Civilization Has Come to Montblanc

[mike837go]

The process of turning my 1-ton chore truck into something resembling a tow vehicle has begun!

First a haircut: Removed the stake sides.



What a difference in the noise. No squeaks and rattles from the rack body!

This afternoon, it goes to the mechanic to replace the leaking exhaust manifold and have a look at the front end. I drove it to work, pushing it through the turns. I was pleasantly surprised by how well something that tall and heavy hugged the road. I did notice that there is a bit of 'imprecision' when holding lane. It's not much and my just be the fact that it is a 7,200# truck, not a 2,200# sedan. But, lets get a professional's opinion on it, just to be safe.

Next week, the transmission shop to replace the filter and fluid. Plus professional evaluation.

The next choice is a hard one: Deal with the seats or the barely worn 2007 vintage tires?

Also need a spare rim and tire.

[mike837go]

Delivered to the mechanic Thurs @ 1:30.


Should be ready Mon/Tues. Keeping fingers crossed that it won't be hideously expensive.

[bankr63]

Assuming this has the MT that you really wanted? What year and mileage? Any other specs?


Cab body looks pretty good, but you might spend a few hours and many spray bombs of Tremclad on the frame...


The lane holding could very well be those LTX M/S tires. Had those on my old 1st gen Pathfinder; they squirmed a bit on dry, but handled snow great.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by bankr63

Assuming this has the MT that you really wanted? What year and mileage? Any other specs?
Cab body looks pretty good, but you might spend a few hours and many spray bombs of Tremclad on the frame...
The lane holding could very well be those LTX M/S tires. Had those on my old 1st gen Pathfinder; they squirmed a bit on dry, but handled snow great.

No, this is most definitely NOT My Dream Truck. This is my 2003 F-350 4x4 chore truck with the dump body and snowplow hookups. 5.4L V8 gasser with 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. Factory equipped for towing. All I had to add was a brake controller.

Last time I checked, it got 11 mpg in mixed driving, with an unrepaired major vacuum leak and lots of wind resistance from the rack body front panel. I haven't put enough miles on the thing since I replaced the power brake booster to get a good read on fuel consumption.

The tires have to go! They are over 9 years old (MFG 2007 week 46). If I'll be over 50 miles from home, it'll be on fresh tires. Also those tires are so hard/dried out I got the truck stuck on the road while plowing during the rough winter two years ago.

The 'steering issue' I felt seemed more like wear in the steering box or a ball joint or 3. The thing tracks straight. Little or no bump-steer. Its just those little twitches one needs to keep a vehicle in lane were actual movements of the wheel. I just don't know if I'm being picky or there actually is something that needs to be fixed.

The chassis got a coat of Rustolium back in 2012 when I moved the dump body from my last chore truck (1984 Chevy K20) to this one. 4.5 years and under 5,000 miles has not been kind to the frame.

After the transmission work, I'm going to a body shop to discuss fixing the roof. There was a work light up there at some time. Now there is a rusty hole with a wire sticking out. A major crease from some odd load. Plus scratches from transporting the auction win compact FEL & backhoe home. If the roof can be straightened out, the hole filled and painted something close to the rest of the truck along with putting some kind of durable coating on the frame for under $2K, I'll have that done too.

Then THE SEATS!!!!!

Again, this is in-no-way-shape-or-form my dream truck. I am just catching up with a whole lot of neglected maintenance on my chore truck. While forcing it to fill yet another role.

[mike837go]

Stopped by the mechanic's shop this morning.


Wanted to see how full the cuss jar had gotten....


Work not started yet. "Parts are expected in by UPS, today."

[bankr63]

Was the cuss jar a little fuller when you left...?

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by bankr63

Was the cuss jar a little fuller when you left...?

Nope. I know how frustrating the task that I am paying for is. I did the same job on the other side 3 years ago and have been dreading balancing things out ever since.

There are 3 drivers in my life. With 5 cars & trucks between us. No pressure to get it back home. Whenever it gets done is fine.

