SenorNoob's '88 Ext Cab "Build"

[SenorNoob]

Finally fixed the gaping hole in the floorboard.

Edit: I can't believe it's been nearly 2 years since I posted here.

 

[sgtsandman]

Finally fixed the gaping hole in the floorboard.

Edit: I can't believe it's been nearly 2 years since I posted here.

It's been a minute. Nice looking floor plate.

 

[SenorNoob]

After my wreck and pressure washing incidents, I had some things in need of repair. So.

I wasn't able to the straighten the frame end to lower the driver's side of the front bumper, so I stuffed a few washers under that cab mount to make it look level... LOL

After 3 cans of spray paint. I'm starting to wonder what I could do with a case and some sand paper.

I'm still working on that lift kit. Just got the front shocks in a few days ago. BTW, rear shocks for a 2003 Kia Sedona are perfect spec for a 4 inch lift on a TTB truck.

 

[sgtsandman]

After my wreck and pressure washing incidents, I had some things in need of repair. So.

I wasn't able to the straighten the frame end to lower the driver's side of the front bumper, so I stuffed a few washers under that cab mount to make it look level... LOL

After 3 cans of spray paint. I'm starting to wonder what I could do with a case and some sand paper.

I'm still working on that lift kit. Just got the front shocks in a few days ago. BTW, rear shocks for a 2003 Kia Sedona are perfect spec for a 4 inch lift on a TTB truck.

With a solid color paint you have, you can do a really good job with rattle cans and some wet sanding. It’s not the most efficient way to do things since you pay more for the cans but if you don’t do a lot of painting, it’s more convenient than buying a spray gun and a compressor.

That is how I did the replacement passenger door and tailgate repair on the 1998. Easy peasy.

The metallic paint for the windshield visor on the 2011 was an exercise in frustration before it finally came out ok.

 

[SenorNoob]

Anybody have any thoughts on one of these? Electric Paint Sprayer

I used one my first truck and liked the result. Had I simply used enough paint and not so much thinner, it'd have been near perfect.

 

[SenorNoob]

So some long overdue maintenance and little more is getting ready to happen.
I present todays order list.

A little over $500 worth of parts. Still need about that much more for a replacement engine that most of those parts are for. But a pay raise and overtime are going a long way. It really helped that this month had 5 paydays too. But at this rate, I should be ready by September.

 

[SenorNoob]

Still collecting parts. Got a big one today.

Hoping this isn't overkill. We'll see I guess.

Now the only thing holding the lift back is how I want to handle radius arms. I'm undecided. I have a set of Rancho extended arms and SuperLift brackets. The SuperLift brackets end up roughly the same place as the Ranchos. They just stick down farther for the 4" - 6" lift. I just really don't care for the front of the Rancho arms. I'm considering salvaging the tube with threaded end and welding it into the stock arms.
Guess I should get a visual aid on this...

If the arms look familiar, they're from one of Jim's trucks.

 

[Awesom-O]

Cool thread. Nice to see you still have, drive, and work on your truck after over a decade.

 

[SenorNoob]

Thanks. Always good to see somebody interested.

I put the passenger side front rotor, wheel bearings, spindle seals, and brakes on today. Was expecting to have to retighten the driver's side bearings, but they were good. I'll have to remember to check them both in a couple weeks.

I got new bump stops mounted in the rear.

The old ones were... Well I'll let the pic talk.

The more I look at the radius arms, the more I think drop brackets may be the way to go.

 

[Awesom-O]

If you can cut and turn the beams, I’d highly recommend that, but may be hard finding a guy that knows how to do that properly? I’ve done that on my 87 Ranger build with a 4” lift and custom radius arms, OEM drop brackets, and it’s night and day superior to the SkyJacker 4” lift I installed with drop brackets on my 86 Bronco II.
Either way these trucks look great with a 4-6” lift and looking forward to seeing this thing jacked up. .

 

[Terrys87]

Just got done going thru your thread. I like seeing you have been on it for 10 years already. It is nice having memories and history with a truck. Sorry to hear your cousin passed away 10 years ago but him being a Christian, you will get to see him again. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[SenorNoob]

Picked up a replacement engine. Coming from a 94 Aerostar, so far I've noticed that the engine mount plates, passenger side exhaust manifold and valve cover, oil filter adapter, and wiring harness look different.

Oh, and the dipstick is destroyed. Anybody know any other differences?

Wonder if I'd be better off trying to modify my y-pipe to fit this engine than take the manifold off? I know I don't wanna deal with bolts broken in the head...

The valve cover looks easy enough to adapt. And a little probing should turn up enough wiring components in the yard to make the harness plug and play.

 

[SenorNoob]

Picked up a few parts yesterday.

Exhaust manifolds. They're from a 96 Explorer. Shouldn't matter except for the EGR hole.

Rusty valve covers.

Fuel lines and dipstick/tube.

A couple other goodies.

I pulled the plugs from new engine Sunday.

They looked pretty good, even though they are very worn. Not nearly as dark as the picture looks. Very tan.
I've had all the exhaust bolts on the new engine turned at least a little. Seems like it's going to go well. I think the oil filter adapter will be fine after turning it straight down. I would like to have the engine harness that matches my current wiring. My harness came from a 91 Explorer. IDK how hard it's going to be to find. Ideally, a pair of engine mount plates, the power steering pump bracket, and updated alternator bracket could be found too.

 

[SenorNoob]

I've given up on FEAD brackets and wiring harness. I'll just swap what I have. The oil filter adapter looks like it'll stick out too far so that'll be swapped too.
Now some pics in no particular order.

As you can see, I tore it down. wanted to at leas have an idea of what I was working with. Sludge in the oil pan had me very concerned. I have ordered the 3 rocker arms that are most worn. The others aren't bad. Pushrods were cheap so I got a full set of them on the way.

 

[SenorNoob]

Found some pictures I missed the other day.

I had a couple of other rocker arms that were concerning. I cancelled my previous order and got the full kit from eBay.
I noticed that it had no exhaust gaskets when disassembling. Also 2 of the fuel injectors weren't working. Highly doubting the junkyards claim that it ran good.