KYPOTLICKER
Senior Member
Found and read the whole thread this morning. Good quality build. Glad to see the truck is holding up!
T-Unit's '12 1/2 crew shortie "build" thread.
- Thread starter T_Unit114
- Start date
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
I went the KISS route with this one. I wanted the look of a construction foreman truck. Clean, but rugged, a little old school, subtle, modded, but effective. Everything done with a purpose. I'm hoping to see 250k-300k out of it before I upgrade. I'll be going the diesel route I think.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Whale ****.
Smoothing out the dinks in the piston to prevent detonation points as it passed a feeler gauge check. Happened at idle while I also happened to be taking a shxt in the house.
Need to find a full set of valve springs and push rods, a single intake valve and guide, locks and retainers as well as a valve cover and gasket set, head, intake and exhaust gaskets.
Anyone know of a solid place to source OEM spec stuff? All I'm finding is springs for upgraded cams, or "OEM" stuff from sites I have never heard of/trust.
Smoothing out the dinks in the piston to prevent detonation points as it passed a feeler gauge check. Happened at idle while I also happened to be taking a shxt in the house.
Need to find a full set of valve springs and push rods, a single intake valve and guide, locks and retainers as well as a valve cover and gasket set, head, intake and exhaust gaskets.
Anyone know of a solid place to source OEM spec stuff? All I'm finding is springs for upgraded cams, or "OEM" stuff from sites I have never heard of/trust.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Got everything back together today and fired it up, I have no pulse on #7 and a pretty significant oil leak at the right rear valve cover. I'll investigate that stuff tomorrow. But everything else seems to check out. I also have a blown right front strut so that extra from my Bilstein fiasco will actually end up serving a purpose. Blessing in disguise I suppose. So far I'm pleased with the results.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Diagnostics results:
I have a shot injector. Swapped it between cylinders and it followed. Showing no pulse on #7, when I moved it to #5 it was dead there too. Noid light shows good signal to the injector, all others operating properly.
Oil leak ended up being a tear in the valve cover gasket. Got that replaced and it is all dry now.
I have a shot injector. Swapped it between cylinders and it followed. Showing no pulse on #7, when I moved it to #5 it was dead there too. Noid light shows good signal to the injector, all others operating properly.
Oil leak ended up being a tear in the valve cover gasket. Got that replaced and it is all dry now.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Replaced the injector today, all 8 ar now showing even pulse.
Still running terribly, high idle rpm, lean codes, and a high airflow vacuum leak code.
I'm starting to get frustrated now. Gonna pull the whole intake again, make sure the new seals are still in place and not damaged, and then seat the injectors on the bench to ensure they aren't loose in any way.
If that doesn't fix it, I have no clue what to do next and I'm about out of patience with it being down since memorial day.
All of my vacuum lines are hooked up. All of the boots are good, everything is plugged in and nothing is pinched. If I had hair, I'd be pulling it out.
Still running terribly, high idle rpm, lean codes, and a high airflow vacuum leak code.
I'm starting to get frustrated now. Gonna pull the whole intake again, make sure the new seals are still in place and not damaged, and then seat the injectors on the bench to ensure they aren't loose in any way.
If that doesn't fix it, I have no clue what to do next and I'm about out of patience with it being down since memorial day.
All of my vacuum lines are hooked up. All of the boots are good, everything is plugged in and nothing is pinched. If I had hair, I'd be pulling it out.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Alright so I pulled the intake and found #5 injector was double o ringed into the fuel rail. I rectified that and noticed I had a small hole in the intake on each side of the injector hole.
Upon further inspection and after a few beers....... The number 5 intake runner is *****. I really don't know how I missed the 5 gaping breaches in the runner through melted plastic from the combustion events blowing back through the hung open intake valve. We are gonna go the sloppy route for now but I'm gonna be working on finding a new intake for this thing.
Upon further inspection and after a few beers....... The number 5 intake runner is *****. I really don't know how I missed the 5 gaping breaches in the runner through melted plastic from the combustion events blowing back through the hung open intake valve. We are gonna go the sloppy route for now but I'm gonna be working on finding a new intake for this thing.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Okay, I got a brand used intake, runs like a champ again! Replaced the pooched front strut, first drive to work, front brakes not releasing, no A/C, and I lost the other tailpipe/tip.........
Freed up the brakes, and a sway bar link snapped instead of coming loose.........
A/C is a condenser leak, trans cooler built in, and trans pan is rusty, so it's a $300 condenser and a trans fluid/filter/pan change.
By the time I'm done the whole damn truck is gonna be rebuilt.
Freed up the brakes, and a sway bar link snapped instead of coming loose.........
A/C is a condenser leak, trans cooler built in, and trans pan is rusty, so it's a $300 condenser and a trans fluid/filter/pan change.
By the time I'm done the whole damn truck is gonna be rebuilt.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
I wrapped up the intake valve spring fiasco with a brand used intake. After that, the truck was running like new again. Also replaced one of my Bilstein 6112 front struts that was leaking fluid pretty severely.
Sadly, the a/c condenser decided to leave chat while the truck was down, and at least two brakes got sticky, and I have a load of other maintenance items to get done to it.
This thing is also being expected to get me, a stand-up jet ski hull, and a bunch of baby shower items, to west central Florida from West Michigan over Thanksgiving as well as getting my family around all week and me home afterwards.
So far my list includes
A/C condenser (trans cooler built in)
Trans pan and filter with fresh fluid
Inspect all brakes, wheel bearings, replace as needed
Transfer case, front, and rear diff fluidity change
Full inside and out detail including polishing the wheels while they're off for brake inspection and repairs.
Both front sway bar end links
Borla S type cat back system.
I have three months in which to complete this list. It's very short and simple currently and the cost is expected to be round about $2000 currently and the grind never ends.
Sadly, the a/c condenser decided to leave chat while the truck was down, and at least two brakes got sticky, and I have a load of other maintenance items to get done to it.
This thing is also being expected to get me, a stand-up jet ski hull, and a bunch of baby shower items, to west central Florida from West Michigan over Thanksgiving as well as getting my family around all week and me home afterwards.
So far my list includes
A/C condenser (trans cooler built in)
Trans pan and filter with fresh fluid
Inspect all brakes, wheel bearings, replace as needed
Transfer case, front, and rear diff fluidity change
Full inside and out detail including polishing the wheels while they're off for brake inspection and repairs.
Both front sway bar end links
Borla S type cat back system.
I have three months in which to complete this list. It's very short and simple currently and the cost is expected to be round about $2000 currently and the grind never ends.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Making progress and the list grew a little.
My rear brakes went metal on metal so they got replaced, pads and rotors. The parking brake stuff was..........putrified I bet they seized a decade ago. Bought the truck with new brakes all around and this was my first adventure into the rears. I lubed up my front brakes, found a bad caliper on the right side, so that got replaced. Also polished my wheels while I had them off. And found a right front wheel bearing had play so that's getting replaced.
Transfercase fluid is changed.
Diffs this weekend, and some maintenance on the wife's car.
My rear brakes went metal on metal so they got replaced, pads and rotors. The parking brake stuff was..........putrified I bet they seized a decade ago. Bought the truck with new brakes all around and this was my first adventure into the rears. I lubed up my front brakes, found a bad caliper on the right side, so that got replaced. Also polished my wheels while I had them off. And found a right front wheel bearing had play so that's getting replaced.
Transfercase fluid is changed.
Diffs this weekend, and some maintenance on the wife's car.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Progress report time!
Both diffs got fluid changes
Transfercase fluid changed
Wheel bearing replaced with a Timken
Mevotec sway bar end links installed
Rear brakes done
Wheels polished
Borla S-Type exhaust ordered today.
Last up is trans pan, gasket, filter, cooler, fluid and AC condenser.
Almost Florida ready.
Both diffs got fluid changes
Transfercase fluid changed
Wheel bearing replaced with a Timken
Mevotec sway bar end links installed
Rear brakes done
Wheels polished
Borla S-Type exhaust ordered today.
Last up is trans pan, gasket, filter, cooler, fluid and AC condenser.
