Just a note to those against doing any mods. Most of the things people have listed are those that simply increase the efficiency of the engine. It is true that more power to the wheels will increase stress on certain components, but most vehicles will tolerate much more than the mods people are talking about here.

My wifes cars are the only vehicles I've had that remain stock. All the other cars, trucks and bikes I've owned my entire life were modified to some extent. They were also properly maintained, and lived longer than I kept any of them.

Keep in mind that over the life of a vehicle model, the engine output often changes by 20 - 40 HP, yet the vehicle usually retains the same tranny, driveline, etc.

There's nothing wrong with leaving it stock, but you would have a hard time convincing me that mods should be approached like a time bomb.

 

Now there's a common sense post. I swear Steve should set up a section for paranoia.

Mark

 

I agree with the last few comments. I started this stream, with the intetion of just getting some people to use common sense and their heads. These are trucks, not muscle cars. I just wanted to make a point that there are so many parts and upgrades you can buy for your trucks and you can spend a bag full of cash, but you also need to look at other factors. Yes, if your racing your truck or putting some heavy strain on your truck, obviously it may wear harder. Plugs, suspension, oil etc. If your like me, I drive my truck as easy as I can, I don't floor it to the next stop light, and do a little towing every now and then. Your truck should last a long time with some common sense. I didn't buy my truck with the intention of getting the 32 mpg the same as my Nissan that I traded in for or to stomp the heck out of it. I've always liked Ford's and the F150's, and needed something to haul car parts in for the car I'm restoring and towing my car and boat. YOU need to decide what you are going to do with your truck and if you want to do something, go right ahead, these discussion rooms are nothing more than advise and people's perceptions. Never seen so many opinions on oil in my life. Feel like this is a OPEC board meeting. As for the person who said to use an air hose instead of a rag on cleaning my transmission pan, well I used a towel, but was extremely careful not to have left any resedue or particles in the pan. I agree, need to have that thing clean with nothing laying in there. Enjoy.

 

Just sayin, don't expect to run all those mods without penalty. It only takes one rock to break an axle. Only one race to blow a motor (remove the over-rev protect with one of those chips, rev all the way up, drop it, and go... all dandy... but guess what? if your clutch slips -and they do from time to time- your engine will overrev and sometimes blow up). I think platinum plugs are all that and a bag of chips, sure others work fine, but why run anything but the best? I say this about consumables. Repeat CONSUMABLES. I count all belts, hoses, plugs, gas, oil, oil filter, air filter, tires, etc in this. When those need replacing, I replace only with the best there is available. Sure, others work, but I've got an extra $50 for the better plugs for my baby. If I replace my bushings, sure maybe the poly ones will get the nod, despite the expense.

BTW, the only time I've ever driven over 100mph in my truck was when my friend broke his leg. He was bleeding from a compound fracture and needed help fast. So, down a long, straight, lonely (sounds like a hard-up bachelor, no?) Texas highway I punched 'er up for all she was worth. I have no idea how fast I was going, but it felt pretty quick. My 1973 911's mucho quicker, but that's a 911. That night I wished I'd had my car.

Anyhow, my bro lived though he spent some time in a mild coma from blood loss. A few nights later I drove that road again... and it wasn't straight at all. Quite twisty, as it ascends into the hills south of Abilene, TX into San Angelo. I have no idea how I went so fast down that road. It had JUST been paved, and there were skid marks all along the corners, but only on the right side heading south... the way we were going. When I looked at my suspension later on, I saw that the rubber stops had been grinding on the frame recently. I'd JUST got the thing and it had like 1900 miles on it. I don't remember ever hitting the suspension stops prior to that.

Just goes to show... when you need it, it'll be there. Treat your truck right, and it'll bring you home every time.

 

If used tastefully it can atract women.

