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Tow rig/daily driver


This is what I drive. 14 years old and they want over 70% of what it sold for new! This is way over double what i paid for mine 2 years ago, though I had more mileage on mine at the time. My mechanic told me he would give me 33% more now than I paid for it then! Amazing!!

Yet I drive things into the ground before I buy another and always shop for a deal before I need to make a move...
 
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Wildlife

Denny
Supporting Member
5,248
191
Ross County, Ohio
Nearly a grand in engine/trans maintenance parts & upgrades for this 01 F250 Superduty.

View attachment 131709

Engine wire harness replacement
View attachment 131710
Parts & maintenance repairs:

  • New emergency rear brakes installation
  • New driver side rear caliper installation
  • New rear brakes installation
  • New 3 Dot brake fluid w/ complete flush & bleed
  • Tire rotation
  • New radiator hoses installation, top & bottom
  • New Radiator installation
  • New engine anti-freeze installation w/ complete flush
  • New Transmission Pan Filter installation
  • Repainted Transmission Pan
  • New In-Line Transmission Magnet Filter installation
  • New Transmission Gasket installation
  • New Transmission Fluid (17.7qrts.) installation
  • New Oil Filter installation
  • New Synthetic Rotella Oil (15qrts.) installation
  • Lubed all U-Joints & Suspension Fittings
  • Topped off Rear Axle w/ gear oil and Repainted Rear Axle Cover
  • New K&N Air Filter w/ new screen cover installation
  • New AB Indicator Assembly for Air Filter installation
  • Rebuilt entire Fuel Bowl because it leaked.
  • New Complete Gaskets & O-Rings installation for the entire Fuel Bowl
  • New Fuel Bowl Fuel Water Separator installation
  • New Pressure Regulator Billet for Fuel Bowl installation
  • New Fuel Filter installation in Fuel Bowl
  • New Complete Engine Wire Harness installation
  • New OEM alternator installation
  • New Driver side & Passenger side Mirror’s installations
  • New Exhaust Back Pressure Sensor installation
  • Cleaned Out Exhaust Back Pressure Tube that connects to the outtake exhaust manifold.
  • New Camshaft Position Sensor installation
  • New 850 CCA/1000 Cranking Amp Main Battery installation
  • New Serpentine Belt installation
  • Complete engine & electrical maintenance cleaning and retorqued all bolts/nuts on all other engine components and/or parts to spec
The motor runs strong still with nearly 250k in overall mileage. This 7.3-liter (445cu”) Powerstroke turbo motor currently holds the reputation of lasting a million plus miles if maintained properly, which I have done and will continue to do. Who knows, I just might eventually place that motor and tranny into my 96’ F350 1ton to replace the 460 cu” gasoline fuel injected manual five speed.

Not entirely sure if or when I’ll fix the rest, but if I do, what is left to do, is a little front-end body work, like a new front bumper and one new front bumper frame to install, straighten out the front driver side fender some, a new driver side headlight assembly and a turn signal assembly that needs to be replaced and then, I’ll need to straighten out the engine hood just a tiny bit and maybe a new or used truck long bed because the current one has server rust underneath and all along the fender wells. The rest of the truck, like the frame, cab and doors s are fine.

It’s just a work truck however, I need this 20-year-old pickup to last me at least another year or possibly two, or until I finish building our new house, which ever comes first.

I never had to do any real major mechanical work to this vehicle since I purchased it new, simple basic regular maintenance only, that is it.

Undoubtedly though, this truck is the least out of pocket, most cost-efficient motor vehicle I have ever owned by far except for all the motorcycles I previously owned, and I have owned outright several different motor vehicles throughout the decades; such as several Fords-pickups & sport cars, a few GM Chevy cars/currently a nice sporty Cadillac, a Pontiac Trans am, a couple of Dodge Mopars, three 1979-82 AMC Jeeps and even a couple of rice burners.

I have always done all my own mechanical maintenance and/or motor engine swaps/rebuilds/repairs on all my mechanical equipment throughout the years, which includes mowers and tractors as well.

Nowadays, when I finish these kinds of jobs, I do wonder how much this type of work would have cost me if I were to have some mechanical auto repair shop do it for me. I am, however, quite the stickler for quality parts and quality service, so, I suppose I will continue to do this kind of work myself.

Granted, the Cadillac, that car is still under manufacture/dealer warranty, and it does go to the dealer’s shop to get worked on for pretty much everything and I have had them screw things up a couple of times since we have owned it outright. I always go through the car with a fine-tooth comb afterwards of whatever kind of work performed by whomever.

