Gary Lewis

I was going to say "It will if you set the e-brake and come out on the clutch." But maybe in front wheel drive mode it won't? Anyway, I'm trying to figure out if it is a function of the key turning to Start & back to Run, or if it is a function of the engine actually running. Or if it is something to do with a pulse coming back from the starter motor. So starting it w/o turning the key would eliminate the ignition switch. Killing it by pulling the coil wire or some such would determine if it doesn't like the engine actually running. And bump-starting it would eliminate the starter pulse.

If you turn it to Run, set it, hit Save, then turn it Off and back to Run does it remember and read right? Or are you saying that it always shows correctly in Run if the engine isn’t running? Meaning it remembers just doesn’t like the engine being on. What happens if the engine stalls? Does it read right then?

Maybe the Save function or button isn't working. I'd try starting the engine by jumping the relay so power doesn't go away to the MeterMatch. If the gauge reads correctly then it suggests the Save function isn't working.

That's strange. It works right in Run with the engine off but shows E in Run with the engine on. The only thing I can think of is that the ignition switch doesn't make the same connections when coming back to Run from Start that it does when coming into Run from Off. Have you tried jumping the relay to start the engine w/o turning the key to Start? Oh wait! Maybe I'm misunderstanding. You are setting the MeterMatch up with the key in Run, and the gauge reads correctly. But when you then turn the key to Start the gauge doesn't read correctly when the key comes back to Run. Did you hit the Save button after setting it up but before starting? When it loses power between Run & Start it probably forgets your settings.

Your Metermatch doesn't work? Mine works great. By dialing in the middle setting I have better tracking of the gauge vs actual tank level than I remember on any of these trucks. And had I gone for two of them, one for each tank, I could have gotten the gauge even closer. But I haven't studied how the 87 and later gauges work, just that the resistance range is backwards and different to that of a Bullnose.

Yep. He sure went to town on BB. I'd had the truck for three years before I even thought about the diff cover, and only then because the load sensing valve on the rear brakes attaches to it. I removed the valve because it was keeping the pressure to the rear brakes too low, maybe due to the serious springs Vern had on there which held the rear way too high even when loaded. Anyway, when I removed the valve I knew I'd need to re-torque the bolts for the cover so I checked them - 2 ft-lb on one and 5 on the other. But the spec's called for 25 ft-lbs, and after you torque all of the cover bolts down you then set the pre-load on the bearing caps. So with all of the bolts far from tight I figured I ought to loosen the pre-load bolts first - but they weren't tight either.

Yes, as said in the texts you needed Jegs to know as you may have problems down the road, But glad it is working now. And my experience with Big Blue's 195 stat is identical to yours with a 192 stat - dead center of the gauge. Almost like that was what Ford had intended.

Didn't think that was what you wanted or needed. Not sure Big Blue needed it, but Vern had it put on - although the pre-load on the bearing caps wasn't set right.

Somehow I'm late to the party. Man, you did a NUMBER on that diff! As for covers, Trick Flow makes one. That's the one on Big Blue, and it has a drain, fill, and pre-load on the bearing caps.

So yes, I'm (pretty) sure Big Blue can do this trail. What down stretch are you talking about from the 2018 Trail Recon video? If it's from 15:40 - 18:50, that's the part of the trail I think we'll skip. We can turn around at the top and go back the way we came up rather than do that part of the trail (which is the hardest part from what I've seen on YouTube, I didn't do that part of the trail). As for the ground clearance, I wouldn't rule out having to stack some rocks now and then. But from what I remember when I was there and what I've seen in videos since, I'm confident that Big Blue can do it. In the 2023 Trail Recon video I don't recall the quote exactly, so I could be wrong. But I think they said it was the hardest trail she had done, not the hardest she would ever do. It's a hard trail no doubt, but it's not THAT hard. I think it will be a good level where you'll feel a little (or a lot?) trepidation coming up to the obstacles, but then a big rush when you see that you can do them. And as the trail goes on the trepidation will wane and it'll be fun! That's my hope anyway! Likewise I don't recall the exact quote about going down being harder, but I can speculate two possibilities. One is that they might be talking about the alternate route, which does seem to be harder (but we won't be doing). The other is that dropping off a ledge can be scarier than going up it. It's not harder, but if you pick the wrong line going up you get stuck, back up and try another. If you pick the wrong line going down backing up might not be a good option, so you might have to make do with your first choice. But as I said above, the obstacles on this trail are low risk. You're not doing to fall off a cliff or roll over or anything. Worst case is you come down hard on your sliders or rear quarter or something. And I think it won't be too hard to avoid even that. The 13 minute mark is one place I think they are taking a harder line than they would need to. The Gladiator clearly does this as his tires are swallowed by the ledge at first, and then when he moves a couple feet to the right he makes it up pretty easily. Then Regina goes up where she just saw him succeed, but if you look about 10' to her right it looks like the ledge might be only about a foot or so high. I might be surprised and we might find the trail is a lot harder than I remember. But I haven't seen anything that make me expect that. (and yes, big tires do make a big difference, which is why they try to do the extra credit lines) Interesting! I forgot about that discussion. Yes, the down the stretch is the section between 15:40 - 18:50. That really looks tough. Happy to skip that. And you may be right about the quote, but he was still saying it is really tough. I was just saying that I'm not sure I want to show that bit to Janey. You are right about the lines at the 13 minute mark. They weren't trying the easy lines, with the Gladiator clearing taking the harder line to prove a point. So yes, we should be able to find an easier line. Anyway, I'm working on opening up my mind. Not there yet, but I'm seeing glimmers of light.

I'm watching the videos, in order, and will comment: Your Top Of The World: YIKES! Ok, I'll get, and hopefully keep, an open mind. But are you sure Big Blue is capable of doing that? Some of those places look like the long wheelbase may cause problems. TrailRecon: Yes, the white Jeep may be on 33's, but doesn't he still have more ground clearance? Anyway, he made it so maybe I can? But that down stretch looks tough! Regina, of TrailRecon, driving TOTW: No chance I'm showing Janey that. "Brand new 392 engine under the hood, which I enjoyed listening to growl and rumble all day long." "This is probably the hardest trail you'll ever 'wheel... And actually on the way down it is much harder." The stuff at 13 minutes looks like more than BB could do? Those big tires look like they make a big difference, especially in the yuk. Ok, I'm not sure about TOTW, but let's see what the first day is like. May Big Blue, and I, are better than I think.

I can understand your frustration, for sure. And I'm right there with Jim - I will NOT use their catalog. Hopefully Keith will get someone's attention to get things fixed.

Bill's telling you something, Jim. I don't know if he's told many, but...

Amen!

Good luck, Will. And don't be shy about asking questions.

I would say "uninformed". All of the hype in the news is about how it can produce fakes. As you've found there are writings out there that prove that it lies and won't follow directions, but you have to go looking for them. So unless you've played with it and caught it in the lies and/or not following directions you won't have been informed. Having said that, there sure are a bunch of idiots out there.

The vast majority of people don't know that it is unsubstantiated babble. And therein lies the problem. I assumed that it wouldn't lie, but it absolutely does. And I assumed it would follow explicit directions, and it absolutely refuses to do so. It really needs to print a disclaimer that says "Everything I tell you is suspect as I make things up and cannot be bothered to follow your directions." But people wouldn't read that, so why bother.

