Hello
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Howdy, folks:
I'm me.
My truck is a '95 F-150, SC, SB, 4x4 off road, 5.0L, Kenne Bell T-3000 (1.7L) twin-screw supercharger, 6psi boost @ 2000rpm, boost-a-pump, 3.55 LS, Warn M12000 winch, KC off-road and Warn auxiliary lights, Rancho RX9000s, and BFG 31x10.5s. It's not lifted. I guess I'm old-fashioned that way, but it goes wherever I care to go as long as I'm careful about the line.
The 5.0L was weak with all the emissions gear, and it didn't improve the mileage over the 5.8L except for maybe 1-2 mpg. It's the profile, not the motor. The blower is wonderful. It makes the truck run like a truck should, with about 40% more power. It doesn't help the mileage too very much, unfortunately. If I keep my foot out of the boost, it gets pretty much the same MPG as before. Problem is remembering and restraining :roll eyes:
Nice meeting ya'll...
I'm me.
My truck is a '95 F-150, SC, SB, 4x4 off road, 5.0L, Kenne Bell T-3000 (1.7L) twin-screw supercharger, 6psi boost @ 2000rpm, boost-a-pump, 3.55 LS, Warn M12000 winch, KC off-road and Warn auxiliary lights, Rancho RX9000s, and BFG 31x10.5s. It's not lifted. I guess I'm old-fashioned that way, but it goes wherever I care to go as long as I'm careful about the line.
The 5.0L was weak with all the emissions gear, and it didn't improve the mileage over the 5.8L except for maybe 1-2 mpg. It's the profile, not the motor. The blower is wonderful. It makes the truck run like a truck should, with about 40% more power. It doesn't help the mileage too very much, unfortunately. If I keep my foot out of the boost, it gets pretty much the same MPG as before. Problem is remembering and restraining :roll eyes:
Nice meeting ya'll...
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Jon:
Thanks for the welcome and curiosity!
Yes, I installed everything myself, except the winch and winch carrier, which are very heavy and are best done by a shop with the right hoists/lifts/jacks, etc.
But, yeah, I'm guilty of doing the supercharger, the associated fuel line mods, the additional gauges and wiring, the vacuum lines, the boost-a-pump, and all the other electrical work it required. I forgot to mention the MSD 6A ignition, coil, plug wires, and distributor, the B&M electronic shift improver, and the Edelbrock catback exhaust, now that you've gotten me thinking about my adventures with the beloved truck.
I like to do my own work, because I'm picky, and I can't afford to pay the dealers/installers/mechanics and other horse thieves anyway. I even got a code reader and learned to work with the EEC and sensors. That became necessary, because at 10 years of age and 75,000 miles of wandering, every single emissions sensor/switch, and several other sensors, proceeded to fail at irregular intervals, but one after the other. Then, the EEC itself went. The thing is that this is Arizona, and what we miss in rust and weather damage, we make up for in ruined electrical, rubber and plastic parts. They just get brittle, hard and otherwise dysfunctional. I ended up replacing everything myself.
The heat also fries transmissions, especially the 4R70Ws, which weren't too great in the first place. First one had to be replaced at 38,000 miles, and the second one rebuilt at about 90,000 miles. I definitely didn't do and won't do transmissions myself! Something about knowing my limitations!
Probably more than you wanted to know, but you know what they say about curiosity...The funny thing is that after all that self-education, learning and work, I still believe, quite firmly, that the worst, most uncomfortable, difficult and frustrating job to do on the truck is to lower the underbed carrier, get the spare off it, change the tire, put the flat one back on the carrier (assuming bed's full), and then stow the jack and handles back in the right places. AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
Thanks for the welcome and curiosity!
Yes, I installed everything myself, except the winch and winch carrier, which are very heavy and are best done by a shop with the right hoists/lifts/jacks, etc.
But, yeah, I'm guilty of doing the supercharger, the associated fuel line mods, the additional gauges and wiring, the vacuum lines, the boost-a-pump, and all the other electrical work it required. I forgot to mention the MSD 6A ignition, coil, plug wires, and distributor, the B&M electronic shift improver, and the Edelbrock catback exhaust, now that you've gotten me thinking about my adventures with the beloved truck.
