Diesel truck discussion

You can rent those?!
Oh the hours I've wasted!

 

They're almost always rented out and on a different job.

Stuff is really easy to get at before the body is mounted on the chassis, or before the engine is bolted into the chassis.

 

Yup, when I heard Ford made it so that many things would require the body to be removed to access things, I thought someone fell and bumped their head, but then when I seen the first one actually removed I was like wow, everything is easy now! Yeah it takes a bit of time to get to that point, but not too bad really

 

Mine will spin on the 1-2 also, found out when the transmission builder asked if I wanted to go along for a test ride.
Still wish my truck was a zf6.

 

Myself and everyone that I knew that towed with that combination (7.3/slushbox o/d)
Had multiple failures. Maybe it's nice and flat where corncobs running.
Btw, the Amzoil a/t juice alone cut 40* off the transmission temps and that's a meaningful number.

 

100% once you take a couple cabs off you will never want to work hunched over the radiator again!

 

You lost me when you called amsoil snake oil. I disagree with the hydrualics as well.
Issues with firewall flex on the 80-86's that cause issues with the slave but that isn't the clutchs problem.
Fix it right the first time. Like they say fix or repair daily.
To add on the cab lifting comment-
How many backyard guys have the ability to lift a cab? No they made it so you have to take it to a dealer. Not that a backyard guy couldn't do it.

 

Correct. These truck require expensive diagnostic tools as well as “special” tools to preform many repairs.

Most modern vehicles are out of backyard guys league except for suspension, tires, brakes etc. I certainly don’t want Joe 6 pack working on my 80$k vehicle.

 

I don't want an $80k vehicle... unless it's got 3 axles and can pay for itself !
It's just foolish "out there".
Warner with the cab removal, I'm guessing that Ford has provisions like wiring and easy mechanical disconnections for steering and brakes and sheet metal and as bizarre as it sounds (for 20 years ago vehicles) I can see it's advantages.
How long does it take to roll the chassis out from under the cab?

 

Yeah I could go through it all but it’s pretty straight forward steeing shaft, disconnect master cyl without opening the system, drain coolant disconnect hoses body bolts and a few electrical connectors. after you do it a couple times a week it’s no prob. Hustling I could have a cab off of a super duty in a couple hours. The only thing a fella with a lift couldn’t do properly is evacuate and recharge the a/c system.

It got to the point I’d take the cab of f150’s to do engine repairs. Some of the younger guys didn’t mind leaning on the radiator reaching. It was worth the time to me so that I didn’t have to spend hours in that uncomfortable position when the job books 15-20 hours.

 

Why you think those parts swappers working in the stealerships actually know what they are doing?
they plug their diagnostic computer in, read the code and replace the part.
Finding a guy who can actually understands millivolts, grounds and how stuff cascades is a rare bird these days.
I don't even trust my 86 truck (or any other vehicle) with mechanics, they can't even get simple stuff right that requires no electric knowledge.

 

Some do but you are correct most don’t.

This is a common misconception. Especially with multiplex networking. You need to look at the code and figure out if it’s a wiring, programming, hard part or results of some other system not working. Modern vehicles rely on module communication and a network of circuits for the information to pass on. One small corroded wire can take down a network and pretty much brick your vehicle.


There are good people that work at dealerships but a lot of times the politics of said dealship steer the experience.

there are also many uneducated and worse thieves in that realm.

 

You didn't quote the part where I stated understanding millivolts and cascading failures. aka multiplex networking canbus etc.
I try to keep it simple but maybe that was too simple of a response.... or not enough buzzwords

 

Well in the 20 year stint I did at a stealership I never heard the term “cascading failures” so I apologize.

 

I kinda like it when it only took gas, air and a spark.

 

Yup, the new stuff is cool when it works….

 

It is, and more efficient and powerful. The days of junking Detroit iron @ 100k is way in the past.
Just too much "fluff" that can go bad and leave you on the side of the road. Parts you don't have never need attention or repaced.

 

100%

 

I'm tall and even getting over the radiator on my f150 isn't easy. I'm about to take that air dam off mine because it's in my way. It will get easier to get to a lot of things with that air dam out of the way. I hear it's good for freeway mpg, but I'm not doing any long road trips any time soon and I suppose it will go on and off easily.

 

I've been ask many times why I drive a 20 year old 1 ton every day. Honestly I can't afford a second vehicle. But it's also much cheaper the truck payments on a modern truck with the same capability and I can work on it myself. Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to pick up a ranger for a daily beater.