Southwind by Fleetwood – sporting its new paint job
I get asked these questions a lot: What causes this? Can I drive like this? When should I fix it? To answer these questions, we need to know what happens as this failure progresses. The studs are exposed to heat cycling, road chemicals, and oxidation (rust) and the manifolds expand Continue reading F53 – When do you decide to fix broken exhaust studs
If you look on the Ford truck enthusiast forums, there’s a great deal of discussion regarding the cooler bypass tube and the integral pressure relief valve. A common misconception is that this tube is used to control transmission fluid temperature, i.e. when the fluid is cold, the tube bypasses the Continue reading F53 – 4R100 transmission cooler bypass tube
Last winter while snowbirding in AZ and NV, we spent several days at sites with no hookups. During that time I was able to make measurements and test how the coaches 12 volt system performed. I made a couple modifications while we were in the sticks and seen an improvement, Continue reading Upgrade Coach 12 volt system
NOTE – The control voltage to raise / lower jacks changed in newer models. On mine, the control module supplies a ground to energize the solenoid valves. On newer models, the module supplies 12 volts to energize the solenoid valves. Make sure you test so you know if you need Continue reading How to raise Power Gear jacks one at a time
UPDATE Apr 2020: Finially back home, rechecked track bar bolts, all secure, no wagging. On way home and we drove at speed limit (75 – 80 mph). UPDATE Dec 2019: We just finished a 2500 mile drive from Ohio to Arizona. There was a significant and noticeable difference in the Continue reading F53 – Homemade rear track bar
Ford F53 CHF – Cheap Handling Fix. I’ve know about the CHF for many years, so immediately after buying the Southwind, it was one of the very first modifications I performed. When I did the front, I extended the original links by 3 inches, but when I did the rear, Continue reading F53 – Rear sway bar CHF re-do
When we bought our used Southwind, I was the third owner and there wasn’t any maintenance history, so I had no idea where it was regarding preventative maintenance. I performed a very exhaustive pre-purchase inspection which included a look at the front brake pads, but you can’t see the rear Continue reading F53 – Brake pads and wheel bearings
Servicing the differential oil is fairly easy and straight forward. Ford recommends using 75w140 synthetic. The Dana Service manual says to change the oil every 250,000 miles or 3 years.. These specs could easily apply to a service truck that travels 250,000 miles in a few years. However, My Southwind Continue reading F53 – Servicing Differential (Dana S135)
Since we bought our Southwind a couple years ago, every now and then when I attempted to start the motorhome, I’d turn the key and nothing. It would usually start on the second or third attempt. Since I had the steering column tore apart to replace the bad shift lever Continue reading F53 – Replace ignition switch
Immediately after we bought our Southwind, I noticed the over drive button (OD) seemed to be intermittent. A search of the internet showed that this was a common problem with Fords. Where the wires exit the transmission shift lever, they can chafe, break, and sometimes short out, causing weird instrument Continue reading F53 – Replace transmission shift lever (OD button)