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Any particular reason you chose to have the dealer do the work versus some reputable garage? I don't mind having the dealer do some of the small stuff, or warranty work, but I'm not sure I would trust them with a big custom job like yours.
I went with the dealership for the following reasons:
I get the rental car at dealer cost and in the past they have waved a portion of the rental fees when work has dragged on, and I trust they'll do the same this time.
Their diesel mechanic said he's done many performance engine builds, plus transmission and differential work. As the van is still under the factory warranty I think its great that the dealership is willing to participate. At least they know what's been done before they back away from any future warranty claim. Versus refusing to touch it and sending me on my way. Should I have warranty needs later on I'm trusting that other Ford dealerships will give it a thought before outright showing me the door.
My dealership has honored the warranty for their rebuilding my transmission, so I figure they're a trustworthy shop.
As the fiberglass body needs to be opened up to clear the wheels, its convenient that the dealership has the body shop to work together with the mechanic in fitting the over-sized tires. The dealership hopes to just add a block between the bumper and the frame to clear the front tires, and I've authorized then to cut the back edges of the quarter panels should it come to that. Again I rather have a body shop guy do that than a mechanic.
While my van is at the dealership, I'm having them pull the right front quarter panel in order to replace my decrepit manual antenna with a powered antenna.
The trailer wiring harness needs sorting out and I figured what better place than at the dealership.
Power antenna? Going for the retro look, Dave? Last time I saw one of those was on my grandmother's old car. It was the first one I remember her ever having and it was old then...
Eh, if my van had a modern windshield with the antenna embedded then I'm with you.
It was expedient to change out the antenna mast at this time.
I didn't even ask if my windshield is available with an embedded antenna because I wasn't about to pay the price.
Should I someday have an insurance claim then I'll inquire about that feature and should it be available then find something to plug the hole in the fender.
Andy, I've though about XM-Sirius but since I commute 30 miles each way I prefer to listen to the WEBE 108 as the DMV traffic advisories are not that up to-date.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.