Alright. I am new to my 2009 F-250 Crew Cab 4x4 with the 6.4. Truck is deleted top and bottom. Has a coolant filter installed and I run synthetic oil. New fuel filters about 1,600 miles ago. I possibly will be going down to help rebuild in Texas or Florida just waiting on a phone call. In doing so I will be pulling my cargo trailer with tools weighing approx 6000-7000 pounds. So I have been running through my mind as to what I need to do before I leave if called.

1. My radiator is leaking slightly and not all the time. I want to fix this before I hit the road, so is there anything I am missing with the list of items below:

Radiator
New Mishimoto like hoses
Thermostats and gasket
All idler pulleys, tensioner and belt
Top and bottom mounts for the radiator x 2
Venturi tee

I'd there anything else I am missing for this job?


2. Currently running Final Charge ELC, the previous owner put this in. Do I still need to check this coolant with the strips like the green stuff? Any other maintence items I need to do with the red ELC? Can I drain, filter the coolant and put back it back in the truck? It has around 40,000 miles on it.

3. Will be installing new rotors and pads before I go.

4. Will take extra diesel fuel with me so as to not have to worry about fuel quality down there.

5. Also want to install a coolant pressure gauge before I leave.


Anything else suggested or a must before I leave?

 

I'm your huckleberry I guess. Having dealt with this, did you heed my post?

The only thing I can add is buck up for cases of water and sandwich makings as well as check and drop your spare, go thru trailer axles completely as well as brakes if equipped.

Take 8 gallons of distilled water JIC, a bottle and some *** wipes.

Keep us posted, we all have peeps on the way or where in the way. Where are you headed to???

Denny

 

BTW, new motorcrap premium gold coolant. 64 bucks on a 8 gallon system with equal distilled water. Then you know what you know.

Good luck bro

 

Is the motorcraft Gold better then going with the ELC? I thought the Gold stuff had bad rap? Or is it the lack of maintenance on the Gold that is bad?

Defiantly will go through the trailer, I am gonna try and get a new set of tires on it before I go as well.

If I had to guess I will be headed Texas way.

 

I'm not a chemist, But since I did the rad and hoses, I'm mother goose and haven't had a problem. You now have filtration (I think overblown by people who want to sell they're crap) but all I can tell you is "it does what it's told).

If I was going to stare at the sideview as much as you are, I would pay a hell of alot of attention to that trailer and not so much the rig.

Get the things on your list done (not kinda' done) and r and r that trailer so your necks not sore. If ****'s gonna happen, guarantee it will be back there.

Truck plan is good, just run local and give it a go. Truck pack is important. Your LZ has nothing to eat or drink. Prep for that.

Denny (take a grease gun loaded)

 

Not to stir debate - I'm very happy to not have Ford Gold in my 6.4L, or in any of my previous 6.0L motors.

Drained it, added drain valve on block, flushed it with distilled, flushed it with distilled, filled with the Zerex ZXED1 and topped off with distilled.

Your approach and results may vary.

 

this thread looks familuar, is it a duplicate?

 

I had one close, but this is a lot bigger of a trip on scale size so I was more concerned. Sorry fritz I wasn't trying to beat the topic to death.

 

No need to apologize for a post. Some people are just toxic.

Need any help, let us know. I have people on every route.

Denny

 

What's your status mister???

We give a ****

 

I appreciate all your guys help, and checking in. I am super excited about this truck but is lightyears different from my 7.3. It's taking me a while to try and wrap my head around it. I just started a side job that hopefully pays for all the parts. Have a laundry list of items I am trying to get fixed, just setting priorities.

I hope to have it fixed in the next week or so. It's so weird with the radiator, one day it leaks the next it doesn't. Does seem that it's status quo though.

 

Getting ready to order the parts. Is there any other way of strengthening the front end other then a front hitch? I don't need a front hitch, so wondering if there were other options.

 

Mishimoto Radiator Support will stiffen it, but they are twice as much as a front hitch.

 

Plow mounting hardware...probably 4 times the cost of a front hitch.

 

I saw the Mishmoto brace and as nice as it looks think it's way over priced. I sold all my plow equipment this spring so that's out. I guess the front hitch is the way to go. Maybe I will get a winch someday. I saw one on rock auto for $130 I think.