Bricknose Revival

[Hilly]

This ’87 came into my life 4 years ago in Western Washington. After hauling my first truck camper and having the time of my life in this 80’s Texas Cadillac; I picked up an ’03 dually to haul a newer (and much heavier) camper and the IDI went into reserve status for the past couple of years.

My overly complex 6.0 Powerstroke is going up for sale and am looking forward to getting back to mechanical injection systems where I’m just a happier guy.

Needed to pull my 20’ enclosed trailer to Ohio while the dually gets some love from my local shop.
Old diesel, two cheapest Walmart batteries I could find, changed the oil only. Didn’t have a filter-better than nothing right?? Ha. Grabbed registration tabs on my way out of town . This all to say that there was no reason the truck should have pulled me and the trailer to Ohio after being left neglected and needing general maintenance since the day I picked it up. She blew up on me a couple times on the way, much calamity; but it was an incredible and slow trip. After that experience I’ve decided to take this truck all the way and make her my forever rig. Or at least one of them.

Been lurking on here for years and learned a ton in the process. Thak you all in advance for what will no doubt be a gremlin in the future ya’ll will come through on helping with.

 

[Hilly]

First item that I addressed was the bed. Pictures don't really show how beaten and deformed it was. My camper even on rubber pads just didn't sit square. Made a run down to Oregon and found a clean bed off a later model truck-much better.

 

[Hilly]

My first fill of fuel on the journey I noticed some drips under the filler. Was pretty sure that I just didn't do a great job reinstalling the neck when i swapped beds. By the second fuel stop, I had drips before even sticking the nozzle in the truck.

Steady drips of fuel from under the front tank any time i stop. Enough that my overnight stays at Walmart required a plastic container to keep from making a big mess. Couple days in I'm smelling terrible, but running down the road.

Temps were in the 90's through Utah and Wyoming and I started to experience hot start challenges. Cool. Popping the hood as soon as i shut down the motor to let things cool started not being enough. Noticed i wasn't always hearing the distinct click when turning the key. This added a second ritual of "watering the pump" prior to cranking back up-that worked well to nurse my way along.

 

[Hilly]

Things rapidly devolved over the next days. Shredded the alternator belt, which through the fan belt. Thought a semi-truck in front of me was dripping water when I felt my arm getting sprinkled out the window. Nope-at least i know the warning lights work when I overheat. Caught it immediately and was able to hike up the road to a salvage yard and cobble together a fix. Middle of nowhere Wyoming-I was blessed that day. Few hours down, but still trucking

 

[IDIBRONCO]

That's a nice looking truck.

 

[Hilly]

One evening I noticed my headlights seemed even dimmer than usual. Then I got some honks and flashes which led me to find very light on the truck operational-less the big ones. Pretty obvious where that occurred frying the connector on my harness. Decided that I might as well dive in and sort the wiring in the cab. From what I've seen so far under all the sticky mess of tape a lot of it is going to go.

 

[Hilly]

First time taking a swing at painting a dash. Tomorrow will be getting this and the trim pieces cleaned up, prepped and sprayed. Going black to better fit with the instruments and theme I have sketched out in my head. Hoping on decent results for a temporary fix.

 

[ROCK HARVEY]

Man you’re having an adventure!

I had the same situation with my front tank dripping, turned out to be my fuel switching valve was stuck returning fuel to the front tank when I was running from the rear tank, causing it to overflow.

 

[Jesus Freak]

One evening I noticed my headlights seemed even dimmer than usual. Then I got some honks and flashes which led me to find very light on the truck operational-less the big ones. Pretty obvious where that occurred frying the connector on my harness. Decided that I might as well dive in and sort the wiring in the cab. From what I've seen so far under all the sticky mess of tape a lot of it is going to go.

