Gary Lewis

Yes, they are rare - especially in that condition. And the kick panels with the vents are rare, around here at least.

Looks like the fuel tank selector switch. Overall, I'm not too impressed, but I'm comparing it to Big Blue, so $4000 might not be too bad.

I wish I had the time! But, as things are panning out, what my son really wants to do is overlanding, and in my opinion Big Blue is the absolute right truck for that, much more so than a Bronco. That's because of BB's GVWR of 8600 lbs. An article in the Nov/Dec issue of TREAD entitled Get The Perfect Balance says: Somehow, I don't see that as being a problem with Big Blue.

Be careful here, Gary... Remember the Jeep Grand Cherokee bucket seats I put in my truck several years ago, along with the Bronco center console tub with the not-real-deep cupholders? I'm having thoughts of removing all that stuff and going back to the/a standard bench seat (probably from the '90s). Why? I have found that buckets would be cool in an extended cab or crew cab, but am now of the opinion of NOT in a standard cab. Me & you are both kinda tall, that means adjusting the seat waaaaaay back. These seatbacks recline (and have heaters & lumbar & ejection & all sorts of crap), but you can't really recline much with the seat all the way back. And my back sometimes wants to lean back more than I can using the current configuration. Maybe part of my problem is the way they're mounted; people sit really high up, but I don't know that lowering the height would allow one to move the seat in closer to the steering wheel and thereby allow the seat backs to recline more - but also makes one bend their knees more. Be glad these are full-size trucks, but all this custom seating stuff can take a lot of time to try out different configurations. I tell myself I'll get used to it but I for some reason find myself wanting the original bench seat again. ;) ~~ Think I'm also gonna install a factory gauge cluster (obviously with better lights back there) and take out that silver + red backlighting stuff; the black digits against the silver background are fine during the day but the numbers are hard to read at night. Maybe some sort of fluorescent paint that makes the numbers "light up" under the red light at night? Dunno. ~~ I got my truck back ~1.5 weeks ago, I had brought it to a local guy to rebuild the Dana 50 + related stuff for me. Not only did he do that, but he hand-fabricated some brackets to give me dual shocks on each front wheel, and he did that basically for free! :) ((I was already paying him 5x more than the truck is really worth and he knew that, but he rationalized it by telling himself he did that fab work at night in his "spare time" when nobody was bothering him. And, he had my truck for what seemed like at least 6 weeks, I didn't push him one bit; rather, I treated him as the experienced expert that he is and told him to just do his thing.)) The good part is, the thing now rides BEAUTIFULLY! I can now drive over manhole covers (for example) and the thing doesn't get kicked into the adjacent lane anymore. It stops straight, something it's never done since I've owned it. I have a redhead box, lots of new bearings, u-joints, etc. etc. etc. Now I need another $2k for wheels + tires, maybe that'll happen when I get a new job someday. ~~ Back to your truck... I think you should get one of those bench seats used somewhere in the 90s, the kind with the center fold-down, console-like thinger with cupholders that can fold up back into the seatback to accommodated a 3rd person. At least, that's what I want to look for... someday... Good thoughts, Chris. The leaning back thing may actually be a problem with the Bronco buckets I have as the way they looked when mocked up in Dad's truck indicated the headrests might hit the rear window. So, what I probably should do is just pull the seat out of Big Blue and bolt in the base and buckets/console for Dad's and see what I think. As said, it is all bolt-in, so shouldn't be a big deal. If I like the arrangement I could look for a blue set for Big Blue. And, if I don't I can put the bench back. Easy peasy. As for the later style seat, that is a possibility. But the idea of buckets was when off-roading they'd hold you in place better than a bench seat. In fact, these have the arm rests so that will hold you in even better. However, at least the later seat would have the drink holders. Hmmm, lots to think about. Anyway, glad you got your truck back and it drives well. Sounds like you've found a good mechanic.

I was actually wondering about this earlier today. But, move? Will you have a place to work on the truck then?

