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jpark6491
Well-Known Member
Hey all, I've been a member on the forum since February but I have never properly introduced myself. This is my forever-a-project truck lol. I also wanted to say thank you to all those who have helped with answering some of my questions along the way.
I bought this 1999 XLT, 5 speed manual for $600 with previous owner claiming that it was stuck in 4th gear. It did not drive or actually even start at the time I bought it, but was told that it had a new clutch and engine was swapped with a lower mileage one. I hoped that it was just a simple fix but it was not...
I charged up the battery to find out that the starter was not engaging. I pulled the starter to find a broken nosecone piece and then replaced the starter to find out that it was indeed stuck in 4th with no hopes of driving. I got the truck home, pulled the transmission, and opened her up to find that the input shaft and counter shaft were completely stripped. I decided to rebuild the transmission and was somewhat successful, although the truck won't shift into 5th gear now (mainly due to carelessness on my part during assembly). At least now I can drive her around town and on backroads, but no highway driving yet. I am hoping to find a cheap used transmission to install before I pull the current trans and dive into that again so that I can at least still drive the truck in the meantime.
Once I have the transmission sorted out I have hopes of a DJM 2/3 or 4/5 drop with new wheels/tires. There is also a lot of rust and body work to patch up.
The interior is very clean. While I was waiting for new transmission parts, I tore apart the interior, cleaned the carpet and seats good, patched some rust holes in the floor and laid down some 80 mil Noico sound deadening material. I still would like to do the doors and roof, but for now it sounds a little quieter.
So, like I said, probably a forever project truck but I love having it for now!
I bought this 1999 XLT, 5 speed manual for $600 with previous owner claiming that it was stuck in 4th gear. It did not drive or actually even start at the time I bought it, but was told that it had a new clutch and engine was swapped with a lower mileage one. I hoped that it was just a simple fix but it was not...
I charged up the battery to find out that the starter was not engaging. I pulled the starter to find a broken nosecone piece and then replaced the starter to find out that it was indeed stuck in 4th with no hopes of driving. I got the truck home, pulled the transmission, and opened her up to find that the input shaft and counter shaft were completely stripped. I decided to rebuild the transmission and was somewhat successful, although the truck won't shift into 5th gear now (mainly due to carelessness on my part during assembly). At least now I can drive her around town and on backroads, but no highway driving yet. I am hoping to find a cheap used transmission to install before I pull the current trans and dive into that again so that I can at least still drive the truck in the meantime.
Once I have the transmission sorted out I have hopes of a DJM 2/3 or 4/5 drop with new wheels/tires. There is also a lot of rust and body work to patch up.
The interior is very clean. While I was waiting for new transmission parts, I tore apart the interior, cleaned the carpet and seats good, patched some rust holes in the floor and laid down some 80 mil Noico sound deadening material. I still would like to do the doors and roof, but for now it sounds a little quieter.
So, like I said, probably a forever project truck but I love having it for now!
