What have you done to your truck today?
#3691
01-28-2012 | 11:05 AM
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dearborn Heights, MI
LOL my apoligies, Used to talking about the various diesel specifics in the IDI forum.
Bruno-Yea, thats what I was doing, i was working it back and forth and drowning it in PB blaster. By the time I got to that glow plug the motor had also cooled off. it was the last one...lol. Im going to soak it down everyday for a bit until I feel confortable enough to make a 2nd attempt at removing it.
Bruno-Yea, thats what I was doing, i was working it back and forth and drowning it in PB blaster. By the time I got to that glow plug the motor had also cooled off. it was the last one...lol. Im going to soak it down everyday for a bit until I feel confortable enough to make a 2nd attempt at removing it.
#3692
01-28-2012 | 02:57 PM
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
#3695
01-28-2012 | 04:03 PM
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Locust Grove, Georgia
Well i just got done putting replacing my old and rather ruined harmonic balancer. ( this was the tricky part but somehow i was able to do it without taking the radiator out
)
I also washed out my new gas tank to get all the plastic dust out of it and now that is drying. All that is left for her to be road worthy is to redo the power steering resivoir and lines then put said gas tank in.
)I also washed out my new gas tank to get all the plastic dust out of it and now that is drying. All that is left for her to be road worthy is to redo the power steering resivoir and lines then put said gas tank in.
#3696
01-28-2012 | 05:24 PM
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 4
From: Johns Creek GA
Finished the re-do of my instrument cluster today.
For repainting the gauge needles (which had all faded to that sickly white-green color), I used this paint from Hi Po Parts. The color was perfect, but the consistency of the paint was a bit chalky, meaning that the needles have a slightly gritty appearance to them. It's not really noticeable from the driver's seat, fortunately.
I also did the swap to green LED lights instead of the incandescent 194 bulbs. It works, but it's not really any brighter than before...my gauges still aren't easily readable at night. But between the gauge lights and the indicator lights (all replaced with standard 194s) I shouldn't have to go back in there for another 30 years.
Finally, I re-painted the silver trim on the bezel, using a Testors #2546 silver enamel paint marker. That turned out great...it looks like it just came out of the factory. Super easy to apply as well.
The final result:
Above nits aside, I'm very happy with the outcome. And thanks to all who offered advice on the process, I was able to get everything in and out without damaging the gear indicator. I was even able to adjust it so that the indicator lines up properly with the letters.
For repainting the gauge needles (which had all faded to that sickly white-green color), I used this paint from Hi Po Parts. The color was perfect, but the consistency of the paint was a bit chalky, meaning that the needles have a slightly gritty appearance to them. It's not really noticeable from the driver's seat, fortunately.
I also did the swap to green LED lights instead of the incandescent 194 bulbs. It works, but it's not really any brighter than before...my gauges still aren't easily readable at night. But between the gauge lights and the indicator lights (all replaced with standard 194s) I shouldn't have to go back in there for another 30 years.
Finally, I re-painted the silver trim on the bezel, using a Testors #2546 silver enamel paint marker. That turned out great...it looks like it just came out of the factory. Super easy to apply as well.
The final result:
Above nits aside, I'm very happy with the outcome. And thanks to all who offered advice on the process, I was able to get everything in and out without damaging the gear indicator. I was even able to adjust it so that the indicator lines up properly with the letters.
#3697
01-28-2012 | 05:31 PM
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,271
Likes: 1
From: Mexia, TX
If you remove the little colored lenses inside the cluster (you have to remove the gauges...it's not hard), it lets a ton more light through. The lenses get hazy over time and don't let much light through.
Btw what in the world are those switches for to the right of the column in your pic??? Usually I see a little cubby hole there on gas trucks or glow plug lights on diesels, but never switches. ???
Btw what in the world are those switches for to the right of the column in your pic??? Usually I see a little cubby hole there on gas trucks or glow plug lights on diesels, but never switches. ???
#3701
01-28-2012 | 05:57 PM
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 4
From: Johns Creek GA
If you remove the little colored lenses inside the cluster (you have to remove the gauges...it's not hard), it lets a ton more light through. The lenses get hazy over time and don't let much light through.
