Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Acuta73
Member
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2012
- Messages
- 10
- Vehicle Year
- 2003
- Transmission
- Manual
Greetings!
Bought my "new to me" truck as a DD so I can do a full resto-mod on an 86 Power Ram 50 2.6l Astron G54B (my usual home is the only "active" D50/MM site). Got her with 98K miles on. Seems to run smooth, but the previous owner obviously didn't believe in PM.
Tranny/transfer fluids were BLACK, same with diffs, engine oil was Ok. Had a cracked taillight, broken driving light, broken tailgate cable (???), dead cyclops, Airbag 27 code (fixed thanks to post on this forum!), Motorcraft plugs so worn they were at about .080 gap (full-on pain to replace, again a post here got me to my #3. NGK plugs!!), Original fuel filter....etc. Did have a K&N panel, but no cold air intake...will fix that! Flowmaster Cat-back was installed at some point. Drones a bit much for my tastes, but doable. Four high works, 4 low does not. Need to figure that out. Wish the dang thing was the Level 2 with the direct linkage, but...well, yeah.
Amazingly aside from a few rock chips and perhaps the worst wax job in history, she's straight, and the worst off-road she's seen is mud (will fix that, too
). Skid plates are still blue and no dents!! Truck is the Dk Blue/Purple shifting metallic. I like it, but the BRG metallic is still better!
I don't believe in stock. Stock = mass produced pile of...stuff. Already have a Thule basket rack installed (roof) with HID off road lights ordered. Sylvania SilverStar bulbs in, planning on going full HID projectors. 3000k 55w HID in new driving light housings, Optima on board. Replaced taillights with LED units, LED 5w backup lights, and an LED cyclops. Looking at ignition, MAS, lift, stereo, throttlebody, pulleys, gas strut hood support, and anything else I can upgrade in the short term (chip?). Plan on passing this rig off to my son when my project truck is done. Will rebuild the pack and drive train before I do (upgrades!). Previous owner was good enough to put on a set of Les Schwab Mud Terrain class "E" tires. Not great off-road tires despite the name, but doable and quiet on the interstate. "E" class means they are tougher than nails, though. Good thing, that!
Really enjoying the Hp/Torque of this pack. Giddyup-go is not lacking, but could be better yet. Got 14Mpg first tank, but the PM should improve that a LOT. Not real happy with the typically sloppy and generally crappy Ford tranny, but I'll get used to it. Might get a Centerforce to make me happier in engagement. Turning radius bites, but again, just a matter of getting used to it. Rear-end suspension upgrade ideas appreciated. My D50 is MUCH tighter and less lateral shift in bumpy corners. It's 17 years older...
I don't have any pics yet. Been busy getting the truck together and myself together for a 10 day hunt in some REALLY remote area, the Owyhee country of SE Oregon. Gonna try and get some nice Mule Deer. Will get pics there for sure, can post after I get back (hopefully with blood in the truck!).
If ya got through this half-inebriated and terribly disjointed post, I commend you!
Bought my "new to me" truck as a DD so I can do a full resto-mod on an 86 Power Ram 50 2.6l Astron G54B (my usual home is the only "active" D50/MM site). Got her with 98K miles on. Seems to run smooth, but the previous owner obviously didn't believe in PM.
Tranny/transfer fluids were BLACK, same with diffs, engine oil was Ok. Had a cracked taillight, broken driving light, broken tailgate cable (???), dead cyclops, Airbag 27 code (fixed thanks to post on this forum!), Motorcraft plugs so worn they were at about .080 gap (full-on pain to replace, again a post here got me to my #3. NGK plugs!!), Original fuel filter....etc. Did have a K&N panel, but no cold air intake...will fix that! Flowmaster Cat-back was installed at some point. Drones a bit much for my tastes, but doable. Four high works, 4 low does not. Need to figure that out. Wish the dang thing was the Level 2 with the direct linkage, but...well, yeah.
Amazingly aside from a few rock chips and perhaps the worst wax job in history, she's straight, and the worst off-road she's seen is mud (will fix that, too
). Skid plates are still blue and no dents!! Truck is the Dk Blue/Purple shifting metallic. I like it, but the BRG metallic is still better!I don't believe in stock. Stock = mass produced pile of...stuff. Already have a Thule basket rack installed (roof) with HID off road lights ordered. Sylvania SilverStar bulbs in, planning on going full HID projectors. 3000k 55w HID in new driving light housings, Optima on board. Replaced taillights with LED units, LED 5w backup lights, and an LED cyclops. Looking at ignition, MAS, lift, stereo, throttlebody, pulleys, gas strut hood support, and anything else I can upgrade in the short term (chip?). Plan on passing this rig off to my son when my project truck is done. Will rebuild the pack and drive train before I do (upgrades!). Previous owner was good enough to put on a set of Les Schwab Mud Terrain class "E" tires. Not great off-road tires despite the name, but doable and quiet on the interstate. "E" class means they are tougher than nails, though. Good thing, that!
Really enjoying the Hp/Torque of this pack. Giddyup-go is not lacking, but could be better yet. Got 14Mpg first tank, but the PM should improve that a LOT. Not real happy with the typically sloppy and generally crappy Ford tranny, but I'll get used to it. Might get a Centerforce to make me happier in engagement. Turning radius bites, but again, just a matter of getting used to it. Rear-end suspension upgrade ideas appreciated. My D50 is MUCH tighter and less lateral shift in bumpy corners. It's 17 years older...
I don't have any pics yet. Been busy getting the truck together and myself together for a 10 day hunt in some REALLY remote area, the Owyhee country of SE Oregon. Gonna try and get some nice Mule Deer. Will get pics there for sure, can post after I get back (hopefully with blood in the truck!).
If ya got through this half-inebriated and terribly disjointed post, I commend you!