I like to do my own work, because I'm picky, and I can't afford to pay the dealers/installers/mechanics and other horse thieves anyway. I even got a code reader and learned to work with the EEC and sensors. That became necessary, because at 10 years of age and 75,000 miles of wandering, every single emissions sensor/switch, and several other sensors, proceeded to fail at irregular intervals, but one after the other. Then, the EEC itself went. The thing is that this is Arizona, and what we miss in rust and weather damage, we make up for in ruined electrical, rubber and plastic parts. They just get brittle, hard and otherwise dysfunctional. I ended up replacing everything myself.
The heat also fries transmissions, especially the 4R70Ws, which weren't too great in the first place. First one had to be replaced at 38,000 miles, and the second one rebuilt at about 90,000 miles. I definitely didn't do and won't do transmissions myself! Something about knowing my limitations!
Probably more than you wanted to know, but you know what they say about curiosity...The funny thing is that after all that self-education, learning and work, I still believe, quite firmly, that the worst, most uncomfortable, difficult and frustrating job to do on the truck is to lower the underbed carrier, get the spare off it, change the tire, put the flat one back on the carrier (assuming bed's full), and then stow the jack and handles back in the right places. AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 42
From: Fairfax, VA
Musselshell...
Impressive! I wish I knew half as much, or at least had the time to figure it all out. I really enjoy working on cars/trucks but feel like I could have the truck in a million pieces in a couple hours and have zero chance of getting it back together.
When you decided to the mods, did you go out and get the tools you needed at that time? Probably can justify doing that since you're saving so much $$$ by doing it yourself. How did you educate yourself?
Impressive! I wish I knew half as much, or at least had the time to figure it all out. I really enjoy working on cars/trucks but feel like I could have the truck in a million pieces in a couple hours and have zero chance of getting it back together.
When you decided to the mods, did you go out and get the tools you needed at that time? Probably can justify doing that since you're saving so much $$$ by doing it yourself. How did you educate yourself?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Dear Jon:
Maybe not so impressive, considering the amount of time it took me to learn, try, make mistakes, fix them, understand how things work, and finally get everything just exactly perfect.
I'm just lucky that my situation gives me the time I need, and not so lucky that it also creates the need for me to do everything that I can do myself.
I've mostly taught myself through reading, doing, and asking questions...I rely on Haynes Repair Manual, Ford Pick-up Trucks and Broncos, 1980-1996
for most everything, but it tends to be a little weak on the later models it covers. For EEC-IV/OBD-1, I used Watson, "How to Tune and Modify Ford Fuel Injection," (MBI Publishing, 1998). It's great for explaining the computer, sensors, and troubleshooting codes. I also read "Performance Modifications for 5.0 Liter Fords," which is mostly about Mustangs, but most of which applies to trucks. (I don't have the book handy, but will be happy to give title, author, & publisher if anyone needs it).
I'd really love to have the official shop manual from Helm Publishing (order info in owner's manual) but somehow I always forget about ordering it until there's something I need to fix, when it's too late!
The Kenne Bell website, www.KenneBell.net, is really helpful, because they do a lot of work on Fords. The Internet in general is a fairly good source, but you need to be careful about what to use. Sometimes, it's good, sometimes, it's not.
Various truck, four wheeler, and other magazines (like Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords) can be great, but they're kinda hit or miss, especially with regard to older models. But, who amongst us can resist cover titles like "6 Pages of Babes and Burnouts...Supercharger Slugfest."
As far as tools, you MUST have a good set of metric and SAE wrenches, sockets, drivers, extensions and so on....Ford has a nasty habit of mixing the two sizes (if it's too big for 5/16, too small for 3/8, don't cuss and tear your hair out, it's a 10mm!) For electrical work, you'll need a good wire stripper, crimping tool, and a soldering iron (at least 100 watts) or torch. As far as specialty tools, like the wrench for fuel lines or Torx bits, they're not very often necessary, or very expensive. Certainly, their cost will be more than offset by labor savings.
