FX4Josh's build/upgrade thread.
... In the beginning ...
I'm new to the forum, and a new to me 6.0 PowerStroke owner. I just picked up the truck yesterday and to my delight, it already seemed to have a few upgrades such as MBRP exhaust and a nice set of wheels and new tires. I really have no background of the truck, so I'm going to go ahead and dive in to upgrading a few things here and there. I'm certainly not going to go bonkers with modifications, etc as some folks have, but rather focus on "reliability" and "driveability" upgrades to enhance the truck overall.
First things first, some gauges are going in to see where I'm standing on boost levels, EGT temperatures, and fuel pressure as from what I've been reading, fuel pressure is a very important thing. Transmission temperature isn't of much importance right now, because I won't be towing anything (maybe a boat?) and there's a (somewhat accurate?) dash gauge for that anyway. The truck does need a little fluffing up with some general parts and maintenance. New wiper blades, a fresh oil change and a good engine cleaning are on the immediate horizon within the next week or two. The A/C also seems to need a little re-upping on 134A as it isn't as cool as it could be. Those are things I can take care of in the driveway on a weekend. I also would LIKE to do a transmission fluid and filter change.
After the gauges go in and are all functioning, I'm planning to upgrade this "blue spring" in the fuel filter housing or whatever. Forgive my ignorance, I've only read a little about this, but it seems very important to maintaining FP at WOT. Gauges first will allow me to see what/how this blue spring upgrade improves my fuel pressure.
Immediately following the blue spring, I'll likely be upgrading the factory intake elbow. It looks like a pretty inexpensive (<$200) upgrade and should help air flow a little bit, which I'm all for improving. The upgraded elbow also has ports already tapped for a clean boost line install which is another reason I want one. Sure I can drill and tap the factory one, but I'll have to remove it anyway to prevent shavings from falling in, so I might as well just upgrade for a couple benjamins and be done. I will probably hold off on an actual intake for awhile, because I need to get the oil cooler/coolant filter/EGR delete stuff taken care of ASAP as I know those are pitfalls with these engines. Thoroughbred Diesel is just up the road from my office so I'll probably just take the truck up to them for the EGR/oil cooler stuff. Not that I wouldn't LOVE to tear into the truck myself, I just don't really have the time for bigger tasks like that and would prefer to leave it to an actual diesel mechanic.
So with the purchase of a "new to me" truck, I certainly have a few chores on my to-do list and enough to keep me busy (and my wallet sucked dry) for a little while. It's all in good fun though, because I knew these things when I signed the papers yesterday. I feel I got a good deal on the truck though, with only 112,000 on the clock and a hair less than $6,000 financed.
Stay tuned for more updates and pictures. I like to take pictures, so I'll be dumping a LOT of them here. Also, if you guys have advice or words of warning, PLEASE post them. I'm new to this engine and I welcome any and all of your information. That's why I'm here, to learn, to share, and to build a reliable and fun truck that will last for years to come. I need your help!
Here's a picture of the truck in "as purchased" form.
Here's a picture of "the christening" of the rear tires yesterday.
Finally, here are some all around and under pictures of the beast.
... In the beginning ...
I'm new to the forum, and a new to me 6.0 PowerStroke owner. I just picked up the truck yesterday and to my delight, it already seemed to have a few upgrades such as MBRP exhaust and a nice set of wheels and new tires. I really have no background of the truck, so I'm going to go ahead and dive in to upgrading a few things here and there. I'm certainly not going to go bonkers with modifications, etc as some folks have, but rather focus on "reliability" and "driveability" upgrades to enhance the truck overall.
First things first, some gauges are going in to see where I'm standing on boost levels, EGT temperatures, and fuel pressure as from what I've been reading, fuel pressure is a very important thing. Transmission temperature isn't of much importance right now, because I won't be towing anything (maybe a boat?) and there's a (somewhat accurate?) dash gauge for that anyway. The truck does need a little fluffing up with some general parts and maintenance. New wiper blades, a fresh oil change and a good engine cleaning are on the immediate horizon within the next week or two. The A/C also seems to need a little re-upping on 134A as it isn't as cool as it could be. Those are things I can take care of in the driveway on a weekend. I also would LIKE to do a transmission fluid and filter change.
After the gauges go in and are all functioning, I'm planning to upgrade this "blue spring" in the fuel filter housing or whatever. Forgive my ignorance, I've only read a little about this, but it seems very important to maintaining FP at WOT. Gauges first will allow me to see what/how this blue spring upgrade improves my fuel pressure.
Immediately following the blue spring, I'll likely be upgrading the factory intake elbow. It looks like a pretty inexpensive (<$200) upgrade and should help air flow a little bit, which I'm all for improving. The upgraded elbow also has ports already tapped for a clean boost line install which is another reason I want one. Sure I can drill and tap the factory one, but I'll have to remove it anyway to prevent shavings from falling in, so I might as well just upgrade for a couple benjamins and be done. I will probably hold off on an actual intake for awhile, because I need to get the oil cooler/coolant filter/EGR delete stuff taken care of ASAP as I know those are pitfalls with these engines. Thoroughbred Diesel is just up the road from my office so I'll probably just take the truck up to them for the EGR/oil cooler stuff. Not that I wouldn't LOVE to tear into the truck myself, I just don't really have the time for bigger tasks like that and would prefer to leave it to an actual diesel mechanic.
So with the purchase of a "new to me" truck, I certainly have a few chores on my to-do list and enough to keep me busy (and my wallet sucked dry) for a little while. It's all in good fun though, because I knew these things when I signed the papers yesterday. I feel I got a good deal on the truck though, with only 112,000 on the clock and a hair less than $6,000 financed.
Stay tuned for more updates and pictures. I like to take pictures, so I'll be dumping a LOT of them here. Also, if you guys have advice or words of warning, PLEASE post them. I'm new to this engine and I welcome any and all of your information. That's why I'm here, to learn, to share, and to build a reliable and fun truck that will last for years to come. I need your help!
Here's a picture of the truck in "as purchased" form.
Here's a picture of "the christening" of the rear tires yesterday.
Finally, here are some all around and under pictures of the beast.