Btw what in the world are those switches for to the right of the column in your pic??? Usually I see a little cubby hole there on gas trucks or glow plug lights on diesels, but never switches. ???
Btw what in the world are those switches for to the right of the column in your pic??? Usually I see a little cubby hole there on gas trucks or glow plug lights on diesels, but never switches. ???
And yes, those are the dealer A/C controls.
#3702
01-28-2012 | 06:23 PM
Posting Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,866
Likes: 35
From: Northeast, OK
Finished the re-do of my instrument cluster today.
For repainting the gauge needles (which had all faded to that sickly white-green color), I used this paint from Hi Po Parts. The color was perfect, but the consistency of the paint was a bit chalky, meaning that the needles have a slightly gritty appearance to them. It's not really noticeable from the driver's seat, fortunately.
I also did the swap to green LED lights instead of the incandescent 194 bulbs. It works, but it's not really any brighter than before...my gauges still aren't easily readable at night. But between the gauge lights and the indicator lights (all replaced with standard 194s) I shouldn't have to go back in there for another 30 years.
Finally, I re-painted the silver trim on the bezel, using a Testors #2546 silver enamel paint marker. That turned out great...it looks like it just came out of the factory. Super easy to apply as well.
Above nits aside, I'm very happy with the outcome. And thanks to all who offered advice on the process, I was able to get everything in and out without damaging the gear indicator. I was even able to adjust it so that the indicator lines up properly with the letters.
For repainting the gauge needles (which had all faded to that sickly white-green color), I used this paint from Hi Po Parts. The color was perfect, but the consistency of the paint was a bit chalky, meaning that the needles have a slightly gritty appearance to them. It's not really noticeable from the driver's seat, fortunately.
I also did the swap to green LED lights instead of the incandescent 194 bulbs. It works, but it's not really any brighter than before...my gauges still aren't easily readable at night. But between the gauge lights and the indicator lights (all replaced with standard 194s) I shouldn't have to go back in there for another 30 years.
Finally, I re-painted the silver trim on the bezel, using a Testors #2546 silver enamel paint marker. That turned out great...it looks like it just came out of the factory. Super easy to apply as well.
Above nits aside, I'm very happy with the outcome. And thanks to all who offered advice on the process, I was able to get everything in and out without damaging the gear indicator. I was even able to adjust it so that the indicator lines up properly with the letters.
#3703
01-28-2012 | 09:33 PM
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Brandywine, WV
Today I pulled the hubs off the $300 Wonder Truck and looked at the bearings. They looked fine, so I re-packed them and put them back in. One of the wheel nuts seemed a little loose when I took it off. After retorquing them, it appears that the front-end shimmying has been taken care of.
I shoved a bunch of bondo into the holes, so it'll pass inspection, then hit those areas and some areas of surface rust with POR.
It's ugly as sin now, but fixing things "right" is a project for when it warms up and I don't have to drive it to work every day. :3
I shoved a bunch of bondo into the holes, so it'll pass inspection, then hit those areas and some areas of surface rust with POR.
It's ugly as sin now, but fixing things "right" is a project for when it warms up and I don't have to drive it to work every day. :3
#3705
01-30-2012 | 12:27 PM
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Dearborn Heights, MI
Replaced the door speakers...they were some old 6" Pioneers with new 5.25" Alpines. didnt realize I could have went with 6"s...but oh well, good price and they sound great with my Kicker 6x9s and Alipne radio. And replaced the 27yr old door panel clips..Now I have an interior that just as or even quieter as a new truck
. And mounted my fog light switch finally, just to the right of the ashtray. Checked the action of my Rear brakes, I havent seen them lock up on ice, they are working, and found out the left rear wheel has left hand threads
I remember reading that Ford did that on one wheel. but I dont understand the reasoning? And after work I have to go rescue a GMC Safari(dads) and drag it to a buddies shop.
. And mounted my fog light switch finally, just to the right of the ashtray. Checked the action of my Rear brakes, I havent seen them lock up on ice, they are working, and found out the left rear wheel has left hand threads I remember reading that Ford did that on one wheel. but I dont understand the reasoning? And after work I have to go rescue a GMC Safari(dads) and drag it to a buddies shop.