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Howdy y'all! Decided it was time to finally make a build thread on account that I don't have room in my sig anymore for mods.
Project started in January of 2009 when I picked up a 2007 F-150 FX4
Here's how she sat when I got her.
Previous owner had done something to level the front, but I'm not sure what it was. The struts and springs appeared to be stock and there weren't any spacers. He had also changed the muffler to something unbranded, which runs to a Y-pipe that also reduces pipe size to 2" from 2.5" where it runs to the tips. The tips used to be chrome with a rolled edge.
First mod was Bully step rails/nerf bars due to my mom constantly complaining about getting in the truck.
Second was a Bully bull bar and KC Daylighters
Third was 275/55/R20 terra grapplers due to hitting a curb at 20mph in below freezing temperatures and blowing a tire.
Fourth was door speakers, Rockford Fosgate 6"x8" R1682
Fifth was a JVC Head Unit
Sixth was my Pioneer subwoofer and Kenwood amp. Kenwood 1,000W KAC-7205 amp and a 10" Pioneer TS-W254R in an Atrend bedlined box
Seventh was 35W 8000K HID headlights and fog lights from vvme.com
Eighth was a tractor supply toolbox
Ninth was replacing the chrome tips with slant cut SS tips
Tenth was replacing the rear bumper due to getting rear ended twice, and repairing the front bumper from the previous owner. Ford 1, Suzuki 0
Eleventh was Rancho Quicklift struts, and Rancho RS9000XLs in the back
Twelfth was getting a new Pioneer HU because my JVC got stolen. Got a Pioneer AVH-8400BT
Thirteenth was adding LED strips under the doors wired in to the dome lights
Fourteenth/Fifteenth was 35x12.5R20 Federal Couragia MT's and 1.5" hubcentric billet aluminum wheel spacers
Sixteenth was switching back to stock bulbs, then to Vision X bulbs due to my HID relay shorting out
Seventeenth was changing from a Tractor Supply toolbox to a Kobalt toolbox. The TS one's lid started tearing on one of the corners and eventually started to leak.
Nineteenth because I can't just do one project at a time is 2.5" pipe, two 8" Cherrybomb Glasspacks, and two reducers to go to the 2" pipe. Changing the Si/So exhaust to true duals. It's a straight shot from where the cat pipes collect to where my pipes separate for my tips so I figured for less than $100 why not.
In case anyone is wondering, bull bars do help. Was showing off one night and caught the front end on the ground. Bull bar took the impact and kept my bumper out of the dirt.
Beach trips used to be pretty frequent, they've gone down significantly since I moved to College Station.
Took her out mudding once, and it'll be a while before that happens again, if ever. It sure was fun though.
After the mudding trip I decided I should strip the old "seal" or what was left of it off the air box and seal all the way around the opening.
Wired speaker jacks in to the back doors that are spliced off of the rear speakers. Put my stock speakers in a set of speaker boxes so I have music outside the truck when at the beach or bonfires.
Before the mudding trip I put my front tow hooks on the rear hitch. They were mounted by taking some flat bar steel, drilling two holes in each bar, and putting 1/2" Grade 8 bolts through them. The bolts didn't bend, only issue was the hooks would pigeon toe towards each other under load. They have since been welded in to place, and still have the bolts through them for added strength.
Exhaust piping came in today, but that project is on hold right now. I'm having engine issues, and will be taking it to Goodyear tomorrow for a full diagnostic to figure out what is going on with it. I finished installing the headlights last night, and I have to say they came out awesome.
So far it's holding up great. I've only had it since December though. It seems a little more solid than the Tractor Supply one. I debate buying one of the contractor grade boxes but didn't want to pay that price for it.
Originally Posted by AricsFX
Those heads are sick!!!
Thanks! I'm very proud of them. I need to pull them back off and clean up my wiring, and put a bead of sealant around the outside once I'm sure I won't be reopening them. They're just Nilight projectors from Amazon and they've got excellent light output. I'm honestly a bit surprised how well they perform.
Engine issues I believe are due to the timing components so I'm tearing it all down right now under that assumption. Plus I got the valve cover almost off and tested if I could move the timing chain and it has slack in it that allows it to slap the cover. I assume it shouldn't ever be loose.
Well I've got the engine tore down. The tensioners and guides look fine, there's pins on the phasers that aren't there anymore so I'm still replacing all of the timing components. All of the valve springs and lifters feel fine and there isn't any scoring on the cams. Decided to paint my valve covers "Ford Light Blue" from VHT for the heck of it. I also changed my spark plugs again since they were easy to access right now. Tomorrow I'll be pulling all of the timing components and replacing them. When I get back to College Station (I get back Sunday) I'll figure out when I can do my exhaust. Hopefully it'll be next week.
I sure know how to party on spring break. Went on a trip with my family for 4 days, the rest of the time was spent repairing my truck. Finished her up yesterday.
Spent around $1300 on the repair (between parts and having to buy a few tools) and about 4 days of work. I ended up retiming the whole engine because I found a video from a Ford tech that showed the process which involved putting on timing chains, guides, and tensioners. Retiming it was easier than trying to keep the camshafts from turning when removing and replacing the phasers.
I'm back at school now so I should be putting the exhaust on sometime this week. I'll post pictures and a before/after video link.
03-09-2015, 05:16 PM
tareed94's Build Thread
