I haven't heard of the Showroom New stuff, but today I finished the plastics off with "Wipe New." I did the flares almost 2 months ago, and they still look great. Wish I would have taken a before and after picture of the cowl when I did it today.

Also, up next is going to be the phaser stuff. Probably going to tackle all that this coming weekend.

 

I stumbled on Showroom New I guess it was 5 years ago when my plastics started fading... The stuff looked perfect until about 3 months ago. It wasn't super easy to apply, but well worth it...

Honestly, your mention of "Wipe New" is the first I have heard of that product. It looks like it does the same thing, just a different way.... Showroom New is a self etching dye instead of a chemical converter that Wipe New appears to be... I would be interested to see how well it works in the long run. A good friend of mine has a 2000 XLT with plastics that look awful, I am trying to talk him into redying the plastics... Other than that, and some interior wear, that truck is still in really nice shape.... Hate to see it fading out...

 

My new brush guard / winch mount is on the truck and tracking shows it is somewhere in the southern area of Houston scheduled to be delivered today... Most likely will just shove it in the garage when I get home. Have too much to do tonight. Looks like a mount, winch, and lights install weekend for me if I can manage the time! Oh and finish painting the living room and moving the furniture back, and studying for my RHCE exam and....

 

I had enough lumber left over from my tool box for a under seat storage box. So, why not. I think it turned out good for being scrap lumber. Not to mention it's at least two different typs of lumber. The front piece wasn't thick enough so I glued two together. Can't take credit for the idea. I saw it here and modified it to make it my own. More pics in my album.

 

Is that OSB?

 

It's a combination of plywood and pressboard. It's left over scrap wood that I had. I think most people use OSB.

 

Love that storage box...

Got the bed rails, tailgate cap, and drivers side door handle treated with Showroom New. The look awesome.

As time and weather permit, will do passengers side handle, mirrors, cowl, grille, step pads and mirrors.

Got Duplicolor Arizona Beige, clear, primer, etc... Also gloss black. Going to touch up back of cab where toolbox rubbed, and redo step bars.

Made delivery appointment with UPS Freight. Winch mount and fender flares will be here Monday.

 

Big B, that's a very neat "tool box" If I didn't be crazy about having two oversized 12s in there that what I would have. Very neat craftsman work!

Did nothing, have not done to it. Bought a radio and its ready to install but been lazy..

 

I applied Showroom New black to the passengers door handle, grille, step pads including rear bumper. I managed to break the plastic studs on the grille oval emblem taking it off, I need to head over to Home Depot and get some epoxy to fix this...

I am still waiting for my brush guard / winch mount. UPS Freight keeps screwing up, missing the delivery appointments and otherwise jacking me around. I have CarID trying to get my shipping expenses reimbursed due to the incredibly poor service from UPS... I need to set up my flares soon too.

 

Pioneer AVH-X4500BT

2" Black Anodized Bora Wheel Adapters - Serious Beef. Hub Centric and Wheel Centric



-Curtis-

 

FINALLY got to install my Go Rhino Winch "bumper" brush guard. It is a LOT beefier than I had anticipated, and included a frame crossmember / brace that is shockingly stout. The passengers side headlight hoop / brush guard / wing whatever you want to call it is a serious factory mess up though, and I want it replaced before I snap any photos of it to share. I have a short stack of washers under the lower bolt to get the bottom up and away from my upper bumper, but it just barely clears with 2 washers between the wing and the main body, and it almost looks like somebody hit the wing.

If I can get the replacement in, and installed soon, I will be posting pics, It follows the lines of the grille very well, and sort of looks like my old brush guard, but WAY beefier, and the hoops have a bit more style... After seeing this, I know what the fire department put on their F150 (I never could get them to tell me, trust me, I asked!)

I got the fresh pair of Pro Comp Stainless 130 watt off road lights installed aimed, and tested. Ready to rock and roll!

And the Engo E9000 winch is installed, and wired up. One teensy weensy problem. I lost the danged hook. If I can't find it I will need to go to 4wheel parts and get a new one. Dang!

I still need to put on the flares, but this is really coming together FAST...

 

Finally back in the states, got my headlights put on, my Ford (tailgate) emblem swtiched out, and tail lights swtiched out as well, need to find an adapter for my 3rd brake light and give the truck nice wash! =)

 

I had dealer install spray in bed liner, sweet--then installed piaa 4K headlight bulbs--I can see at night now!!! Now looking for some polished alloys, ford 20's

Saw some nice ones on one of the lariats

 

Got the brush guard adjusted right, looking pretty good so far.

Last night managed to get one of the fender flares installed. Only 3 more to go! I know my choice of fender flares isn't the most popular on these trucks, but in all honesty, I wanted something with more actual tire coverage, and less "chunk" on the side of the truck. I opted for Pacer Performance Flexy Flares, giving me 2.5" of tire coverage. After installing the first one I am actually wondering if I should have bought the 3" bulk material flares and cut them to fit. The 2.5" just barely covers the tread at the top, and actually where the body tapers in toward the rocker panel leaves about 1/2" exposed... However, if my point is to avoid an equipment ticket by making sure I have legal tire coverage, I have it, at least for most states.. And the fender that is done so far (drivers front) looks really good. I am really liking the AZ beige and black look...

I am planning on adjusting the parking brake shoes a bit more away from the "drum" to see if that calms the vibration down. It is very slight, and it DOES feel like a hanging rear brake.

Once I get the flares on, and give the truck another bath, I will snap some pics and post them up. I am really liking the look... Yes it is looking kind of retro mod, but I am cool with that...

 

All but passengers side rear flares are on... Drivers side looks great!

Update 9:30 P.M.

I got the passengers rear flare installed. I didn't get it 100% tight to the fender, I have to make a minor adjustment in toward the top to shore it up...

While I had the rear tires off of the truck, I took the brakes apart, and adjusted the parking brake in away from the drum. I found the shoes were sticking on the backing plate. Looks like it was assembled dry without any sort of brake lube from the factory, or it simply went away in the last 93K miles anyway...

Once it was all buttoned back up, I went and road tested it. The vibration is mostly, not 100%, but more than 90% gone. Any remaining "buzz" that can be felt in the wheel can be attributed to the gigantic ***** on those Hercules Trail Digger MTs.

If it seems like I have been posting a LOT lately there is a reason. I finally got the truck paid off, and ahead in my bills enough to start putting the mods on the truck that I always wanted. I am close to the point I wanted to be at. I have some big dollar mods I still want to do, along with some refreshing that will eventually need to get done, but considering the cost of a new truck, not to mention the mods to get THAT truck to where I want it, I am just going to keep plugging away at modding / maintaining my '04. Anyone from the Pacific Northwest can relate to the following...

My truck feels like a broken in pair of quality hiking boots, jeans and a flannel shirt. It just feels right.