Part Two
The first step was to add a new starter and alternator and for this project we went with Mean Green Industries out of Pennsylvania. The truck barely pulled into the Powerlabs garage and within minutes, head tech Josh Maldonado already had the old alternator out and the new one installed. One of the few things I didn't like about 2002 Fords is that the stock starters and alternators are actually quite wimpy. So while replacing something that's not broken doesn't always seem to make sense, it actually does on this truck. Besides, that's half the fun when it comes to upgrades.For the next phase we went big and once again Powerlabs Diesel helped us with the install work.The work was all done in the old shop before they relocated to their new state-of-the-art facility just down the road.
While Maldonado, who Powerlabs owner Brent Willsey says works as hard as two guys, was finishing up the alternator install, tech Jordan Johnson got busy with the new aFe intake that is going to make life a whole lot simpler. The old air cleaner wasn't looking too bad, but just knowing we were upgrading it by going with this aFe Power intake made me excited. It has a nice clean look to it, plus unlike regular air filters, I'll never need to replace this one. You simply just clean it when the time comes. The part number on the intake is R24-91018 and the aFe product was a great fit for this truck.
"The intake was easy to install and very clean," said Johnson. "I might just have to get one of these for my truck."