Ford F350 upgrade and maintenance log

Got a set coming

 

Cap cover for the alternator terminal installed.
Dropped my truck off to get the steering stuff installed as I was on rotation this weekend and my peer gave me a ride.

Old stuff uninstalled.



Unfortunately the shop used an impact on stuff they should not have. So I need to get a replacement one of these that go from the steering damper to the drag link. Fortunately the shop is willing to do right by me so I take that as a win.



Looks solid. Initial impressions were the wheels straight but feels sloppy still. Like slow to return to center but as I keep driving it the feel improved. Apparently this setup needs to be broken in so I'll keep racking on the miles.

The fix for now until I get a replacement adapter. Overall the front end is solid so I can focus on other things the truck needs.

 

Looking quite solid!

 

Ordered another fox steering stabilizer from @memario1214 since the truck handles poorly at high speeds. The trash stock stuff had better road feedback. I'm assuming the slop from the bolt and I'm thinking the bushing on the eyelet is also shot thanks to the shop. Sigh....

 

So I think I found the issue with the truck and it isn't the steering stabilizer. What's happening is the draglink hits the sway bar.




So I tried to take pics of me rotating the drag link from the most closest to the most furthest away. So effectively I was experiencing bump steer. I have included other pictures as well. Synergy did reach out to me so hopefully now that I recognized the real problem a solution will present itself.

 

So i believe i have found the issue. hopefully. Per the instructions, the bend should be facing forward and so should the bolt for the stabilizer.


the way the shop did mine both the bend and the bolt for the stabilizer face upwards at a steep angle.

 

New ficm is here with a 40hp tune. I'll try to install tomorrow after work.

 

Did the ficm swap after work today. Wasn't as bad as I thought but man that stock air intake is awful. I'm getting a new one this month.

So you move the coolant reservoir out of the way. I also need to upgrade that and the coolant y. I plan to do that this summer.

There's the ficm.

Fuck this bolt. Way too long for what it needs to do. It connects the ficm bracket to the intake tube to the turbo.

old ficm out. The front uses two 10mm nuts and the back has two 8mm bolts. Luckily the clips and plugs are in good shape.

My brother @Torspd left the ratchet snuggled in the fuel pump wiring as he knew I would need it for the ficm swap.


So per the sticker this is the original ficm for this truck which I suspected.

New ficm in and it was harder to press in the clips in the new ficm than remove them from the old one which was weird but patience and some persuasion got all of them seated and secured. Truck buttoned up and it runs much better and is much faster and responsive once moving. Overall very pleased.

 

coolant filter showed up.

 

4in stainless flange showed up from Australia. Pending gasket and the vband unit. Also I believe I need either a icp sensor or a ipr or possibly both considering the age. Pending further review

 

Installed the coolant filter. Wasn't bad but wasn't as easy as advertised. Shocker.

Preassembled what I could which was a the mount to the rad support, sandwich plate for filter (it's reverse threaded) and ball valves.

This part was easy as was mounting it to the rad support. The battery cable is mounted to the same bolt so I placed it securly back where it was.

In the instructions it's routed like this. I'm not a fan so most likely I'll shorten the hose and possibly zip tie it in the future.

Now this was advertised as a no cutting needed kit however if you do that the heater hose is placed uncomfortably close to the turbo so I cut it. I think I trimmed the hose 3-4in

Trimmed

Lots of space now.

Some of the junk in the stock hoses and evidence why the coolant filter is needed on these trucks.

 

Wow. I am shocked at how much sediment is in that line. Looks like tap water was used.

 

Supposedly the Ford gold coolant breaks down and separates much faster than others plus there is some discussions about casting sans being left in from factory but I think that's more of an 02-03 issue. Still a good reason why I'm saving up for a bulletproof diesel oil cooler.

 

Toyota max life coolant going in?

 

Nah but I was thinking when we do the water pump and rad to switch over to the CAT coolant. It's red/pink if I remember right. Could be very similar to Toyota.

 

Got the new s&b intake so I could get rid of the annoying OEM intake. Old filter was dirty anyway so it was a nice time to upgrade.


To uninstall the old filter can be a real hassle as you have the air inlet, filter, filter exit, a tube, and lastly a tube to the turbo that contains the inlet for the crankcase breather. The s&b effectively is two pieces so much easier to uninstall and reinstall.
you have two choices, this plastic cover or a open rubber piece to let more air in (in theory). I was looking at it and I would think this could be another market for @Coupe if he were so interested. Test drive went well as it is much quicker off the line with less throttle demand so I am pleased with the intake.