"Shade Bandit" (1997 Limited)

[NICE59FORDF100]

Not much news, but last night I did remove the running boards to help with ground clearence. When I get home Ill post up pics

 

[gmanpaint]

You home yet? :

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

lol, nope, back at work. to dark when i got home and was trying to get stuff in order so i can drive back to okc this weekend

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

edit

 

[IAmTodd]

How do you keep your heating elements from breaking in the seats? I've repaired mine 3 times and each time my solder joint keeps breaking. It's not a pressing matter now but they were nice in the winter.

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

How do you keep your heating elements from breaking in the seats? I've repaired mine 3 times and each time my solder joint keeps breaking. It's not a pressing matter now but they were nice in the winter.

I have found that 9 times out of 10, the heating element circiutry will break where the pad is folded into the creases of the seat foam. These bends cause extra stress on the physical wire, and with the actual heating element, it's easy for them to break (and the fact they dont use standard automotive grade sheathing on the wires themselves).

To repair, what I do is cut some larger guage wire (perhaps 12 guage) and cust a little extra length than what is needed. Strip both ends. Then on the pad, I cut out the damged wire (burnt, broke, ect) to a little shorter than the length of replacement wire. Strip both ends. Then I twist both ends (one end new wire, to one end old wire) facing each other in opposite directions to help lock the wire together. I get my solder gun and allow it to heat up to correct temp. I flox the tip with solder prior to placing it on the wire. Then I apply the tip of the gun to the wire and immediatly begin touching the solder to both the tip and where the wire meet (this helps super heat the copper fast without burning the insulation)

Once solder begins to flow into the copper strands, i move the solder to just the bare wire and fill in all the explosed copper. Afterwards, after it cools, i put some heat shrink around the solder and heat it up. Repair done! Hope this helps yea out bud!

 

[IAmTodd]

I replaced the wiring the spans the gap in the center of the bottom, from what you're saying I'm thinking I have mine too short and it's putting it in a bad area. Next time I'm feeling frisky I'll pull the seat and try it again. Thanks man!

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

I replaced the wiring the spans the gap in the center of the bottom, from what you're saying I'm thinking I have mine too short and it's putting it in a bad area. Next time I'm feeling frisky I'll pull the seat and try it again. Thanks man!

Not a problem bud! If you want, you can ship them to me and Ill repair and test them for yea

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Finally some photos..

The new 99-01 style limited seat with heated function and side impact air bags

Also got a new CB radio installed for the moab trip

And here is the reverse sensor system deactivation switch (factory explorer equipment)

And just some beauty shots

And a picture of a baby horse because....well, for no reason

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Moab 2013!

Been a while, but here are some updates:

First, Shade has been running great since the motor rebuild. Couldn't be happier of him. But last we left off, I was getting him prepped for Moab 2013 - only a year later, but here are some pictures!

We started off the trip and stopped in Roswell, NM to see aliens. Our rigs parked outside the alien museum. Left to right: Shade, Kris Guilbeaux's Mountaineer, and Dan Jones's Red Bull.

Then we got to the KOA and made camp:

And then lot's and lot's of Moab'ing!

And finally Me with Shade at Top of the World:

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

After Moab, Shade pretty much went untouched until about May 2014. He's still my daily, so nothing too crazy. But at one point we went mudding somewhere:

And oh yea, I picked up a brush guard from the salvage yard that fit like a glove (minus some trimming on the brackets)

Also, since I do work at a Ford dealership, had the paintless dent guy who works here take out a couple dents. This one had been there since I first bought Shade.
Before:

After:

A few more weeks went by (because I started tearing Blue apart, and bought a thunderbird) and then I started throwing money at Shade:

First, I had the body guys at work start repainting the front bumper. Before I got shade, it had been run into, scrapped, and just looked like crap (see above photos). So the sanding began:

and after:

Since I had the brush guard off anyway, why not have it painted ivory pearlescent too!

And since I had all this off anyway, it's as good as time as any to replace the faded over factory headlights...

Wired them up and was testing function. Front bumper installed at this point

Since I had the entire front header panel off, it was a good time to power wash EVERTHING.

Coming back together:

And back together! With a freshly repainted front bumper, cleaned up grille and header panel, and new projection headlights!

Once we had the front end reassembled and headlights aligned, it was time for the final touch - the brush guard installation. I can't believe how much a little paint can change the entire character, but it does. So now, some beauty shots:

And the first place I take Shade? To a cars and coffee car show of course!

And that is where Shade is up to this moment. Sure has come a long way...

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Just went through and fixed all the broken pic links!

 

[Turdle]

I am really diggin' the matched bumper bar! Looks great!

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Well, it finally happened... At 6:45 pm on August 21st, 2014, Shade was accepted into the Quarter Million Mile Club Congrats Shade, you have been such a wonderful truck and a special addition to my fleet. you have continuously served me well, and I look forward to the next 250,000!

 

[MrQ]

You were in 2nd gear going 50mph?

Anyways, congrats! Red is still about 2500 miles away

 

[Turdle]

For you Canadian folk that is 402336 KM

Impressive Russell!