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Idahome
Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018
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My stepson James has been working in my shop, learning, teaching, wrenching and building right along side me for 11+ years now.
I have taught he and his brother most of what I know. I give him space in my shop to work on his projects because we all live back here and homestead together.
His daughter (my granddaughter) goes to school & Karate with my son, he and his wife rent half of the house from us and together we all work hard to make life possible way back here off grid in the woods in North Idaho.
James has been working on a 2002 Sport trac that he has converted to a 5.0 with the AWD and it is ALMOST finished.
This truck will be for sale, so he can make some extra $$$.
James is/was a technician at a local auto repair shop and was working 5 days a week, spending some of his spare time in the shop building this rig so he can flip it.
Well we have had some bad luck lately, James is pretty sick and in need of some help!
It is with a heavy heart I am typing this.
My stepson has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after having to go in for emergency surgery on his abdomen to remove some tumors..
He had to leave his job and is at home focused on getting better. So we, his friends and family are stepping in here to help.
James is only 32 years old and has stage 4 melanoma which is aggressive and widespread.
He is now in the fight for his young life.
Not to worry!! He is going to beat this thing, and we can all help!
Here is a Go Fund Me page his sister in law started, if anyone is interested in helping, every little bit counts:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/1v46j0pwio
His wife is working part time at the local Vet, she has been very tough through all of this.
We are taking care of James here at home, he has much family all around and non stop support and care.
Drug treatments and chemotherapy begin next week.
He still does not know we are downstairs finishing his sport trac...shhhh its still a secret.
James' brother, me and my neighbor are all kicking in our labor to finish this build, my dad is going to finance the operation, buying whatever parts are needed.
So I present to you, project 2002 Sport Trac 5.0 - We have rallied around James and we are going to do whatever it takes to finish this 5.0 build and get this truck for sale!
He and his family could use the $$$$ right now.
Yesterday I got started on the "shake down" test....going over the vehicle and build and making a list of what is needed to complete
James got the truck this far, the v8 drivetrain is in! Engine and trans have been re sealed and tuned up, everything is bolted down, plumbing is done, now its time for some fun wiring, finish the plumbing, drivelines, exhaust, go through the front suspension, brakes and put the interior back together.
First up is the wiring:
This is a late 01 build Sport Trac, often called "Job 2" it has the PATS security key Pats type "B".
Today I will be building the custom alternator/charging wiring and begin working on the tricky pats security wiring. We are doing things a little differently on this one. You see we are able to keep the original Sport trac factory key and program it to work with the 99 Explorer 5.0 PCM. This way the door still fits the door locks, tailgate locks and ignition tumbler, we simply will wire in the PATS type "A" system from the 99 explorer donor and then program some keys using a special tool/programmer
Here is how the truck sits today, a super super well cared for and clean 2002 Sport Trac, now to be V8 powered AWD!!
This masking tape has been on here way too long, step 1 is to clean this up!
Step 2 wire it up!
power charging harness will need a little modification to mate 99 5.0 to 02 trac
AS you can see she is already a 302 truck, just needs a little love to be running!!
More pics and details about this build coming ASAP
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I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks