Gary Lewis

Not bad for the price.

Catalog says that is the right shift collar for tilt columns with all of the automatic transmissions used on these trucks.

Ohhh! Those are nice! And I should probably buy them for Dad's truck. But with all the money I've just put in Big Blue, and with the expectation that now I'll also need a new engine, I dare not.

That's probably pretty close to original. Mine is much more BLUE than that. I think I'd like Ice Blue.

Sorry guys. I hope that isn't a sign of things to come. At this point we are "free", meaning we don't pay and don't have advertising. I'm really, REALLY against advertising but may see if I need to contribute something to ensure we have the capacity.

Ford's tow ratings are here: Specifications/Towing Capacities.

Yes, it is always good when our "significant other" supports our hobbies. And, we support each other's hobbies, for sure. As for Purgatory, I wasn't aware they changed the name. Shame. I've always thought that the name came from the movie Support Your Local Gunfighter and was, if I remember correctly, filmed to some extent in the area and on the D&RGW. There's SO much to do in the Durango area. We've ridden mountain bikes and their original mountain coaster at the ski resort. Plus the train. And horseback riding. And fishing. And whitewater rafting. And Mesa Verde, the indian ruins. Oh, and don't forget off-roading! Yes, I'll have plenty of pics!

Yes, she's a keeper! I really have to apologize to the rest of the world for getting THE jewel. And, you remember the story quite well, David, of how I came to have Blue - the truck we were in when she suggested we take Big Blue. For those that don't, we were in Rusty, a 1981 RCLB w/a built 351M/C6 and we were pulling our new-to-us 2002 25' Sea Ray back from OKC. It was noisy in the cab and talking was difficult, but she got quiet for a stretch and then said "You know, if you sold the Murano you could buy a new(er) truck for pulling the boat." So we talked about that for a bit. Then, a few days later I came in from the shop and she handed me her iPad with a fully decked out 2015 F150 King Ranch showing. So we took a trip to the dealership and agreed on a Platinum. And, as I told her this morning, his Crewcab/short bed combo is wonderful. It'll swallow 5 adults in style and haul way more luggage than they should ever have - and tow a travel trailer or boat at the same time. Or bring a D60 home in style, once towing it home on the trailer and another time bringing it home in the bed. Anway, YES. She's a KEEPER!!

The usual cause for this is the colored lenses over the bulbs darkening with time. If you like the green color you can just remove the lenses and replace the white bulbs with colored LEDs, or you can do like I did and remove the lenses and leave the bulbs white - and now I have very easy-to-read instruments at night. Or, I'm told you can polish the blue filters/lenses and remove the oxidation that is causing them to be dark. I've not tried it, but I wonder how long it lasts. On Big Blue I'm running blue LED's w/o those filters and don't particularly care for it. Too much blue. David/1986F150Six is running blue-tinted incandescent bulbs w/o the filters, if I remember correctly, and really likes the setup. EDIT: David beat me.

I've had F150's with and without the sway bar, but I've not disconnected or removed the sway bar on one so can't tell you what difference it makes. However, I can certainly tell you about disconnecting the sway bar on Big Blue. When I got him the ride was brutal. But Ken told me that he removed the sway bar on his F250 that is the twin to BB and it improved the ride. So I disconnected one sway bar end link front and rear, and was very pleased with the difference. The ride went from brutal to harsh, and there was no detectable degradation in handling. However, if BB had a camper on his back I'd for sure want the sway bars connected.

You guys are singing my song! My nephew and friends just got back from Moab with their RZR's. He's well aware of what I'm building and was adamant that Big Blue could do Moab easily. No, not some of the side trails they took, but the main ones for sure. As for Silverton, Janey and I just had an interesting conversation. We've been talking about two trips, one where the two of us take Big Blue to Ouray and do the mountain roads/trails and stay in a hotel at night. This was to have been in about a year or so when Big Blue is back on the road from his "transformation". And the other trip is to the Durango area in about two years were we rent a large house for a week and invite the kids and grandkids to join us. So this morning Janey says "Why don't we drive Big Blue out to the Durango house, and when the kids leave we'll do the trails around Ouray?" YES! Not "Do you think Big Blue can do it", or "Will Big Blue be ready?" Further, she said "And maybe you, Bret, and TJ will want to take Big Blue on some of the trails while the kids are there."

Yes, that bumper IS huge! And it takes away from the classic lines of the truck, which is a really nice truck. 👍

Wow! That is amazing! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you will get the brushed aluminum pattern nailed.

The stuff really looks good from this distance, Cory. (Not 2,000 miles, but 10'. ) It'll look very good on your truck. As for the doors, I've used heavy trash bags. But the stiffer you go the less chance there is of it flapping, which could be annoying. And while I've used the 3M strip caulk, I've also used duct tape. But with it you have to be careful not to get outside of the door panel, so the strip caulk is best.

Oh yes, I'm sure it does. I guess my train of thought is that if a truck needs a brace, might as well install the larger one if any at all. To install one before there's a problem then I'm sure the small one is just fine, but if there's a cracking/splitting issue at all, I'd go straight to the larger brace. Just my 2 cents worth;). I bought the Terrapin brace I have for Dad's truck, and did have to modify the firewall with a hammer to get it to fit. But, as it'll now have an E4OD I'll move the brace to Big Blue. There aren't any problems with the firewall now, but I have it so might as well.

I think he had a clearance problem. Anyway, let us know how it goes, please.

Thanks for confirming it, Jonathan. I hope I don't need to go to those.

TIB is my shorthand for Twin I-Beam, which is what Ford calls the independent front suspension on the 2wd F-Series trucks. TTB is Ford-speak for Twin Traction Beam, which is what they call the Twin I-Beam in a 4wd truck.

I agree with Jim. But, it isn't juar F250's, it is all TTB's and TIB's. And if we are done with this I don't think we need to move it.

That's a good writeup you found. Thanks! And, you are making good progress. So you aren't going to move the pin? It looks like it is in a good spot for the rod, so you'll try it there? I hope it works well. Keep on keeping on!

The TSB I have, 90-16-07, was published in '90 so naturally the range of affected trucks ends in '90 for it. Was there a later TSB? Did the problem continue past '90?

Continue posting on this thread. That'll elicit the most help. But make sure you help us understand all the bits and pieces about your project. And expect us to ask questions. But I'm confident we can get you going.

Well, you might be our poster boy. How 'bout doing a video of a 3G install? We'll put it on that page on the website. And talk you through all the bits and pieces before you do it.

That's a huge shame! Glad I have the patch from him as I'll use it on Big Blue.

I'm pretty sure the D60 trucks had 4" blocks. And I have a pair of those. Not to worry about keeping up, it is going to be a long, slow slog. You take care of what's important.