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  1. grouch

    Ford Expedition build thread.

    I've been tracing electrical issues. I had the computer tested and the dash cluster rebuilt. Put everything back together and it would crank okay but the truck wouldn't start. Extended cranking showed oil pressure so the dash is working. I tried shooting some ether into the throttle body and it...
  2. grouch

    1997 Dakota

    A couple of photos of the new ride.
  3. grouch

    Ford Expedition build thread.

    I got a new window regulator as when I got the truck, I notice the window that didn't work had a short piece of cable hanging out. These type regulators fail regularly. I ordered a new one and it came in so I tore the door down to replace it. Oh joy! No window motor and cable hanging...
  4. grouch

    Dealer asked for Battery replacement

    It's been a while since I bought a NEW vehicle but tires and batteries are often under different warranty terms. It used to be 12 months for battery's. Since it's a '22, the truck may be more than a year old. Personally, I'd go the 50/50 route but put the highest capacity unit in there I could...
  5. grouch

    1997 Dakota

    The Dakota is gone. I traded it today for an early 1972 Harley-Davidson iron head sportster. Photos to follow.
  6. grouch

    Ford Expedition build thread.

    That's how I usually paint vehicles. That particular paint job is so good, I thought it was stolen one night when I came home and couldn't see it. It was there, just camouflaged very well.
  7. grouch

    Ford Expedition build thread.

    When the weather warms a bit, I've got some all materials spray paint by Krylon. I'll be freshening the side cladding and the front and rear bumper covers with semi gloss black. When I was fighting to get the wheels off (the aluminum had welded itself to the steel rotors through electrolysis) I...
  8. grouch

    Ford Expedition build thread.

    What works for one, often works on others. As much as designs vary, basic mechanics are similar.
  9. grouch

    Ford Expedition build thread.

    Took the Furd out last night to the grocery and realized the headlights were useless. I already had some new ones. They're made of Chinesium, but at least they are clear. Marked the aim of the old ones with tape on the garage door and swapped the new ones in. Now for the new ones. The new...
  10. grouch

    Pre Purchase Inspection out of town

    I wish I'd have done that with the El Camino I spent two days traveling to look at. I've since traded the PT for something else, but it still rankles.
  11. grouch

    Ford Expedition build thread.

    After some general clean up, my first repair was the brakes. The PO said the LF brake hose was failing. There was a definite pull to the right at times when the brakes were applied, but it didn't feel like a bum hose. More like a caliper issue. A dial indicator showed excessive run out on the LF...
  12. grouch

    Ford Expedition build thread.

    I got to thinking (now my head hurts) and I'm going to be making subtle changes to the Expedition I recently got. I figure to start a build thread here. I'm not going to raise or lower it, but I have a knack for subtle changes making a big difference. Here is what I'm starting with. There...
  13. grouch

    2005 PT Cruiser convertible. Sell or trade.

    Traded off.
  14. grouch

    5 speed convertible

    Swapped the PT off today. I traded it for a 2004 Ford Expedition NXB. It has some issues. The cruise control doesn't work and the heat won't turn off. Playing with the buttons driving home. I hit the A/C switch and the speed dropped right away by 10 mph. The drive train is sold and that's...
  15. grouch

    Any tips on bug and road tar/gunk remover?

    Lot's of petroleum based stuff will work. Goof Off, Goo Gone, WD-40, Diesel fuel, #2 fuel oil (I've also run that in diesels), kerosene as well as Bug and Tar remover. Don't leave any on very long, just long enough to remove the crud. Looking forward to summer, I recently had to quit riding...
  16. grouch

    Carjack Attempt??

    A fellow I used to work with lived on the county line and had a bunch of fairly expensive cars in his garage. He called the police about intruders breaking into the bard and they told him it would be a bit before anybody could get there. He went outside, shot several rounds into the dam levee...
  17. grouch

    Carjack Attempt??

    A tip on a Faraday cage, wrapping in foil helps, but if you really want to block a signal, ground it. A clamp on a wire to a metal pipe in your plumbing system is VERY effective. I'm not too worried in my neighborhood due to the frequency of police (city and county) transiting past my house...
  18. grouch

    What do you think of the “water based solvent” parts washers?

    I clicked the wrong button and ended up here. However, I'll toss my input in. Where I used to work, I spent 10 years in the Still yard. This is where we refined A-5 crude into different asphalt products. While we did use some fairly strong solvents, we also used Dawn dish washing detergent. For...
  19. grouch

    1985 El Camino

    I don't do things like that. I've fooled with old cars locally for nearly 50 years. People trust me and that is worth more than just money. I was definitely not happy. Nearly 1000 miles and several hundred bucks in rental costs, fuel, a motel room and so on. I think if I sell my Dakota, I may...
  20. grouch

    1985 El Camino

    He was talking like it was a done deal until I out some carpet down to crawl under it. Then it was "If I don't sell or trade it...". The car is worth what he's asking with all the parts. It's just more work than I want to deal with, especially the frame rot.
  21. grouch

    1985 El Camino

    No. I drove nearly 500 miles with w rented truck and trailer to look at and trade for what was a good looking car. I thought Indiana roads were bad but the Ohio roads were so rough they actually tripped my dash cam several times. I took this up as he specifically wanted it. I was going to...
  22. grouch

    1985 El Camino

    I'm considering a truck rental myself. 7 hours and 466 miles one way, more or less. Enterprise has a 3/4 ton truck for $75 per day with 150 miles free. Add towing, it's $100. While I'm pretty sure my truck would handle it, it's set up more towards low speed work and off road on my farm. I'm...
  23. grouch

    1985 El Camino

    We ran Toyota 8000 pound lifts at work for several generations with the 4.3. They did everything we asked. When GM dropped the 4.3, we went with Linde lift trucks. (Made by Porsche) My truck a couple of days before I retired. No, it wasn't leaking coolant. That's condensation from the a/c...
  24. grouch

    1985 El Camino

    This week is a wash due to the Holidays. I have something to do next Tuesday so I'm hoping to head up Wednesday. I'm trying to decide if I'll use my '96 Ram to tow or rent a 3/4 ton from Enterprise. Cheaper to use my truck but I'll be going nearly 1000 miles in two days and don't want to get...
  25. grouch

    1985 El Camino

    Mine too, but the carpet set is about $400 and I'm cheap.

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