'19 F-150 w/ FWC Build...

[BAM298]

Hey Guys,

Picked up my new F-150 a couple months back and have been steadily making changes in prepartion for adventure!

I needed something with a longer bed and after test driving a couple super duties I wasn't a fan of the ride and so this is my 4th F-150.

Quick details and then some pictures...this will document my continued improvement to both the truck and camper setup.

'19 F-150 w/ 5.0/4x4/36gal tank/3.73's w/ e-locker/1901payload
'18 FWC Grandby shell model, sticker weight of 1075lbs

First couple weeks I did quite a few minor mods - remote start, easy down tailgate, bed mat, blacked out letters, forscan, etc, just typical improvements.
2 weeks ago I installed Bilstein 5100's front/rear with top setting up front and swapped out the factory rear 1.5" block for a 3" block.
At the same time I had a set of Raptor wheels installed with 285/70/17 LT Cooper Discovery AT3 XLT's.

Truck Mods Planned:
Front winch
Custom rock sliders
RCI skidplates
Black housing headlight/taillights

In the camper I've been gathering stuff for a build just haven't had much of a chance to tinker. It's a shell model with the only option being the furnace, light weight and blank canvas!

Immediate plans include:
Built a bench/cabinet at front of shell to make a U-shaped wraparound which willl act as half of a bed for the kiddo and provide storage for dual 6v batteries and our camping chairs/misc gear - DONE
200w Renogy Solar Panel kit w/ bluetooth charger - Purchased but not yet installed.
8ft Smittybilt Awning - Purchased but not yet installed.
Make bench cushions for wraparound seating and add a Lagun adjustable swiveling table.

Short list for now but don't see the point in making a bunch of changes to it before we get to enjoy it for awhile and see how we use it and what we feel is missing.

Will add a few pictures now and post more soon, hopefully they show up. I ran it over a local scale and I have 700lbs available payload remaining with the jacks on the camper still. I plan to remove them for trips which should save approximately 80lbs.

We've got a weekend planned Feb 22/23 to get away with some friends about an hour or so away so that'll be the first go with the new setup.

-Matt

 

[buellconvert]

Pictures showed up just fine for me, very good looking truck! A close to home yep for the maiden voyage is always a good idea...just in case!

Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

Love it! Keep sharing more!

 

[Grassland]

Figured payload would be up around 2200 with that engine and gearing, but I guess crew cab takes some of that away.

Looks good. I would recommend an add a leaf over a taller block. I speak from experience. My stock main springs were flat after two years with 1000+ lb in the back.

 

[McCarthy]

I love it! Keep us updated, please. Would recommend air bags over an add-a-leaf to keep ride quality when empty. Please don't use the block. That's like putting on a t shirt over a gun shot wound. Hides it for a little while... Also, is that an 8' box camper?

 

[phsycle]

Looks good. I would suggest wrapping that tailgate and getting some bigger mudflaps to keep the rock chips at bay. Tailgates get pummeled by rocks if kept down like that.

 

[Todd780]

Figured payload would be up around 2200 with that engine and gearing, but I guess crew cab takes some of that away.

Looks good. I would recommend an add a leaf over a taller block. I speak from experience. My stock main springs were flat after two years with 1000+ lb in the back.

Sounds about right to me. I have the same gearing, drivetrain and fuel tank size on a 2015 and my payload is 1,811 lbs. (Supercrew 5.5 box)

 

[Herbie]

Subscribed. I want to see what you do with the wrap-around seating, since I'm in a similar boat. We took a hard look at the various 6ft bed 4WCs and the primary problem for us was seating for 3.

We don't spend a ton of non-sleeping time inside our current rig either, but we need the option, since the weather is never perfect all the time. I like 4WCs builds generally, but there are floorplan problems for more than 2 people. In anything smaller than a Grandby, both the front and side dinettes are pretty much limited to two people. The front dinette looks wider than it really is because of the bump-out for the tank on the front wall. The side dinette could almost work for 3 if you were able to use the settee as an extra seat, but you'd need to work out a wider table construction. Rollover couch is out because there's no usable aisle when that bed is deployed and you can barely even make the switch without opening the door! The flatbeds are great but, well, in a whole different price category.

That's a long way of saying I've been looking at the Shell models. After my last project, I don't really want to "build" another camper, I'd prefer to write the check and spend my weekends enjoying it this time, but building out a real wrap-around seat + lower bunk in the shell seems like the only way I might meet all our needs in a slide-in 4WC.

 

[BAM298]

Glad the pictures worked, here's another one to show what my truck looks like currently with the lift/level and new wheels/tires.

Thanks for the warm welcome and suggestions, I'll try to touch on them all...

Payload is the best I found on a supercrew that wasn't the HDPP...which when ordered required chrome bumpers and other unfortunate options I wasn't a fan of. This is my 4th supercrew and I love the backseat so no supercab for me.

I will look into the add a leaf but have done blocks before without issue and I didn't want to affect the unloaded ride for the 95% of the time that I drive without the camper. If we're lucky we'll get 30 nights a year in the camper so I don't see it affecting the factory leafs long term.

I've had airbags on a previous truck about 5 years ago for towing a tongue heavy boat and while it fixed my issue it also made my unloaded/aired-down ride miserable for some reason, so I've nearly sworn off airbags since. If needed I have considered adding Timrens/sumo springs/roadmaster active suspension, but as the truck appears to handle the load fine now I haven't jumped on anything just yet. Will get some miles on it first. And yes, the FWC is the 8ft model.

Good thinking on the tailgate concerns....I have the same and have actually been looking for a replacement tailgate for 2 reasons, one to keep mine nice looking and so I can pull the backup camera out of the replacement one and mount it on the camper somewhere so I have eyes while backing.

I'll be sure to take some interior pictures this weekend showing my wrap-around seating/storage build. I agree with you on the layout concerns and decided to go the shell route for many reasons. Yes the work will delay my usage but I'll have a better end result in a lighter and less expensive configuration which is worth it to me.

-Matt

 

[Todd780]

Payload is the best I found on a supercrew that wasn't the HDPP...which when ordered required chrome bumpers and other unfortunate options I wasn't a fan of. This is my 4th supercrew and I love the backseat so no supercab for me.

-Matt

That's funny. I have the FX4 & Sport packages on mine but, I think I'd prefer the chrome bumper. My front bumper is starting to get quite full of rock chips. I think the chrome bumper might hold up better over the long run.

 

[McCarthy]

Todd, have your bumper Line-x ultra colour matched. No more rock chips.

 

[BAM298]

Worked in the camper today getting it ready for our trip next weekend and took some additional pictures to show the layout.

Quick summary of the changes so far.

Added support rails on the side benches for the bed down pieces, the second half of the bed stores under the main bed mattress when not in use.
Relocated the batteries from the left rear cabinet to the cabinet up front.
The front cabinet provides additional seating and storage.
Removed one of the two propane bottles so that I could put my pressure sprayer that we use for dishes.
Planned out where the grill/table/water jug go when we will travel, just need to add tie down points for the straps to secure them.

I'm traveling next week for work so likely won't get around to installing the solar setup or awning until March.

 

[Todd780]

Todd, have your bumper Line-x ultra colour matched. No more rock chips.

I was actually thinking of just doing the whole bottom of the truck (below the body line) in a smooth texture color matched liner.