riderdog

Have '00 1500, 110k miles; shift kit installation "fixed" transmission problem. Feeling real good about that, I thought I'd repair long time heater core leak and AC coil and drive truck to take advantage of about $.40 cheaper gas over diesel in DD. After carefully reading relevant info available on this great site, I ventured forth noting that my dash was pristine, no cracks at all. Second bolt I loosened at base of windshield caused dash to literally explode in a zillion pieces: Well Rats!!. Took dash out in a bucket and pulled bezel at instrument panel with kid gloves-Boom-same result!! Oh well parts available at DC (for about $800.00). Then noted that dash mounting substrate where all gauges mount was cracked in a number of critical places-no place to mount new parts to!! Now have a truck that I can't really fix short of a NEW complete dash as used dash of this vintage will probably be in the same shape. Realy have warm, fuzzy feeling about a truck that is disintegrating as it sits. (It was garaged for most of it's life).
So saying the HECK with the core fixes on the '00, I jumped in the '04 diesel to return cores to AZ and noted clutch smells (only 23k on clutch). Tore it down and found clutch disc hub was almost totally twisted free of disc and partially jammed between disc and flywheel (killing FW). Took wife's FORD ('00 bought new, now at 59.3K mi.) to get clutch kit and FW ordered-3 days. Parts came in and in reassy. of beast NV5600 slid off jack onto floor. Couldn't muscle trans back on jack under truck, jack and trans wouldn't fit under frame rails on truck, truck couldn't be raised enough to clear due to low ceiling height-in short screwed.
Went to tractor supply and got 4 fence tensioners (similar to real short come alongs) and by hooking them to 2 bars over frame rails, was able to raise trans enough to get it back on jack. Took another day to get it back together, appears OK.
I realize these are not the worst things that have happened to anyone, but it sure made me appreciate two things: the information available on this site; and that old FORD!!!

gorms

Sometimes it ain't worth getting out of bed! Today I installed over $700 of all new a/c parts (everything!) and while charging one of the connectors on the condensor blew off, about 5 seconds after I moved my head from that area to check on the wife! Count myself lucky on that one.
Before that one of the gauge hoses spurred a leak during vacuum, after that that alternator took a dump.

It is good to have a back up vehicle, even if it is a Ford too. My dad has mine though, so I'm gonna wing it to work and back without an alternator. That $1200 96 Dakota has yet to have as much as a hiccup in 50k miles, just don't get it.

hamilton71801

LMC truck has the bezel for cheap & wholesalemopar.com has a good price on the dash. Sounds like you had one of my weekends!

Pirate

I feel for you, have had those days/weeks myself but I don't think ever quite as bad as yours.

Fronty Owner

dude... Its the first day of the week... you got 6 more days...

SIXSLUG

AWW SHOOT GORMS! Ya should not have said anything!!

riderdog

Hey guys, thanks for comments and information. Not sure I'll fix '00 as it is driveable around the neighborhood (and I'm not proud), maybe it'll stimulate some conversation. Work safe/be safe! Have a good one!!!

gorms

Why not?! It's in good hands now...my dad's! He has a knack for wrecking anything good with no ill intentions.



Side note just found out the alternator was fine, some other gremlin is keeping the batteries from charging. Rainy week, full garage, and leaving Friday for camping! Not gonna be fun wrenchin in the rain!

SIXSLUG

I know what you mean. My dad says everytime he does any bodywork on the old 94, Mom'll hit another deer!