The New POS

[farmersamm]

Check engine light comes on intermtiantly, ABS light came on, and stayed on. Engine surges

Drivetrain sounds like the Liberty Bell when ya let the clutch out

But it's my new ride:laugh::laugh::laugh:

My wet dream is to wake up a millionaire:laugh:

I got a sneakin' suspicion, that if I get rid of those crappy mudflaps, the problems will go away:laugh::laugh:

[duaneb55]

'Tain't the mud flaps Sam :nono: - paint it Miller blue :blob3: and problem solved!:p After all, the interior's half way there.

[farmersamm]

Duane.....

Fast crappy buy because the Dodge gave up the ghost. Move hay in 2 weeks, and maybe this thing's history.

All I gotta do is make maybe 20 trips down to the hay meadow, and back. 7mi round trips.

I'm not real happy about this

[farmersamm]

It is set up to pull a gooseneck, and maybe that's all it will do for two days, then it's on to the next owner

[duaneb55]

Sorry to hear about the 'ol Mopar. What happened?

[farmersamm]

Brakes, been discussed before, and although I thought I had it solved, it's still unsolved.

Or, in the words of Inspector Clousseau, it is Un Sol Ved

[farmersamm]

Cleausau..... ???

Oh hell.... I can't remember the actors name

English dude

[farmersamm]

Peter Sellers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[farmersamm]

Guy's gone now, been a while since he passed

[MarkBall2]

How much money do you want to put into it?

Engine surging: Replace the Throttle Position Sensor
ABS lite on: Won't hurt anything other than no Anti-lock braking system. Or you can check to see if there are any wires loose. If not, it will need to be tested if you don't want to take the bulb out.

Intermittent Check Engine lite on: Get a computer tester at your local AutoZone or Pep Boys. Easy to read the codes it's kicking out & fix the offending sensor. Or on the cheap, just reset the MIL light if no major codes. I do that on my Dodge because of an intermittent code. Nothing more than a vague vacuum leak.

Then get a blanket to cover your torn seat cover. Run it til it drops.

[farmersamm]

Thanks Mark:waving:

I have a pretty nice Innova code reader, it even reads the older OBD I systems like the one on this truck.

It wouldn' t communicate with the onboard computer, so I took it to the Ford garage in town.

The computer was in failsafe backup mode. Rats had chewed into the harness, and severed the wires to the MAP sensor. They traced it down, and spliced it.:blob4:

Runs like a top now, a few other issues like no lights and the driveline, but definitely road worthy:blob2:

I might actually start likin' this truck.

Their feeling that all that's wrong with the AC is that elec. lines, and vacuum lines were apparently on the same rat's menu.:rolleyes:

Total to trace, and splice $97. I think that's a real fair price. I was definitely not able to do it.

[prop-doctor]

pesky rodents will eat anything between them and the muddabers
its a never ending battle .if it sits for day they will find it

[farmersamm]

I'll tell ya, the muddaubers are the pits. Always get into electric motors

Rats are always giving me trouble.

It's getting around 11mpg now. WOO HOO!!!:drinkup:

When I drove it up from Seminole, where I bought it, it took over 12 gallons to go around 50 miles

[kburd]

It can carry beer what else do ya need??????

[AndyA]

One night my wife came in and said "your pickup is making a..... gnawing sound". I went out, popped the hood and had two beady eyes looking back at me. He had a little nest behind a headlight. I left him a nice packet of decon. He chewed up a few vacuum lines and a spark plug boot. He ate so much rubber I bet his turds would bounce!

[farmersamm]

All you can do in good weather is leave the hood up, or when bad weather is coming close the hood and put a trouble light somewhere in the engine compartment.

Then the little *&^%$%^&'s move into the cab!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best thing is a good bunch of stray cats, or semi wild cats.

Problem is my dog kills 'em.

[Oldiron2]

Samm, what year and model is the truck, and which engine does it have?

So far as rats go, I've heard they really like a mixture of rolled oats with a few raisins and nuts mixed it, 'cut' with a little (30%?) Plaster of Paris! Sets up in their gut but won't hurt anything that eats them later, like hawks. The raisins need to be dried before use, or maybe omitted, and the mix put in a dry place; it will gradually adsorb water, if not eaten soon.

