CraigV

I picked this up used (obviously) on February 19, 2012.

This is the first truck I've ever owned, all my previous vehicles have been Honda or Acura cars (my daily driver is a 2009 Acura TSX). I bought this truck to pull a pit trailer for racing RC cars, but have been bitten by the truck bug, and am now thinking off selling my toy off-roaders to build up a real one.

Anyways, as it sits when I got it, it's a Black 1998 Lariat 4x4 Flareside, 323,000 km (over 200,000 miles).

Here it is from the for-sale ad:





This week I'm having 33" tires put on some 17x8 wheels, and getting the torsion bars cranked to level it out.

On the weekend I'll be installing a new radio and some speakers.

I don't know exactly where I'll be going with this, but right now I have an itch to go off-roading. And yes, I know, get a lift and some 35s, I will, in time, but I'm working within a budget here. Anyways, since I'm so new with this I don't want to get too deep before I get a better idea of what I want out of it.

Things to fix:

1. Codes - P0171, P0174 - soooo looking forward to that!
2. Power mirrors - hope just have to clean the switch contacts
3. Parking brake light - I'm thinking the switch by the pedal is bad
4. A few bulbs are burnt out in the instrument panel, want to upgrade to LEDs
5. Fuel filler door - previous owner installed an aftermarket aluminum one, but there is no way to open it properly, need to fiddle with it to open it

So far my near-future plans (this year) are:

1. 33" Tires on 17" black steelies
2. New radio and speakers
3. Black headlights
4. Black tail lights
5. A new-to-me junk yard rear bumper (the one on there is really rusty)
6. A new-to-me junk yard drivers-side armrest (the one on there is worn out and torn)
7. Remove flames around Ford badge on tailgate

My wish list for next year:

1. Remove stripe and "Lariat" logo thing
2. 4-6 inch lift (depending how much off-roading I'll do)
3. 35" tires
4. Bigger front brakes maybe??
5. Paint the silver parts black (bumpers, running boards, lower part of body, front grill)

CraigV

Fixit Post

Codes
2/27/2012
The truck was throwing the dreaded P0171 and P0174 codes, as many of you guys have had. I had the mechanic replace the fuel filter during the safety and reset the computer, and so far the code hasn't come back. I have driven the truck for a full day with many stops and starts. Previous to this, the code would come back the second time the truck was started after it was cleared.

I need a code-free computer to pass the local emissions test, and it looks like I have it now. It will go in for test on Friday.

2/28/2012
Well, driving back from work tonight the check engine light came back on. I checked the codes when I got home, sure enough, P0171 and P0174 are back. I went to pop the hood to look at the vacuum lines, but it wouldn't pop. I could pull the hood release lever just fine, and it does pull the cable, but it doesn't release the hood.

Oh well, dropped it back off at the mechanics. Going to get them to fix the hood release and take a quick look at the vacuum lines.

Power Mirrors
2/27/2012
I took the switch out and cleaned it. It's pretty filthy. I cleaned both the contacts where it plugs into the wiring harness as well as the contacts inside the switch itself. So far, it's working! However, it doesn't seem like it'll last too much longer, but we'll see.

Parking Break Light


Instrument cluster lights

CraigV

Tires and wheels installed:
2/27/2012
I ordered ProComp Xtreme All Terrain 35x12.5 17". Should be here in a few weeks.

CraigV

Radio Install:

I installed the radio today (2/27/2012).

Since the truck had the factory radio, I needed the special tool to remove it. I drove down to the local Parts Source store, and borrowed the tool needed. I just ran out to the parking lot and had the radio out in less than a minute.

I installed a Pioneer DEH-X6500BT I got from Future Shop for $140. It's just a cheap unit, but it's good enough for me in this truck. It has USB in, iPod, iPhone, and bluetooth control; everything I need. It even has two low level inputs in case I ever decide to install an amp and a sub.

I'll do a better after pic some other day to show the entire console.

Before:


After:


I have new speakers to put in the doors, but I didn't do that today since it's snowing out. The stock speakers aren't too bad, the really sound a lot better with the new radio than they did with the factory one!

CraigV

Black head and tail lights

CraigV

Rear bumper install:

CraigV

Interior mods:

CraigV

Brake upgrade

CraigV

Painting it black

CraigV

Power mods