1996 Ford F-250 Supercab Build

[grangr]

The first sentence of most build threads says something like I have been lurking around this sight for a while and now I am ready to build my truck. Well, I have been lurking and now I am ready. I purchased a 1996 F-250 Supercab with a 460 and a five speed. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted but knew once I came across something that would fit in my budget I would pull the trigger. I think this truck is a great platform to start my first expedition rig build. I don't have unlimited funds so this will take some time and creativity. I do not have any welding skills so the majority of my items will be bolt-ons. The truck needed tires immediately so I put on a set of 285/75/16 BF Goodrich A/T. I was not looking to lift it because I was hoping to put a utility bed on it and was concerned about the extra weight. After searching all over Texas for a bed I finally found one. It is a fully enclosed Stahl that needs a new coat of paint on the outside and a good cleaning on the inside. I am planning on removing the pipe rack. I put it on today and realized that I will need to beef up the rear springs a bit. I knew it was going to be a little heavy but I really wanted the storage compartments to help keep my gear organized. My plans are to add a Defender roof Rack on the cab with the light bar. I need to disguise the height of the bed and I also want a place to put my spare tire. Yes, the visor will be getting removed. Here are a few pics.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Seabass]

Yet another OBS ford! Welcome to the sight. As I am a bit of a ford enthusiast I am always excited to see what someone else is doing with theirs. You don't have to spend a butt load of money to have a fairly competent rig. You've started with a great platform as it is. These old trucks were very durable and reasonably capable off road with only minor upgrades. You've got a good start with bigger shoes. I really like the utility bed. It's gonna work great. My work truck had one when I bought it and I foolishly took it off. I have a regular bed with a utility topper. Live and learn. Keep us posted on what you do.

 

[tip]

Nice truck, subscribed! Would love to see more pics of the utility bed.

 

[AFBronco235]

The great thing about OBS fords is that just about everything is bolt on, so your budget will be safe. The other great thing is that there is very little needed to get one of these expedition ready.

You can probably pull some rear springs off an F350 and make it work, or use add-a-leaf. Definitely look into getting a better bump stop for the rear axle.

If you're looking to get rid of that visor and willing to help on shipping, I'll take it off your hands. PM me with a quote. I need a light shield for the lightbar I just installed on my rig.

Besides removing that pipe rack, what are your plans for the bed?

 

[east_tn_81]

The junkyard would be a great place to start for a set of f350 leaf springs. I like the truck and some white paint for that utility bed will be great. Good luck. Keep us posted .

 

[barefoot boy]

That is a nice looking utility body. How much headroom does it have? I have just started looking (yesterday) for something similar for my 1993 K30 Chevrolet and there is not much available right now around here. There is one on Craigslist in the area for $1400 that looks kind of thrashed. If you get a chance, a few pics inside would be appreciated.

 

[grangr]

Here are a few pics of the utility bed. It is five feet tall inside. I paid $1000. Sorry for the upside down and sideways pics. Tried everything I know to get them straight.

 

[grangr]

You pay the shipping and you can have the visor.

 

[pappawheely]

Fixed them for you. Nice truck, looking forward to your build.







Looks like it needs some major cleaning inside.

 

[barefoot boy]

Thanks for the pics and to Papawheely for inverting them; I will be following this build! I appreciate the price info; as mentioned, I just started looking for a utility bed and did not have a feel for the going price. The one around here for $1400 appears to be way overpriced, as it is nowhere as nice as yours.

 

[barefoot boy]

Well, I found on Craigslist a utility body comparable in condition to yours for only(!) $3000. What was the price range you found when you were looking? Did you just get a really good deal on yours? Thanks.

 

[grangr]

$500 for really ragged out ones to $4500 for nice ones. I just got lucky on this one. Where do you live?

 

[barefoot boy]

Northeastern North Carolina, up near the Virginia border.

 

[landcruiser40th]

If your going the roof mounted light route i would keep the visor for functionality, especially with the white hood.

 

[grangr]

Updated Pics

I finally got around to posting some pictures of what I have done so far to the truck. I added two leafs to the rear springs, Smittybilt Defender rack for my spare tire and Hi-Lift jack, painted the utility bed, and added the Tepui roof top tent. I took it down to Lajitas, TX for it's first road trip and it was great. Figured out a few things that need tweaking but overall I am happy with what is done so far. Next thing to tackle is the inside of the utility bed. There were fifty mile an hour gusts so I closed up the tent and slept inside the utility bed. It worked out great.