 

I think you can go over board with anything but, you can also live a boring life and only put Motorcraft parts in your truck ( which means you probably went to a dealer and overspent on a little simple item). I like trying out little things to make my truck best that it can be. I did go back to Motorcraft plugs but that was because it was done under the extended warranty I had. Next time no, it will be something else. My advice to anyone that comes in our parts store is to use what ever you feel comfortable with and can afford. If it's directly listed in the book to fit your car than it has been tested to work with that car/engine, if not then you have the right to complain and sue anyone you want. I am trying not to take sides here. It's my belief that if you think about what your doing and use a little sense you will go much farther in life then being an idiot. I say use and mod your truck the wy you want, someone else doesn't like, oh well, then it's none of their business. Sorry to rave, I could be wrong, just had to vent on this one.

 

The reason I mod my truck is to get better fuel mileage,, the power will come with those mods as well...

I welcome any!!comments or suggestions and make my own as well....

These are the best trucks in the world, but anything can be tuned to a better level of performance..may it be fuel mileage, braking, acceleration, or longevity.....

Its a good hobby and keeps me off the street and out of trouble.

 

My truck is my hobby.
I get great satisfaction out of working on it.
I have done every mod in my sig & some I've forgotten I did..
As a matter of fact I will be installing the Baumann trans kit this weekend & look forward to the outcome.
Have a nice day.. : )
Stop being spoil sports.. LOL

 

Oh, btw... the platinum plug thing happens because there's not a whole lot of platinum on those things, whereas the normal electrode is more or less solid, so when the platinum coating fails (due to hot detonations, abuse etc) they start to look like @#$( very quickly. The increased heat errodes the platinum. I don't know if it all burns off or if it gets in your engine... something to consider. 'Course normal plugs are constantly fouling into your engine anyhow, so.... My 911 hasn't had that issue with platinum plugs, BTW and I DO drive IT fast. After a factory rebuild (after 269K miles) new exhause, intake, (SIX carb jobs, ick) and a few drivetrain repairs it was pretty much like new. Only non-1973 spec part was the plugs, and after 20K miles of racing, rallies, touring, charity events and what not I pulled the plugs. They were only slightly fouled (like normal use @ 40K miles or so). So they were a little brown, but that was all. I replaced them with what I think was an NGK part and it's still a daily driver.

Now... anyone wanna loan me the $$$$ to get the interior replaced in this thing???

 

I agree with Joe T, my truck is my hobby as well. I love keeping it clean and shiny and making it different than the guy down the street. I have only begun to do mods but the intake and exhaust are definites. A chip will be on order soon as well. Small gains lots of money but isn't that wht hobbies are for. It gives me a break from work and family life and is something just for me.

 

Give up telco, yer on the wrong board.

Mark
SundayNiagara
BE THERE!!!!!!!

 

My hobby, my risks. I'm not hurting anyone else. And my wife likes the true duals, says the truck finally sounds like it should. I'd let her drive it more except I'd have to use her car and it's a Miata with her personalized plate. Kind of embarassing to be seen in.

 

Hey, if you wanna do that stuff, great. And, BTW don't say you're not hurting anyone. Some of you might not be, but (and **** and moan all you like) you're putting more crap out the back of your tailpipe. Some mods don't do this. I KNOW THIS. But pay attention to what 50-State-Legal really means. It's not saying you're not polluting more, just that you're under the FEDERAL limit for noxious gas emissions. Maybe a V-8's never gonna make ULEV status. Maybe it will. I know it's not as bad as older engines were, but its there nonetheless.

It's your money. I just don't like people who mislead others into thinking that (aside from money invested) there's NO drawbacks to power mods.

 

Is this guy for real??

 

Yeah, I'm for real bud. Forgive me for being totally objective. I never said that there WEREN'T advantages to power mods (like going faster). BUT there are definate drawbacks. Expense is one, both in cash outlay and in increased maintenence cost. If you don't think so, that's your opinion. It's been my EXPERIENCE that such things always cost more money in the end.

And.. as I said, things like plugs and belts / hoses / tires / gas don't fall into that category. I'm talking about Chips, turbos, blowers, exhaust, intake (to the tune of new intake, not just a filter job) etc DO.