new to forums 95 f150

[david despain]

Hi to everyone! i have been watching this board for quite some time and finally decided to post. i have a 2000 disco and lurked at disco web for a year before i bought it 2 years ago so i have been getting more and interested in the expedition style of off roading for quite some time. thanks to all the toyota porn on this site i had my heart set on an 02-04 double cab taco and after about 6 months of lying to myself i finally admitted i cant afford it. i have too many other irons in the fire what with house remodeling, kids, wife upkeep etc, so i think i have decided to keep my 95 f150 and go through it to make it "newerish" again. due to the reasons listed above i havent even been in 4low off the pavement in a couple of years. so it really doesnt make sense to change what i've got since the most i can expect to do is a couple of day trips to the mountains this summer. my wife said if i trade it in i can have the balance up to about 12 grand in a loan so i figure if i keep it then maybe i can have 3 or 4 thousand to redo some things and while im doing that i figured i can get in some exploring type upgrades. i dont want it to be XTREME TO THE MAX as the new car comercials would have u think u need but i would like to make it reliable and maybe a little more power wouldnt hurt. i havent seen too many (if any at all) half ton trucks on this site; maybe they are not cool enough, and i know its not the best thing to start with but its what i have so that makes it good enough. i get no love from any of the ford forums about any of this stuff i guess they are all just to hillbilly to want anything but a get-r-done #3 sticker as an upgrade. sorry for the novel i have about 5 times as much as this to say but i will try to keep it short for now. what i have now: 95 f150 extended cab XLT tired 5.0L eng auto trans 3.55 (i think it may be 3.50 cant remember) limited slip rear auto hubs in front. 31x10.50 bfg A/Ts. dual fuel tanks. new stuff: radiator, suspension bushings in front, coil springs, pulgs, wires, coil, tune up stuff, rear brakes 1 week old windshield with a few rock chips already, oh yeah XM too! stuff it needs: front brake components (all of them and in a bad way too!) transfer case has a inch long crack in it originating at the drain plug but it doesnt leak too bad. front steering joints would be nice. it has original fuel pumps, starter & alternator. if i let it sit for more than 2 days(less in extreme cold temps) it will drain the batt. so im thinking new alternator regardless. anyway ideas and comments are really appricated
thanks david

ps scott if u have managed to read this far im from AZ and my family has VERY strong ties to prescott and the area. my dads family is from bagdad and my grandpa was sherrif deputy there for 30 some years long ago, until the late 80's my dads family had a ranch that was ( i think) south of bagdad and i have always hunted up on those mesas around there my brother graduated from embry riddle and i tried to find work around prescott but there just wasnt any for me. i love it there. i graduated from show low high school 95 and played many soccer games in chino valley:jump:

 

[The BN Guy]

Welcome to EW! :wavey:

 

[datrupr]

David, welcome! Do not worry about the cool factor, there really isn't one on this site, in our eyes all of these trucks are pretty cool , and as long as you enjoy your truck and are building it up for what you want to do than that is cool enough for us here I am finding the build up to an appropriate expedition set up a bit of a drawn out process, and I have just started myself. As far as your truck goes, just keep doing what you are doing in terms of making a reliable rig first, nothing worse than being stranded out in the middle of the bush because of a broken truck, then add some rocker and under side protection, small lift and upgraded suspension and keep on going from there. This is an addiction that turns into a love, I will be very interesting to see your build-up as it progresses, I think you have a good platform to make a really killer expedition vehicle. Have you considered a diesel upgrade to you tired 5.0? That would be cool too, but I do not know what all would be involved. Also, I would consider looking into getting your transfer case replaced, that crack is only going to get worse and lead to failure. JB Weld is only going to cut for so long, but it will help to slow or stop the leaking in the meantime. You can probably pick up another TC from Ebay or almost any salvage yard that is probably in pretty good shape. OK, I have rambled on enough here and I want to welcome you here again, there is a wealth of knowledge here and everyone is very eager to help out.

