The Black Hole

[gmanpaint]

I hear you. I would love to get out to Moab, but I'm on the east coast and unfortunately it's not in the cards. Life has a way of getting in the way of what we really want to do. lol! I love your rig. Been following your threads for some time. I actually followed one of your write ups when I did the F-150 leaf spring mod to my rig. Great write up, helped me immensely. I was able to go back to stock shackles and get the lift I needed. If I can be of any help with your pre- trip troubles let me know. I'd be happy to return the favor, so to speak.

Well, that's pretty awesome! I love hearing feedback about past posts that have helped fellow members. Thanks!

I hear you on the distance for traveling. It's a 2 day (long days) trip one way for me to Moab. 3 days for you more then likely. I have to say tho, it would be worth it for a trip of a lifetime experience out there. It is simply amazing. They rent Heeps and RZR's ready for the trails. Flying out and doing a rental might work better, just for the experience, if you ever get a chance.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

Well, that's pretty awesome! I love hearing feedback about past posts that have helped fellow members. Thanks!

I hear you on the distance for traveling. It's a 2 day (long days) trip one way for me to Moab. 3 days for you more then likely. I have to say tho, it would be worth it for a trip of a lifetime experience out there. It is simply amazing. They rent Heeps and RZR's ready for the trails. Flying out and doing a rental might work better, just for the experience, if you ever get a chance.

That's something to think about. But of course I would love to bring my truck out to give it the old college try! We're losing more and more areas to off roading here in Jersey all the time. So it's getting harder to enjoy the trails without travelling farther away. The nearest off road park is a little over 3 hours from me. But I digress. Let us know how you make out with the blower motor.

 

[CDW6212R]

You might at least pull the blower motor resistor and see how it looks. I had that go out in my Crown Vic in March, and my new 98 had no fan at all. It's got the EATC so the "resistor" is a $90 contraption. They are held in with two small bolts, just inboard of the blower motor. You can get to it with minor effort right next to the engine. Try to remove the connector first, but it's not hard with it all out either.

 

[gmanpaint]

Manual says 2 relays next to each other in the panel under the airbox. I found 3 relays. 2 large, 1 small, all in a row. The smaller relay is for the washer fluids.

So.... I went to the store, asked for both relays. 1 for the ground relay, and one for the blower.

I have them both in my hand, and they look identical, except they have different PN's.

I look them up on the AZ site, and 1 is for the main, 1 is for the High speed relay found behind the dash it says. Going off the diagram posted above, it confirms this.

SO...... Now I am really confused as to what goes where, and where the other relay is in the dash??????? FML!!!

I think I will just try the main relay swap. Leave the ground relay alone as I do not think the one for behind the dash is correct. The blades on the 2 I pulled both have some corrosion on them. My guess this thing sits too much and the blower is never used, causing it to oxidize & rust.

BTW... Taking the blower motor out sucks on this rig. Coolant/washer tanks, cruise control box & the airbox have to all be removed. I did get the resistor as stated earlier. 1st gens are located in the side of the A/C box, as this rig has it under the fan itself off to the side a bit. Simple to get to once the fan is out.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

The high speed blower relay is in the battery distribution box on the drivers side between the ABS module and the firewall.

 

[Turdle]

Check for discoloration of the socket it plugs in to. You might even get in there and give the connector lugs a squeeze to tighten them up. If yours is like most I have seen, the yellow plastic layer locks the lugs in place.

 

[gmanpaint]

Replaced the main relay, blower resistor, and found a broken ground wire going into the relay panel.

Bench tested the original fan, and it was fine. Cleaned everything with contact cleaner.

It works now, and I don't even know what was the problem, but by golly, I fixes it.

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[albi1cnobi1]

Bravo! Once again, your persistence pays off.

 

[gmanpaint]

Worked on the rig all day, and into the night getting ready for Moab. Packing that box with parts, tools, recovery gear, and first aid is harder then I thought. lol
Had to break everything down to basics to get it to fit.

Got the new rear & front cameras mounted & wires ran to the dash before I ran out of steam. Head unit has to come out to replace the switch with a three pole On/off/on switch. Then mount & wire the new monitor.

