joecool911

Will the additives in the oil last that long? With the Frantz oil filters you can probably go that long, but change paper every couple thousand and add a quart of oil to replenish additives. Nice thing is that it's all standing up in the hood where you're working.

So, you are just cutting the 1/2" line from the tank to the Raptor? That's an easy and cheap fix.

Hot rod looks like the Munster mobile. Cool!

Anyone know what the problems with Air Dog is these days? Seems like the problems have grown exponentially recently. Is everyone having trouble or is it just some or what? Mine has been in for about 9 months without issue.

Looks clean. Lol. Sorry about that! Mine were low, but not dry. Frequent inspection needed. Pull the plugs and check fluid level takes maybe 5 minutes. I'm interested in how doing it yourself works out. I've watched videos on chNging axle seals. Right side looks harder than left. Need special tool that's like $100. YouTube will get you started.

Not even with a smarty and bigger injectors? Lol.

Yeah and some canopy too. There was one last week for $10k. It had 22,000 miles on it and was cherry.

Just remember that you'll get much better fuel economy at 55.

This link won't last long. But this might be a fun rig for when you don't need a big truck. http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4329058244.html

I saw I think Geno's has a green flap that fits over the gas fill to add one more hint that you've got a diesel truck. Here in Oregon it's not legal for us common folk to pump our own gas. Although there are a couple stations that make me fill diesel. He says diesel is ok for public to fill. But us common folk can pump our own at a card lock. Cookoo, cookoo. Might be a good idea for us that live in states that do not let public pump their own to get one of those flaps. On my wife's megacab I tell them to fill with regular and often they think I need diesel. It's a Hemi. Speaking of, you know those Hemi's get better fuel economy than the new diesels? We commonly get 16 on the hiway. Factor in the price of diesel and it's quite a bit cheaper. Now towing is a differnt matter. If we're going to mKe a trip to Lakeview to see the inlaws, we'll take the Hemi. About 7 hour drive. But if towing the diesel shines!

Glad I've got the raptor 100 then. Lol. Any chance a dealer can get some straight skinny from AirDog? Won't be long at this rate that they will reputation themselves out of the business. I hate to support a crappy product by buying another. But has anyone else bought a back up raptor to keep in their truck? Probably take 10 minutes to change one out and avoid tow bill. Which could easily approach the cost of a second pump.

If the vacuum is bad the transfer case can think its in 4x4, but the front axle may not be engaging. Light for 4x4 comes off the transfer case.

Is the 3rd gen better than the Luke's link mod?

Perspective from trades people...billable hourly rate for general construction and landscape have remained stagnant for almost 25 years. We were billing $35 a man hour back in the 90's. Hard to get more than that now except in specialized areas. We've seen an influx of Hispanic labor that did not exist in the northwest before. When doing sales with new potential customers that moved up from California they were floored by our rates. Said in California they had a crew of 5-6 come by for a half hour for like $25. It's getting close to that now. A friend of mine who is an engineer in his 50's is having trouble finding decent employment. They get guys from India that are willing to work 80-100 hours a week while Americans want a 40 hour work week. Then they say we need more visas because we have a shortage of engineers. These two trends although in different fields are both examples of where our economy has gone.

There's nothing like the tell tale sound of a cummins starter. Even UPS trucks. Don't even see enough Chevy's to know what they sound like.

I'm kind of a visual guy. Would need more to go on myself before tackling this project. Is there any way to grease the bearing by hand when the hubs are off the vehicle?

There are some hillbillies on YouTube that replace the bearings. I don't see their project being precision. I don't think it's within the capabilities of most of us. I would consider adding the grease zerks though. That seems reasonable. Then you can maintain the hubs. But I bet it would void any warrenty.

Yes. You're eliminating the ball joint and going to a bushing.

I remember helping my dad rebuild his 62 ford falcon pickup. My first major auto repair experience. I washed a lot of parts! I was probably 12 years old. If you have any kids, time to get them involved. By high school my buddies and I did our first automatic transmission. That didn't work out so well. But we did a lot of work like vavle jobs on rigs pre emissions. We were pretty capable for high school kids.

I remember helping my dad rebuild his 62 ford falcon pickup. My first major auto repair experience. I washed a lot of parts! I was probably 12 years old. If you have any kids, time to get them involved. By high school my buddies and I did our first automatic transmission. That didn't work out so well. But we did a lot of work like vavle jobs on rigs pre emissions. We were pretty capable for high school kids.

Is it realistic for the average Joe to modify a new set of hubs to include grease zerks?

I'm no as worried about sealing the bed lid so it won't leak; but rather protecting the cut edges from rusting. Some kind of paint or liquid galvanized paint like used on fencing rails. Good thing about this mod is not having to complete it all in one setting before heading off to work. I can't afford to be without it.

Excellent info, thanks!

Buy US made hubs. Timken produces some. I would not get NAPA brand for instance. Unless you are pretty advanced mechanically, you'll need to buy whole new hubs. If we're talking front 4 wheel drive. About $600 for 2 new hubs I believe. 2 wheel drive is much simpler and cheaper.

I've been wondering about finding an old bed and cutting oversized cover pieces out if it. Then the access panel would be almost un-noticeable. Get a lot of them out of a bed. What did you do to seal the metal on the bed cuts to mKe sure it doesn't rust?