As far as that goes, I'm not hesitant about asking questions. Some friends in a local speed shop have been really helpful. The service managers and supervisers at a local Ford dealer have also been great! Just be careful about dealing with them! They can be very reticent at first because they want the business. It's how they earn a living. I found, though, that once they got to know me, figured out that I liked doing the work, and needed to, knew what I was doing, more or less, knew my limitations, and brought the work in that I couldn't do before I made the problem worse, they were really good about helping me. Be sure to buy your parts there, too!
That's about all I can say. I know the urge to disassemble the truck into a zillion pieces, and commend you for recognizing the very real possibility that you'll never get it all back together. I know all too well that feeling: "Why did I try this! What exactly did they tell me about how it all fits together again? I'd really like to get some assistance here, but the damned thing won't run now! Somebody PLEEEAAAASSSEE help me!" There's some truth to the statement: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Oh well...I'm happy to help with any problem/question folks might have if I know anything about it, or have installed/repaired or otherwise fixed it on my truck, for whatever that might be worth...The only other advice I would add is "disconnect the battery before you start!"
Maybe not so impressive, considering the amount of time it took me to learn, try, make mistakes, fix them, understand how things work, and finally get everything just exactly perfect.
I'm just lucky that my situation gives me the time I need, and not so lucky that it also creates the need for me to do everything that I can do myself.
I've mostly taught myself through reading, doing, and asking questions...I rely on Haynes Repair Manual, Ford Pick-up Trucks and Broncos, 1980-1996
for most everything, but it tends to be a little weak on the later models it covers. For EEC-IV/OBD-1, I used Watson, "How to Tune and Modify Ford Fuel Injection," (MBI Publishing, 1998). It's great for explaining the computer, sensors, and troubleshooting codes. I also read "Performance Modifications for 5.0 Liter Fords," which is mostly about Mustangs, but most of which applies to trucks. (I don't have the book handy, but will be happy to give title, author, & publisher if anyone needs it).
I'd really love to have the official shop manual from Helm Publishing (order info in owner's manual) but somehow I always forget about ordering it until there's something I need to fix, when it's too late!
The Kenne Bell website, www.KenneBell.net, is really helpful, because they do a lot of work on Fords. The Internet in general is a fairly good source, but you need to be careful about what to use. Sometimes, it's good, sometimes, it's not.
Various truck, four wheeler, and other magazines (like Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords) can be great, but they're kinda hit or miss, especially with regard to older models. But, who amongst us can resist cover titles like "6 Pages of Babes and Burnouts...Supercharger Slugfest."
As far as tools, you MUST have a good set of metric and SAE wrenches, sockets, drivers, extensions and so on....Ford has a nasty habit of mixing the two sizes (if it's too big for 5/16, too small for 3/8, don't cuss and tear your hair out, it's a 10mm!) For electrical work, you'll need a good wire stripper, crimping tool, and a soldering iron (at least 100 watts) or torch. As far as specialty tools, like the wrench for fuel lines or Torx bits, they're not very often necessary, or very expensive. Certainly, their cost will be more than offset by labor savings.
As far as that goes, I'm not hesitant about asking questions. Some friends in a local speed shop have been really helpful. The service managers and supervisers at a local Ford dealer have also been great! Just be careful about dealing with them! They can be very reticent at first because they want the business. It's how they earn a living. I found, though, that once they got to know me, figured out that I liked doing the work, and needed to, knew what I was doing, more or less, knew my limitations, and brought the work in that I couldn't do before I made the problem worse, they were really good about helping me. Be sure to buy your parts there, too!
That's about all I can say. I know the urge to disassemble the truck into a zillion pieces, and commend you for recognizing the very real possibility that you'll never get it all back together. I know all too well that feeling: "Why did I try this! What exactly did they tell me about how it all fits together again? I'd really like to get some assistance here, but the damned thing won't run now! Somebody PLEEEAAAASSSEE help me!" There's some truth to the statement: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Oh well...I'm happy to help with any problem/question folks might have if I know anything about it, or have installed/repaired or otherwise fixed it on my truck, for whatever that might be worth...The only other advice I would add is "disconnect the battery before you start!"
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Good to be back home.
I just traded my dodge magnum with the hemi for a 2006 screw lariat. Ihave owned the 2000 and 2003 harley trucks. I am waiting to see if they will bring the super charger back for the harley trucks. The lariat with factory 20 and the extras. It feels good tobe high again. Gigem Aggies.
