Currently waiting to be installed in garage now that the truck has a reserved spot in said garage.

1. High pressure power steering hose - 1C3Z3A717AA from RiffRaff
2. 2WD low in reverse mod w/switch - How to video coming!
3. Glow plug light mod - you know this one
4. Wheel bearing maintenance/lube - Mobil 1 synthetic grease from Amazon
5. NorthStar batteries - NSB-65AGM directly from NorthStar (thanks Brian42)
6. Denso starter - TG228000-8420 from CNC Fabrication
7. Bed cover - Extang Revolution EX54720 from Etrailer
8. Alternator - F18253MHD160 from Quick Start Alternators

Just thought I would post some of the things up I plan to accomplish over the next couple of weeks in order to spark the "need" for others to do the same. Also, this sort of post sometimes produces a good follow on conversation about the particular products I have selected, or others selected instead.

 

What is the 2wd low in reverse mod?

 

I am watching. This should be fun! I looked up that alternator. It says "does not fit you blah blah blah". Does it need to be modded or does Amazon just not know what they are talking about?

 

The full story can be found here...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-as-well.html

TLDR notice: Basically allows those of us with 4WD to have low gear in reverse instead of the 45 MPH rated reverse gear that Ford gave us. Having low gear in reverse allows for insane torque and control at a comfortable speed.

I will make a detailed video of how I am accomplishing the mod and hopefully others will be able to benefit from it.

That is the 6.0 alternator that is slightly more output and you either have to put a few washers at the bottom of the mount or grind the top of the mount down a bit. 7.3'ers have been doing it for years.

So, yes Amazon is right, but where there is a will there is a way.

 

What no triple alternators? Interested to hear your opinion of the starter and batteries after install.

 

Can we have the short version of the story? That is 11 pages of reading!! How is it different than 4low in reverse without hubs locked. Or does this bypass the Auto hubs?

 

HOLY MOLY that an expensive battery and we need 2 of them!! What is the life expectancy of those?

 

This is the alternator I went with, 2 years ago. No problems.

https://alternatorparts.com/6g-serie...lternator.html

I got part#F18253MHD140

Its the second one down the page. 140amp. Heavy Duty Regulator and Rectifier. American Made. $239.95

Looks like you could also move up to 160amp for $40 more.

 

I have read and been told about 10 years if properly maintained. They have a 4 year full warranty on them as well. I currently have two AutoZone Gold's that are crap that I will try to get replacements for and then sell them on Craigslist.

The NorthStar AGM batteries are the twin to the Odyssey Extreme seen in the link below.

 

Just keeps the hubs unlocked so you have the option of 2lo 2hi 4lo and 4hi

 

I have AGMs in my camper. We will see how long they last.

I have Duralast in my truck right now. Going on 2.5 years. I tend to get around 3 years out of a set of batteries. I think this is my second set of Duralast. I think I got them replaced under warranty so really I got 4 batteries for the price of 2.

 

I think the cost of the batteries (if these really do last 10+ years) evens out after warranty replacements a time or two. If you have to replace batteries 3 times over 10 years at $175 each (guesstimate average cost), but with one warranty replacement in there, the 3 year batteries actually come out to more expensive ($700). Also, you have to go through the hassle of dealing with the knucklehead at the counter of the parts store and swapping out the batteries on their time, not your time.

I am hopeful these will do the trick, but only time will tell. Hopefully I still have the truck in 10 years and I will update this thread.

 

I apologize for leaving out critical information in the TLDR notice. This 2 low in reverse is for those of us with working ESOF that want to keep it working. If you have manual hubs or your ESOF is not working, then you already have 2 low in reverse.

 

Looks like a lot of fun! I keep watching for more things that I "need" to do. The list is too long already!

 

Looking forward to your straight to the point videos Sous lol..... Just how You tube videos should be.