[westernuth]

lol. If the truck runs fine without it, is it really a bad thing it’s missing ?

 

[Lostatsea]

Its not about power, its about power to weight. Now my truck IS faster than stock. All those little optional brackets and bolts are adding up, see you guys at the track!

 

[westernuth]

I’ll take you up on that. I’ll bet the scale rust I knocked off my frame weighs more than the parts you left off by accident.

 

[Lostatsea]

Im still knocking chuncks of rust off everywhere, just did the wheel wells before they get any worse so hacked a few big rusty sections out and it was a gold mine in there! Dropped at least another 25lbs in rust off this thing, it just keeps coming. I hope that por15 does its job or I wont very much truck left. And if you saw the engine compartment and knew nothing about trucks youd reconsider, looks like a race car under there but its just window dressing, it may have even slowed it down a touch but it looks good parked!

 

[Lostatsea]

Progress has stalled and almost stopped as I get closer to memorial day Working about 14 hr days everyday sucks but I'm still working on the truck bit by bit. Got the rust of the rear fenders, cut out the rusted parts, welded on some new sheet metal, got as much of the por15 as I could over the inside to keep it from continuing and used metal reinforced bondo to try and make it look somewhat normal. The flairs are going to cover it all anyways but want to keep it from eating the whole panel. Did a little off color paint and its ready for the flair to go on. Been trying to walkthrough the service manual for my codes and have a much better scan tool on the way that should save me some time and give me more info into whats going on. Only thing that I need now is something nobody can buy.. time.

 

[Lostatsea]

Finally got done welding some nuts into the rear fenders so I could bolt the flares right onto the body, used 4 on the fuel door side and 2 on the passenger side to get them to fit nice and tight with out all the clips and pieces that fell off on the last set. Used lock nuts and orange locktite to make sure these ones stay put. Also switched out my coolant temp sensor. Dropped the old one into the engine compartment so gotta fish it out. The wiring looked good from what i could see, connectors looked to be in good shape, was getting 4.8v off the connector and didn't check continuity yet but will if that p0118 stays on. Got the Autel MK808S which I'm not sure quite how to use yet but watching videos on it all day doesn't do me much good unless I have it in my hands and I'm hitting buttons. Think I'm just down to the p0118 if I'm reading this correctly, fingers crossed. Might have to rebleed the system since I had a little fluid spill out and I'm still not getting the warm and fuzzies about that jiggler valve not being on the 12 o'clock. Hopefully that's not why I'm pulling the code but I won't think twice to swap out the thermostat again to oem. The vacuum filler for the coolant is a game changer, thanks gentleman for that one. The knight rider light was tested and we are green for go. Again...

 

[Lostatsea]

Replaced the sensor and got rid of the p0118 code so that should be all set. Learning my way around the scanner still and did a systems test on everything. Well now I'm looking at p1810 p1808 u1000 p1815 p1705 p1731 p0733 and a c1130. Almost positive my right rear speed sensor is bad, there's a little kink in the wire that looks pretty bad. Not sure if they would've come up on my cheap scan tool but ill find out today. They all came up on my nice one though but it took a few minutes to go through the diagnostics. Think im going to do the speed sensor or at least check and make sure that's what it is and reset the rest and see what happens. Trans had no issues before the restoration and its moved no more than 100ft. In over half a year so not sure what the deal is. Guessing I'm going to have to go over these harness with a fine tooth comb. Starting to get the hang of the scantool but have a long way to go. If anyone has any suggestions or advice I could really use it right about now. Shoutout to Mr fortnite himself for swinging down to check out the project and show off his sweet ride. He got to see some of the lighting mods I've put in like arrows behind the Sideview mirrors and progressive leds across the front and going up the sides, havent posted that stuff yet but it's coming soon.

 

[Lostatsea]

Did the rear wheel sensors since the fronts were attached to new hubs and that seemed to solve the problem. Slapped on some 2" wheel spacers and still need an alignment and new rubber but all dash lights are off, don't see anything popping up on the scanner, sounds good. No leaks or drips, all fluids swapped out and where they should be. Tool box is going on tomorrow after the bed gets sprayed tonight. I will not be sleeping until I get a few miles tucked under my belt and a short highway run are in the books. Busting out the torque wrenches and pulling an all nighter going over every single nut and bolt I possibly can, twice if I have the time. Stomach is turning in knots about now. Had my fair share of cato's over the years but I dont want to be in it when it happens. Hopefully my next post when I'm strapped in and ready won't be my last. Starting with "feels so good" from my man chuck, don't think he's gonna let me down. We the People edition don't fail me now!

 

[westernuth]

Hey Lost, she turned out really nice!

 

[Lostatsea]

So far so good, thanks man. New tires this week I think. Next up on the chopping block is probably electrical, and I'm not sure how but roof rack of some sort.

 

[Lostatsea]

