So back in March I purchased @Baatzy 01 F-250 ECLB; I've always loved this truck and knew Ethan had taken great care of it.
Since then I have purchased:
F-650 dash panel
RR Degas Cap
RR Fuel Bowl Cap
RR Oil Fill Cap
Edge CTS3
Alpine ILX-W650
Stock Injectors (will install when I get a moment of free time)
BAKFlip G2 Tonneau cover
2008 Style Mirrors
Leather Seat kit to reupholster (again, when I have a moment of time, I will install these)
Third brake light rear view camera
Backup camera
RR AIH Delete Plug
RR FRx and Fuel Feed line
Redarc Tow-Pro

Ultimately my goal is to make this truck exactly what I want and last longer than I will.
As an engineer it is hard for me to leave the truck alone, or just replace components with OEM parts, I'm sure there are people that will see this build as useless and unnecessary or that I have "too much time on my hands".
One of the first things I am working on is replacing the ignition cylinder with a couple rocker switches, this seems easy enough. The one point that I am stuck on is figuring out a way to create a custom "fob" that will act as a key; I would ultimately delete the ignition cylinder and only have a key for emergencies to get in and out of the vehicle.
The next focus area will be converting the ESOF to a dual rocker switch setup using a SP3T for 2Hi, 4Hi, and 4Lo, with a separate switch to allow me to add 2Lo to the system. There is nothing "wrong" with my ESOF switch, this is just something I would like; I am not very fond of the looks of the OEM switches on this truck.
At a previous job I had worked as an application's engineer essentially and designed hydraulic and electronic controls for machinery using CANbus system and Danfoss logic controllers. This is something I would like to incorporate into this build, taking the HVAC, rocker switches, and stereo system, and possibly the data logger, and turning it into one, large control station. Knowing that this will take a decent amount of programming and re-wiring this will be a long-term project, and ultimately undo some of the modifications I have made.
When I install the new upholstery on the seats, I will redo the flooring carpet. I am hoping to add some insulation here as it gets rather cold here.




I'm sure I will be asking plenty of questions and seeking guidance as necessary. But this is mainly just for me to record and log what I have done to my truck.

 

Awesome thread man, looking forward to your upgrading adventures.

 

We all know of baatzy and his adventures here.

It is nice to see his truck become your truck and now you are truly making it your own. Every time I see one of the F-650 lower dashes I edge a little bit closer to hitting the "buy now" button on one so I can get rid of the pillar pods.

Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your build with us.

 

You had me at "ZF-6". Looks like a good build to follow. Don't worry about being an engineer and overbuilding stuff. While Ford did a great job for this era of truck at the time it was built, there are many improvements to be had by those of us who work them and drive them every day.

 

For the keyless start idea read thru Springerpops theft deterrent post. Use that switch to bypass the keyed ignition.

 

Currently am looking at electrical upgrades

I think I can fab up something similar to this that would control center for the headlights, fog lights, 2Lo, backup LED pods, and future upgrades.

In my past job I developed controls for hydraulic systems in concrete paving equipment.
This was a machine that I designed and built the prototype myself and from the ground up. I wish I had pictures of the wiring diagrams that I created and the actual wiring.

 

Eggcellent! A person on here with design and fabrication skillz. I look forward to seeing what you create.

 

I am running into some issues with camera wiring and was hoping maybe someone had some knowledge here.
I have an Alpine ILX-W650 stereo and am trying to add a backup camera at the license plate and another at the 3rd brake light position.
I have the wiring done as such

When I put the truck in reverse nothing happens, when I select the camera option on the stereo I just get a black screen. Theoretically I should be able to select the camera connected to the old cigar lighter and have a picture as it is not tied into the reverse lamp.
The license plate light came with an RCA cable that had two little red wires on each end, from what I read this was so that you could wire the reverse signaling wire from the stereo to this RCA wire that would be tied into the reverse lamp.
Is there something I am missing here?

 

Temporarily wire both cameras directly to the battery to test the cameras for proper function. If the cameras test okay, test the power tap from the cigar lighter to see if it is providing power. The reverse camera’s power supply should not be wired to the trigger i.e. the power source for the reverse lamp.

 

Does anyone know what this plug is for? And what the blue and yellow wire is for?

 

So what had initially brought me to FTE was a search for how to wire the ESOF to a rocker switch. Well thanks to the help of Sous getting me the service manual, I was able to make it happen. I did this because I wanted to put my EDGE CTS3 where the ESOF mode selector switch was, and I want to have most controls be on a rocker switch which I can later update.

Here is a video showing it work. If anyone is interested I can share exactly what I did. There was an amazing feeling of accomplishment when the switch worked properly.

 

I am glad I could be of assistance to you during your journey to reinvent something you felt could be improved upon or modified to suit your application more appropriately.

I saw in the "what did you do today" thread where you mentioned creating a how to or providing details on how you accomplished the modification. I feel that would be good for people in a similar situation as you were. It would also likely warrant a spot in the 7.3L PSD Tech Folder.

Nicely done sir and I commend you for your efforts.

 

I have been trying to figure out what that plug you pictured is for. You’re talking about the one circled, right? It is like a very strange 6-hole version of a computer power cord.



I am almost certain it not a Ford factory connector. Where does the other end of the wire go to?

 

That's for my Edge CTS3, sorry i should've clarified. I was wondering about the four pin connector above, I believe the connector I was wondering about is for the PTO circuit, same as the blue with yellow tracer wire that is right in that area as well.

 

Well duh. Now I feel stupid.

I’ll look in the FSM to see what that connector is for. I have looked it up before but I forget what it is for.