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Project: WUT DPF
With growth in business, the addition of employees, changes in what I needed to do every day...and sadly with the prevalence of FB and IG...I've mostly been away from the forums for a while. Now that I've gone back to my roots in this industry with a 2000 7.3L project, it seemed fitting to come back to the forums that got me hooked on this stuff to begin with. Kind of a "full circle" thing I guess. Personally, I hate Facebook for truck stuff, the forums will always be more functional and useful, even if they are not the way of the future.
The Readers Digest version, getting hassled by the EPA when we had stayed as far away from all the "d*l*t*" stuff as possible pissed me off...enough to sell my 2017 F450 and go "old school". Losing the NHRDA and selling my 7.3L race truck certainly left me with the itch to work on something, and it wasn't going to have a bunch of emissions BS. I knew I wanted to do a lowered street build, and managed to find a pretty clean 175k mile 2000 F250 CC 2WD out of TX (maybe someone here will recognize it). With that, project WUT DPF was born. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_1515.jpg The truck came to me with: "USA" Turbocharger (horribly laggy) Unknown Fuel System (DI maybe?, old for sure) Very Old FASS HD pump Sniper Chip AFE Stage II Intake Kit Banks Power Elbow and 4" Exhaust ISSPRO Gauges Bunch of Modified Wiring (engine, headlights, etc) Stock Lariat Wheels with BFG ATs Welded in Gooseneck and Receiver Hitches (grrrr!) 2005+ Nose Conversion and Reflexxion Cowl Hood Backflip Tonneau Cover Here are some "as received" pictures: https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_1837.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_1838.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_1839.jpg The outside of the truck shows 20 years and 176k miles of driving. It is dirty underneath, there are small dents in the sheet metal, the paint is not great...pretty much what you would expect. I bought the truck because the interior was really clean for its age (from what I could tell in the pictures), and so far I haven't been too disappointed. The engine did have a noticeable miss when cold, which was significantly improved with a BG oil treatment and bottle of HSS Stiction Eliminator (enough of a bandaid to tolerate driving it for a while). The trans shifts extremely hard, and I'm not 100% certain why, but we did find 2 broken springs in the valve body that have been fixed (but it hasn't driven yet). Overall, it will be a solid base for a "restoration/modification" project. I will do follow-up posts by category of work (to get caught up) and then try to be better about making update posts more often. Going to try to spend more time here too... |
After some basic maintenance and a good looking over, I decided to start with the lowering kit. I knew the truck would be down for a bit for this, but I didn't know that my anal retentive, OCD, jackass self would kick in so badly. What was supposed to just be an installation of a DJM 3/5 drop kit snowballed into months of work. It still isn't on the road yet, but I'm happy with how this has gone so far. The rest of this story will be told in pictures with captions...see below!
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_1852.jpg Decided that doing the back would be easier with the bed removed. What isn't shown, because I forgot to take the "before" picture, is the goofy pop-up gooseneck hitch that left a gigantic hole in the bed. The hitch was bolted to two very large and heavy braces that were welded across the frame. Once the bed was off, removing that crap became the priority. Then after that was gone, I realized what 20 years of dirt and grime look like, I realized that the receiver hitch was welded in (scary if you ask me) and it just took off from there. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_1898.jpg Here you can see the axle, leaf springs, brake lines and e-brake cables removed. The next step was knocking all of the rivets off for the front leaf spring hangers, rear leaf spring hangers and shock mounts. I also backpulled the wiring harness so the frame was totally bare. The bumper was removed, the welded receiver hitch cut off and the whole frame cleaned and prepped. What happened to just installing the lowering kit? https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2051.jpg Frame painted, finally starting to feel like I'm moving in the right direction. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2062.jpg DJM Front Hangers, OE Rear Hangers, DJM Rear Shackles and Brand New OE Leaf Springs Installed...progress! https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2063.jpg DJM Front Hangers (in "lowest" position) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2064.jpg DJM Rear Shackles (in "lowest" position) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2159.jpg 99% done with all new brakes, new bearings, new 3.55 gears, 08-10 finned diff cover, Helwig sway bar, Curt Class V hitch, new spare tire hoist and a new Curt trailer plug. Now...on to the front... |
I wasn't ready to pull the cab, so the front of the truck wasn't getting the "clean and paint" level of work that the back did. At some point the cab will come off so I can do the engine, and the rest of the frame. For now, the front just got the suspension and I had to fight my OCD every step of the way.
