From 6 ft under to 6 ft over - the story of a 2010 Raptor rebuild

[AL-Jazz]

We got some significant progress made last night. New steering rack, new tierods, new rear end built and installed and the JBA muffler installed. I will mount the exit pipes once the new rear right spring and hanger are replaced when the frame is straightened on that side.

Still waiting on the bed to be finished so I can get this truck on the road

 

[AL-Jazz]

One source of significant frustration was the 133" wheelbase driveshaft I purchased was obviously not using the same system of measurement. So I will be deciding what to do about that in the near future...

 

[AL-Jazz]

A few more pics of the late night adventure and new rack installed.

 

[Ditchplains1]

Al Jazz,
Livernois Motorsports has Aluminum and Carbon Fiber driveshafts...

Livernois Motorsports

Eddie

 

[AL-Jazz]

Al Jazz,
Livernois Motorsports has Aluminum and Carbon Fiber driveshafts...

Eddie

Thanks Eddie, I’ll check them out.

I was able to drive her home from the shop where we performed the swap, and I did not experience any driveline vibration from my original driveshaft despite the two dents visible in the above pic.

 

[AL-Jazz]

The bed has been sectioned at the factory seams and the pieces are being assembled today. Getting close

 

[AL-Jazz]

Had the Raptor moved back to the shop today to get the frame work done and the bed installed. Before I left this AM I placed a sizable amount of money in an envelope in the glove box since it is Friday and payday at the shop. Long story short is the truck arrived minus the money in the glove box. It was enough to make it felony theft...so needless to say the police are involved and I am not very happy with a certian local towing company...

 

[AL-Jazz]

...now back to progress pics. Bed has been assembled and will be ready for paint soon. The truck was moved onto the frame machine late this afternoon and should begin the process to get everything aligned tomorrow. I figure maybe another week and she should be ready for me to pick her up

 

[Msb.19d]

Have to ask why leave it in there if having random person coming to get tow it and have access to it? I’m thinking and hoping you accidentally just forgot. I’m not in noway trying to be a **** either. I’m sorry that some low life got ahold of your money. It’s sad how people are these days. I hope the police can do something about it but in reality I know they want be much they can do. All tow guy has to say is I never looked in glove box.

 

[AL-Jazz]

Have to ask why leave it in there if having random person coming to get tow it and have access to it? I’m thinking and hoping you accidentally just forgot. I’m not in noway trying to be a **** either. I’m sorry that some low life got ahold of your money. It’s sad how people are these days. I hope the police can do something about it but in reality I know they want be much they can do. All tow guy has to say is I never looked in glove box.

I did not explain the whole long story. As I said at the beginning of this blog, I used to own a body shop. These three hispanic brothers all worked for me and now have their own small shop, but still do all of my work as well as work for the public. They are some of the best body guys I have ever had the privilege of working with. Today was payroll and the older brother (the owner) asked if I could pay for the work already done and part of the work yet to come. No problem because we have been friends for a decade or more and I know Friday is payday. I flew in from a business trip last night and withdrew my max from the ATM. I got up early this AM since it is a new day and did the same. I took the cash put it in an envelope and placed it in the glove box. I placed an ignition key in the center cup holder and locked the truck up. I leave for a day business trip to Nashville TN, which is a 3 hr drive, and I have to be there for a lunch meeting. While on the road I call the same towing company that has been moving it around (and plenty of my previous cars) to have them move it back to the shop. At 9:50AM I get a call from the driver and he is at my truck. I verbally give him the door entry code so he can unlock the truck. I hear him unlock it and once he locates the key he tells me he all is good and he is ready to load it. At 10:48 I get a text and then a call from the body shop owner asking me where I put money because it was not in the glove box. I call the tow company and tell them I am going to file a police report and they ask me to wait until the owner gives me a call back. A few minutes later the owner of the towing company calls to tell me he checked the trucks GPS and it never stopped from the time it left my house until it arrived at the shop and he went on to inform me that I needed to ask "those hispanics" at the shop because it is obvious to him that's where my money is because his drivers don't rummage through vehicles. He did not know these guys are like family and that money was headed for their payroll today...