Found the short in the reverse lights. When the transmission was replaced, the shop didn't properly protect the wires from the backup switch, causing it to short out. A new plug, and proper loom for the wires, and all is good now.

Also added a backup alarm, and have been cleaning under the hood. She was neglected for many years, and the old engine threw out everywhere under the hood...so its finally getting properly cleaned up.

 

Bought a set of OEM Ford Alcoa rims for the F-150 complete with centers.... On a related note - anyone know how to clean corrosion and flaking off the wheel? Not desperately trying, but there are a few spots which I would take time to clean up before I put on the truck.

 

If it is the clear coating suffering from corrosion, some people have used aircraft stripper to easily remove it. Leaves the wheel nice and shiney.
Maybe clean and polish them up again then spray with a 2K clear for durability.

 

Fixed the bumper.
Polished the headlights.
Checked my MPG. Got about 14mpg which I think is pretty good considering it was all city with the A/C blasting!

 

Had to do a bit of onsite repair, taking our grand daughter on a 100 mile trip to visit an attraction, came to a stop sign on the highway and the brakes feel kinda funny, I pull over and see the rear line is leaking. drove cautiously to the next town and bought a new rear brake line, crawled under and found the old line had been replaced but being too long they made a 4" circle with the excess line, Over time the road vibration caused the line to fracture at the fitting. Will cut the old line the proper length and fix it right one of these days. Was back on the road in less than an hour!

 

Thanks McLeod! I'll have to give that a try!

 

Got the new rims on the truck today. Cleaned 'em up a little but they weren't bad. The best thing about being a former employee at a tire center is they let me in before they opened and a couple of the guys helped me with the swap. I did the majority of the work - and they didn't charge me.




Before



After

 

That looks great,but then I'm most likely prejudice.

 

Woke him up from a 2 year nap, battery was toast, but was stored with av-gas in the tanks, so new battery and he fired right up!!! Now to clean 2 years worth of dirt and grime of him.

 

Today I tried to pull codes.

Its really confusing and apparently there are different things being scanned when pulling codes when its runny vs. when its off.

 

Never mind.

 

Nothing fancy...just changed rear diff fluid, and painted the rusty looking cover....also picked up a new transmission pan and painted it while waiting on the gasket and filter to arrive. At least next time I change the trans fluid I will have a drain plug...so much quicker and less mess than the older E40D pans that had no drainplug...

Also noticed while I was under there the vent tube on the axle had broken off, and the nipple it attaches to was completely clogged, looked like a mason bee or mud dauber had clogged it up..fixed that up

 

I like the wheels...looks sharp..

 

Yesterday, necessity dictated we make replacement bushings for the pedal assembly out of some T6061 aluminum.





So far they're working great; got rid of that slop from the parts that were definitely worn beyond service.

 

Removed the lights and trim, replaced front lights. New line-x'd trim installed. Factory headlights each had a broken clip, so movement of lights over bumps is finally fixed. Ended up just removing the entire plastic frame behind the grille to swap everything