Dyn - Thanks for that. Gotta figure out what the engine is, but don't want to hijack this thread.

Jim - Now I see why I was confused as to why you were confused. I missed that the original post was edited after you posted. Duh!

Grumpin - I'm not sure that the LED replacement bulb idea works very well. I say that because the manufacturers sure don't seem to go that way. Take Hella for instance. They obviously have the earlier lights that used halogen bulbs, but instead of swapping an LED in place of the halogen they completely redesigned things. I don't know whether that's to get the heat-sink that LED's need or if LED's require a different reflector or lens. But, for some reason they are quite different now. Anyway, thanks. I'll keep looking for the right period-correct LED lights that have excellent coverage. On another topic, I had a fortuitous conversation after church today with a friend. He has a metal fabrication shop and has started making trailers for overlanding or, as he calls it, adventuring. And the trailers have racks on them, to which he installs the pop-up tents - which he also sells. But, he said he will make me a rack any way I want it. He likes to make them to go into the stake pockets, but since the front pockets are covered by the big tool box, he thinks he can bolt the front of the rack to the tie-down brackets that are bolted to the front of Big Blue's bed and stick out behind the cab. (LOL! I was looking in my pics for one that shows the tie-downs. Duh! Scroll up - the pic at the top of this page is of Big Blue and shows what I'm talking about.) Those are quite heavy, and if they could hold a camper on they'll probably hold a rack up. So, I need to get with him to get an estimate of what that will cost as well as what a tent will cost.

If it isn't crumbly then it may be fine. Check with a welder? Is TIG rod expensive? Good metal. Probably better than coat hanger, which is what I used to use.

Somehow I am not seeing Pete's instructions on how to do the load test. What am I doing wrong? Anyway, Whisler, those results look good to me. The loaded voltage is a bit higher than I would expect, but then the alternator was cold, so it should come down as the temp goes up.

In my very limited experience once the flux gets "wet" it gets crumbly. But if it hasn't gotten to that stage then maybe it can be dried out in an oven. I don't know.

Ok, so that's what Jim was getting at? My apologies. I didn't realize that it would have coil springs. I assumed since the F250HD has leaf springs that an F350 would as well.

That's cool, I'd like to have deeper ones in my F250. As I think about it, if Big Blue is to become used for a fair bit of overlanding then he may well need some changes in the cab. One is the flooring as all the pics I've seen of overlanding vehicles show them muddy. And, while Big Blue's carpet isn't pristine so I'm not too worried about it, getting mud out of it won't be as easy as from a mat. Or from bedliner with a mat over it. Obviously we need to figure out if we are going to do a bunch of this before doing that. But, bedliner and a mat or mats won't hurt the functionality of the truck at all. Maybe raise the noise level a bit, but with new weatherstripping to kill the wind noise, which is awful, and the ZF5 to drop the engine noise, a little bit more through the floor wouldn't be a big deal - I hope. And then, while the seat is out to do that, maybe buckets and a console? As for lighting, which is certainly needed, here are some options: 9": David found these on eBay. Price is nice ($93), but they are said to be a 30 degree spot, which isn't very tight, and yet are advertised as "Driving Work Light Fog Spot".( Lazer: My son found these some time ago, but I don't know where I would mount the bar due to its size, and they don't have round ones. Hella Rallye 4000 Compact LED: At $400 they are pricey, but I've read that for the driving lights you don't want to scrimp on quality. These aren't as traditional or period-correct as I'd like, but I'm guessing that with LED's you get the massive heat sink. Anyway, I'm thinking....... And, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Glad the glass worked out, and thanks for the brand and model number. Bummer on the wheels. Hope you can get the others in time. The tank is a 19 gallon - right? So it had 7 gallons in it, but the gauge was showing 1/8 tank. Yeah, that's a minor problem. Big Blue has 140ish miles on this tank, 40 of which was pulling a trailer with Huck on it, and the gauge shows FULL. I'll take your problem over mine. I know what you are saying re the gas T19's gearing - that 1st gear isn't very useful unless you are towing. But, shifting the t-case while rolling - I've not done that. It isn't too hard? On the speedo cable, maybe you should lube it? Can't hurt - unless you get too much lube. And, reading slightly slow sounds like Big Blue - I have to remember that it is going about 5 MPH faster than it says.

