The Fleet.

[Colt45ws]

My Car:

Dads Truck:

1999 Ford F150 Work Truck 4.2L 4R70W 3.55:1
Just realized I didnt have a good picture of the exterior of that thing. heh.
Step-Moms Truck:

2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L 545RFE 3.92:1 posi(!)
I do almost all maintenance and repairs on both trucks, so I feel the right to post them. I love driving the Dodge, heh. "Im..uhh..going to get your truck warmed up so I can check the trans fluid." "Ok."

Not pictured:
1994 Ford Aerostar Auto [Out of service (starter and emissions issues)]
1989 Ford F150 5.0L Manual [Out of service (blown engine and bad brakes)]

 

[addyguy]

I like the look on you Cavalier of the black steelies w/chrome center caps, and the car looks to be in great shape! Can I ask what kind of mileage you have on it, and what you are running for oil? I drive a maroon 2002 Cavalier 4-door automatic with about 90,000 miles on it. I really like it; its a great size car for running around town with occassional highway trips....what do you think of yours?

 

[Colt45ws]

Yeah, I like the look of the wheels too. I think it works because it has the base unpainted black bumpers. I have about 69,500 miles on it now. Oil is whatever is cheap because its on a ARX flush right now. Afterwards Im planning on trying Rotella T Synthetic 5W40. I think it does not have enough power, but its ok otherwise.

 

[Jim 5]

Thanks for the pictures!

We never get tired of automotive pictures, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, could we ask for some engine bay pictures of your fleet?

 

[Colt45ws]

Sure, I have pictures of the other vehicles as well.
My car:

1999 F150

If you want to what has had to be done to this truck, look through this album.
2004 Ram

Really need to take care of the exhaust manifold leak on that one...
1989 F150


Aerostar

Tractor


Little 3cyl. diesel.

 

[Jim 5]

I love the little tractor 3 cyl diesel. Reminds me of the little transverse 3 cylinder pontiac firefly engine a girlfriend of mine had about a dozen years ago. Really easy to work on.

Interesting intake manifold on the newer ford truck. Interesting to see how they route the runners to keep them long for torque, but low to fit under the hood.

Plenty of components piled on the top of that small dodge v8. Doesn't look overly friendly for the do-it-yourselfer.

Thanks for the underhood shots....I'm always curious about these, and never get tired of them!

 

[Colt45ws]

Yeah the little tractor is fun to play around with.
The V6 F150 actually has two runners per cylinder. One is small and long for torque and the other is short and fat for power. It switches with a IMRC (Intake Manifold Runner Control) that is signaled to open the large runners at about 3000RPM. Its the only thing that helps this little motor move that truck.

The resonator box on the Dodge 4.7L is not too difficult to get off, but it could be easier.

 

[simple_gifts]

There was a v-6 f150? I have an 1989 and it is a i6.

 

[Colt45ws]

Yes, In 1997 the F150 recieved the 4.2L (Stroked 3.8L) V6 as the base motor.

 

[RacerE7773]

Your cav engine looks just like mine.

I hope the rain will go away so I can clean it out.

 

[cousincletus]

I'm a big fan of the Cavalier too. We have an '02 (gave it to my stepson) and it gets close to 40 mpg (5 speed manual 2200 OHV) on a trip, no less than 30 mpg around town. I got an '06 Cobalt to replace it, but the Cobalt doesn't have as much headroom, the center console hit my knee, the steering wheel was a far reach w/seat all the way back. None of this I noticed on my 15 min. test drive. One thing I can say about the Cobalt is the seats were a lot nicer. To make a long story short, I liked the Cavalier better, and the Cobalt got traded for an Impala.

 

[Colt45ws]

Im getting 26MPG mixed right now. I usually only get 28MPG on the highway, because my transmission lacks an overdrive so at about 70MPH the engine is spinning ~3000RPM. I can, however get 40MPG at 35-40MPH, right after the TC locks up.