Gary Lewis

Jim - If you could check the # and size of the socket I'd appreciate it. As for the dust shields, they'll take some straightening, but should be usable.

I'm already into the springs to the tune of $150, so I'll at least try to get at least the V-codes if not the X-codes from the salvage. But, in retrospect, new springs might have been a better idea.I've put together this table based on the ATS table shown below. Does this properly capture what the table says?

My response was: To which he said: So, it looks like I should find heavier springs. I'll call Brent and ask him to see what he has, but I may have to tell him how to ID them, either by the certification label if they are still in the truck, or by the # of leaves and the thickness thereof. And now time for today's update. Not a lot to report. But I started by trying to remove the spindle nuts so I can pull the spindles. But that was met with some consternation as I couldn't figure out how the nut was retained. So some searching found this page that says that the nut I have is for auto hubs.And that led me to this drawing: Given that I figured out how to get #14 Spindle Nut Key off and was able to get the driver's side nut off using a large pair of long-nose pliers. But the passenger's side nut wouldn't quite come off, so I'm going to go to O'Reilly's to rent/borrow a socket, assuming they have it. Everything I've read said it is a rounded hex and is 2 9/16" across. But the nut measures 2.736", which is obviously 2 3/4". So I'm not hopeful. Anyway, here's a pic the nut and #14 spindle nut key, with one in place and one laying on top. The arrows show the ends of the key. Anybody seen these before?

I've been having a good email discussion with Erik at Sky's Offroad Design regarding the bits I need for the front suspension part of this transformation. Today he said: My response was: To which he said: So, it looks like I should find heavier springs. I'll call Brent and ask him to see what he has, but I may have to tell him how to ID them, either by the certification label if they are still in the truck, or by the # of leaves and the thickness thereof.

Good one, Dane! Ray - Engine looks very good. Glad you went with a black distributor cap. The HEI's have such a huge one that a blue one looks enormous. But the black seems to blend in a bit.

Beat me to it.

There is an adjustment on the push rod that is frequently overlooked. Shouldn't need to be changed, but if it is wrong it can be a problem. See Driveline/Brakes and the Master Cyl's & Boosters tab and then the Push Rod Adjustment tab.

Welcome! Glad you found us! Where's home? You said "East Coast", but that's a big area. If you can nail that down to a town/city I can put you on the member's map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map). Is your truck coil or leaf-sprung in the front? I think all F250 4wd's were leaf-sprung, but I'm not sure. If so, then you are in the same boat I'm in currently - precious little suspension movement, which will translate to poor traction off road. You can follow along on what I'm doing, which is to put an F350's straight axle Dana 60 under the front with SuperDuty springs, which is supposed to give much better ride and suspension travel. The how-I-got-there discussion is in the thread entitled Issues With Big Blue!?!?! But I'm in the process of moving the discussion, or at least the day-by-day documentation, over to the thread entitled Big Blue's Transformation, which has the plans, to-do list, and progress. Having said that, if you want serious articulation you may want to do a coil spring front suspension. That would be an interesting project on an F250. In either case, I hope you'll start a thread in the main section to show us your truck and the progress you make on it.

There are a bit over 500 web pages hidden in the menu, and some of those pages have many-page documents on them. I'd guess that there are over 5000 documentation pages.

JU is Ford part number 375480-S102. I've found several hits for that by searching for "Ford 375480-S102".

You could look up the Bullnose part on here: Exterior/Beds Tailgates & Components. And here's the illustration you would find: But since this is a Bullnose site you wouldn't find this illustration for the later trucks:

Cool! Let me know how it works. I'll get one or two to have on hand.

I'll have that wiring under the hood for both Big Blue and Dad's truck, but will have to remember to ground everything - especially given all the paint/powder coating.

While we have the exterior trim shown here (Exterior/Exterior Trim & Moulding), I've just realized two glaring omissions: Broncos and the retainers. I need to do a thorough re-vamp of that page, but can't at the moment. Danny - Is the illustration below correct for your truck? If so, the two letters in the circles represent the retainers. Which ones do you need? I can translate to a full part number and I'll bet you can easily order them.

Thanks! I'm getting quite a list of parts to order from Sky.

Shuckydarns! Yes, the ebrake can be later down the road, or after it has been on the road to be more precise. You'll get it sorted, I'm sure. And with the light at the end of the tunnel looming ever brighter you'll have the impetus to make it happen. Hang in there!

Thanks Gary. I have a couple to call as well. Just have a hard time during the work day. I do have a Styleside though. It is the same rear bumper as the bronco, but different brackets. Shaun - I think they hand off the changes to a new engineer, and in this case he didn't go back to look at the previous wiring. Instead, he did it the way he wanted it. And you are right, it takes a "special" person to attempt one of those conversions. About the time it ought to start going together easily you run into all of the little differences that drive you up a wall! fords4life - My apologies! I'll call back and start the search anew.

Rusty, with his built 351M, had a Flushmaster 40. It sounded awful. I'd ordered in the Magnaflow, and at one of the GTG's we drove it, noted how awful it was, and then installed the Magnaflow and drove it again. Everyone liked it. Much smoother, very mellow, and no droning. I was sold.

Good to know, thanks. There are Bilsteins on the back, so it seems natural to have them on the front as well. I thought 10", but wanted confirmation on the length.

Email sent. THANK YOU!!! An '86 FSM will have lots of things we can use.

Wow! I won't turn that offer down. I could add sections left, right, and center w/o cutting them out of my books and scanning them. Thanks!

fords4life - I did call the guy I know in KS and he doesn't have an Flaresides, much less one with a non-step bumper. But he's going to call a few of the other salvages he is friends with to see if he can track some brackets down. And I'll call the other salvage tomorrow. Shaun - By '95 Ford had added ground wires to everything. I've found several ground connections on the front clip I just got, like on the cab mounts. So the ground in the clearance light connection doesn't surprise me. Anyway, you are making good progress, and the truck will have a better wiring system when you are done.

The only way I know is to have a pdf application. I use Foxit PhantomPDF, and you should be able to try the application for a few days w/o charge. It MAY let you export or extract a section. I know the paid-for version will. Or, how big is the whole CD file? Can you put it on a Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar? Then I can extract it. How much did that copy cost?

WOW! The list of goodies goes on forever. And the price is ...... EXPENSIVE! I'd like to have it, but would be afraid to use it.