Plugs and boots are at the top of the list to complete in the next 7 days.

IR Images of drivers side brakes:

 

 

Damn, cool toys from the new guy, sweet!

Plus he has to buy first and last rounds since he's new to the Ex forum (but not registration date), so it all works great!

Love the pics!

Stewart

 

I'm not positive its still sticking, as those images were taken at lunch yesterday after driving back from McDonalds. The sticking caliper issue was from the night before southbound in rush hour traffic. I didn't notice any issues with it northbound after dinner not in rush hour traffic.Thanks!

It is a really cool toy, just wish I could take it home to play with it. But, they don't really take kindly to me trying to leave site with a $100,000 camera.

Anyone that is in the greater Salt Lake City area is welcome to come by and drink some Wyoming beer any time, just have to help diagnose issues with the Ex.

 

Based on my door sticker, I am going to assume I have the 4 thread heads, unless that date means it was November 2nd, not November 2002. But it also verifies 4.30 gearing, so there is that.

 

Agreed. I had the same issue.

Truck won't throw a CEL because it thinks the issue is "fixed" when your transmission shifts. However, if you get a decent code reader on, it would show a saved, non-permanent misfire code and tell you what cylinder as well.

Good luck with everything else

 

Any suggestions on a decent code reader? I was planning on grabbing a cheap laptop and installing Forscan.

 

 

Local computer place has old commercial lease returns that are Thinkpad's for $300, that was my plan.

 

​​​​​​​My cheap code reader accurately diagnosed the misfires and was cylinder-specific in doing so: is what I have.

I agree that Forscan has more capabilities and is the better tool for providing more support if you are so inclined.

 

As for the scanner aspect, I use torque pro on the phone half the time. The reader is about $10 on amazon or ebay, and the app is free.

but for more serious stuff, a mechanic buddy lets me use his autel, does everything but program keys. They are pretty nice and easy to use for about $300, and I think, if i remeber right, the one that can program keys is about $900. So at around $100 a pop for a dealer to make a key... i may be buying one that can in the near future.

forscan is pretty slick from what I have read up on it though. Prices and options on scanners has a wide range. All depends on what you feel like doing yourself, and if you do it enough to justify the cost.

 

Picked it up from surgery today. Significantly more cost than planned, but a bunch of previous owner junk reared its head. Between brakes, rear axle troubles, front suspension troubles, etc I'm glad its done. These tires have enough tread to hopefully last through the winter. The shop that did the install was complete **** at alignment. Its almost scary to drive at the moment. They will have one more try to give me +5 deg. caster, since that seems to be a pretty good spot with these excursions for driveability.

And my front drive shaft was toast from the PO trying to rebuild the double cardan, won't get that back until next week sometime.



Suspension so far is great, it actually works over bumps!

I have a heavy "clunk" coming through the body on shift from 2 to 3 while accelerating, further investigation shows it might be the transfer case. U joints are all still in good shape, rear axle is decent still, but when moving the drive shaft you can feel and hear the clunk from within the transfer case. Joy.

Performed an oil change; 6qts Mobile 1 High Mileage full synthetic, Motocraft FL820S, and a Fumoto drain valve.

Valve in its pieces. Also has a hose with fitting that snaps onto the valve for future oil changes to be much, much quicker.


Gratuitous tool photo:


Installed with a slight down angle, pointed to the rear, and torqued to 18ft/lb.

 

The only good thing about the Ex is that I jumped in both feet first without thoughts to the depth below. Update for those that care:

• Previous owner botched the install of a spark plug thread repair, one spark plug was crooked. Dealership is dealing with that one. If they can't salvage it, new head time.
• Still searching for extended brake lines that are shorter than the ones I have now, looking at some of the SS braided ones from Summit
• Planning on purchasing the aluminum cable ends for the door cables so the next time my cables break I can keep the wife from insisting to send it to the dealership for replacement. That one is hurting the wallet currently.

Once this round of repair work is completed at the dealership, the plan is to complete the to-do list myself as I am available, including rebuilding the transmission myself. The up to date to-do list in no particular order:

• Spark Plugs including the one repair - 10/4/18
• air intake
• battery tray - 10/4/18
• speedo correction
• washer fluid plumbing - 10/4/18
• rear drivers side door loose bits 10/4/18
• rear hatch lock - 10/4/18
• EVIC fix from Circuit Board Medics
• fix alignment
• transmission flush
• axle lube change
• windsheild
• brake lines
• transmission rebuild
• transfer case rebuild
• front drive shaft rebuild - 10/5/18
• rear drive shaft rebuilt
• new head unit w/ backup camera
• speakers and amp
• dash camera
• 4.88 gears w/ rear Ox locker
• custom exhaust
• buckstop outback front bumper
• buckstop dual swing out rear bumper
• New wheels and tires
  • 17x9 & 285/75r17 tires
• Rhino Pioneer roof rack, or at least something I can bolt my rod vault to for fishing
• Rubber floor liners throughout
• Interior and exterior detail
• tint
• LED taillights and marker lights
• LED backup lights
• LED lightbars up front
• LED ditch lights
• Replace or adjust the AMP research bars, leaning towards replace with fixed custom nerf bars
• Source and reinstall rear sway bar that previous owner removed
• Remove the frame and axle side brackets previous owner welded in place after full magnetic particle examination to make sure nothing is cracked