Update on Fred!
It's been a long time since I've worked on the truck. Mostly it sat all winter long while I worked on my shop. Now that my walls are up, I'm indulging just a bit and diving into some maintenance to get the truck going.
First order of business was glow plugs. Got those swapped with some good ones. The existing were junk, but luckily not swollen so they came out easily. Only three busted knuckles on the injector bracket. Man, that's sharp! Also, for anyone else brand new at this game, your average 3/8" deep socket 1/4 drive WON'T fit. The hex doesn't go deep enough to clear the spade connector. Craftsman is the only one I found that would clear it, and that was the fifth store I tried. That was the hardest part of the project, just driving all over town! But, got that done. Sorry, no pics. I was covered in grease and excited to be working!
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Next up was a filters change. Air - duh. Easy. Wingnut and I'm golden.
Fuel - pretty easy. Had to get the strap wrench out but not a biggie.
Oil - should be no problem, right?
Holy stink! That thing was ON THERE!!!! I don't know what kind of spinach the P.O. was eating but woweee! I finally, after trying everything else, did the screwdriver through the side trick. With a cheater bar. And an extension. 6 different times! It was nuts I tell ya!
Here's the aftermath:
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From there it got easier. Pressure washed the bed frame after pulling out the rotten bed Wood, and got some full 2"x8" rough hewn timbers to replace it. I'll water proof them here shortly, but I'm thrilled to have them in there. In time I may have to screw them to the metal frame, but for now they are cut to size and screwed to each other. I figure there won't be much uplift, just weight.
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Next up will be cowl seal and figure out my fuel issues. Leaning toward a bronco tank and new fuel lines direct to the lift pump bypassing all the switches and valves. We'll see where we end up.
As it sits now, it starts, stops, and steers. Got it to fire up for the first time without ether since I've owned him! Injectors bled, 10 secs on the manual button, fired right up. Booyah! Next step is to wire my push button to the inside of my cab, instead of sitting on the battery like it currently is. Man, being able to both sit INSIDE my truck, AND start it... such luxury!
Also seems like my smoke haze clears up once it's fully warmed up. Going to get it running better and really romp on the throttle to see if that clears it up even more. I'll keep everyone posted.
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