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2088.jpg Looks funny with no front suspension! https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2089.jpg New OE Radius Arms and DJM 3" Drop I-Beams Installed https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2160.jpg New OE Coil Springs and DJM Shocks Installed Don't know why, but I stopped taking pictures after the above. The front end also got all new OE steering linkage and ball joints as well. The spindles were fine, but they got all new bearings, seals and brakes like the rear. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2171.jpg First time on the ground in almost 3 months. Time to move on to the engine! |
It's in my plans to do an engine build, but I don't have time for that right now. I just needed to get the engine running good enough to daily drive and clean up some stuff I didn't care for. Of course, like everything, I could have done just what was "needed", but that's now how my stupid brain works.
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2197.jpg Removed AFE Stage II Removed "USA" Turbo with Banks Power Elbow (and rest of rusty exhaust...my OCD doesn't like rust) Removed Leaky Modified OE Turbo Pedestal Removed Modified and Greasy Intake "Spider" Removed Unknown Regulated Return Removed Injectors (half stamped "reman", several not working well) Removed Glow Plugs Removed Mismatched Batteries Removed Squished/Rubbed Modified Headlight Wiring Removed FASS HD Pump and Wiring Removed Modified Engine Wiring Harness Removed Unknown Age UVC Gaskets and Harnesses https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2217.jpg Installed Modified Stock Turbo (from my old Race Truck PMR Motor) - Rebuilt with 360° Thrust Bearing and 7x7 Billet Wheel - Banks 1.0 Turbine Housing with Wastegate - Original ATS (pre Purple Palace) Ported Compressor Housing - Banks Big Head Actuator Installed New Non-EBV Pedestal Installed Driven Diesel Fuel Bowl Delete Regulated Return Installed Full Force Diesel 180/0% Single Shots Installed Lightly Used Glow Plugs from my old Race Engine Installed Lightly Used UVC Gaskets and Harnesses from my old Race Engine Installed Cleaned Up (unnecessary wires removed) Engine Wiring Harness from my old Race Engine Installed Lightly Used Matching Optima Batteries from my old Race Truck Installed New S&B Filters Intake Kit (not shown) Installed Intake "Spider" From my old PMR Race Engine https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2248.jpg Just Another View https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2236.jpg You can see the fuel tank in the first picture with the bed off, and like everything else, it was filthy with 20 years of dirt. Scrubbed the crap out of it, inside and out and it looks brand new. Of course, there has to be something between the fuel tank and the regulated return. Since I still had the AirDog I from my race truck, I started there. This pump is one of the originals, from back in the day when Charlie was first running the company, and it was always rock solid in the race truck. Hopefully it brings good "ju ju" to this project. Sorry, no pictures. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2246.jpg After the AirDog I used one of our Driven Diesel Dual Bosch fuel delivery kits. Normally this setup would have a pre-filter, but that isn't necessary with the AirDog. Right now I'm just running one of the pumps along with the AirDog to get the truck up and running. Future plans will require the second pump for sure, so it's just a bit of wiring away from being up and running. After the pictures above, I decided I was going to run dual crankcase breathers to a catch can. I moved the driver side valve cover to the passenger side and I installed modified the E-Series van valve cover I had on my race engine to fit on the driver side. They will be tied to a catch can and then back to the crankcase breather, since that is one of the things our local emissions inspectors look at. I'm currently waiting on the parts to finish plumbing the crankcase vent, after which I can finish installing the passenger side intercooler tube and the S&B intake tube and the engine portion will be done. Engine fired up and ran beautifully. Forgot how much I love the sound of a nice single shot 7.3L. More to come... |
Closed loop crankcase vent is done. Used a DRIVERS SIDE valve cover on the passenger side, with the vent assembly facing the rear. Used an E-Series van drivers side valve cover on the drivers side, but had to cut and significantly shorten the oil fill tube. Both vents merge into a single 3/4" hose, which is connected to a Mishimoto universal catch can. The outlet of the catch can is connected to the OEM CCV adapter in the middle of the intake, which I rotated 180°. Pics below...should know how it works soon.
