TLBREWER
Windy B Ranch
So I recently finished up on a rather extensive project on Carla's truck. Santa was very generous this year and brought her a 4" lift and some new shoes. Hence the reference to high heels.
Anyway, it's a 4" Tough Country lift that took me way too long to get put on. Along with that came some new wheels and 315/75-16E Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs. Really impressed with those tires so far. With the lift and bigger tires, it comes to almost 6" higher altogether.
The long time frame was due to weather, health issues, and this list of "stuff" that I did in addition to installing the lift along the way:
New ball joints all around
New tie rod ends/drag link, etc all around
New outer u-joints (center seemed fine...no play...probably pay for that later)
New brakes
New braided steel brake lines...front and rear
Fabricated new hard lines on rear diff and partials on front at flex line connection
New shocks (part of the lift)
New power steering pump
New pitman arm (part of the lift, but a job unto itself)
New wheels and tires
Frontend alignment complete with new camber bushings both sides
I'm sure there's more I'm missing. One of the reasons why it took so long is I completely clean and detail everyting when I take it apart. Plus I found that I am woefully undertooled when it comes to heavy maintenance. Good thing my neighbor is a heavy mechanic and has everything I don't. I may still be wrenching on some of those 20 year old corroded bolts.
I've read many here say they can do ball joints in 3 hours. You are my heros! Not happenin on this truck. One day on each side.
And for those of you that have removed the front leaf spring rear bolt after 200K miles and being in the rust belt...lets just say that was an exhilarating experience with several beers, sledges, punches, sheared off sawzall blades, and a LOT of cuss words.
Now it's all done and drives like a dream. The tech that test drove it after the alignment said that was the best driving old Ford he had ever driven.
The pictures don't really do it justice. It looks really nice. I'll get the photographer (Carla) to take some better pics when it's cleaned up and the weather is nicer.
Now I just gotta fix that damn clutch slave cylinder that failed yesterday... A never ending battle.
Tom
Anyway, it's a 4" Tough Country lift that took me way too long to get put on. Along with that came some new wheels and 315/75-16E Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs. Really impressed with those tires so far. With the lift and bigger tires, it comes to almost 6" higher altogether.
The long time frame was due to weather, health issues, and this list of "stuff" that I did in addition to installing the lift along the way:
New ball joints all around
New tie rod ends/drag link, etc all around
New outer u-joints (center seemed fine...no play...probably pay for that later)
New brakes
New braided steel brake lines...front and rear
Fabricated new hard lines on rear diff and partials on front at flex line connection
New shocks (part of the lift)
New power steering pump
New pitman arm (part of the lift, but a job unto itself)
New wheels and tires
Frontend alignment complete with new camber bushings both sides
I'm sure there's more I'm missing. One of the reasons why it took so long is I completely clean and detail everyting when I take it apart. Plus I found that I am woefully undertooled when it comes to heavy maintenance. Good thing my neighbor is a heavy mechanic and has everything I don't. I may still be wrenching on some of those 20 year old corroded bolts.
I've read many here say they can do ball joints in 3 hours. You are my heros! Not happenin on this truck. One day on each side. And for those of you that have removed the front leaf spring rear bolt after 200K miles and being in the rust belt...lets just say that was an exhilarating experience with several beers, sledges, punches, sheared off sawzall blades, and a LOT of cuss words.Now it's all done and drives like a dream. The tech that test drove it after the alignment said that was the best driving old Ford he had ever driven.
The pictures don't really do it justice. It looks really nice. I'll get the photographer (Carla) to take some better pics when it's cleaned up and the weather is nicer.
Now I just gotta fix that damn clutch slave cylinder that failed yesterday... A never ending battle.
Tom