Almost Florida ready.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Exhaust should be shipping this week. It's been on backorder. I volunteered to run a load of hurricane relief aid to the TN/NC area and the run took almost 6 days. I also had a bunch of other items on seasonal to do list that have been occupying my time off work, a bunch of training on the new fire truck we just got delivered at the department, winterize the camper and break down the seasonal camp site, clean and winterize the boat, and the big end of season push for the road construction season has been keeping me busier than ever.
I have less than a month left to finish the truck list and I'm hoping to pull enough spare time out of my butt to get it all done now that the bulk of my annual fall checklist is complete.
I have less than a month left to finish the truck list and I'm hoping to pull enough spare time out of my butt to get it all done now that the bulk of my annual fall checklist is complete.
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Transmission pan, both filters, and gasket replaced last night, filled with fresh fluid. Got the pan from NAPA and it has a drain plug so that's a nice upgrade. I do have a marine oil changer pump/tank combo and used that to suck the old fluid out of the trans pan before removing it but a drain plug is way easier and faster in case I ever have to pull the pan again.
A/C condenser/Trans cooler is on its way, should arrive Thursday.
Aside from a thorough detail job I'll be doing this week, the list is complete!
A/C condenser/Trans cooler is on its way, should arrive Thursday.
Aside from a thorough detail job I'll be doing this week, the list is complete!
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
I am FUMING right now. My A/C condenser shipped with UPS and you'll never fawking guess what happened. They lost the fawking thing. In this terminal of all places. I worked retail distribution out of building bigger than this and was able to locate lost product in less than an hour. How TF you lose a giant pizza box in a wide A** open building the size of an IHOP?!?!
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
Despite my lack of cold air and seats on a black truck with a black interior, I set about on my 22 hour journey from Michigan to Florida with the weather guard full of tools, a stand up jet ski hull strapped in the bed, and a cab full of my family's belongings for the week stay. The wife and kids are flying down as the wife has severe sciatic nerve pain when sitting for long periods, and my kids probably would get sick of being in the truck before we got through Ohio.
I one shot the entire drive (I do not recommend this unless you are an entire m@$0ch1$t and perform well under fatigue.) Starting out about two hours behind schedule due to my garage door center lift bracket deciding that it wanted to be in two pieces now instead of of one. Three hardware stores later, I got the part, swapped in mid 30 degree temps and set off on my journey.
The truck blew me away to be honest. At 222k miles, it ran 1300+ miles with the cruise set at 72, with occasional dips and peaks of 70-85 when needed. I reset my trip (forgot I even had that until a few miles in) and fuel economy and cross checked it as I went. 17.5mpg on the screen and my shoddy numbering skills verifying it. What a treat! She ran like a champ, not a lick of drone from the new exhaust, no dragging brakes. I am beside myself right now.
With this post, I'm going to turn in for a few hours. I am dog a$$ tired. You fine folks have a wonderful thanksgiving if you celebrate it.
I one shot the entire drive (I do not recommend this unless you are an entire m@$0ch1$t and perform well under fatigue.) Starting out about two hours behind schedule due to my garage door center lift bracket deciding that it wanted to be in two pieces now instead of of one. Three hardware stores later, I got the part, swapped in mid 30 degree temps and set off on my journey.
The truck blew me away to be honest. At 222k miles, it ran 1300+ miles with the cruise set at 72, with occasional dips and peaks of 70-85 when needed. I reset my trip (forgot I even had that until a few miles in) and fuel economy and cross checked it as I went. 17.5mpg on the screen and my shoddy numbering skills verifying it. What a treat! She ran like a champ, not a lick of drone from the new exhaust, no dragging brakes. I am beside myself right now.
With this post, I'm going to turn in for a few hours. I am dog a$$ tired. You fine folks have a wonderful thanksgiving if you celebrate it.
clifford15
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2015
- Posts
- 868
- Reaction score
- 470
- Ram Year
- 2015
- Engine
- CTD
Nice journal of your adventures with your truck!
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving
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T_Unit114
Senior Member
The drive back home is looking like it might be pretty hairy. Expecting 6" of snow while we are down here before the weekend, then a lull on Saturday and some of Sunday before picking back up Sunday afternoon- Monday. That'll be fun.
