Removed the bumper to paint the tow hooks and surrounding areas. While the bumper was off, I also removed the tow hook surrounds and painted those too rather than just mask them off.

I think I'm getting 2 mpg more now.

 

Bought a $5 IR backup camera from ebay, and a $25 TFT LCD monitor from another ebay vendor and installed them both. Modified housing of cam to nestle right below rear lift gate hatch handle. Ran power and video wires thru headliner with ribbon-type cable puller. Ran wires down passenger side A pillar, behind glovebox, along firewall to behind ashtray. Mounted monitor on face of ashtray. Drew power from ignition circuit in fusebox. Not as difficult as I anticipated. I'll post a few pix when i can.

 

Replaced broken exhaust studs on the right side. Gave it a wash.

 

Last night I got everything back together, fired it up and noticed the truck running rougher than usual. After a few seconds, I noticed a huge puddle of oil below my truck and found that the longer of the two HPOP bolts was stripped and not seating.

In a matter of seconds, my truck pucked out all of it's oil. Probably a good thing since it needed to be changed anyhow...I guess that was the truck's way of making it obvious

 

Install the RAS today. Anxious to hook up the camper this weekend to see how it does.

 

Helicoil'd the driver side HPOP bolt....got everything back together, fired it up, and once more watched my truck puke oil again...

This time, I think I know what may have happened...just need to pull the pump off once more and find the evidence I seek.

Pray for me boys, I need all the help I can get...

 

Cleaned her up really good, she'll be sitting a lot more now, just got my new (to me) Escort road worthy, good timing, as gas is just under $4/gallon.

 

made a whirr sound instead of starting! looked underneeth and i could move the starter up and down, tightened the starter bolts up and works like a champ again!

 

oh and hauled 10k lbs

 

filled mine up last night, then parked it today. gonna let her sit things out a few days since its all detailed up and filled up.

 

Jim, Be sure to report back here with how much of a difference the RAS made, everything else is still stock on your rig isn't it? Do you know the true (scaled) tounge weight?
Good Luck!

 

Praying for a torn O-ring or something for yah!

 

Just had my windshield replaced, went with oem. I had a few wiper scratches from 4 years ago, got sick at looking at it.

FYI...$315.00 plus tax Installed.. I'm still at shop. 1 hour driveaway.

Also ordered a new steering wheel from ford. Looked at other options but was not happy with craftsmanship or tone of wood.

 

How much are new steering wheels from dealer?

 

Mine is dark parchment with cruise only, $341.00 is what I paid.
I didn't ask if that was wholesale, I have been renewing my ex for the past 6 months using all oem parts, so pricing from my local dealer has been fair.

Ford has 36 in inventory.