PD1744's Build

[Steven_Born]

Don't get frustrated, we all have those days, weeks and recently for me one of those years. I will contact you soon, I need to catch up on your projects.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Lights look good! Yeah, don’t get frustrated, things will turn around, at least you’re not spending a crap load of money at a dealer, doing the work yourself is so much cheaper and rewarding.

 

[PD1744]

Lights look good! Yeah, don’t get frustrated, things will turn around, at least you’re not spending a crap load of money at a dealer, doing the work yourself is so much cheaper and rewarding.

Appreciate the words men. @Steven_Born , great to hear from you! Been a while my friend. I know it's just one of those times, lord knows we've all had our share. Easy for us to get down on ourselves. I've gone through enough to know that it doesn't last forever and to take it all in stride. Teaches us lessons and makes us hopefully appreciate the good times more. Sunny days wouldn't be so great if it wasn't for rain.

These boot issues definitely have me seriously considering re-integrating my IWE system though. Would at least hopefully take the axle grease sling out of the equation for when it happens again. Then again, without that visible sign to show the problem, I could end up taking in contamination and smoking the joint because I didn't know there was a problem. I would need to order a new set of vacuum lines as well as new wheel end actuators to make that happen though. Decisions decisions.

 

[PD1744]

Driver mirror motor came in yesterday. Managed to knock it out without causing any additional damage. Good thing because, those pieces of glass on that side are expensive.

The motor I ordered did not come with the plug for memory (upper right socket in the left motor below). RockAuto didn't have any options for that one, so I'm without that function. No big deal for me.



If anybody is curious as to how these works, there are just two little motors in there that swivel the mirror U,D,L,R. The memory one has position sensors up top.



The rest of it looks like this. I assume the spades are for heat and the connector is for auto-dim.

 

[Reaper308]

Great looking Gen 1. It’s good to see someone else in the garage working on there truck. It seems there are always gremlins when we get after it in the garage, but once in a while things go together with no other troubles. Albeit not as often as I would like. Nice job and again a beautiful Gen 1.

 

[PD1744]

Passenger mirror glass came in last week. Though the thing wasn't cheap IMO ($50) it definitely seems to be lower quality than OEM.

Didn't have the 'Power Fold' etched on there:



Or full backing plate:



Install went fine:



Truck has been parked for like a week or so because I've been trying to get that CV boot sorted out. I finally took it for a drive yesterday and mirrors seems fine. No vibrations or anything.

The first set of boots I ordered came in late last week and didn't work. I think they were for a regular F150. Attempted to match it at a couple of local parts stores and came up empty. Dealership can't get them. Ordered 3 more online from a couple of different sources that say they are Raptor specific. Also ordered a set of IWE vacuum lines and wheel end actuators. Also placed a warranty claim on the axle through good ole' Rock Auto. They're the best.

First of the boots showed up yesterday. Looked like it could possibly work. The boot was longer, like the outer joint ones. Smaller shaft end seems good, but the larger joint housing end was a little big.



Rebuilt the old axle this morning anyway using this boot as a temporary solution so that I can get the other one pulled and shipped back. Went smoothly. Yes that large end was bigger than I like and the clamps were kind of terrible in the kit, but it'll do for now.

Finally got that busted radio sent back and refunded, but now I still got to order another one.

Over 2 and half months. Still no Deavers. All for now.

 

[PD1744]

The second boot kit came in earlier in the week. This one seems much better. Boots look like they will fit better and boots and clamps seem higher quality. Kit also comes with new snap rings and circlips and enough to do two joints for $35 after tax. Eventually I'll either rebuild the spare with this kit or just keep them on stand-by as back ups. If you're looking for boots, do not order this Kotek kit from Best Parts Online. Instead order this EMPI kit from eBay.

New IWE vacuum lines came in and I installed them yesterday. Very straight forward. Took 30 mins taking my time doing it the first time. The reason I need new lines was the Christmas tree clips that hold the lines to the knuckles failed at some point allowing my tires to rub through the hoses. I probably could have just gotten away with replacing the double rubber hose ends (if that's possible), but it's nice to have all new lines and clips in there. I had to drill the failed clips out of both knuckles.




While I was out there I fixed my 4x4 actuator. Was beginning to act up. Admittedly, we don't get to use 4WD very often where I live, so the motor doesn't get much exercise. The last couple of times I would intermittently get the 'Check 4x4' warning when switching modes. It seemed to be actually engaging, but would still deliver this warning. I think the circuit senses resistance through that motor. Anyway, there's a quick and easy fix that could save you from having to replace the entire motor assembly. Worked great for me. Here's a quick YouTube video explaining:

Replacement axle and IWE's arrive today so I could have a little project this weekend.