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2265.jpg Passenger Side CCV Connection https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2266.jpg Drivers SIde CCV Connection https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2267.jpg OEM CCV Housing (flipped) And My CCV T-Fitting Behind It https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2269.jpg Mishimoto Catch Can Mounted Behind Drivers Front Tire |
Typical of every truck I own, modify one thing and you have to mess with something else. Every lowered truck I've had required exhaust work to make sure I didn't listen to the axle banging the pipe, or pipe scraping speed bumps, etc. This one is no different. I've loved the fit and finish of MagnaFlow exhaust forever, so I ordered their latest 7.3L S.S. kit for this truck. This kit didn't come with a muffler, so I ordered the longest S.S. diesel muffler MagnaFlow makes, and for good measure, I added a FloPro Twister resonator to make sure I don't have cab drone. To keep things "tucked" nicely, I didn't use the pipe they supply that has an offset to lower the muffler, I just ran straight back. Of course, that put the tailpipe inlet at the wrong location, so I had to cut and shorten the inlet end of the tailpipe. While I was at it, I added some pipe at the top of the tailpipe to give more room in front and behind the axle. Finally, I cut the offset pipe to make a custom turndown that tucks almost entirely above the body line. I still need to double check the tailpipe, when I was doing that part I already had 6+ hours on the system and forgot to hang the spare tire first...so I may need to modify it some more for clearance.
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2271.jpg Cut 1 shortened the inlet of the pipe. Cuts 2 & 3 reflect the section added to spread the pipe away from the axle. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2304.jpg Welded up and ready to go in. Can't take credit for the welding, that's a talent I have not yet learned. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni.../img_2305x.jpg Cut line on the offset pipe to make the custom turndown tip. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2306.jpg Custom turndown tip welded to the tailpipe. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2307.jpg FloPro Twister right after the trans crossmember. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2308.jpg Big MagnaFlow Muffler https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2309.jpg Tailpipe fit over the axle and custom rear hanger. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2310.jpg Tailpipe with Turndown almost entirely hidden. Really hoping the spare fits, should have time to mess with that later today. |
Finally got the exhaust finished, wheels and tires mounted and after sitting for months...a really good inside and out cleaning! It's nice to be driving my truck again, and not the shop van. Still lots more on the "to do" list.
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2324.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2326.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2330.jpg Little comparison of progress from where the truck started to today. |
No major updates, just some small stuff I had to do because I was used to driving newer trucks with more "creature comforts" for the last 6 years.
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2408.jpg GenTex HomeLink Rear View Mirror, because I can't stand garage door remotes on my visors! https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2409.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2410.jpg 2008+ OEM Heated Trailer Tow Mirrors, because the 99-07 mirrors are just too small after you've had these! So far, just the mirror motors are hooked up, and they operate backwards (push the control right, mirror moves left). I haven't had time to investigate that. The UP/DOWN is perfect. The smoked lenses on the mirrors are from Amazon. They have a white "running light" that switches to a moving orange when the turn signal is activated. Next on the agenda is going into all of the doors. Each one will be a project: - New OEM Door Lock Actuator - New OEM Power Window Regulator/Motor Assembly - Old Window Tint Removal and Glass Replacement if Scratched - Thorough Cleaning of All Surfaces - Sound Deadening (prep for stereo work) - New Door Handles (rears all the way around) - Finish Mirror Wiring (front doors) I was going to do white PTM door handles, but now with the black wheels I will probably leave them black for contrast. Ordered stuff to start the stereo setup this weekend. Head unit will probably get put in soon, the stock one SUCKS, I need my music collection (USB memory stick) back! |
Magaged to get a little time on the truck this weekend. Finally got the garbage stock CD changer out and a decent head unit in. Actually amazing how much better the stock crappy speakers sound with a clean head unit. Now I've at least got BlueTooth Phone, NAV and my USB Music Collection back!
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2447.jpg A little wiring progress work on the adapter harness. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2455.jpg Head unit installation complete. Will have to go back in to connect RCAs when I get around to amplifiers and such, but good enough for now. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2457.jpg Pulled the instrument cluster and A/C controls and upgraded to LEDs since I had the dash trim off. The picture sucks, but you can tell how much brighter they are during the day, which makes them much easier to see. May have to dim at night, but I'm not worried about that. |
Discovered something interesting, as I finally drove the truck at night. All of the "warning lights" are about 10-20% lit, all the time. Apparently there is enough voltage on those circuits to partially light the LEDs due to them having no load like a filament type bulb. I guess I'm going to be playing around in a dark shop trying to figure out the best fix for this. Crap!