Tow rig has a bad coolant sensor, and is reading -40c. That will hurt the fuel mpg severely on this trip, so that's gotta be changed in the morning. Bought a new spare tire the other day, so it should be good to go.

Camping gear has to be gone thru, clothes packed, then all packed up by tomorrow night. Early departure Monday morning, for another "Trip of a lifetime" adventure!

 

[gmanpaint]

Moab trip was a sweet victory for me. Not a single breakdown or major issue to deal with the entire time out there playing in the rocks.

The members that were lucky enough, and those that put in all the hard work to make it out there, was simply amazing to be around. I consider myself a very fortunate person to be part of this incredible group of individuals that make up this great on line community.

I can't wait until the next trip back out with everybody!

 

[Dono]

I gotta say, I was wondering how you were making out. You did a lot of serious stuff in the few weeks before. Congratulations. Sweet smell of Victory.

Pictures look great.

 

[gmanpaint]

I gotta say, I was wondering how you were making out. You did a lot of serious stuff in the few weeks before. Congratulations. Sweet smell of Victory.

Pictures look great.

Thank you! All that hard work paid off ten fold. This trip out, it was me helping others get through the tough stuff, instead of the other way around. I felt pretty good about being able to hang with the bigger rigs out there. Still have more work to do on it tho. lol

 

[albi1cnobi1]

The pics look fantastic! I've been to the Utah desert many times, but never wheeling. That looks like sooo much fun! Glad everything worked out and the trip went well.

 

[gmanpaint]

The pics look fantastic! I've been to the Utah desert many times, but never wheeling. That looks like sooo much fun! Glad everything worked out and the trip went well.

Thank you. This trip was definitely one to remember. Seen some old friends, and made new ones. Brought a member along for his first time to Moab, and real wheeling, at the center of the wheeling universe.

Putting faces to some members names, and hearing them speak instead of reading what they type, is a nice change of pace too. lol!

I know I did alright when the owner of this forum called the rig a "Beast". :notworthy
Thanks for these pictures Russell!!

 

[CDW6212R]

Excellent, awesome to hear it went great. I'd love to be around that kind of fun, I've never been close to off roading, but I appreciate it and the work that it takes.

 

[gmanpaint]

Excellent, awesome to hear it went great. I'd love to be around that kind of fun, I've never been close to off roading, but I appreciate it and the work that it takes.

Thanks!
Just as in the street scene, this way of life is a community of fellow enthusiasts. I think of it as a whole, made of many parts. planning, fabricating, wrenching, and friendship goes hand in hand, and the reward, is all of it combined. Using your vehicle of choice, is just the cherry on top.

Well, that's how I perceive it at least.

 

[96EXXLTinCO]

Glad it was a good trip for everyone. It came down to the wire and in the end we just couldn't make it happen, really disappointed. Maybe I can get one of these Ex's in shape for next year. Plus, I think the Colorado Colors Run needs a revival.........

 

[gmanpaint]

Glad it was a good trip for everyone. It came down to the wire and in the end we just couldn't make it happen, really disappointed. Maybe I can get one of these Ex's in shape for next year. Plus, I think the Colorado Colors Run needs a revival.........

Always next year!

 

[gmanpaint]

Got time to do an post Moab inspection today. Was pleased to find only a couple minor issues.

Dr side front and both rear leaf hangers took a bit of thrashing on the ledges out there. Not a big deal. Hoping someone I know comes up with some bolt on front hanger skids... (Cough.... @Brian1 ...Cough)

Also put the locking lugs back on to deter some theft while it sits between use. These wheels and tires scream take me. Hopefully they don't break the windows looking for the key that isn't in there. lol

@Glasken took some great pictures and shared them in the 2016 Moab thread. I borrowed it to post here, as it just looks so badass to me.

 

[gmanpaint]

A/C wasn't working and had no idea as to why. After tinkering with it today, it seems I have a sticky low pressure switch. Jumped the switch and the compressor kicks on. Had it evacuated and re-charged, and used the jumper to run the compressor while charging. after running the A/C for a period of time, removed the jumper, and it worked on it's own. :scratch: Either way, it is working now and is nice & cold.