Well, I took the F-150 over to my property and started poking at my choptop. I wasn’t originally intending on shifting gears and see if I can’t make this monster driveable again, but here we are. Well, I should say I was intending on fixing it, just at some point after the green Ranger and dump truck but the F-150 is getting pretty worn around the edges and the green Ranger now has an indeterminate repair point so…
Oh, and I found a good deal on an engine for it. We shall see how long this one lasts. Stupid truck has a penchant for eating motors. I probably won’t be able to get the engine for another week, but I wanted to get a feel for where things stand and what I might have to acquire other than an engine and D-35 axle shafts (Which so far I’ve had zero luck finding other than CroMoly which is unfortunately out of my budget).
Anyway, replaced a fuse, put a battery in and it cranks and the fuel pump does it’s thing, but no start. Not really a surprise, but it would be nice if I could get it running however poorly long enough to move it over to the house. I hate trying to move dead vehicles around and with the 35’s it’s not at all easy to steer. Guess the next steps will be to check spark and compression and see if I can find something. I’m not trying to spend a ton of time and effort to get it running, but maybe it’s something dumb keeping it from firing up. If I have to move it dead, I might try seeing if I can rig up electric power steering.
Aside from the motor and the front axle though, it seems to be in decent shape. Service all the brakes and the rear axle looks like it could use some attention (gear oil change, new breather, and shocks). One bad spot on the body. Then it’s the more cosmetic stuff, finish the cage, clean up the chop, new bumpers. Not required to be driveable, so I’m calling it cosmetic.