So I saw the 2nd gen thread and wanted to play... What's the 3rd gen crowd doing for maintenance/mods this springs?Personally I am doing the following next weekend. Yukon Free Spin HubsDynatrac Ball JointsBilstein ShocksBilstein Steering StabilizerMaxx Links Sway Bar end linksDR Pro Fab Steering StabilizerNew front axle u-joints, AAM most likely. My shocks are starting to show signs of wear and my BJ's are still "within OEM spec" but I want to get this stuff done before I have to and it costs me down time from family fun. At 86K miles my OEM sealed bearings seem to be fine, but I am not taking any chances. I may also get a Max Brake trailer brake controller this spring, but I am going to try and solve my braking issue with the new TT with a brake adjustment first.

Fresh coat of Rustolium Hammered on the wheels and new 245/70r19.5s all around.Just bought an Edge Insight with pretty much all the extras except backup camera. EGT probe, extra pressure sensor for post-filter/ pre-CP3, and extra temp sensor for the trans or rearend. Not sure which I'll tap yet. Rear was just rebuilt, trans may be original...Under the flatbed it'll get some TSC underbody toolboxesI think it needs mudflaps.Will the stock pickup fuel tank fit a Cab & Chassis truck? I was thinking about dual tank possibilities with that trusty Ford valve setup since I don't think I'm going to move my 105 gal transfer tank to the new rig.

I'm gonna find that cold weather fuel leak that's been bothering me for the last couple months. It's totally temperature related.........if it gets below 15 degrees, she leaks........above that nothing. It's still been enough to "coat" the fuel filter canister and the fuel lines and the control arms. It's not leaking enough for an effect on mileage either!!!:smart:I'm gonna wash down the engine prior to this.........that's why I was asking about cleaners and such in that other thread.Change oil and filters, change fuel filters, grease everything about every 3-5,000 miles, wash the salt of Mighty Whitey, and clean the inside out as it's pretty "gamey" inside there now!!! Nothing real pressing as of now, other than regular maintenance.I've done everything you've said in your post save for the sway bar end links.....................some of them more than once!!!! You'll like the free spin hub kit. I truly believe I've picked up 1-1.5mpg with it since the install last July. I've also got almost 100,000 more miles on my truck than you do yours!!! 183,4xx on Mighty Whitey as of today.

You'll like the free spin hub kit. I truly believe I've picked up 1-1.5mpg with it since the install last July

It was worth close to 15% on my '97 when I did the Ford outers and could unlock the hubs.

Oops...shouldn't have posted here...thought it was 2nd gen. 4 am...sleepy and not paying attention

All my parts are here!!!I am going to paint the flange's black from the Yukon kit, and have a few tools/pieces in the mail, but everything should be a go for next weekend.As for mudflaps, I like the quality of my duraflaps.

Do you have the proper ball joint press???Do you have the right sized sockets to get the OEM axle nut off, and to tighten the new one up???Do you have a press to get the old u-joints out and install the new ones???Breaker bar, PB Blaster, good quality grease, torque wrench, and a BFH???Another set of hands will help out hugely for doing the free spin hub kit, and probably the ball joints.

I've got a few things I am thinking about, but I haven't really got into the planning stages yet.turbo timeregt probelift pump fuel pressure probeh2o/methonal injectionsome longer term thinking:tranny upgrademaybe a EBfree spin hubssteering upgradeball jointsinjector upgradeHydraulic winch

I've got a few things I am thinking about, but I haven't really got into the planning stages yet.

turbo timer

egt probe

lift pump fuel pressure probe

h2o/methonal injection

some longer term thinking:

tranny upgrade

maybe a EB

free spin hubs

steering upgrade

ball joints

injector upgrade

$$$$$$

If'n you have any extra $$$, keep me in mind!!!!

Do you have the proper ball joint press???

Part of the reason I bought the parts locally and not online was that the local diesel ship (Thanks Big Twin Diesel) is letting me use the proper, AAM specific, ball joint press.