Right now, I have a very good relationship with the service writer (owner?) of the shop. He knows I know cars and doesn't try to bamboozle me. I know he is trying to run a profitable business and I don't rake him over the coals on price.

Also I don't envy the mechanic that will do the actual work. When it is finished, I will be giving him/her a large tip. Not sure if $100 or $50. It will be well earned!

[mike837go]

Just got the truck back from the mechanic.


Wow, what a difference! No exhaust noise in the cabin any more.


It's actually almost pleasant to drive. Next stop transmission shop for a light going over.


Seats and possible roof repair.

[mike837go]

Back from transmission shop.


It is actually almost civilized already. Now to deal with the seats. A quick eBay search shows $1,000-$4,000 for complete seats that should fit my truck.


Time to pull out the credit card and order something nice.

[mike837go]

Drove Montblanc home last night.


50+ mile ride at speeds up to 70MPH with the windows closed and the A/C on. It is a regular pickup truck now. Quiet (the worst noise is a wind whistle on the outside antenna). I was able to listen to the radio and hear more background stuff than I ever knew was there!


Have you ever noticed the phone ringing an other sound effects going on under the music in Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry"?


I bought a new radio at Best Buy (AM/FM/CD/SAT/HandsfreeBlueTooth).

[norty1]

It's almost time to update your sig. The new radio clinched it!

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by norty1

It's almost time to update your sig. The new radio clinched it!

Good point. Where the *()^*()&% did the user control panel update editor get moved to this week?

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by norty1

It's almost time to update your sig. The new radio clinched it!

Done!

Have to update again after I install some seats that'll outlast a tank of fuel.

[mike837go]

Finished doing the Cruise Control install. Took it for a test drive and it doesn't work.


Gotta do a better job on the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) feed?


To Teh Intarwebs!

[mike837go]

Done. Job not as complete as I wanted.


Fell short on the seats. The retail junkyards don't have too many 2010 and earlier F-series Super-Duty (found 2) and both had trashed seats. So, I found some slip covers at Auto Zone that fit well and give not-vinyl seating surfaces.


Everything else is nice-ish:
- The modern radio includes CD, but the "Sirius-XM Ready" on the side of the box means I could by the auxiliary tuner kit.
- The cruise control works great!
- Cleaned the dash while it was off for the radio install. Cleaned the lens over the instrument cluster as well.
- Cleaned the inside of the windows along wit the top of the dash
- Got most of the caked-up, dried-out grease off the steering wheel.


The totally subjective gas mileage has improved. It used to seem like I could watch the gas gauge drop as I was driving. No it only changes position from time-to-time.


Ready to haul for the upcoming weekend!

[bankr63]

Cool, nice to see an old soldier rehabbed and getting upgraded duty. Don't know if it looks much different from the before photo, but a couple of "after" snaps might be nice...

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by bankr63

Cool, nice to see an old soldier rehabbed and getting upgraded duty. Don't know if it looks much different from the before photo, but a couple of "after" snaps might be nice...

No noticeable exterior differences. Still almost as pretty as Stephen Hawking!



There will be interior pix. Once I get home in daylight.

[bankr63]

Originally Posted by mike837go

Still almost as pretty as Stephen Hawking!

This comment from a guy who puts a tin can on his head in his avatar photo...

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by bankr63

This comment from a guy who puts a tin can on his head in his avatar photo...

What tin?!?!?!

That is the cheapest damn plastic excuse for an auto-darkening helmet I have ever borrowed.

Actually, my avatar is an expression of my idea of a sense of humor. It is a totally sarcastic image. A selfie (notice the off to one side and slightly raised position of the camera for the most flattering portrait) that is clearly not a selfie (no face).

[mike837go]

PIX!!!!


As mentioned, no noticeable exterior changes:



Seat covers that should allow our butts to outlast a tank of gas:



A modern radio (I got fooled on the packaging, the Sirius-XM tuner is an additional accessory):


And the other 'little things" that Ford didn't include at the factory:




Cruise Control:
(Aw frack! I forgot to take that photo)



All set and ready to tow for hours on end!