[flatbustedbroke]

I like the feed mix Oldiron2

[farmersamm]

Samm, what year and model is the truck, and which engine does it have?

So far as rats go, I've heard they really like a mixture of rolled oats with a few raisins and nuts mixed it, 'cut' with a little (30%?) Plaster of Paris! Sets up in their gut but won't hurt anything that eats them later, like hawks. The raisins need to be dried before use, or maybe omitted, and the mix put in a dry place; it will gradually adsorb water, if not eaten soon.

Forgot. It's a 94 F-350, 460v-8, 5spd, 4.10 10.25 Ford rear, AND 2 REALLY BIG GAS TANKS:laugh::laugh::jester:

Paid 2500 dollars for it. You know, I paid 4000 for my old Dodge almost brand new back in 78'(maybe a few months old). Dollar isn't worth crap anymore.

Probably be parked at least 350 days a year. Only use it to pull trailers.

The old Dodge got around 3mpg with a good heavy load, and I don't expect too much better with this one. As little as you use this type of truck, the mileage doesn't matter. It's why I prefer a gas engine. I don't put on high miles, and a gas engine is easier, and cheaper to work on. Plus it will start on a cold day.

It's the main reason a guy like me will never own a new one. I don't use it enough to justify a huge outlay of money. Most of the time the little F-150 is enough for my needs.

Between you, me, and the flies on the wall, I figure most folks own trucks that they really don't need. I see pipline rigs where the bed weighs about as much as the truck:laugh: Great for braggin' rights , but seems like a lot of weight to haul around to look cool.

Now, there's a few guys around here that do a wide variety of work, and have a small gin pole setup on the back, like Bob(here on WW), and that's a good reason for a heavy truck.

I don't think folks think about how much weight can be packed on the back of a truck the size of a F-250 with a reasonably light built bed.

And again, I'm probably painting a picture with a broad brush. Depends on the actual everyday service load, and the sometimes over capacity needed.

You'd be amazed at the crap sittin' on the back of oilfield service single wheel trucks around here. Yet they show up at the Quicky Mart every morning for coffee and donuts for the hungover dudes that pile outta them. I guess it's a bottom line thing. Wanna make money, or give it all to the truck dealer.

I'd love the biggy, with all the bells and whistles, but it doesn't make it easier to go to the grocery store.

Besides, I ain't gettin' any younger, and it just doesn't matter what I drive anymore:laugh::laugh:

Here's one you'll get a kick out of...........

I took a drive down to the hay meadow in this truck, and checked out how the grass looks today. Gettin' close to cutting.

Neighbor across the road from the meadow calls up, and leaves a message on my machine (screw that voice message stuff, costs more than it's worth). "Thought ya might wanna know, someone's been pokin' around on your place". Only owned the stupid truck for 1 1/2 days, and already it's causin' a stir. Folks are used to the old Dodge.:laugh::laugh: Around here change is slow, and not too well received.

And there'll be some wisea$$ sayin' something like ....... "Must be nice to be buyin' new trucks". Always is, and it's been me sayin' it on occasion.

Either way, it's money out the door. In effect, I'm gonna be buying my own hay this year, or at least a part of it. Figure in the price of the truck, and it makes your own hay suddenly expensive.

Given the heavy rains this year, the meadow will put out maybe 150-170 rounds. Rounds are selling for 30 right now. That's 4500 worth of hay. Subtract 2500 for the truck, and you payed for over half of your cutting just in the cost of the new truck.

I don't think many folks think about this when buying equipment. What is the actual cost? And how long before it pays back the investment? Just doing 4000 worth of work with a 4000 piece of equipment doesn't mean ya paid for it. How long will it last, and how expensive will it be to keep it serviceable. Look at the numbers, and you'll be surprised. It's called amortization.

This doesn't even consider the labor involved, and what you're actually making a living on. 4000 worth of work involves labor, and overhead(the other stuff you own). I think it's why a lot of guys go down the drain. If they learned basic cigar box accounting, they probably wouldn't do the things they do

Long post:D:drinkup:

[Oldiron2]

I'd bet you don't even need a code reader for that truck; probably can just jump the terminals in the computer hookup and count the blinks of the Engine Light! Should be three digit numbers for it, with 111 meaning OK. Should have codes for the ABS too.

