Tow Pig / Daily Driver Build

[mjonesjr]

I got the rest of my lines under the truck changed and cleaned up. Instead of any soft line being slid over and clamped to a hard line, I'm actually using the proper fittings now; even on the fuel pump.

 

[mjonesjr]

I installed a 24v, 1A diode into one of the OEM headlight bulb plugs. This will allow me to have my low and high beams on at the same time when I turn the high beams on.

This is ONLY possible because I'm running an upgraded headlight wiring harness. The OEM harness is only used as a trigger for the relays in the upgraded harness.


Low Beam Light Pattern:

Low & High Beam Pattern:

Diode Installed:

 

[mjonesjr]

I got a new set of Mickey Thompson Classic II's for the ole girl. They are 16x8. I've got to order a new set of rear center caps though. The ones that came with the wheels are not deep enough for the hubs. Hopefully they will be here by Monday.

I'm also going to be getting the bed lined and rockers lined in a couple weeks. This is what a Photoshop rendering with the rockers look like.

 

[wahlstrom1]

Looks good dude!

 

[mjonesjr]

I got the 6.0 fan installed. It was pretty easy. The hardest part was to get the fan shroud out of the way enough to get the 7.3 fan out and the 6.0 fan back in without removing the radiator.

I can tell a difference in the amount of air moving when the engine is below temp and idling.

The 7.3 fan blade setup weighs in right at 10 pounds where the 6.0 fan blade setup weighs in at 6 pounds. That is quite a bit of weight reduction on the front of the engine.

The research I've done says the 6.0 fan blades flow 10,000 CFM (can't confirm) while the 7.3 fan blades flow 5,000 CFM (can't confirm).

Here is the 7.3 fan laying out with the fan clutch still attached.

Here is the 2 blades side by side. Notice not only that the 6.0 fan is plastic (except for the center hub) and the the 7.3 fan is all steel. Also notice that the 6.0 fan has blades evenly spaced 360* around the hub while the 7.3 fan doesn't.

Here is the 7.3 fan clutch bolted up to the 6.0 fan blades. There is no modification needed to bolt the 6.0 fan blades to the 7.3 fan clutch. The 6.0 fan blades have the same clutch bolt pattern that the 7.3 fan blades do.

Here is the 6.0 fan installed.

 

[mjonesjr]

I got my truck back from the shop. I had the bed sprayed and the rockers sprayed. I had the lip under the fenders sprayed as well to help from rock chips. I REALLY like the look with the bed liner on the rockers. The only thing I'm going to change is I might add a single pin stripe about 1/4" above the bed liner on the rockers.

Not the best picture, but this was the inside of the bed before.

This is how the bed looks now.

This is the truck prior to the bed liner on the rockers.

This is the truck now.

 

[mjonesjr]

A couple more exterior pictures today. Photo whoring I guess.

I also updated my Aeroforce Interceptor gauges with chrome trim. It looks much better with the chrome. It goes along with the silver dash and door panel trim that I have now. It also makes the gauges stand out a little bit agains the black gauge bezel.

Before:

After:

 

[wahlstrom1]

Paint the bezel to match the interior?

 

[mjonesjr]

Paint the bezel to match the interior?

The gauge trim rings? They are polished aluminum and come with the gauges.

The gauge pod? I still haven't decided on painting that gray yet. I kind of like the black abstract.

 

[wahlstrom1]

Ya, meant the pod sorry! The contrast looks good, but it'll make the black gauges 'pop' more is all.

 

[mjonesjr]

That is the one reason I am considering painting the gauge pods. Who knows. One day I'll get a wild hair and paint it probably.

 

[railman]

looks really good

my buddy and I are always looking through your thread for mods to do to our tow rigs....

keep up the good work

l8r, John

 

[mjonesjr]

Thanks.

I ordered a BTS valve body, BTS tunes, and a new Tru-Cool transmission cooler today.

 

[mjonesjr]

I got my mini-packs installed in the front and my F-350 blocks installed in the rear. I gained right at 2" in the front and 2.5" in the rear. Now my rake is a forward rake with the rear being 2.5" higher. I like the way it sets now.

The only thing I learned while doing this to the rear was that I have a broken leaf in the passenger side pack. I am now in the hunt for a set of Super Duty B-codes for the rear to swap in.

While I had the wheels off, I also polished and waxed the M/T's to get them ready for winter.


Before.

Front Install.

Front Installed with F-250 rear block. The rear is 1/2" lower than the front in these pictures.

Rear Install.

Rear Installed.

 

[kris97ranger]

thats perfect. what are the mini packs? a home made deal?