 

[david despain]

that is exactly the stuff i have had in mind. its like you knew what i was already thinking. i would love to get/make some sliders, know of anyone that has some or makes them? i guess it wouldnt be too dificult to make some and definitly cheaper if you dont count your own time. as far as a diesel conversion i think that would be the ultimite best upgrade i could make but i dont know of anything that could go in without major modification but oh man if i could that would be most kick ass. plus then i could run it off jetA which i have in abundance which makes it even cooler. :elkgrin: i wonder if anyone makes a snorkel like the arb safari snorkel for this model or if parts from one could be made to work. hmmmmm...

 

[CLynn85]

Welcome!

My first truck was a 91 F150 with 31" BFG AT's, oh the stories that truck could tell.... :ylsmoke:

 

[datrupr]

I am pretty sure you can get a snorkel for it, but it might take some doing, man would that look cool. They did make a Powerstroke for that year, but I don't know about mods to the Transmission/TC etc., but the engine should just slide right in on the same mounts. Sliders I am sure can be sourced from any number of vendors on line or can probably be easily fabbed up if you have the welding skills. I think making up your own sliders is a much cooler way to go, then you know you have the only set like them, and you have the satisfaction of having made them yourself. I will see if I can not dig up a few websites for cool stuff for your truck, so stay posted.

 

[david despain]

settle in folks :lurk: i have got a few website bookmarked already as i have a little bit of free time here and there to dream. :box: i have lots of ideas just not enough time or money to get them done. i think a gas engine is going to have to be good enough for now i can get a crate motor for less than 2 grand and i highly doubt i could come close to a diesel and nessecary mods for less than 5 thousand $. the powerstrokes of that era leave much to be desired in terms of power and effciency they are nothing like the current ones. if i do most of the engine work i can build it into a healthy relieable slightly more pwerful eng for less than 2grand i think that is what will happen. here is what i think i will do in what order, of course its all subject to change at any time based on what breaks and how much money i can come up with. #1 brakes and steering stuff tie rod ends and whatnot. ebc pads dont know what brand rotors. it would be nice to put warn hubs in at the same time since it will all be apart but the $$ thing again.
#2 alternator and starter this is a chance to upgrade the units. they are original now.
#3 engine work dont know how much time or money i will put in and it may be done in stages. ideally pull it and slap in a crate motor with a little bit of cam and a new exhaust system. but maybe just clean or replace injectors (original)and replace cam and lifters and get heads cleaned/ overhauled. i bet in the long run crate motor is faster and easier and cheaper. engine definitly bears further consideration.
#4 i really want back up lights. its tinted pretty dark for the heat and sun from AZ and i moved to a house with no street lights and cant see for ******** to back out of the driveway at nite. i like these http://www.offroadtuff.com/816BKUP.htm too bad it only has one lamp.
#5 rear bumper mine is kinda starting to get a few rusty bits and also someone hit it in a parking lot im the only one who notices but its slightly bent. this would be a good time to practice and get better at welding i have a 110vac lincoln wire feed and with enough passes i could get it to weld 1/4" that ought to do it. this kinda goes with the back up lights so they could be integrated. rear mounted winch you say that would be pretty kick ass! but i dont really need one.
#6 dual battery set up after having to jump the truck numerous times in the last few years for my mystery batt draining i WILL NOT let that happen in the woods. this may get bumped up this list actually. have not decided which isolator/combiner to use yet there are some good threads on this board for that though.
#7 truck box/bed bar had one since new and threw it away from rust about 6 months ago kinda would like a new one. but im toying with the idea of just a bed bar. i would mount the spare tire/hilift/jerry can/ side lights to it and in a perfect world it would just slide down the hilift slide-n-lock rails so it would be removeable. right now all the stuff from the box is in the garage or back seat but if i go off road with the kids then they need to go there. might actually do both who knows. that is somehting i would build myself for sure.
#8 sliders this should be a fun project and who knows how when it will turn out. dont know if they will weld onto frame or just what, only other ones im familar with are for the land rover discovery and i dont think the sills are anywhere close to hte same.
hmm thats enough for now i gotta go do some actual work now
david

 

[Scott Brady]

David,

First, welcome to the forum, and thanks for posting.

Second, your F150 is a great exploration platform for several reasons.

1. Part availability. You can fix that truck anywhere in Mexico, without issue.
2. Payload.
3. Payload volume (big bed area)
4. Ease of maintenance
5. Good aftermarket support.