I'm not sure why, but I got myself confused. So, let me restate what I think the question is: If I have that right, and reading between the lines on what Jim asked, I believe that both trucks have leaf springs as they are F350's. In that case, the front axles should swap But, I think the issues are: Transmission: You will have to have a different transmission as the transfer case bolts to the back of the transmission and there's no place for it to do so on a 2wd transmission. So, why not go to a ZF5 at the same time? It will also take a different clutch due to the larger spline on the ZF, and you will need to replace the throwout bearing, clutch plate, and release arm as well. Transmission Cover: You will need the taller transmission cover from a truck with either a ZF5 or E4OD as the cover you have now won't clear the tall ZF. Axles: You need to check the axle ratios on your two trucks. If they are the same then you are fine, but if different you will need to swap rear axles as well since the front and rear axles must match. You can find the axle codes here: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/axle-ratios.html Rear Transmission Support: The ZF is about 1" longer than your T-19, so you will either need the proper crossmember for a ZF, which accomodates the extra length and bolts into the original holes, or you will have to drill new holes. However, that isn't easy on the top holes as there is little room to get between the frame rails in order to drill straight up, and the cab is so close you can't get bolts in there. If your rear cab bolts aren't rusted too badly you can pull them and raise the rear of the cab a bit to get enough room to work, but it isn't easy and the proper crossmember would be better. Backup Light Switch: The ZF has a different connector than the T-19 for the backup light switch, so when you get the ZF be sure to get the wire harness for it as well. (And the clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, and release arm if you can.) You should be able to use the transfer case and its shift linkage from the donor truck, as well as the front axle and driveshaft.

I have two consoles for Dad's truck One has the removable inserts and one doesn't Don't remember the origins of them And I think I like round lights better also.

Yup, 4" is too small.

Yup. Cold or a low battery can make the voltage go up for a bit. But, as the battery nears full charge and/or the temp comes up the voltage should settle in around 14.4, give or take a few tenths. How did you wire up the Rocketman voltmeter? Or, was that someone else?

Yep. The tranny cover will need to be the larger one, like the one I have for the ZF when I had it in Dad's truck, or the "new" one I got from Huck. But, they sit well forward of the seat and its base, so there's no interference.

It is certainly a slower pace than when you have arcs shooting everywhere. Sounds like you are having fun. On the flux,you need a tumbler with rocks in it.

Looks good.

One of the hanging cup holders would work, but what I'd really like to have is the Bronco setup shown below. It would be comfortable as well as convenient. And, the pic of the fog light switch on that Bronco, from the eBay folder, got me to thinking and I'd like input from y'all. I need driving lights for overlanding, and have a couple of ideas. In this pic of the front of Big Blue I've drawn in two possibilities. First, the circles indicate traditional round lights that would be period correct. But the rectangle shows where a LED bar might go. However, it can't be more than 3 1/2" high, and shouldn't be more than 24" long. Thoughts?

Nice! Hmmm, blue buckets and a fog light bezel and switch. Bolt the buckets, along with the base I have, in Big Blue and add that console. Right color, more comfort and convenience for long trips..... Add the instrument bezel and fog light switch/harness, and I'd have something to feed the driving lights I'm planning on installing.

The oil pressure, fuel gauge, and water temp aren't going to work w/o an ICVR. So, if they are it is there. See here for a pic of where it is: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/icvr.html

The 14.8 might be a bit high, but I'll guess that the battery was down a bit and the regulator brought it up a bit to charge it quickly. And, assuming it is cool that isn't an issue for a short period. So, I'd give it a try and see what happens. Congrat's!