Might be ready for opening day

[mahieber]

Well I got the Body lift, suspension lift, and herculiner halfway up the truck. Time to start putting the inside back together.

 

[mahieber]

Hers is another view

 

[mahieber]

Last one today

 

[ahhjaws]

That is sweeeeettt!!!

Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[mahieber]

Tomorrow I hope I can get my front and back bumpers on and paint the rest of the trim and frame with POR-15.

 

[Soundguy01tx]

Mike, what are the final plans? Tire size? any othe crazy plans?
--bryan

 

[Hartman]

Looks great! Can't wait to see it with some big tires.

 

[mahieber]

let's see...what's left

I have the entire interior out right now. This all started out when my radio went out and I was taking it out and looked at the carpet and said "That needs replacing."

I have the sound systems and FINALLY figured out how to do a decent stealth install. Tomorrow the dynamat goes in, and hopefully most of the system. I am not going to go into details about the stereo, because I want it to stay in the truck for a long time. Let's just say that it is more than a hunting and fishing truck really needs.

I am putting in a custom intake that will allow me to run two batteries next to each other. I bought the 200 amp alternator for the stereo, lights, and winch.

I have a tube front bumper with a winch that I need to raise up later to compensate for the body lift, but right now I just need it back on the truck.

I have one of the Kennesaw Mountain Tire carrier rear bumpers I hope to get on tomorrow. It has a receiver hitch and back up lights.

The biggest tires I think I can run are 32's or 33's because I have the 3.73 gears. I mess with mud and sand, not rocks and trails, so I don't think I can justify lower gears just for hunting. The tires and wheels will have to wait, because these 31-10.50 Michelins are just lasting toooo long.

I have a new aftermarket center console that I need to figure out how to mount, and of course the new carpet.

The interior will have lots of things that Ford forgot, like 12 volt receptacles in the back, and a switch to unlock the doors from the back. I have a small inverter that I will permanently mount.

I need to do some small things like change the plugs and put in the "Direct Hits" I bought just to see what if they helped. I already put in the indiglo gauges I bought off of eBay.

I painted the entire interior a slightly darker blue. It came out really nice. I was going to take the dash out to spray it, but I decided to spray what I could in the truck and then use a dash cover.

When this engine goes, I have a new one ready to put in. When I do that, I will probably go with headers and a cat back.

I am looking at the flex-a-lite electric fans right now. I think the one that they advertize foir the Bronco and Ranger should fit. With the lift kit, the shroud misses the top 3 inches of the radiator right now, so I figure the electric fan has to do at least that well.

I have new lights, clear corners and grill to put in the front. I like the clear corners, but I don't think I would go with anything different for the rear.

I guess I still have lots to do, but it is a good feeling knowing that every bolt is put in right, and having the truck set up just like I want it. It may not end up being the prettiest rig on the street, but it will be mine and it is paid for.

I had a security system custom built for it when I first got it. It won't go anywhere unless I am behind the wheel.

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Why didnt you hurculine the entire Exterior?

 

[mahieber]

The sides were pretty scruffed up from mesquite and cactus, so I was mainly concerned about covering that up and preventing it again.

I was concerned that the black on top would get way too hot down here. I thought about ordering the durabak product from Colorado which you can get in blue, but figured that this would suffice.

I have some tape I got from a boat shop which I am going to put on tomorrow and see how it looks. It has real dark blue on the bottom, medium blue, and then light blue. I am going to try it out and if it looks okay I am going to leave it on.

 

[mahieber]

Ready to drill the holes for the bumper

Kind of hard to see the black Kennesaw Bumper against the Herculiner.

 

[mahieber]

side bumper shot

I don't much like the gap between the body and the bumper. It was a real b*tch lining it up by myself. Might have been easier without the body lift.

I think I will make some new "crome" covers out of aluminum diamond plate to fill the gap.

 

[BigDave]

I like how the bumper is "jacked" into place.

Nice truck... when I finally get sick off looking at all of the "character" scratches, I'll herculine mine too...

Dave

 

[mahieber]

That is ISO 9000 wood under there...

 

[Robb]

I had a security system custom built for it when I first got it. It won't go anywhere unless I am behind the wheel.

How does the truck know it is you?

BTW: The truck looks great! And I like your plans. Next wave of money needs to go to gearing tho. Get some rubber under there

Robb

 

[RFR2212]

Originally posted by morrisey0
How does the truck know it is you?

The truck kinda like the Batmobile, or Kit, from Knight Rider?
Pete

 

[mahieber]

Iris scan, fingerprint, voice recognition, and total weight in the driver's seat. It was pretty advanced for the time...

 

[mahieber]

Last picture today

Rear view of the Kennesaw Mountain Tire Carrier bumper with hitch receiver and back up lights...

 

[bates]

looks great! you should herculine the bumper too tho.

 

[Kirby N.]

I dig that bumper. I was hesitant to Herc my rockers about a foot up and 6" on the fender wells, now I probably will. I already did my front bumper and a "bra" with Herc.

Youre full of crap with the security.