These trucks are actually quite durable and reliable. My Uncle has used Broncos and F250s on his ranch for years. The Bronco has over 300,000 miles on it.

So, I would recommend that you spend all of the money up front on preventative maintenance. With children and a wife on board, the truck needs rock solid reliability.

Let me know if you make it up to Prescott. It would be great to meet you :camping:

 

[david despain]

thanks scott. your site and forum have kept me VERY distracted in the last year. yah i didnt bother to mention all the little piddly PM stuff i have been doing i think i have spent abuot 800-1000$ on stuff like filters belts hoses, fluids etc over the last year. i really had no major issues until about a year ago when i had to start to make a choice weather to put money into it or dump and i just like it enough to keep it. if i didnt want it in tip top shape i think it would run like this for antoher 130k miles it just wouldnt be pretty or comfortable or safe but i bet it would do it. i just saw the post about the 4runner and you went right by me i could have waved as u went past maybe next time u are in this neck of the woods. i think u wrote an article about duck creek right? that was my first experince of the utah beauty about 10 yr ago when i first drove up here to SLC from showlow and i still think its a perfect area to explore i would love to tag along if u ever go again

 

[CLynn85]

One thing I'd also consider is the front automatic locking hubs. They are very high maintenance and unreliable. The cost of a nice set of aftermarket hubs is well worth the assurance that you'll have 4wd when you need it and not whenever the hubs decide to lock-up.

 

[calamaridog]

My favorite newer FORD truck would be a 1995ish short bed F150 4x4 with the 4.9 I6 and automatic transmission.

Anyways, there are some upgrades available for your truck and TONS of used parts. I'd be looking to regear and run some 33's and a rear locker. You would be good to go!

Switching to manual hubs sounds like a good idea too.

 

[david despain]

hubs? speak of the devil

so after approk 130k miles i keep hearing everyone say oh get rid of those hubs and put a manual kit in. and they keep chugging along i never have any problems that ive noticed anyway. last week it snowed a ton here in salt lake and i need 4x4 in town. and after i used it a few times there was a ratcheting poping coming from the lh front a few times then on fri morn i thought the bearing was going to grenade on me. so i took it apart at work that afternoon and the lh side took a bit of fiddling with and it "popped" free and no problems since. the rh side had a sliver of metal about 8 inches long looked like a ribbon and it was magnetic and the grease in there was rusty with metal specks in it thats not good. so looks like that will be #1 priority and fairly soon too! some parts sites say i need a conversion kit but all the illustrations i see it looks like all i need are hubs, any one have any hard evidence of whats actually needed to put warn premium hubs on mine i have 5 torx screws on the hub and i have the 4 pronged nuts with a little teat to lock them in i think that info is required to know what i have and what i need.

 

[91xlt]

yeah, the full size fords can be tough on general maint., but only until you get on top of it, then they run,run, run, run,. you probably should start off with the list of gen maint items you mentioned. give your ford some love it will love you back. start with a hard core detailing job...done by YOU, not a detail shop. including engine compartment, undercarriage, everywhere. remove all grease build up, grime dried mud, salt whatever. learn your vehicle, where it leaks(if any), how much it leaks, stay on top of fluid levels and changes. a full blown tune up, plugs wires, cap rotor, check ALL fluids, oil, trans, tranfer case, diffs fr. and rr., change fluids if dirty/watery etc. check ALL hoses, get them clean and shiny all over, underneath everywhere. this not only gets you intimate with your rig but is part of preventive maint. do this very regular, you will be suprises how much you learn about your truck and how much better it begins to perform! if you go on to replacing parts, do not skimp, buy the best you can afford, always the heavy duty type, such as alt, i think the stock alt is a 90A, at least i think mine was, replace it with a min of 130A more if you can, your battery if it is a wet cell check the waterlevel, add ONLY distilled water if needed, if replacing consider dry cell(optima) possibly dual batts. belts, check it if its orig replace it, your money and time spent on a project like this will well spent. what good is a bar with lights if your truck doesn't start or stay running? anyhow lots of luck...and...have fun!!!

 

[Scott Brady]

All wise advise 91xlt!