10
votes
Accepted
Wish to understand why non-stock vehicle alignment is an issue
Factory specs assume factory parts. Each modification you have made changes the angles at which the suspension operates so those angles no longer apply. This is especially true on truck lifts where a ...
- 661
8
votes
Accepted
What is this connector on the rear bumper?
This is the access port for the tire iron so you can lower the spare tire from under the truck. Look at your Owner's Manual under "Vehicle Care," it will show you where on the truck to find your tire ...
- 12.2k
8
votes
Headaches when driving older pickup truck
The shop vac can barely run because of the back pressure when hooked up the the tailpipe.
If there is a severe exhaust restriction it could explain the presence of fumes in the cabin:
if the engine ...
- 39.2k
8
votes
Should I over- or under-inflate my tires when towing?
The conflicting advice is confusing to sort out, because the logic seems to have got the cause-and-effect connections wrong. So let's start again...
The tires are the only part of the vehicle that is ...
- 2,974
6
votes
Headaches when driving older pickup truck
Seeing as how the vehicle is over 20 years old, I'm doubting you are getting outgassing. That should have occurred a long time ago. If you drive with the window open to ensure fresh air flow, does the ...
- 160k
5
votes
Why is there a "DO NOT PUSH" sign on the back of some trucks?
I like to share my experience in this DO NOT PUSH dilemma. It is really simple:
You can damage the whole box since it was not designed to be pushed. It's just like a shoe box: you can stack one the ...
- 51
5
votes
What does this symbol on my dash mean? GMC W4500
That light indicates the Exhaust Brake feature is active and will work to slow the vehicle when your foot is taken off the accelerator.
The picture is meant to be a throttle plate in the closed ...
- 13.2k
4
votes
Headaches when driving older pickup truck
Since you qualified the exhaust system has no leaks, check the erg tube for leaks, also check the exhaust manifold gaskets if it has them, between manifold and cylinder head.
Also check for oil leaks ...
- 7,990
4
votes
Accepted
Why Don't Medium Duty and Heavy Duty Trucks require Airbags?
Airbags protect the moving occupant against the sudden deceleration of the vehicle. Trucks usually hit objects that are lighter in mass. The truck's energy is transfered to the other vehicle, so the ...
- 828
4
votes
Should I over- or under-inflate my tires when towing?
I think the terms you're using - over-inflate and under-inflate - aren't the best descriptors.
There's a maximum tire pressure, around 50 psi for many tires. Inflating past that PSI would be over-...
- 300
4
votes
Accepted
Tire chains appear to touch suspension components?
Chains, when fitted properly, should be uniformly tight and not have "knots" or "bulges" to catch on suspension or the inner wings. That said, I have heard many chains "clanking" on cars that have ...
- 34.7k
4
votes
Accepted
Electrical question - solar panels and kill switches
I would look into setting up a relay controlled by the ACC or RUN circuit. When the coil in the relay is not energized the contacts would connect the panel to the battery but when you switch the ...
- 3,790
3
votes
Oil Leaking after Oil Change...Seems Shady
Without pictures, it's impossible to diagnose the location of your oil leak. Here's some possibilities:
The drain plug is not properly on. These don't need to be on tight to make a good seal, but ...
- 12.2k
3
votes
Engine noise and smoke while driving with low oil, no longer starts
It sounds like your engine may have seized. The thump and smoke from the starter sound like the starter is trying to turn the engine but can't. Starter motors are usually unfused, so if the motor can'...
- 14.5k
3
votes
Scania clutch issue with syncromesh gearbox
G'Day,
The fact that you HAVE to pump the pedal a few times makes me ALMOST certain that the 'ServoMaster' unit INSIDE of the Bell Housing is knackered.
At the release of the 4 Series in AUSTRALIA ...
- 31
3
votes
Where to attach ball hitch on 1989 10ft former U-Haul truck?
The ball hitch needs to be properly connected to the chassis - the step, unless it is a structural member, will not be strong enough. If you can't recognize a suitable member then go to a garage / or ...
- 34.7k
3
votes
What do I make a custom box truck body out of?
It depends how much money you want to spend on your truck and how reliable it should be on/ off road. If your body is heavy, you will need a better suspension. Plastic would be cheaper than aluminum ...
- 399
3
votes
Should I over- or under-inflate my tires when towing?
I had this same question, and while I mostly agree with alephzero's answer, I wanted to provide a way to actually account for the increase in tongue weight (the trailer's load on the vehicle).
Let's ...
- 286
3
votes
Manual transmission grinds shifting into 2nd gear, only when cold
You don't really give us much info about this except to say it was rebuilt 10 years ago. How many miles since then? What kind of service?
There are two most likely causes: clutch and synchros. The ...
- 2,115
3
votes
Mount a chainsaw filing vise to a pickup lift gate using a clamp
If the chain is to stay on the saw, why not just get a set of soft jaws for your vise. This would allow you to clamp the bar of the saw between the vice jaws without damaging the bar. Then you can ...
- 160k
2
votes
1987 Dodge D150 High Idle and Dieseling
My first mechanic post. But were struggleing here many comments no answers.
Maybe it doesn't apply to this vehicle. Dieseling run after shut off is sometimes caused by the vacuum switch on the air ...
- 197
2
votes
Headaches when driving older pickup truck
I had similar in my 1977 Volkswagen Polo and traced the problem to the combination of an overcharging alternator and a hole in the battery compartment meaning gasses from the battery were coming into ...
- 23.4k
2
votes
Headaches when driving older pickup truck
Check for rust holes in your cab. Even pinhole leaks can admit exhaust gases. Look for small holes in your firewall, or degraded rubber gaskets for cables, wires, etc., as they pass through the ...
- 66
2
votes
starter doesn't turn with ignition switch
Turns out if was the starter, I simply went to a junk yard pulled a starter out of the same kind of truck and it worked fine.
- 131
2
votes
Accepted
Recommended 100k mile maintenance
Here is a link with the recommended maintenance schedule
http://www.ford-trucks.com/how-tos/a/ford-f150-basic-maintenance-schedule-359521
Here is a screenshot of the 100K maintenance recommendations
...
- 1,169
2
votes
Accepted
Truck will not move forward in drive
By 2nd gear and 1st gear, I assume you are referring to the low-gear position on the shifter. It is perfectly fine to drive in those, as long as your revs aren't getting too high.
If the low-gear ...
- 12.2k
2
votes
Accepted
24V truck charging circuit problem
After taking out both alternators, they turned out to be working fine.
Tracing the wires inside the chassis, I've found two 80A fuses (one for each alternator) - both of them blown. Not sure what ...
- 280
2
votes
Accepted
Difference between Trophy Truck and Hammer Truck?
There are actually two classes each of Trophy and Hammer Trucks:
Trophy Truck
Trophy Truck Spec
Hammer Truck Unlimited
Hammer Truck Limited
The big difference between the Trophy and Hammer classes ...
- 160k
2
votes
Is this a headlamp housing or a headlight bracket?
Headlamp housing is what you need. I'm not familiar with that particular truck, but the bracket looks like something used for aiming/adjusting the position of the housing. Typically, the housing ...
- 13.2k
2
votes
Accepted
Is this a headlamp housing or a headlight bracket?
The part you are looking for is the headlight assembly. I believe the tab which is broken on yours you can see sticking up in this image:
In my humble opinion, you are going to be better off finding ...
- 160k
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