TangTonic
Full Access Member
Good day all. Awhile back I posted this thread about a truck I found on ebay:
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=44967
That didn't work out unfortunately, but I recently won this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0861797360&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT
I hadn't really planned on seriously bidding, but I submit an offer of $6300 and seller accepted. I live down in the Caribbean, the US ****** Islands, so I don't have the luxury of shopping around the US for those IDI gems. I am impressed how many OBS fords are still on the roads here but finding a diesel, manual transmission with 4 x 4 is impossible, let alone one in this condition. Some will say that the price is too high for this old truck. However, I see a garage kept, like new truck, with less than half of its life spent. The owner is a nice guy and he bought it off his uncle who used it once and awhile and kept it well maintained.
My plans for the truck once it makes its way over land and sea to its destination are to start up a part time hauling/tree trimming/handyman service. There will be many camping outings and trips to the beach with the wife and kid with all the watersports gear: surfboards, kiteboards, spearguns, etc. I also want to start dumpster diving because you would be amazed at what the rich folk throw in the dumpsters here. Lastly, I plan on doing some WMO collection, and setting up a filtering/centrifuge skid.
The modifications I have planned for the rig are in order of priority:
- Tint windows
- Install a plastic bedliner or spray in the the U-Pol Raptor liner myself
- Swap out the bench seat for buckets depending on what I can salvage on island. Perhaps I will end up liking the bench seat though. Its more so that my kid can have a good view when sitting in his carseat in the back and give him some more leg room. He's only one now so I have time for that.
- Get the stock exhaust out and install a 3 or 4" pipe
- Install ram or cowl air induction intake
- Remove stock downpipe and install the ATS downpipe if I can find one. If not, make my own.
- Swap the Dana 50 for a Dana 60 if I can locate one on island
- Install the SKY RSK kit while swapping axles and put in the Superduty springs
- POR-15 the under carriage to prevent salt air from destroying this beautiful rig
This IDI is exactly what I have been looking for. The only things I wish the truck had are: buckets instead of bench seat, sliding rear window, and the cab lights because they look bada$$.
I am not a diesel expert or mechanic by any means. But I work in the water industry and tear apart pumps and motors all the time, diagnose electrical problems, etc. So I feel like I am very mechanically inclined but not in diesel engines. The IDI attracted me because from what I have read, they are easy to work on, replacement parts are cheaper than those on the powerstrokes, and they will outlast most gas rigs. So, hopefully I won't have any issues in the near future but I am hoping all the helpful people on here will be able to guide me through any repairs I might need to do when they arise. I have a pretty good set of tools at work and there is a NAPA here which I believe rents tools.
The point of this thread is to join the community on here. I am pretty sure that there are no ****** Island members on here, so a Caribbean IDI will be a pretty cool addition. If anyone is thinking about traveling to the Caribbean, come to St. Croix and I would be happy to give you a tour in the IDI. I can even offer you a place to stay.
I'll be sure to update this thread with pictures once the truck arrives and as I begin my modifications. Any input regarding this truck, the modification plans I listed, or general advice is greatly appreciated. I really want to become well versed in diesel engines and this will be my first step in that direction.
Cheers, Aloha, and Irie Vibes from the Caribbean
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=44967
That didn't work out unfortunately, but I recently won this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0861797360&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT
I hadn't really planned on seriously bidding, but I submit an offer of $6300 and seller accepted. I live down in the Caribbean, the US ****** Islands, so I don't have the luxury of shopping around the US for those IDI gems. I am impressed how many OBS fords are still on the roads here but finding a diesel, manual transmission with 4 x 4 is impossible, let alone one in this condition. Some will say that the price is too high for this old truck. However, I see a garage kept, like new truck, with less than half of its life spent. The owner is a nice guy and he bought it off his uncle who used it once and awhile and kept it well maintained.
My plans for the truck once it makes its way over land and sea to its destination are to start up a part time hauling/tree trimming/handyman service. There will be many camping outings and trips to the beach with the wife and kid with all the watersports gear: surfboards, kiteboards, spearguns, etc. I also want to start dumpster diving because you would be amazed at what the rich folk throw in the dumpsters here. Lastly, I plan on doing some WMO collection, and setting up a filtering/centrifuge skid.
The modifications I have planned for the rig are in order of priority:
- Tint windows
- Install a plastic bedliner or spray in the the U-Pol Raptor liner myself
- Swap out the bench seat for buckets depending on what I can salvage on island. Perhaps I will end up liking the bench seat though. Its more so that my kid can have a good view when sitting in his carseat in the back and give him some more leg room. He's only one now so I have time for that.
- Get the stock exhaust out and install a 3 or 4" pipe
- Install ram or cowl air induction intake
- Remove stock downpipe and install the ATS downpipe if I can find one. If not, make my own.
- Swap the Dana 50 for a Dana 60 if I can locate one on island
- Install the SKY RSK kit while swapping axles and put in the Superduty springs
- POR-15 the under carriage to prevent salt air from destroying this beautiful rig
This IDI is exactly what I have been looking for. The only things I wish the truck had are: buckets instead of bench seat, sliding rear window, and the cab lights because they look bada$$.
I am not a diesel expert or mechanic by any means. But I work in the water industry and tear apart pumps and motors all the time, diagnose electrical problems, etc. So I feel like I am very mechanically inclined but not in diesel engines. The IDI attracted me because from what I have read, they are easy to work on, replacement parts are cheaper than those on the powerstrokes, and they will outlast most gas rigs. So, hopefully I won't have any issues in the near future but I am hoping all the helpful people on here will be able to guide me through any repairs I might need to do when they arise. I have a pretty good set of tools at work and there is a NAPA here which I believe rents tools.
The point of this thread is to join the community on here. I am pretty sure that there are no ****** Island members on here, so a Caribbean IDI will be a pretty cool addition. If anyone is thinking about traveling to the Caribbean, come to St. Croix and I would be happy to give you a tour in the IDI. I can even offer you a place to stay.
I'll be sure to update this thread with pictures once the truck arrives and as I begin my modifications. Any input regarding this truck, the modification plans I listed, or general advice is greatly appreciated. I really want to become well versed in diesel engines and this will be my first step in that direction.
Cheers, Aloha, and Irie Vibes from the Caribbean