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Taking some time off this week and working on the truck. Yesterday was "Rear Door Day". I started by pulling the power window regulator assemblies out and cleaning the inside surfaces of the doors (inner skin where door panel mounts, and inside of outer skin as well).
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2485.jpg Then I changed out the power lock actuators and installed new outer door handles with Jimmy Jammers. Sorry, no pics, didn't seem interesting enough. Then I put in my sound deadening, on both the inner door skin as well as the inside of the outer door skin. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2487.jpg After installing the New OE power window regulator assemblies, reinstalling the OE vapor barrier and buttoning up the door panel, I installed new (updated) OE weatherstripping on the door opening and upgraded the door strikers to the Mustang units with the rubber bumpers. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2489.jpg The difference in sound when you close the door is so noticeable! I will get to the front doors later this week. It will be nice to have all of the windows and locks working right again, and the sound deadening is such a nice upgrade. Eventually I will make the time to gut the rest of the interior, pull the dash and sound deaden the rest of the cab. |
Finally finished the front doors. Same deal as the rears, new OE lock actuators, new OE window regulator assemblies, everything cleaned and sound deadening added to the outer and inner surfaces. Fronts also got rear door handles without lock cylinders, Jimmy Jammers, Mustang strikers and new weatherstripping (not pictured). No real new info here, just pictures of the front door work.
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2511.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2512.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2513.jpg |
So, it would appear that my CCV setup will need some additional work. I do think this engine is a bit tired, but it hasn't been worth the time to actually compression test it. It does have a miss that isn't injectors, wiring or IDM. I guess I will reserve judgement on the CCV setup until I get a fresh bullet in place.
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2520.jpg The canister is catching some oil. This is about 3000 miles worth. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2524.jpg The problem is, it is still allowing enough of it to make it back up to the intake. No way to really know how much, but enough to be visible. The canister is mounted down low, behind the drivers front tire. There's a good 3-4' of hose down and then back up. I was really hoping that this would be enough hose and a good enough canister setup to do a better job than this. Could be that the canister is too small. Could be that running both valve covers to one canister is too much for it. Could be that this old turd has more blowby than this setup can efficiently handle. At some point I will need to remove the charge air tubes, it will be interesting to see how much oil is making it to those. Not the best update, but all I've got for now. |
Finally got around to swapping out the transmission. I had kept the fully built John Wood unit from my race truck, so now my old dinosaur has a trans that cost me almost as much as I paid for the truck! Oh well, one less thing to worry about. We do have to fine tune the VB as the shifting is a bit firm for a low power street truck (was previously behind a compound turbo'd, twin pump, 400cc setup).
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2606.jpg Was a good time to check out the up-pipes for leaks and tighten a few loose exhaust manifold bolts. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2607.jpg This flexplate was on its way out, glad I got to it before it broke. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2609.jpg Billet flexplate from the race truck took care of the impending failure nicely! https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2608.jpg Out with the old... https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2610.jpg In with the...er...somewhat new! Will have to pull the VB apart some weekend and see which way it is setup. We changed it so many times due to adding nitrous, removing nitrous, etc...who the heck remembers how it's setup now. I was hoping that the TC would have a bit higher stall, but apparently I had too much taken out of it when I had it refreshed (it was a lot higher in the race truck, so I had some taken out for the street build...probably should have left it alone). No biggie, will just have to pull it and have it restalled again later if I decide I'm not happy with it. |
I got my hands on a decent 08-10 Tailgate in the right color. Looks much nicer than the beat up stocker! I tried using the Tailgate Handle Backup Camera in my stock tailgate, but the quality of that piece was horrible and the handle wouldn't stay in place when you used it to open the tailgate. The 08-10 Tailgate Handle with Backup Camera is much nicer, and it stays put (so far).