Do you have the right sized sockets to get the OEM axle nut off, and to tighten the new one up???

Yes, and yes (well as soon as UPS shows up on Tuesday with the spanner socket)

Do you have a press to get the old u-joints out and install the new ones???

I am going to let the local driveline shop do this.

Breaker bar, PB Blaster, good quality grease, torque wrench, and a BFH???

Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep, and YEP...

Another set of hands will help out hugely for doing the free spin hub kit, and probably the ball joints.

I don't have that lined out, but I have 4 days and the ability to phone several people if the need arises. Luckily the roads don't get salted here, so that should be a big help.

$$$$$$

If'n you have any extra $$$, keep me in mind!!!!

Ya, I'm taking a list. You're right at the top!

Part of the reason I bought the parts locally and not online was that the local diesel ship (Thanks Big Twin Diesel) is letting me use the proper, AAM specific, ball joint press. Yes, and yes (well as soon as UPS shows up on Tuesday with the spanner socket) I am going to let the local driveline shop do this. Yep, Yep, Yep, Yep, and YEP... I don't have that lined out, but I have 4 days and the ability to phone several people if the need arises. Luckily the roads don't get salted here, so that should be a big help.

I was just saying..........................................

I was just saying..........................................

I appreciate it, especially since you just did it recently.

Fresh coat of Rustolium Hammered on the wheels and new 245/70r19.5s all around. Just bought an Edge Insight with pretty much all the extras except backup camera. EGT probe, extra pressure sensor for post-filter/ pre-CP3, and extra temp sensor for the trans or rearend. Not sure which I'll tap yet. Rear was just rebuilt, trans may be original... Under the flatbed it'll get some TSC underbody toolboxes I think it needs mudflaps. Will the stock pickup fuel tank fit a Cab & Chassis truck? I was thinking about dual tank possibilities with that trusty Ford valve setup since I don't think I'm going to move my 105 gal transfer tank to the new rig.

you can use your extra temp probe for the rear end or other. The trans temp is already provided to the OBDII port so you won't need to commit the extra temp probe you bought to the tranny.

you can use your extra temp probe for the rear end or other. The trans temp is already provided to the OBDII port so you won't need to commit the extra temp probe you bought to the tranny.

oh, that's great news. I didn't expect a manual transmission to have a temp probe from the factory. I know my buddy's '02 NV5600 needed a cover drilled & tapped.

oh, that's great news. I didn't expect a manual transmission to have a temp probe from the factory. I know my buddy's '02 NV5600 needed a cover drilled & tapped.

He must have thought you have an auto, as manuals do not have OEM temp senders.

He must have thought you have an auto, as manuals do not have OEM temp senders.

Yes, that exactly what I thought. Sorry for the wrong info. The manual trans doesn't have the temp readout through the OBDII port.

I got the studs pressed into the hub today (took 10 ton's to fully seat them). I will probably seat the bearing races Wed night in preparation for the install starting Friday.

I got the studs pressed into the hub today (took 10 ton's to fully seat them). I will probably seat the bearing races Wed night in preparation for the install starting Friday.

My SpynTec came with the wheel studs and bearing races already pressed in!!

My SpynTec came with the wheel studs and bearing races already pressed in!!

Yes they do, but not having them pressed in saves some $$ on the kit.

So far it's all going pretty smooth. Last night I got the wheels/brakes off and soaked the hubs in PB overnight. This morning they came off pretty quick and easy using the power steering. I had the axle shafts dropped off at the driveline shop by 10:15. On my way home I swung by the diesel shop and grabbed the BJ press. I started the BJ swap at about 1:30 and was done by 3:30, very easy and the proper tools make all the difference. Since I can't do anything until I get the axle shafts back I started working on the shocks and am nearly done with the rear, I could only work until 4:30 today. Last night I also got the steering brace and sway-bar end links installed, very nice parts. I hope to get the axle shafts around noon tomorrow and start putting the knuckles back together.