fabfoes87

I now know the struggles of finding good help in a shop. Six years ago I was at a Ford dealer. I started there fresh out of tech school and was GREEN! First day after my internship, I broke a brand new starter on an f150. Must have been way too excited or nervous but I over torqued to the signal wire nut and the stud wasn't having any of that. I felt like crap and questioned my right to be there. But with some teaching, skill building, and some hand holding, I stuck it out and my knowledge base grew greatly. I was employed there for 4 years and had a blast. I look back at that job and can see how I grew not just a tech, but as a person. Learning to patiently walk through a diagnosis, communicate about the problem and the solution, and use tools and shop practices correctly and safely. It has now been six years since I was a Ford Tech and now I am a shop manager for a large ski resort. I currently have a crew of just two guys. We have a fleet of 13 snowcats, 25+ vehicles, 3 excavators, snowmobiles, ATVS and more. When I left Ford I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I had never touched a machine bigger than an F-550. I started my career off as the bottom tech in a shop of 5. I quickly showed my skills I had developed at the dealership and began to come into my own around a wide variety of equipment and pieces. I would read shop manuals at home, call equipment manufactures while diagnosing in the field and take on increasingly difficult tasks. Yada Yada Yada six years later I am now the shop manager. Now I am looking for more techs to fill openings in my shop and finding it an increasingly difficult task. Some guys talk a big game but do not hold up in a stress filled moment or unable to deal with the pressure of deadlines that hold up further resort operations. But to be fair the wages at ski resorts do not tend to "break the bank". Its hard to find someone willing to work at x amount dollar wage and stand up to a large complex fleet and high demand from many departments. Oh and by the way "WINTER IS COMING" So I am more stressed and anxious than that time I broke that poor little starter on an F150.

08 350 6.4 had gas ran through it 3 years ago. HPFP finally called it a day and seized causing cam gear to break free from the camshaft. All pushrods bent, entire fuel system is ruined due to debris throughout. Pics posted soon.

We have a little more class than the "dukes of hazard" from your neck of the woods. Hahaha thanks everyone for the help. I'll keep you posted on the outcome. But I'm sure not everyone is driving 16 year old obs trucks.

Yeah this truck was never ment to be a full time rig but some unfortunate events have led to it being daily driven. I stoped in at my local dealer and the advisor was absolutely no help. Could not find any info on the campaign. Was told to go to parts and find the kit. Total price for kit is 73 bucks. Have not gone any further with it yet. Have to do some more digging and see if ford can perform free of charge. It would be nice anyway. Spent a dollars and cents on this project as is. I've counted all the donor parts and come up to 8 different obs trucks lending parts to it.

Hey guys, I just finished putting together a 97 350. It's about to get on the road and realiazed there are no anchors for a child seat. Did some googling and found that at one point, Ford installed kits to take care of this. As far as I can tell the kit was E5TZ 15613D20-A. Some people say that Ford installed free of charge under campaign rc7. My question is, is there truth to this? I am going to call my local dealer and see if that part number is still available. I figured I'd dig up an old topic for everyone. Thanks guys. FYI it's a 97 350 reg cab bench seat. If that helps. Thanks again gentlemen.

Oops sorry about that. For some reason I was thinking of the rear tank. Which is 19 gallon but had 16 on the brain. Correct in that I'm looking for the midship plastic 24 gallon tank straps. Thank you for the correction.

Hey guys I've been trying to find a set of fuel tank straps for my 97 350. I guess from Ford they are obsolete. I'm looking for straps for the plastic midship 16 gallon tank. 133in WB. I have tried many salvage yards but with no luck. Hoping some parts gurus out there may have a line on some. Thanks guys.

Thanks guys very much for the help. Bruce special thanks to you for the time you spent on those searches. And Brad ill hopefully see you next month down south.

Hey guys I am trying to find a core support for my 97 7.3. No aftermarket company seems to make one and here in New England I cant find one that isn't rotted out. Just wondering if anyone has any leads on any around the country or has one they would like to sell. Thanks guys.

Hey guys, my wife and I just purchased a 97 f350. Just as a side project and ultimately a good daily driver for her. Its not without its issues but we are confident it will be a welcome addition to the family. The first and most critical problem is the rear section of the frame. Im sure most of the guys on here know what I mean. The rear most cross member is rotted and so are the rear horns right behind the leaf spring hangers. My question is: has anyone ever sourced replacement frame sections like this? I've done some hunting in local scrap yards but as of yet no luck. Also the engine has aprox 270,000 miles on the clock. Runs pretty well and I have plans on doing some injector work and freshen up the fluids and filters. Any other items I should be aware of with a higher mileage 7.3?

I havnt done any real diag as of yet. Happened on my way to work and havent had time to troubleshoot. I'll look into syncmyride for sure. 1FTPW14V79FB31588 is my vin Brad. Thanks guys

This morning my sync stopped working in my 150. Currently have no Bluetooth, no aux function or voice commands. If I tap aux button the screen flashes aux for a second then goes right into fm function. I've been away from the dealership for 4 years now and am disconeceted from software updates and Ids awesomeness. My question is: is there an update for software in the sync system or anything else to help me diagnose this? More info 09 150, no nav, no satellite. Thanks guys.

I am looking for p/n for door latch cable drivers side. Our local dealer cant find anything, nor can we locate one online. Thanks guys

Talking with the local Pisten Bully rep who also grooms in Stowe VT, the temp at the summit was close to -80F with the wind chill.

We just recieved a set and put them to work on a 5.4. Worked beautifully! Awesome product and would recomend to anyone.