I also installed a power tailgate lock from Pop-N-Lock and a Jimmy Jammers tailgate guard while I was at it. Sorry, no pictures of those. The wiring for the camera and lock were the worst part, as both had to go inside the cab, but to 2 different places. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2633.jpg 08-10 Tailgate - Used But Looks Good https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2634.jpg Amazon Tailgate Handle with Backup Camera https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2635.jpg View From Backup Camera on Double DIN Kenwood Head Unit The camera is certainly a "nice to have" when you back into just about everywhere you park. The angle of this one is good, I can tell when I'm right up on a wall or tree, or getting close to the nose of a car. This weekend...have to tear into the valve body and see what we've got. Definitely setup for more power than this truck is making! |
I just realized that I have a truck update that I totally forgot about. I actually haven't had much time to work on the truck lately, due to other projects (personal and work related). I did manage to get my headlight upgrade installed a few weeks ago though, I just spaced posting the updates here when I did it.
The factory 05-07 headlights look OK, but the lighting sucks, even with upgraded bulbs. Having had Projector HIDs in the past, I knew that was what this thing needed. I ordered a set of brand new OEM headlights from Ford and shipped them off to Dan Cordoba of DC Customs for all of the upgrades (see list below). Dan did a Killer Job on these, I couldn't be happier! -G5-BRT Projectors -Osram CBB D2S Bulbs -Apollo 2.0 Flat Shrouds -Oxford White and Black paint -Tinted Klearz Reflector -XD Xtreme Digital Ballasts -DC Customs H13 Harness -XD Ceramic 3157 Switchback Park/Turn Indicators https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2940.jpg Headlights Installed - Close Up https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2939.jpg Headlights Installed https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2941.jpg Headlights Installed https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_2932.jpg Standard Bulb (Left) vs Projector HID (Right) - This is LOW BEAM ONLY (notice the nice cutoff on the top of the HID) Here's a link to the DC Customs post on Facebook with a few more pictures of Dans work on my lights. Check him out if you are in the market for some light work! Facebook Post |
This update is SOOOOOO LOOOONNNNGGGGG overdue. I've been referring to this as "The Longest Stereo Install Ever" (that isn't some kind of crazy, high end, show build). Anyway, a quick bit about the system and then TONS OF PICTURES. Sorry for the length of this, I have it split into multiple posts.
System Consists of: Kenwood DNX-696S Double DIN Head Unit (custom mount) Zapco ASP-Q1 Pre-Amp/Crossover (custom mount in AC controls location) Rockville 50 Farad Capacitor (2) Old School Orion 2150GX Amps (600W ea) (2) Old School Orion 400BDG Bridging Modules (3) Old School Orion 280GX Amps (160W ea) (2) JL Audio 10TW3-D8 Subs (custom sealed enclosure) (2) Sets a/d/s/ A6is Component Sets (front stage) - (4) Total 6.5" Midbass (2/door) - (4) Total 1" Soft Dome Tweeter (1/door + 1/pillar) (1) Set Pioneer TS-D68F 6x8 Direct Fit Speakers (rear fill) 2/0 Custom Battery/Starter/Alternator/Ground Cables DC Power 370A Alternator https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3093.jpg Gutting The Interior for Sound Deadening https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3094.jpg More Gutting... https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3095.jpg Expanding Foam Used (carefully) in Key Places (the roof is solid and tight now) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3110.jpg Roof Getting CLD. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3111.jpg Back Wall of Cab Getting CLD. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3126.jpg Roof Getting a Sound Blocking Type Product (can't say if MLV or other) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3127.jpg I used Tons of Tesa Tape on OEM and other Harnesses https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3144.jpg While I had Easy Access, I Installed some S&B Body Mounts https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3146.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3149.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3157.jpg Dash on the Stand for Repairs, Security System and Audio Work https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3158.jpg Bare Firewall Ready for CLD https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3170.jpg Firewall Covered in CLD (OEM Pad was Reinstalled Over the CLD) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3171.jpg Dash Mount Tabs Covered in Tesa Tape Continued in next post... |
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https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3199.jpg Pioneer 6x8s in Factory Rear Location https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3384.jpg Starting the CLD on the Floor. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3385.jpg 05-07 Dash Center Pieces getting Painted https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3386.jpg Upgrading to 11-16 Center Console too. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3387.jpg Floor CLD Done! https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3399.jpg Laying out RCA Cables Up the Center of the Floor https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3400.jpg Power, Ground and Turn-On Run Up Floor with 4" Gap. Every component in the system get Power and Ground from the Amp Rack. Key-on for the Head Unit is Amp Rack power switched by a relay. No audio connected component has ANY power or ground from ANY other location. https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3426.jpg Sound Blocking Material Installed on Floor https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3545.jpg Working On Custom Head Unit Mounting Brackets https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3548.jpg Head Unit Solid Mounted (the plastic dash kit sucked) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3563.jpg Head Unit and Pre-Amp Test Fit https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3565.jpg Head Unit and Pre-Amp Brackets https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3594.jpg Test Fit of Bezel for Relocated AC Controls https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3595.jpg Underdash Aux Fuse Panel for Center Console, Inverter, Upfitter Switches plus Relays for Audio and Alarm Functions (unfortunately, you have to take half the interior apart to change a fuse...oh well). https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3596.jpg Assembled Dash with AC Bezel and Pre-Amp Brackets Powdercoated https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3598.jpg Upfitter Switch Wires Labeled for Future Use (switch 4 controls center console inverter) Continued in next post... |
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https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3599.jpg Designing the Amp Rack https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3600.jpg Amp Rack (v1) After WaterJet and Bending (ended up having to build a v2 with a few minor changes) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3601.jpg Test Fitting Amp Rack Behind Rear Seat https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3791.jpg First Amplifier Test Fit on Amp Rack https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3792.jpg ALL Wires Pass Through Grommets. All Components Attached with Machine Screws to PEM Threaded Inserts in Amp Rack https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3793.jpg Rivnuts Used to Attach Amp Rack to Truck Body https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3796.jpg 2D Side View CAD Design of Sub Enclosure (it was a trick to get the airspace I needed under the seat) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3797.jpg Once I had the Profile Figured Out, I went to 3D Software to Finish the Design https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3798.jpg https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3830.jpg 17 Total Pieces for the Sub Enclosure, ALL Cut on a WaterJet Machine (best fitting enclosure I've ever built) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3850.jpg About 80% Assembled https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3983.jpg Ready for Rhino Liner https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_3996.jpg Back from Rhino Liner, Subs Installed https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4056.jpg Baffle Plates Installed (so subs are not firing into carpet) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4058.jpg Installing Sub Enclosure in Truck https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4060.jpg Sub Enclosure and Seat Installed (with LMI Welding Rear Seat Spacers) Continued in next post... |
Continued from Previous Post...
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4070.jpg Amps Getting New 8ga Power and Ground Cables https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4071.jpg Amps and Other Components Final Mounted on Amp Rack (hung up for easy wiring on both sides) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4100.jpg Test Fit of Dual Speaker Mount from Custom Speaker Pods https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4101.jpg Fitting the Tweeter in the Door Pod https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4108.jpg Steel Reinforcement Rings with Threaded Inserts for Speaker Pods (so I'm not attaching speakers to plastic) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4109.jpg Test Fitting Speakers with Reinforcement Rings https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4110.jpg Pods Painted and Reinforcement Rings Attached https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4112.jpg Pods Attached to Door Panel and Speakers Installed (still need to paint the screw heads) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4194.jpg Amp Rack and Equipment Fully Installed and Wired in the Truck! (this was a LOONNNGGG Time Coming) https://www.strictlydiesel.com/denni...0/img_4195.jpg Amp Rack with Seat Installed and Folded Forward Sorry again for the length of these updates. Been going too many directions and this build took way too long to complete. I started the bulk of this in January of 2021. The truck was down for about 6 months with all of the interior out and everything I did inside, then it was on the road again while I designed and built the sub enclosure and amp rack. I took it down again in December of 2021 to work on mounting the speakers in the doors, battery cables, power and ground for the audio equipment, alternator and lots of other little details...and it just came together this past weekend. At this point, I'm driving and listening and adjusting until I can get with a close friend and spend time with his ears and his analyzer to dial it in. All in all, I'm damn happy with how it came out and how it sounds, and all of the "old school" equipment I wanted to use so badly is working great! |
WOW the truck is going to be like new when your finished with it, you'll be shocked 😲 when you add up all the receipts, but you'll have an amazing truck
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Originally Posted by gunman41mag
(Post 1209686)
WOW the truck is going to be like new when your finished with it, you'll be shocked 😲 when you add up all the receipts, but you'll have an amazing truck
I do hope that I get this one 100% finished, through engine, paint and body and interior. It should have a relatively easy life after that, as it won't be a "daily", mostly just used "when I need a truck". |
I had a 1999 FORD F-250 7.3 SUPER CAB LONG BED & I sold it to by a brand new 6.4 F-250 yeah I should've kept my 7.3
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