- Thread starter
- #101
I hope that she serves you guys well for as many moons as you need her to.
Betsy the Farm Truck
- Thread starter jynx
- Start date
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Now with Virginia antique tags.
I have finally gotten to give Betsy the Farm Truck some love. I have been victorious in obtaining a VA Antique registration which gives a pretty broad amount of use while still avoiding an inspection. Something she can not pass in VA due to a faulty right rear tail light, no defroster, emergency brake, hole in the floor and an leaking exhaust.
Regardless, for a big Ford 4 by 4 she drives effortlessly except the shifting which requires a bit of finesse.
And of course Andy was right. I can not drive around in something that is not anally maintained. I have been pulling useless wires and working on lights and the EM brake.
Busted EM brakes stuff
New LEDs
Safe PPO's (not Jynx) wiring practices
Behind the dash
Regardless, for a big Ford 4 by 4 she drives effortlessly except the shifting which requires a bit of finesse.
And of course Andy was right. I can not drive around in something that is not anally maintained. I have been pulling useless wires and working on lights and the EM brake.
Busted EM brakes stuff
New LEDs
Safe PPO's (not Jynx) wiring practices
Behind the dash
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I discoverwd I need to pull the entire dash pieces to weld the EM brake support that somebody busted in an over anxious attempt to activate the brake. The entire system is a rusty mess so that is high on the list.
Not having a right rear light is also up there. Cops here are crazy for lights.
Not having a right rear light is also up there. Cops here are crazy for lights.
- Thread starter
- #105
The PO(s) (before me) were not kind to her. Hope she continues to act right for you. And yeah, somebody must have gotten wire nuts in bulk cause they were everywhere.
You get those awesome underhood lights burning yet....
You get those awesome underhood lights burning yet....
Actually I did 
I have a door switch in a box of junk. Thought I would add that so they come on automatically.
I sanded the dash and door panels and am in the process of spraying the door panels witj some cheap Walmart black spray paint for plastic. Seems to be taking well. Those things were funky. I am trying to get them in better shape to adhere some new window wipers. I also have some new armrests coming. The door panels about fell off everytime I tried to close the door.
I have a can of FlexSeal in the shop I was dipping tool handles in. I am going to paint the dash pad with that :hillbilly;
I have a door switch in a box of junk. Thought I would add that so they come on automatically.
I sanded the dash and door panels and am in the process of spraying the door panels witj some cheap Walmart black spray paint for plastic. Seems to be taking well. Those things were funky. I am trying to get them in better shape to adhere some new window wipers. I also have some new armrests coming. The door panels about fell off everytime I tried to close the door.
I have a can of FlexSeal in the shop I was dipping tool handles in. I am going to paint the dash pad with that :hillbilly;
Progress....
Fxxxing Virginia and their pesky Inspections. I do not need one with the antique tags but I would kind of like to comply with their demands that it would likely pass.
So, parking brake has been restored, tail lights are working (the right side plug was bad) and just because they were cheap for an F150 I replaced the window felts. Keeps the windows from banging around. Also some new armrests. Next item on the list is to fix the reverse light wiring and then get the defroster working. Then I can button up the dash and put in my cheapo Amazon radio - complete with USB!
So, parking brake has been restored, tail lights are working (the right side plug was bad) and just because they were cheap for an F150 I replaced the window felts. Keeps the windows from banging around. Also some new armrests. Next item on the list is to fix the reverse light wiring and then get the defroster working. Then I can button up the dash and put in my cheapo Amazon radio - complete with USB!
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Used Walmart black spray paint on the plastic bits.
Stuff for thia truck is unbelievably cheap compared to a 40....or a Beetle for that matter.
Stuff for thia truck is unbelievably cheap compared to a 40....or a Beetle for that matter.
- Thread starter
- #110
The dash and door panels turned out great. They look good as new. Interested in how the dash pad turns out.
Not close to finishing the pad yet. :beer;
Are those new e-brake cables?
- Thread starter
- #113
I am not 100% sure, but I believe so. He had to get basically the whole setup, including a peddle assembly because the PPo eff'd it up pretty bad. The peddle and bucket were used, but I believe all the cables are new.
I never got into them, but I know the rear cables had been cut loose from the axle at some point and the peddle was frozen.
I never got into them, but I know the rear cables had been cut loose from the axle at some point and the peddle was frozen.
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Yep. All new cables and a new adjuster. I got a pedal off ebay. The cables were frozen with rust and when the PPo tried to push the pedal it bent and even broke the metal dash frame which acts as a mount.
The pedal wasn't super cheap but the cables were only about $15 each on Amazon. I got all new springs fpr the rear brakes too. That was also pretty cheap and came in a Dorman kit.
The pedal wasn't super cheap but the cables were only about $15 each on Amazon. I got all new springs fpr the rear brakes too. That was also pretty cheap and came in a Dorman kit.
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Got the horn blowing today (another VA requirement)
And since I had to take a bezel off to get to the horn I might as well hit them both with Walmart spray paint.
And then found another wire nut with a residential ground wire
And since I had to take a bezel off to get to the horn I might as well hit them both with Walmart spray paint.
And then found another wire nut with a residential ground wire
Either this will work, or not.
Flexsealed dash.
Flexsealed dash.
Argh. Gas tank is leaking.
It is almost done. The Flexseal took really well. It is a nonskid dash now. And shiny. It looks like it belongs in an S&M magazine in the section forweird vinyl. No idea how I will keep dust from sticking to it. I am going to cut a piece of metal to cover the old speaker hole.
I was having trouble with the LEDs. I replaced the right rear taillight socket because it was cracked and the metal contacts weren't making contact with the bulb. The new one didn't work so I spent 2 hours figuring out that the ground in the new socket was diaplaced. Whats the chance?
Anyway, the flashers would not flash. I discovered I needed to reverse the polarity of the solenoids. Who knew? Summit sells a polarity reverser for $2. I got one for the tirn signal flasher and one for the emergency flasher.
All the lights work now except the reverse lights, the 4x4 light on the dash and the courtesy light inside. At least it is driveable again. The next big thing is the gas tank leak.
Anyway, the flashers would not flash. I discovered I needed to reverse the polarity of the solenoids. Who knew? Summit sells a polarity reverser for $2. I got one for the tirn signal flasher and one for the emergency flasher.
All the lights work now except the reverse lights, the 4x4 light on the dash and the courtesy light inside. At least it is driveable again. The next big thing is the gas tank leak.