The refinished ‘04 18”s are looking sweet!

 

Finally implemented the idea floating around in my head for the LED lights. Several weeks ago I had passed an Excursion with the same reverse sensor bumper, and same LED lights actually installed in the bumper, so I realized it was possible, but only if you are exact with your cuts. I wasn't going to risk it. The place I chose I am really happy with, and it has almost an OE look. I ordered a couple 1/8" x 3" aluminum flat bars, and just bent them in the bench vice, I followed with the 4" angle grinder to trim the excess. I'll see tonight how they light up the rear.

 

that is extremely slick and looks factory. nice work!

 

Thanks, gotta get the aluminum stock painted probably so it looks better...

 

I'm sure those lights will be a game - changer. Even mounted low.
Are you wiring for reverse/backup only? Or can you manually turn them on if you need rear light for something?

 

I have mine mounted in the same place. They ARE a game changer.

 

They were already on the vehicle when I bought it from the previous owner, cut into the bumper. They have always been on a separate "on demand" switch that triggers a relay to pull from a higher current source. I would use them at the boat launch, but being in the bumper, they were aimed a little low, which was OK for the launch, but now they are much better for overall light behind the vehicle.
I also recently added LED reverse lights to my camper that are triggered when in reverse.

 

deleted, wrong thread

 

A little Zinc Phosphate marine primer, then some black paint.

 

Wow. Awesome stuff. Since you like technicals... Go review the software date of all you parking aid modules... I bet they're the same. Our 2005 software is from 1997 for the parking aid. Same for my 2002 Explorer. Ford got it working good 'nough in 1997 and left it at that.

 

Today is Tire day...
Left the rims at Discount Tire a bit ago. The tire was picked by size and how it looked propped up against the current factory tire. This prevented me from going with GoodYear Wrangler, which I wanted, but this tire is based on the Hankook Dynapro and is marketed at a D/T house brand, it carries a 50K mileage warranty. We shall see.

 

They're on, I'm digging the size, and look. One small concern, both rear wheels went on with compression over the hub. So they're going to require some force to remove. I'll guess I'll tackle that in 3 thousand miles...

 

Is your rear axle not centered? All the pictures it looks like it is slightly to the front?

 

That I do not know. I suppose I could do some measuring.

 

Took the truck for a drive today, things went well, till I heard a few thuds in my rear wheel wells at speeds less than 50 on the back country streets. The rear wheels threw all the weights. I had originally asked for clip on bead weights, which they balanced with stick on. They re balanced the tires as I waited to load them into the van. My guess is that they used a tire lube on the tire bead to make install easier, I'm thinking that the weights just slipped off, they looked properly installed. This brings me to the issue I thought I would have to deal with at first rotation, the rear tires are press fit on to the hubs for some reason. I'm not sure if the inner diameter of the rims changed after being baked or not, my rear hubs are not crusty, but light surface rust. They came off as expected on the donor Black X. For now I found a work around using the dingo, and a strap. I also used some never seize on the hubs to prevent fusion if that happens down the road. I guess I'll take the calipers, and rotors off and sand cloth the outer edge of the hub to see if that helps. Otherwise the vehicle drives and handles very well, I set the speedo in FORScan, and we are within a half mile accuracy.