Ford Low Cab Forward (Ford year). Manual — part 2

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION REGULATION

Regulations such as those issued by the Federal Highway Administration
or issued pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA),
and/or state and local laws and regulations may require additional
equipment or require other restrictions for the way you intend to use the
vehicle. It is the responsibility of the registered owner and driver to
determine the applicability of such laws and regulations to your intended
use for the vehicle, and to arrange for the installation of any required
equipment and meet the requirements of any other restrictions. Your
dealer has information about the availability of equipment which may be
ordered for your vehicle.

ENTERING, EXITING AND/OR CLIMBING ON THIS VEHICLE

You must be careful and deliberate to minimize the possibility of personal
injury from a slip and fall when entering, exiting and/or climbing on this
vehicle. Always use the steps and assist handles when climbing. Do not
skip any steps or assist handles. Use three point contact at all times with
at least two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot firmly placed
during all phases of entering, exiting and/or climbing. Always keep your
shoe soles and hands clean. Keep the steps and assist handles free of
snow, ice, oil, grease, substances or debris. Be sure to use extra care in
bad weather. Avoid wearing thick gloves.

Do not carry items while entering, exiting, and/or climbing. Make
sure you keep a firm grip. Always FACE the VEHICLE STEP and

HANDLE SYSTEM while climbing up and down. Do not climb behind
the cab unless you have three point contact with a step and handle
system at all times.

Introduction

10

To be sure your vehicle is ready to operate, conduct a pre-trip inspection
at the beginning of each work period. Follow the steps listed in this
section to ensure a proper vehicle inspection procedure. The pages in
this section may be produced locally and used on a regular basis.

VEHICLE INSPECTION INFORMATION

Note: Always make sure the parking brake is applied before starting the
engine.

Engine compartment (with engine stopped)

Belts (Fan,
alternator, water
pump and A/C
compressor):

Check for glazing, fraying or cracking.

Any leaks:

Check for signs of fluid puddles, dripping fluid
on the ground under the engine or the
underside of the engine.

HVAC air inlet:

Check for debris, leaves, etc. that may have
collected on the HVAC air inlet grille or inside
the exterior module as this may cause reduced
system performance.

HVAC fresh air filter
(if equipped):

Periodically check the HVAC fresh air filter for
cleanliness.

Exercise great caution when working on vehicle equipped with
an automatic fan clutch. The fan starts in motion only after the

engine coolant reaches a predetermined temperature or the refrigerant
pressure (if equipped with air conditioning) reaches a predetermined
setting. The fan will start at these points with no advance warning.
Never reach near, or permit objects to protrude into the fan blade
radius while the engine is running, as this could result in vehicle
damage, personal injury or death.

Vehicle Inspection Guide

11

Engine starting (parking brake applied)

Safety/Emergency
equipment:

Prior to entering the cab, verify that the vehicle is
equipped with spare electrical fuses (if used), three
red reflective triangles, a properly charged and
rated fire extinguisher and wheel chocks. Walk
around the vehicle and check that all steps and grab
handles, inside and out as well as behind, are tight
and clean. Use extreme caution and a three-point
stance at all times. Check door latches for positive
closing, latching and locking.

Starting the engine: Verify the parking brake is set and the transmission

is in P (Park).
When the WAIT TO START indicator light in the
instrument cluster turns off, turn the key to START.

Accelerator:

With the engine running and the transmission in P
(Park), depress the accelerator and verify that it
operates smoothly without any binding or irregular
feel. Remove your foot from the pedal and make
sure the engine returns to idle speed immediately.

Steering linkage
free play:

Check for excessive free play in the steering
linkages. The steering wheel should have less than
two inches (five centimeters) of free play at rim of
steering wheel.

Brake check:

Pump the brake pedal three times, then apply firm
pressure to the pedal and hold it for five seconds.
Once applied, the pedal should not move; if it does,
there may be a leak or another problem. Do not
drive the vehicle until the problem is fixed.

Parking brake:

Check that the parking brake will hold the vehicle
by gently trying to pull forward with the parking
brake applied.

Transmission fluid:

With the engine idling at normal operating
temperature and the parking brake applied, check
the automatic transmission fluid. If fluid needs to be
added, refer to Transmission fluid in the
Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

Vehicle Inspection Guide

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Front of vehicle

Lights:

Make sure all exterior lights illuminate and are
clean. Make sure headlights function on both
high and low beams. Make sure reflectors are
clean and unbroken and of proper color (red
on rear, amber elsewhere). Make sure the
running lights are also clean and unbroken.

Steering gear:

Look for missing or loose fasteners, power
steering fluid leaks and damage to power
steering hoses.

Steering linkage:

Make sure connecting links, arms and rods are
not worn or cracked; joints, sockets and boot
seals are not worn or loose and that there are
no loose or missing cotter keys, nuts or bolts.

Tow hooks:

Front tow hooks should be inspected for
damage or loose mounting. This is particularly
important on vehicles where tow hooks are
frequently used.

Front suspension

Spring:

Inspect for missing, broken or shifted leaves or
leaves that are in contact, or nearly contacting
a tire, rim, brake drum, frame or body
components.

Spring mount:

Inspect spring hangers, bolts, bushings, axle
mounting bolts and nuts for cracks, breaks,
wear, damage and tightness.

Torsion bar, Shock
absorber:

Make sure torsion arm is not cracked, broken
or missing. Inspect for cracks, leaks and
missing or broken bolts or bushings.

Note: Never apply grease to spring pads.

Do not operate the vehicle if any suspension conditions listed in
the Front suspension chart are evident. Loss of steering or

suspension could result in property damage, personal injury or death.

Vehicle Inspection Guide

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