delexploder's "Vader" 97 v8 sport

[delexploder]

Didn't get back on it today , had issues with my boiler and the drivers side outer door handle on the mounty snapped off, got the boiler ( circulator controller) working, ran to advanced auto an grabed a door handle from the help section, I was lazy and didn't feel like grabbing one off of one of my spare doors, so i paid $25 bucks and it feels like its gonna snap, cheep Taiwan dorman junk! I grew up in a real parts store and dorman was always good stuff, now its all crap, anyhoo I'll try to get back on it one night this week

 

[delexploder]

Starting back on the mounty , I think we are done with the snow and monsoon season , we are on vacation so I have time to get the t-case done then I can jump back to Vader, but today I had fun swapping out the drivers door hinges

 

[4pointslow]

Hinges

Where did you get the hinges? Whole hinges or just pin bushing kits?
My 4 door D/S door is feeling a little loose these days. Did you have to pull the fender off or were you able to get in there with the fender still on?

 

[delexploder]

I just swapped a set I scored off a low mileage wreck , I hung it off the crane unbolted the door then the hinge from the body , the bottom hinge has a nut inside the truck behind the kick panel ,

 

[4pointslow]

nut

Behind the kick panel? That must have been the fun one to get to!
I like the engine crane door holder. That's better than my floor jack door holder. lol.

 

[delexploder]

Just a few pics of the process, I cut the tabs off of the case and then smoothed them with a flap disc, I have the truck on ramps and stands in my driveway , the driveshafts are out and I've started on the awd case to tranny bolts , just stopped for lunch ,

 

[delexploder]

Didn't get done today but I think I'm ready to install in the morning, I am regretting doing this in the driveway , I may just get the case in and the rear driveshaft and just finish it at the shop , but I did get the tank bracket done and the other little things like that , I'll get picks of all that in the morning

 

[R1dd1cK]

Man I wish I would of had a shop to work in. I had to man handle my t case in.

 

[delexploder]

That's where I'm at and its bad enough its a heavy awkward pig but it is a very tight fit and has to go in just so , but I'll get it ,

 

[delexploder]

More pics , after I took these this morning I got the case installed along with the rear driveshaft , the ratchet straps helped keep the tank and exhaust out of the way , you can also see my tank bracket , I just cut off the the part that was in the way and it seems plenty strong

 

[delexploder]

Well I got the shifter in and took it for a ride , wow what a difference! I didn't get to the front driveshaft but that doesn't really matter since I have the manual hubs , I'll post a few more pics in a few

 

[delexploder]

Shifter located, I'm not gonna use the boot and bezel I have because it doesn't fit quite rite but I'll get the f150 one in the morning from the junkyard, the mileage is now saying I'm getting 23/24 mpg at 55/60 mph , it was 17/18 mpg at those speeds, it steers like an old crown Vic and it will smoke the tires very easily,

 

[vroomzoomboom]

sooooooooooo.....you have a mc. in it. i didnt know that. tell me, did you get it to read for the smaller tank?

 

[delexploder]

Oh no that's the mounty, I had to do the wife's first, gotta keep her happy so i can do all the same stuff to my sport

 

[delexploder]

I still plan on using the electric shift case in Vader,

 

[delexploder]

Didn't find a boot yesterday but I found one on ebay last night, my only problem so far is the front driveshaft I got from a 97 expedition is too long, other than that im loving it, I put over 100 miles on it yesterday and all is well,

 

[Turdle]

Just wait till you feel the low range-

 

[delexploder]

Just wait till you feel the low range-

Low range with the hubs unlocked and no front driveshaft! Lol im trying to not roast the new BFGs, but its Soooo hard!

 

[delexploder]

Just a little update, got my 01 f-150 shifter boot and bezel installed

 

[Turdle]

That looks pretty good!