The reason that the headlight switch and plug is fried is because all the amps from the two batteries. You have to add a harness to your headlights with relays in the circuit so that all the juice is diverted directly to the headlights. It's very important that you do this or after you get it all situated and what you feel to be right, one evening or night you'll be driving along and your lights will start randomly turning on and off......it's really unnerving.......this is one of the things that need to be done to our trucks like immediately.

If you want brighter headlights, look into a 3G alternator conversion. You need an alternator off a early 90s Windstar or Taurus with a 3.8, it's really easy. There's several threads on here about those things.

BUT SERIOUSLY, PUT RELAYS ON THE HEAD LIGHTS!!! FOR POSTERITY, EVEN!!!!

 

[Hilly]

Man you’re having an adventure!

I had the same situation with my front tank dripping, turned out to be my fuel switching valve was stuck returning fuel to the front tank when I was running from the rear tank, causing it to overflow.

Adventure for sure!

That's a hot tip on the switching valve....
I can switch and use both tanks, assumed that wasn't a place to look. At least not first.
But I always use my rear tank first, drips in the front from the return. Thank you sir-I'll check that when I pop the bed off!

 

[Hilly]

The reason that the headlight switch and plug is fried is because all the amps from the two batteries. You have to add a harness to your headlights with relays in the circuit so that all the juice is diverted directly to the headlights. It's very important that you do this or after you get it all situated and what you feel to be right, one evening or night you'll be driving along and your lights will start randomly turning on and off......it's really unnerving.......this is one of the things that need to be done to our trucks like immediately.

If you want brighter headlights, look into a 3G alternator conversion. You need an alternator off a early 90s Windstar or Taurus with a 3.8, it's really easy. There's several threads on here about those things.

BUT SERIOUSLY, PUT RELAYS ON THE HEAD LIGHTS!!! FOR POSTERITY, EVEN!!!!

Good copy on all of that JF! While I have the dash out I'm going to do just as you said. Thinking this is going to be a complete freshening of the headlight system. Housings, modern bulbs, relayed harness.

3G alternator is getting brought forward in the project queue after you letting me know about the budget version. CDD had a pretty black one on their website, but dollars could be better spent on injectors/lines.

 

[Nero]

Could always hit up the wrecker for a 3g conversion, tons of guides and donor cars listed out there

 

[Hilly]

Alright gents-been doing a lot of work on the truck. Not much posting.
One thing turns into another and now I'm in deep with a parts pile starting to build up.

Going for a dark theme interior and pretty happy with how the dash and trim are painting up.
Pro tip: the little copper looking nutserts in the dash come out with alarming speed when removing!
Probably should have worn safety glasses instead of the power squint haha.

 

[Hilly]

Engine bays are a big deal for me. The motors might be simple, but the disaster of wiring and plumbing just makes me nuts.
Adding in years of diesel and oil leaks only makes it less than enjoyable to be in there. Started doing some cleaning up and degreasing however that evolved....

Now that I'm in there, just going to do a first pass at simplifying and tucking wiring while scrubbing and inspecting.

AC compressor is off in the shot, but this is where I'm starting from.

 

[Old Goat]

Man you’re having an adventure!

I had the same situation with my front tank dripping, turned out to be my fuel switching valve was stuck returning fuel to the front tank when I was running from the rear tank, causing it to overflow.

I had the very same problem. Gave the FSV the deep 6, and use the front tank as a
transfer tank with a small fuel pump. Used a right angle thread/barb brass fitting, drill
a hole in the side of the rear Fill Tube, just so the threads catch. Then JB weld it into
place.
I have a 38 gal rear tank, get down to 500 miles then transfer the fuel, takes 40 - 45 min to
transfer. Use a small Cube Faset Pump.
The front tank when completely empty, will hold 21.7 gallons when the handle clicks off.

If you are interested in the 38 Gal tank. It is a F26E. Think it is 7" deeper.
But you may not be able to install the Spare under the bed.
Depending on mileage, I "can" get 600 miles out of that tank.

Goat