After the first few weeks on the road ironing out all the bugs it's going fairly well. Got rid of all the engine codes, managed to do a pretty good alignment myself with pool poles, at least the toe should be good anyways, the camber is a pita to keep those bolts where you want them when torqueing down. Had the rear ubolts around the axle start to loosen up driving through Boston at around 300mi. Had my fan make some tiny contact with the shroud at 350, a few of those bolts came loose and had to replace the front right SS brake hose, couldn't get it to stop leaking. Rides way smoother, tried to retorque everything at 500 and I'm hearing a little clunk in front left at about 1000 in. There's a paper thin gap inbetween one of the UCA bushings and the frame so hoping that's it. The 275s rub a little at full turn with the 2" spacers so it's looking like the pwm is unavoidable if I want bigger tires, may as well shave off enough for 35s. Saw a little wetness yesterday when I under to rebook in the front cam, not sure if it was from the brakes or something else is dripping but all the fluid levels are full. Hauled my first large load of what I'm sure will be many the other day with no issues at all, didnt look like it weighed the truck down at all. Now I'm refinishing the step sides, one side the brackets got bent to hell so hammered em out and fresh paint all around. Put my old underglow in the bed since one leg wasn't working and now it's on to lighting. The interm goal is to have 5k extra individual leds, think I can make it 10. Just in the tailgate led strip and 2 rear side marker lights there's almost 1k so should be easy. 2nd battery and inverter are going in soon as I get done with the brackets and then its on to the roof rack. Torn about my exhaust, read all the horror stories about trying to get off rusted headers and it sounds like a pita but after doing everything myself I feel like I'm cheating if I take it in and get it done somewhere, I'm more than capable but my patience has worn thin. Probably go with Cajun which seems to be the consensus. I'm back on the road but there's plenty left to do before I consider it done.

 

[Lostatsea]

Hey Lost, she turned out really nice!

Thanks man, I'm gonna keep going and see what I can really do with this thing, have a few ideas in mind.

 

[westernuth]

I know what you mean about using a shop at this point is like cheating. But I just broke down and took mine in for a few things. I've got my annual 1200-mile tow to Maine coming up next month and I need the drivetrain to be flawless. So, I took it in for rear pinion seal, front diff pinon seal, front axle leak, rear axle seal leak and alignment. Why, if I can do it all myself? Well, I've had my hands full with the boat the last month swapping out engines, helm controls and hydraulics. The boat is our main vehicle once we are in camp, and it needs to be right. Secondly, even if I had the time, I really don't feel like smelling like gear oil for a week again after changing out all those fluids last spring. I tried the snake oils a

 

[Lostatsea]

I'm right there with you, there's 1 thing that sucks more than haveing a boat that needs some work... having 2! I haven't even had the chance to see if their even sea worthy. Know I need to replace the front deck on the fresh water and snapped the steering arm of the saltwater boat last year. Rigged it up to get me through but I'm not going out 20 miles with it like that. One it gets into the differentials and that stuff it pays to have an expert, espically with my luck lately. I definatly like working on boats alot more than trucks that's for sure, im certainly better at it. But your right, it's not worth my frustration and down time to cheat a little bit, I got this far and with work and all my time is scarce and valuable. I need to hit the water soon or I'm gonna lose it so I'll take it in. If your headed up 95 you might even see this thing on the road around mass somewhere, good luck with the trip. My 87 bass tracker rebuild, mirroring aluminum sucks!

 

[Roush]

Looks good. Lots of blood and sweat put into that truck. Enjoy it

 

[Lostatsea]

Looks good. Lots of blood and sweat put into that truck. Enjoy it

I'm man enough to admit there was tears in there too! But the amount of sweat equity I put in and blood sacrificed to this truck is already worth it. Thanks for the support, I would've lost my way a long time ago without the occasional pat on the back and thumbs up from some of you guys. Had 0 support from anybody I know but now that they can see it they changed their tune. I still have a ways to go with accessorys and lighting but I'm happy with the results so far. Had a customer all bummed out because his dodge trx was just "stock"... and he wants to do a few things but has no mechanical skill to speak of and was amazed by the work. Unfortunatly my power steering pump broke today because it's the only thing other than a/c compressor that I didn't replace... so I guess next ill be replacing the a/c compressor when I get done with this p/s pump. Soon as I get it lit up, me and Mr fortnite are gonna have to snap a few pics of the custom New England titans now cruising the streets.

 

[westernuth]

That bass boat is almost too shiny for me.

 

[Lostatsea]

Shinyest bass boat ever! Would've saved hundreds of hours of body work if I just glued mirrors to it but that's the easy way. That was a tough and dirty job, got a lot of good feed back and thumbs up on that one. Now if I can only get the chance to use it this year...

 

[Lostatsea]

Best part about that boat was a little social experiment later dubbed the great divider. Has kicker sourround and a rockford fosgate marine p2 sub on a 2000w amp and dedicated battery and its very loud. Everyone on the water had an opinion on that one, they would either start dancing and I'd get the thumbs up or a stare down and get flipped off but almost everyone chimed in on the water. Don't see that on 100k bass boat and the bass surely didn't mind surprisingly. Pop the magma grill on the back and it went from bass boat to party boat real quick. Back to the titan though, getting off track. Swapped out the power steering pump and it seems all is well at the moment, guessing the rack is still fine, no leaks and turns smooth other than the rub. This week's project might be the pwm along with the easier than I though goal of 10k LED lights added, if you count them individually anyways which I am. The finish work is going to crawl along as I go so I can also use the thing on a daily basis. I want that hood though, you know the one. Make it for the gen 1 please!

 

[westernuth]

So, LAS. I’ve got some sad news. You know how I was telling you that I took it in to the shop for pinion seals because I didn’t have the time to do it myself before vacation? Well, it broke down a few hours after picking it up from the shop on 7/3 and I had it towed back to the shop (seemed like fuel pump). Then, sometime over the holiday weekend my truck went missing and I only found out about it yesterday. Last night the tow company and garage both denied any responsibility, I walked both their lots, and I had to report it stolen. It hurts man. Worse because all of the hours I personally spent bringing that old girl back from her twilight years and rigging it out for long distance towing. It probably looked like a juicy parts buffet to a thief and I immediately thought of your rig. Insurance will pay me something for it but there’s no way I can get back the 100s of hours, the personalization, and $3000 to $5000 worth of parts and materials I put into it over the last year. It was irreplaceable, especially with the timing being right before vacation. Put a cheap tracker in your rig man.