So what did you do with your truck today?

[KansasIDI]

Today I went to Kearney, NE to stop at Menards, Wal-Mart and Harbor Freight. It was an adventure to say the least. The roads were icy and, going into the strong north wind, I didn't make the speediest trip. It's really something to be driving along at 64 MPH and suddenly realize that your engine is revving up because your tires are spinning. There was about 24 miles where I really had to fight to keep them from spinning. The rest wasn't too bad. There was only about 1"-3" of snow, but there was ice everywhere. My preferred method of leaving a atop is to start out in 2nd gear while slipping the clutch and not giving it much throttle. That works the best for me. Most of the trip demanded my attention but wasn't too bad. The worst part was about 15 or so miles from home. There's a hill before you get to a US highway. The hill isn't too steep, but it's about 1/4 mile long. I think I let off the throttle as I crested the hill to start slowing down because the back end of the truck started fishtailing. Mind you that this was over 50 MPH. I fishtailed about 3/4 of the way down the hill, completely off the throttle by this time. I wasn't too worried about the ditches, but there's about 200 yards of flat ground and then a small bridge. I just knew that I was going to wipe out my truck by hitting the bridge sideways. At about the 3/4 mark, I thought to myself "push in the clutch!". That did the trick. The truck fishtailed two more times and then straightened out just in time to cross over the bridge. That was certainly a drawer soiler! The rest of the drive was at a slower speed, but not with much more traction. The road looked wet from the sun shining on the ice, but it wasn't. I made it home without any big incidents.

This is why, drive slow and chain up, or stay home

 

[IDIBRONCO]

This is why, drive slow and chain up, or stay home

I know, but I rarely do what I'm supposed to.

 

[divemaster5734]

Complete performance offers this, I think you can by just the plug mount by itself without the charger

Carrick Customs Bumper Plug Kit - 1992-1997 Ford F-Series/Bronco

OBS Block Heater & Battery Maintainer Kit Fits: 199–1997 Ford F-Series & Bronco Tidy up your winter setup and extend battery life with this all-in-one block heater and trickle charger upgrade. Say goodbye to the old-school cord dangling from your bumper and dead batteries from sitting too long...

cpaddict.com

Appreciate the product link.
I found the charger and splitter separately for a lot less, minus the steel plate they fabricate to make their kit.
Really like the charger, but am a little concerned about the splitter.
It's only rated for 15amps, so if the batteries aren't fully charged there's a risk of pulling up to 22 amps, 5 max for each battery, and 12 for the heater.
It'll work for a time, but eventually will melt the cord contacts.
As long as the batteries are good, and it's only on trickle charge, then the heater enabled won't overload the splitter's rating.
Besides, I only want the heater on for a few hours before use, otherwise will not only wear it out the heater element prematurely, but the power bill would be brutal.
If the heater was on 24/4 x 30 days then that's 1,380 watts load @ .15KWH = $4.96 per day, $149.04 per month. ($9 a day, $273 month for both at max load), the cord is only rated for 1600 watts, both at FLA will draw 2530w.
Still looking at several options for a permanent install, but have the batteries hooked up for now.
Not sure which method I'll use to remotely enable the heater without having pop the hood.
Have to swap the axles with the reverse shackle kits first and see what's left of the front bumper, fab up some kind of mounting bracket for the charger and heater relay, and probably cut those 110v 15a connector ends off and swap to 20amp twist-lock connector to make a better circuit.

 

[DougBoy66]

It's only rated for 15amps

See, now these are things that I don't remember to think about. Most because, even though I can manage to do a lot of things, that Eelektrisical is like VooDoo magic to my poor brain

 

[divemaster5734]

See, now these are things that I don't remember to think about. Most because, even though I can manage to do a lot of things, that Eelektrisical is like VooDoo magic to my poor brain

Indeed, you are Blessed. Unfortunately I spent my entire life in the field, and am now cursed by the compulsion to delve deep into the dark forces until my last remaining brain cell from the 1970's is left quivering uncontrollably.
I'm just thankful I'm not an actual diesel mechanic, it allows me to continue to work on these trucks in relative blissful ignorance, completely unaware of the trials and tribulations that await...lol

 

[Old Goat]

What did I do today? just drove her to town. Stopped at HF to check what New year sale things are still running. Looks like to the 8th, tomorrow.

Picked up a Hydraulic Crimper. crimp14GA to 0 Cable.

Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool

Amazing deals on this Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Then a Rivet Nut Setter Kit. Will do 10-24, 1/4-20, 5/16-18
M5, M6 & M8

10 in. Professional Rivet Nut Setter Kit

Amazing deals on this 10In Pro Rivet Nut Setter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Didn`t know I needed one, but want to install a Handle on the Pass
side "A" Pillar so it helps my Wife get in. She is short on one end...

Then a small Air Ratchet, wanted one for a while, and it jumped in the cart.

A heat Gun marked down to $9.99, I keep a few on the shelf, sometimes they are not long lived, good to have on hand.
Have one in both Shops and the garage.