Definitely true! But when I had my completely stock '85 F-250HD I found it 'wheeled quite well. There was no articulation in the front suspension, but the frame would flex so much that the trim lines on the cab and bed would be mis-matched by about 6"! And I'm glad you're getting the seats worked out! Well, I'd prefer my articulation to be in the suspension, not the frame. Surely that makes for a more supple suspension and smoother ride. But that confirms what the guy told me about the bed covers - that the ones that lock with a pawl will come open when going offroading as the bed flexes enough to pull the pawl out of the stop. Glad I got the electric one that won't move unless powered and will stop anywhere. And speaking of that and the seats, I used the "stop anywhere" feature of the bed cover in taking the seats to the upholstery shop yesterday. The seats are too wide and tall, even when folded, to go under the bed cover. So I set them near the tailgate and closed the cover until it hit the seatbacks, trapping them against the tailgate. The seats couldn't blow out and I could stop anywhere on my rounds and lock the truck knowing that there'd be a whole lot of noise if someone tried to get to them and opened the tailgate.

Yes, there were 100A 1G's, and the output curve is much steeper than the 60A units, which you can see on our page at Documentation/Electrical/Alternators. So it appears to put out about 70A at a 700 RPM idle. As for the Sony, I'll play with it a bit more to see what I need to do. But for the upcoming trip I don't want it to be forgetting my phone daily. I want to be able to answer calls on it, play music, and get directions. So I'll be reading the directions to see how to make it forget the phone - unless you know.

We shouldn't be surprised with any of that. I've not had Edge take over my Chrome sessions or searches, but have had plenty of times when it asked me to make Edge my preferred browser. As for it making up the time, I like the statement of "and sometimes factuality comes second". And if you are playing with a giant child in the sky why would you expect it to keep your thoughts private?

Pitot tube and/or temp sensor. There are lots of ways to make it failsafe. But to rely on memory .... wait, what are we talking about?

You are completely right, Jim! Like you did once say, I’m a bit «fickle?» As you caught it, I want to keep Big Bro as close as “possible” to its 1984 original state. But for some comfort add-ons, like a Speed Control, a backup camera, hands free bluetooth, a tonneau cover, an inverter… and more electrical power, I can show flexibility and become open-minded (just a bit, not too much ). It will be a spring project. So don’t hold your breath. I’ll take the rest of winter time to prepare all I need and collect all the required puzzle pieces, don’t want to stall the truck too long. I’ll need your help, Jim. And “y’all”! So, watch for a coming soon specific thread for this new “lazzy mechanic journey”. Jeff - Don't let me nudge you into going with a 3G if you don't want to. As for the cruise/speed control, go with the later version. It is a whole bunch smoother and fits right where the Bullnose one does. As for hands-free Bluetooth, I'm having problems with "our Sony", Jim. Yesterday when I drove BB it had forgotten my iPhone. I initially assumed that was because I'd had the power off to do the relays and started to pair the devices. But the phone remembered the Sony and wouldn't pair so I had to tell the phone to forget the device and they paired easily. But after a couple of stops they weren't connecting even though both devices had an entry for the other. So I told the phone to forget the Sony and now I can't get them to pair because the Sony isn't seeing a device it doesn't think it is paired with so doesn't send a pairing invitation. And I can't figure out how to make the Sony forget the phone. I've had a lot of trouble with the Sony forgetting devices, like it has frequently forgotten my phone - even when I've gotten a new phone so it has forgotten a different phone. But it remembers the Garmin Montana, even when I don't want it to.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/boeing-withdraws-bid-for-safety-exemption-as-details-on-missing-bolts-emerge/ That's scary - to have something on a very complex device that if you forget to do it could cause the whole thing to blow up. I worked for Boeing for about 6 months once - until they lost a contract and laid everyone off. So I should have a soft spot in my heart for them. But I've probably flown on their planes for far more than the equivalent of 6 months and it worries me that their systems and processes rely on people remembering to turn something off or add 4 bolts. And I guess others are a bit concerned as well. I saw a video where they had a high-ranking official sitting next to the door plug when the first Max 9 returned to service, and you could see in the video that he had his seatbelt on tightly.

Wow! The property is worth something, but all of those parts might be worth more - if you want to work for it.