Have any of that Yummy Plaster of Paris around?

BTW, if you ever need to look at a manual and don't have one, try the site below. Not everyone is able to get in to it, and I don't know why; it always works for me.

Online Manual (http://search.ebscohost.com/Community.aspx?user=s9048444&password=password&site=autorefctr&return=y&authtype=uid&ugt=723731963C0635473786354632453E4226E367D3661366 9360E322E336133503)

Once it opens, click the 'Auto Repair Reference Center' button or line, then select the vehicle year from the list which appears, and go from there.

I just right clicked it from the preview, and it still works for me.

[farmersamm]

I'd bet you don't even need a code reader for that truck; probably can just jump the terminals in the computer hookup and count the blinks of the Engine Light! Should be three digit numbers for it, with 111 meaning OK. Should have codes for the ABS too.

Have any of that Yummy Plaster of Paris around?

BTW, if you ever need to look at a manual and don't have one, try the site below. Not everyone is able to get in to it, and I don't know why; it always works for me.

Online Manual (http://search.ebscohost.com/Community.aspx?user=s9048444&password=password&site=autorefctr&return=y&authtype=uid&ugt=723731963C0635473786354632453E4226E367D3661366 9360E322E336133503)

Once it opens, click the 'Auto Repair Reference Center' button or line, then select the vehicle year from the list which appears, and go from there.

I just right clicked it from the preview, and it still works for me.

I did the "check engine" light thing for a long time. Then I bought the code reader a while back. I was always messing up the count on the flashes on the dash, and confusing the pauses between sets of flashes. Always had to do the test twice to make sure I got the codes right.

RE MANUALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:blob2: When I bought my new F-150 in 1994 I bought the full set of factory manuals for it ($225), also the Haynes, and Chilton manuals. I'm definitely well informed, if not well read:laugh::laugh::jester:

Seriously though. I've never, since the age of around 18, touched anything on a vehicle without the manual. They're great time savers, and sometimes save you from making costly mistakes.

I even have manuals on manual welding. ROFLMAO

[lugweld]

Good Haul Samm,

Now, if you want to have a good tax deduction, you could "donate" it to me when your done.

[farmersamm]

So far today:

Oil/filter
new belt for alternator and air pump pulleys(also runs waterpump in conjunction with the sepentine belt)..... a seperate belt from the main serpentine belt
full chasis lube, excluding wheel bearings
starting to trace down lighting problems(only lights that work are the front turns, headlights, and cargo light)

Found the cause of driveline noise. VERY BAD U JOINT. I hope the yoke isn't damaged.

New belt eliminated overheating 100%:blob3:, and now the system is running at around 15 volts charge(normal while engine running)

Pic one....old belt:D:eek: (maybe I can get Alfred to trade me the can of tranny fluid that his boss traded for the fuse holder, for the old belt:D)

Pic two..... alls well again:angel:

Pic three..... leftover rat salad. What's left of the vacuum lines which control the AC/heater plenum:realmad::realmad:

[farmersamm]

Lugweld.........NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:jester: They'll have to pry them from my cold dead fingers:p

It was kind of a BIG deciding factor when I bought this 1 ton. I already had the manuals for my other 94.

A little family of Fords:D

[Mad about Metal]

Here is a good trick with rats and mice and it has worked for me, I was told they can't burp and they love beer and the gas bloats them and some how kills them, I poured a bottle of beer into a couple of bowls and next morning I came out and found all beer gone and four big fat rats, two dead cold and still and two well on the way to being weed feed!

[weldsforever]

Ive never heard of that, most people would rather not waste the beer on rodents

[Mad about Metal]

This was cheap nasty beer someone had bought me in order to repay a favor I did.. I was gonna dump it but thought the rats might like it:p

[rabidchimp]

Sam, your "long" posts reminds me of the late Finley Hays. He wrote in Log Trucking. I discovered this rag when I'd go to my local hydraulics / fittings supply place. Always had the latest copy of the counter. Good reading.
-Aaron