1500 Watt 11 Amp Dual Temperature Heat Gun

Amazing deals on this 1500 Watt Dual Temp Heat Gun (700°/1000°) at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I buy the Bungee cord in the 25ft package, and then make my own
The lengths I need. I keep the old spring hooks, then push the new cord in, bend the end over and Hog Ring it.
My 85 F-250 has the interior out of it in the bed. I covered it with a tarp for the winter and Bungee`d it down.
Connect the Hook to the frame or what ever there is, then stretch it up to the grommet cut off, pull through the hole and Hog Ring it.

25 ft. Round Stretch Cord with Adjustable Hooks

Amazing deals on this 25Ft Stretch Cord With Adjustable Hooks at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Buy the Hog Rings at tractor Supply, and will need the Hog Ring Plier.

Had to drive the truck and warm up the engine, the Mice were complaining they needed some heat, cold under that Hood.
trying to be a good Land Lord.


Goat

 

[divemaster5734]

What did I do today? just drove her to town. Stopped at HF to check what New year sale things are still running. Looks like to the 8th, tomorrow.

Picked up a Hydraulic Crimper. crimp14GA to 0 Cable.

Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool

Amazing deals on this Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Then a Rivet Nut Setter Kit. Will do 10-24, 1/4-20, 5/16-18
M5, M6 & M8

10 in. Professional Rivet Nut Setter Kit

Amazing deals on this 10In Pro Rivet Nut Setter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Didn`t know I needed one, but want to install a Handle on the Pass
side "A" Pillar so it helps my Wife get in. She is short on one end...

Then a small Air Ratchet, wanted one for a while, and it jumped in the cart.

A heat Gun marked down to $9.99, I keep a few on the shelf, sometimes they are not long lived, good to have on hand.
Have one in both Shops and the garage.

1500 Watt 11 Amp Dual Temperature Heat Gun

Amazing deals on this 1500 Watt Dual Temp Heat Gun (700°/1000°) at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I buy the Bungee cord in the 25ft package, and then make my own
The lengths I need. I keep the old spring hooks, then push the new cord in, bend the end over and Hog Ring it.
My 85 F-250 has the interior out of it in the bed. I covered it with a tarp for the winter and Bungee`d it down.
Connect the Hook to the frame or what ever there is, then stretch it up to the grommet cut off, pull through the hole and Hog Ring it.

25 ft. Round Stretch Cord with Adjustable Hooks

Amazing deals on this 25Ft Stretch Cord With Adjustable Hooks at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Buy the Hog Rings at tractor Supply, and will need the Hog Ring Plier.

Had to drive the truck and warm up the engine, the Mice were complaining they needed some heat, cold under that Hood.
trying to be a good Land Lord.


Goat

Nice crimper, I usually get the max 2/0 or max 600 MCM ones, so I can repurpose welding cables.
It's a lot cheaper than paying for 20' of new 1/0 when 20 year old 2/0 is even better conductor with more robust insulation. They all do 8-12 tons of force, just take notice when doing crimps, I almost never use the listed die's, and go 1 or 2 sizes smaller, and remember to slide your heat shrink sleeve over the wire first or it may not go on after the crimp.
They do as good a job as is necessary for our automotive and even residential service wiring, the ones that do a cute little hex crimp and cost over $2,000 for the kit are serious overkill.
I got tired of the Greenlee kits disappearing from trucks, so fitted all the residential crew trucks with a $30 set.
Not only got the job done, they quit disappearing.
Guess the dope dealers weren't interested.

 

[Nero]

Got a lil care package in the mail today...

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[kbenz]

Then a Rivet Nut Setter Kit. Will do 10-24, 1/4-20, 5/16-18
M5, M6 & M8

10 in. Professional Rivet Nut Setter Kit

Amazing deals on this 10In Pro Rivet Nut Setter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Didn`t know I needed one, but want to install a Handle on the Pass
side "A" Pillar so it helps my Wife get in. She is short on one end...

I use mine all the time. sure beats a self tapper

 

[Nero]

Installed my new headlights. Was surprisingly easy to R&R. Take grille out, replace, put grille back in.

Spent more time messing with the harness and securing it down than I did anything else...

Tried putting LED turn/markers in, but for some reason the turn part wouldn't work. Put the Candescent bulbs back in, worked fine.

 

[DaveBen]

You have to use an LED ratedTurn Signal Relay.

 

[Nero]

You have to use an LED ratedTurn Signal Relay.

Relay wasn't the problem brother, it wouldn't even blink once on one side, and the other was very dim. Lights were internally resisted and I believe it was too much for this old harness.

 

[DaveBen]

I am sorry, I meant the flasher.

 

[DougBoy66]

So I had a small set back. For some reason the water pump that was good when I did the engine tear down, clearly didn't appreciate the clean up and fresh paint. It never passed pressure check( technically vacuum test) So installed a new one. Fill the system using this gaget

You must be registered for see images attach

It uses compressed air across a venturi to create vacuum. It held steady for 5 minutes so I hooked it up to the hose and let it suck all the new antifreeze into it's belly

You must be registered for see images attach

now it is on the block heater for the night

 

[Nero]

Purple coolant? Is that G13? What's it like being able to wipe your bum with dollar bills?