Mounted the OEM driving lights - not without some significant tweaking of the mounts, but I got them in.

And I even took pics!!!



Tomorrow the wiring gets put in.

 

Howdy X Gang............great pic Robert

 

I was reading thru some threads last this morning and decided to go to the first of this amazing thread. This is very intricate and ingenious little task but it speaks volumes. Much reps. You did a really good Job... While looking at your first picture I noticed a crack under the plug. Any issues with that? I know it was your a long time ago but I was just wandering...

 

Come to find out there were taking our friend here for a ride, an expensive one at that!

We fixed that problem Saturday...

I drove out to San Antonio Saturday to school TXtinct on "Superduty Brakes 101"

Before we got started, I had to look into why my truck kept throwing a high code for the MAT sensor. I found this odd since I replaced the sensor with one from Autozone thinking it was bad. Well, I found out why:



Needless to say, it was promptly replaced for the (come to find out) non-defective motorcraft part.

Once we had that done, we got started on brakes:



TXtinct's truck spent some of it's life in Arizona and it showed when we went to take the tires off to get started. My electric impact got the lugs off with some effort...




I did the passenger side and TXtinct did the driver side. When he saw how simple it was to do, he learned that the dealer he used isn't to be trusted and was glad he didn't spend the money.



We got the front rotors off to have them checked at O'reilly, both spindles were covered in old, dark grease, so they were cleaned off to be packed with new grease.





Not long after we had that done, vinny_mastrodomenico called and said he was on the way. From the time he got to TXtinct's, Vinny was instrumental in helping get this brake job done.



After lunch and a trip to O'reilly, we had to hurry and get the front back together as we got the early warning signs of rain.





As soon as we had the front brakes back together, it started to rain and all seemed lost for the rear brakes. After a brief discussion, Vinny mentioned that TXtinct's truck may be able to fit in his garage. It was a long shot and I was somewhat skeptical, but it was cold and raining and we didn't have another option. So off we went...





The moment of truth came and it turned out that TXtinct's truck fit with room to spare! We were all shocked, but glad it fit!



We even had room to lift the rear just enough to get the tires off, again, with room to spare.



Between Vinny and TXtinct, they had the rear tires and brakes off and back on in no time.





Not long after we finished the job, TXtinct had to run home to the Wife and kids, but left happy knowing that he'd saved himself $1000.

Not pictured is me rebuilding vinny_mastrodomenico's fuel bowl. He had the infamous pepcock leak and just happened to have the Mechanic's Parts Cabinet (every o-ring for the topside of a 7.3). So instead of just getting the pepcock o-rings replaced, his fuel bowl was completely resealed.

All in all we had a great time with the impromptu tech day; two fellow FTE'rs learned how to do brakes and walked away with some good hands-on knowledge. Definitely looking forward to the Houston Tech Day/GTG

 

You guys rock, TD and Vinny are two great guys... If you ever get a chance to hang out with them you'll know what I'm talking about. It was a good day and I learned a lot, thanks to them I got my brakes knocked out and will never pay anyone to do it again. What time did you end up getting home TD? You forgot to mention that Vinny's wife had made some tamales and they were damn good.

 

Man that's cool. I want an excursion buddy near me..
or 2 or 3.. That's awsome... you guys look like you had some good old carclub fun... Any videos of the ride?

 

Last Friday replaced the water pump, took about 3.5 hrs including running out for parts which cost $240 including 5 gallons of Zerex, new thermostat, hoses. The fan was a bear to get off, was almost ready to give up.

 

@809taino,

Any place with a nearest landmark of "Andytown" is too far removed from civilization.

That said, I'd like to have FTE buddies near Tallahassee, too, but can't recall the last time that "Tallahassee" and "civilization" were used in the same sentence, either.

 

I wish I had Excursion buddies near me too. TXtinct looks like there is more brake work to be done! Two bulbs in your center brake light are out.

 

Look at that, thanks for noticing. Guess I'll have to get after that pretty quick, anybody know what bulb that takes?

 

I was totally envious of them too. Looks between Bass, 809 and myself we are holding the triangle of Florida down but still way too far for a weekend of wrenching. I am still just waiting to get my gauges hooked up, still staring at a blacked out pillar.

Such a simple word... "Row"

 

How could I forget the best part of all this?!?!?

Yes! She made tamales, saw us working on TXtinct's truck and said: "Ok, when you boys are done playing with trucks, you can come inside and have some tamales."

They were awesome

Didn't get home till Sunday afternoon, ended up staying instead of driving back that night.

 

I was gonna say you should take a "hard" look at FTE guys around you and "RESET" some of your thinking.

Y'all are a measly 2 hours and 40 minutes apart from each other; I drove 4.5 hours (one way) to go hang out with TXtinct and vinny_mastrodomenico.

Now both of you get in your trucks, get on I-10, meet each other in the middle, and introduce yourselves...

 

List: High Mount Stop Light Lamp - 2001 Ford Excursion | O'Reilly Auto Parts

You'll need a philips screwdriver too...