going to take a lot more work as I didn't get down to good paint. However, I really like it - blue is my favorite color!
What kind of muffler does it have? Or does it have dual exhaust all the way with two mufflers? The reason I ask, I think Advance or Autozone carry the Walker dual tailpipes. Apparently some of these 460 trucks had a muffler with one inlet and two outlet pipes, and then it used dual pipes over the rear axle. Even if you have duals, there is a slight chance you could buy these pipes and get them to fit, and get rid of those problem tailpipes you have now.
I was wrong, it is Dynomax and it is Autozone. Left dual outlet part number 44293 ($72.99), right dual outlet part number 44292 ($57.99). Even though they are dynomax, they claim they are OE fit. I can't figure out what size they are though. I want to say the inlet of the stock muffler is 2 1/2". The dual exhaust outlets would be smaller, but I don't know the size.
Thanks, guys! I am enjoying. We had a good run to Owasso and back with nary a problem. Then stopped to fill up with 55.2 miles on the clock and I was only able to get 5.0 gallons in. Didn't take a rocket scientist to do that math - 10.0 MPG. And, that's with LOTS of idling in the driveway. LOTS! So, I'm hopeful it'll get a bit better on the run to/from KS tomorrow.
But, if it had an OD tranny there'd be a significant improvement - in both noise and MPG. This thing begs for OD. So, I'm wondering if I ought to think about an E4OD for Dad's truck. Acceleration would be better since speed-shifting and ZF5's don't belong in the same sentence. (Oops, I just did it. ) And, I've been reminded with Big Blue that the manual tranny just doesn't make the truck seem as refined as an auto does. So, what are your thoughts?
As for the visors, they came from Bill Vose's son, and I think he got them at a salvage but I'm not sure. But I'm pretty sure they are from an '87 or later F-series truck. It is an easy upgrade.
Jim - The headliner has to be replaced at some point, but not too soon.
Dave - The exhaust needs to be replaced ASAP. From the headers it is true duals, with no crossover or X-pipe, and then cherry bomb mufflers. The sound isn't bad, but I prefer the deep sound of Magnaflow mufflers. However, as Vernon knows, the welding job and fitment are horrendous. So I'll be shopping around to see who can do a good job to replace this setup, and my first stop will be the guy halfway between here and Owasso in Collinsville. I'd really rather farm it out in order to get a good fit - and not have to wrestle with it myself.
Osagebow - Thanks! Glad it works for you. And, we like this part of Okiehoma.
Good info on the visors! I found the original type in a J/Y to replace my very shot ones last year or so but always wished the truck had those with inward clips.
Big Blue is looking nice and stout! I like the stance - looks ready for anything!
On the visors, you'll be drilling through the "ceiling" of the truck in order to provide a hole for the locating spike of the clip and one for the screw that retains the clip. And the clip should angle a little bit as the visor will be at a bit of an angle when it hits it. But it isn't precise as there's a bit of wiggle room. Just do it.
As for Big Blue, with those tires and posi both front and rear it should go most places. With the 460 pulling like a tractor from below 1000 RPM it should tow anything - although not with the comfort and fuel economy it's little brother Blue has. And, with the 8600 GVWR it begs to carry something. I LIKE IT!
Overdrive will make it a different truck, it did for my 89. I have written before I gained 3 mpg, which if you figure the cost of fuel versus the cost of the swap plus the headaches of doing it, requires a very long payback time. But the lower rpms and being so much quieter on the highway are virtues that cannot be measured. The overdrive really makes it a pleasure to drive, and it's so easy to keep up with modern traffic.
The E4OD is really the only automatic overdrive choice, and it will cost you. First you have to buy the trans, and then you have to buy the controller also. Some people use the c6 and a add-on overdrive unit, but they really don't give you the last ounce of mpg that the lock-up converter will give you in the E4OD. Plus the aftermarket controller gives you a little bit more control and options over the factory setup. Of course the factory setup included the efi system on a 460. They did make a stand alone EECIV trans controller when the E4OD was mated to the 7.3 idi diesel like I have.
The E4OD is also a heavy brute...they weigh close to 300 pounds with the converter installed.
Personally I love manuals. Swapping the ZF into my '84 was the best upgrade I ever did to that truck. I gained about two miles per gallon and its much nicer driving on the highway.
A new Garagemahal Plateau ?
) And, I've been reminded with Big Blue that the manual tranny just doesn't make the truck seem as refined as an auto does. So, what are your thoughts? 