Well, since this thread quite ironically came up while I worked on my pickup over the past week in the shop, I thought it would be appropriate to share my still and current ‘tow rig/daily driver’ with you all. Not that she's a beauty anymore, but she still runs great for such an old truck.

I did a complete new frontend brake job on the old F250 today, which kept me from getting out to do an evening hunt. New rotors, bearings, seals, pads and all.

The last time I did this job on this pickup was back on March 13, 2013 with 179,151 miles. Today's mileage is right at 252,327.

What threw me for a total loop regarding today's work was the total cost for the replacement parts. I was flabbergasted in how much more money it cost me to replace the exact same parts I bought back in 2013. Easily over double in costs for the exact same parts to do the exact same job I did back then. I couldn't freaking believe it. I was absolutely floored!

Anyhow,,, the job is done and the truck now has brand new brakes all the way around. I did the rears and the emergency brakes back in July.

Mechanically, the entire truck is very sound, and she runs and performs great considering the year. Most likely the last bit of mechanical work I'll ever have to do on her before I get me another.

I'll pick my hunting back up again tomorrow. Still wanting to harvest another good size doe.
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,745
274
North Carolina
I did a complete new frontend brake job on the old F250 today, which kept me from getting out to do an evening hunt. New rotors, bearings, seals, pads and all.

The last time I did this job on this pickup was back on March 13, 2013 with 179,151 miles. Today's mileage is right at 252,327.

What threw me for a total loop regarding today's work was the total cost for the replacement parts. I was flabbergasted in how much more money it cost me to replace the exact same parts I bought back in 2013. Easily over double in costs for the exact same parts to do the exact same job I did back then. I couldn't freaking believe it. I was absolutely floored!

Anyhow,,, the job is done and the truck now has brand new brakes all the way around. I did the rears and the emergency brakes back in July.

Mechanically, the entire truck is very sound, and she runs and performs great considering the year. Most likely the last bit of mechanical work I'll ever have to do on her before I get me another.

I'll pick my hunting back up again tomorrow. Still wanting to harvest another good size doe.
The million $$$$$$$ question? Does it go in park after all of that, Denny? 😂
 

Wildlife

Denny
Supporting Member
5,248
191
Ross County, Ohio
The million $$$$$$$ question? Does it go in park after all of that, Denny? 😂

Well, she seems to be parked okay at this very moment, but who knows what the hell tomorrow will bring 😊

20220123_224600.jpg
 
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In my younger days I put an end to many a vehicle myself...
Then there were the ones i was a passenger in.
Today however I enjoy a safe driver discount!
I've got road rash from motorcycles. I remember thinking to myself that you can slide a long way on dry streets, till the curb stopped my regress...
Was a passenger on a James Bond-esque race boat that we put up on dry sand at Presque Isle one summer.
I've been in a small plane that had to make an emergency landing, then burned up where she stopped...
I once had a 3 wheeler I was riding on run over by a Ford Mud musher truck that left tire tracks on the seat but never touched me. Everyone in the truck thought I was run overed...I was laying flat on my back when the driver came and got down to try and help me. I popped up and gave him a kiss on the forehead and proceeded to clear the dust from my throat with the beer in his cooler.
There are other adventures I may or may not remember. All I know is, that when I run in to people I knew decades ago, they usually laugh and say something like, "I thought you were dead!" So Mr. Giles, you got nothing on me, son. One day we may get to swap stories over a Corona or 6, that is those that are past the statute of limitations!
 
Into the ground?!?! or something else?
In my younger days I put an end to many a vehicle myself...
Then there were the ones i was a passenger in.
Today however I enjoy a safe driver discount!
I've got road rash from motorcycles. I remember thinking to myself that you can slide a long way on dry streets, till the curb stopped my regress...
Was a passenger on a James Bond-esque race boat that we put up on dry sand at Presque Isle one summer.
I've been in a small plane that had to make an emergency landing, then burned up where she stopped...
I once had a 3 wheeler I was riding on run over by a Ford Mud musher truck that left tire tracks on the seat but never touched me. Everyone in the truck thought I was run overed...I was laying flat on my back when the driver came and got down to try and help me. I popped up and gave him a kiss on the forehead and proceeded to clear the dust from my throat with the beer in his cooler.
There are other adventures I may or may not remember. All I know is, that when I run in to people I knew decades ago, they usually laugh and say something like, "I thought you were dead!" So Mr. Giles, you got nothing on me, son. One day we may get to swap stories over a Corona or 6, that is those that are past the statute of limitations!
 

Mike

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
15,840
223
Up Nort
I bought a Range AFM disabler for my 2015 Silverado. She drives like a truck now. Now, maybe my engine won't take a shit like so many have. 🤞
 
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