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Hey all, used this forum a lot during the course of the past few months for solving several issues. Great forum with a lot of good information.
Now onto my project...
Purchased a 2002 Screw with 343K on the odometer. Motor has about 160K, and trans about 60K. It has the fx4 and lariat packages. Got a good deal on it, but previous owner neglected a lot of routine maintenance.
Still had all original suspension and steering including the Rancho shocks! As well as being a Florida truck the hood and roof paint were completely shot.
I purchased this vehicle for the primary purpose of hauling a car around on a car trailer. Hence my gearing choices.
Attached photos are the truck as bought. Very rough shape, but understandable for the mileage.
First order of business was to fix the AC, being in FL it is a must. It was leaking from evap under the dash. Replaced everything I could under there while I was at it. Evap, heater core, blend door and motor. Also fixed the paint on dash around radio bezel that was flaking off.
The truck also had no muffler on it when bought, it was cut off about a foot after the y pipe joint. Decided to make my own custom setup for about $100.
Next was addressing the suspension and steering. I couldn't just return it to factory so I did a rough county 5" lift kit and 35s. I didn't like the fact of stacking lift blocks on the rear leaf springs so I added two add a leafs instead and used the 4" included block. I think it is closer to a 6" lift now with the torsion bars adjusted and the add a leafs.
Everything was replaced steering and suspension wise. Control arms, tie rods, idler arms, pitman arm etc.
Also did not care for the fact that rough country advised using the factory brake lined, "just pull down the factory hardline". No I did my own extended braided lines instead.
Also while under the truck I rebuilt the front and rear differentials completely and RE-geared with 4.56s.
Next was addressing the paint on hood and roof. Terrible condition from neglect. The roof seams were split and a lot of rust. It was taken to bare metal and resealed including the seam sealer. Hood was dented in a few spots as well, so taken to bare aluminum and filled.
More cosmetics was adding my own custom fender flares. Bought on eBay for $150, cut about an inch out of them and actually bolted them to the truck instead of two sided tape. Also got rid of the two tone on the bottom along with the chrome bumpers. Added rear bumpers lights. Changed the grille and fog lights/headlights.
01-25-2017, 09:35 PM
2002 Screw restoration
