XL. she looks new! I wish I had half of your energy to keep my truck as nice as yours.

Last weekend I rolled up my sleeves and upgraded my sound system. I kept the factory head unit and had already installed Infinity Reference Series coaxial speaks in all four doors.

I first installed an Audio Logic LC7 digital processor and a Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp (60 rms per and 600rms to the amp) behind the rear seat. Really wanted and schemed to run new heavier gauge speaker wires straight from the amp but the dreaded molex door connectors shot that down. I first had to run speaker level input wires from behind the head unit back to the digital processor. I then connected it to the amp with RCA's from the processor and ran my speaker out wires from the amp back up to behind the head unit and tied into existing factory speaker wires. All of this was run down the driver's side sill to keep it away from the 4 gauge amp power wire running down the passenger side.

Next step was running the processor positive lead up to the passenger side to a accessory/on positive tap in the fuse box. This also gave me amp turn on power from the processor as it senses speaker level activity and triggers the amp turn on lead.

Next step was running the processor remote bass control wire down the drive's sill to mount the sub variable control next to the elec brake control unit under dash by my right knee.

Next step was installing my Q-logic under seat box w/ Infinity Perfect 10 sub (this forum classified purchase) under drivers side rear seat.

Next step was to zip-tie the rear seat lock tabs to allow quick removal of rear seat to allow easy fine tuning of both the amp and processor.

It was a lot of work by and time time thing and doing before all was completed. The good news is everything is completely hidden. The truck looks 100% factory with stock sound system. The better news is I was blown away by how incredible it sounds vs the previous setup as all factory with upgraded speakers.

 

Thank you! I'm still sore. Driving in the terrible winter environment we have here is the reason I do it. If I was down south, I doubt I'd need to do what I do.

 

tonight i finished up my final prototype of my saleen dashboard pod conversion...

 

So referring back to this.... I've had this croaking or groaning noise coming from the rear end when turning or flexing the suspension. I figured it was the leaf spring broke like yours but after looking at them they weren't broken. So next I figured it was the leaf bushings.

Today I got the jack out, jacked one side rear tire and let it down slowly to find the noise. I ended up tracking it down to the leafs and their nylon pads at each end. Each leaf has a nylon pad at the end to keep the leafs from rubbing metal to metal. Mine over the years have gotten dirt, mud, and sand in there and were just dirty. It was a pain getting some wedges in between the springs to spread them apart to clean them out. I added a little bit of grease in there too to keep them from squeaking again. I am a bit concerned that dirt will stick to the grease and work its way back in there but if this is just now happening after 167k miles i think I'll be good for a bit. Truck rides nice and quiet now!

Also added some diff modifier to my differential. Changed the fluid about a year ago and I don't think i got quite enough in there. Should take care of it now.

 

Mine never groaned, but I suspect it was broken for awhile because my truck had always sat about 3/4" lower on one rear corner...and that is the side with the broken leaf.

I have far to often over loaded this truck (even with a shorty bed) and I suspect this is my doing.

I haven't fixed it yet as right after I discovered it I was told I may be loosing my job, so I fought and got the leaf back in place and the added two 3" squared off u-bolt clamps to hold it together. No loads until it's all fixed.

The new leafs will run me about $160 each and I'm guessing the better part of a Saturday on my back in the garage.

Glad you found the cause of yours and it's not a whole replacment!

 

^^ Yes -- I have Wet Okoles on my '09 Ranger and the fit and quality is just so superior to any other seat cover I have ever seen.....

 

Nothing today, not even yesterday ..... but Friday I took the old cat back off and installed a new 100% SS cat back system in it's place. Ran tips out back.

Sooo ..... is that what TruckGuy24's gorgeous seat covers are? I can see a set over our black leather seats ..... just not in that color .... maybe red inserts in black outs?

 

Removed this

 

Haha. Did you run over a cassette tape? Also, that wheel has a ton of weights on it!

 

I guess it does haha, can't say I pay much attention to that stuff. I don't know how it got there, just noticed it in the mirror before getting out then went back and seen the whole picture. Wasn't too sure what to make of it it was hooked up in there pretty solid.

 

lightbar halo complete

 

Did the dreaded plug change today, hoping this helps solve my stutter problem I'm having. Broke three plugs overall even though I put lots of anti-seize on them last time. Luckily I had the lisle tool on standby, first time using it but after it pulled the first plug out like a champ I powered through the rest.

 

did it help? getting ready to do the same. getting a cylinder 3 misfire code...

 

Right front wheel bearing. Left upper control arm. An expensive day! $600, of which $200 was labor.

 

Well on my drive home with my custom tunes taken out and the truck returned to stock my stutter was gone! I couldn't get it to do it once! I still have 1/4 tank of 93 in it so when that runs out I'll put 87 back in and see if that makes a difference. Some of my plugs were definitely worn out.



Here is a used vs new:


It would also appear I may have some buildup in some of the cylinders. Any cleaning products that would help clean them out? I usually run Costco fuel which has lots of detergent additives or Chevron or Shell. It could indicate a bigger problem........piston rings. But I hope not!