 

[PD1744]

IWE actuators and replacement axle put in over the weekend.







Down to where I can do an axle/IWE end in 25 mins. now. First time having a functioning IWE system since I owned the truck. Hopefully I'll pick up a little MPG. Definitely a noticeable amount of drag decrease on the front tires. Definitely feel like I'm climbing out of that funk that I was in. Even pulled apart my failing pressure washer to figure out how it worked, diagnose, and put it back together with it functioning yesterday, so that's something. I have a hankering to go ahead and swap motor mounts out ahead of my engine build. Anybody who's done the job, tips would be greatly appreciated. I know from doing the engine replacement on the other truck it could prove to be a tough job.

 

[PD1744]

RADIO

Got the new HAM radio installed. Haven't taken any pictures. Chose a different location. Instead of putting it in the center console, I put it outside the console at my right knee. Works for me for now. My radio in the other truck is in the same location.

BATTERY HOLD DOWN

Replaced my batter hold down. Should have been a 1 minute job, however the bolt was corroded from acid from the old leaky battery, so it was snapped in half:



Hence why it needed replacing. So in order to get the rest of it out, I needed to pull the battery tray... Which also happens to be attached to the washer bottle. A fun, tight squeeze to wiggle this joker out:



PURGE VALVE

Easy Peasy



So, I didn't think I needed this and didn't have high hopes that it would change anything, but I figured for a fairly low cost of the part and low complexity of the install, why not? So, it might just be in my head, but just in the short drive I took after swapping the part, the thing drove significantly better. Seem to accelerate much stronger and smoother.

Leads me back to the main issue though. Been doing it since I got the truck and every change I make seems to improve it, however it never completely goes away. The symptom is a shudder, just as you start coming off of the brakes. So right at the point where engine power starts to overtake braking force. Forward and Reverse. Also, lumpy at idle, but not all the time. Feels like a miss or an aggressive cam. In the morning when things are cool everything is smooth. My drive home in the evening, pretty much my first stop light, every day is when I notice it the most. Feels like the whole truck is shaking. So the question; IS THIS NORMAL?? I've spoken to a few owners and a lot say they have the same issue. I've not driven any other 6.2 Gen 1's to compare.

DEAVERS

And the best news of all. Just as I was going to try to call Deaver (and I hate having to talk on the phone), I check my account at vendor and there's a recent shipping update. And THEN I get a text from the freight company to schedule delivery. Happy day baby!! I'll get them Monday, so they'll be installed in time for our event. Great news going into the weekend. Also, placed an order for some Camburg shackles.

 

[Jakenbake]

RADIO

Got the new HAM radio installed. Haven't taken any pictures. Chose a different location. Instead of putting it in the center console, I put it outside the console at my right knee. Works for me for now. My radio in the other truck is in the same location.

BATTERY HOLD DOWN

Replaced my batter hold down. Should have been a 1 minute job, however the bolt was corroded from acid from the old leaky battery, so it was snapped in half:

View attachment 324575

Hence why it needed replacing. So in order to get the rest of it out, I needed to pull the battery tray... Which also happens to be attached to the washer bottle. A fun, tight squeeze to wiggle this joker out:

View attachment 324576

PURGE VALVE

Easy Peasy

View attachment 324578

So, I didn't think I needed this and didn't have high hopes that it would change anything, but I figured for a fairly low cost of the part and low complexity of the install, why not? So, it might just be in my head, but just in the short drive I took after swapping the part, the thing drove significantly better. Seem to accelerate much stronger and smoother.

Leads me back to the main issue though. Been doing it since I got the truck and every change I make seems to improve it, however it never completely goes away. The symptom is a shudder, just as you start coming off of the brakes. So right at the point where engine power starts to overtake braking force. Forward and Reverse. Also, lumpy at idle, but not all the time. Feels like a miss or an aggressive cam. In the morning when things are cool everything is smooth. My drive home in the evening, pretty much my first stop light, every day is when I notice it the most. Feels like the whole truck is shaking. So the question; IS THIS NORMAL?? I've spoken to a few owners and a lot say they have the same issue. I've not driven any other 6.2 Gen 1's to compare.

DEAVERS

And the best news of all. Just as I was going to try to call Deaver (and I hate having to talk on the phone), I check my account at vendor and there's a recent shipping update. And THEN I get a text from the freight company to schedule delivery. Happy day baby!! I'll get them Monday, so they'll be installed in time for our event. Great news going into the weekend. Also, placed an order for some Camburg shackles.

Your shudder at take off my be your factory leafs. See what it is like after the deavers.