RaidenFX4 build - Domestic camping at its finest!

[dondonraiden]

Hello All!

About me:

I'm new to the forums/site and to overlanding in general. My name is Cody and I'm from a small town in southern Indiana. My wife and I currently reside in Indianapolis, IN.

We are both small town folk that love the outdoors. We enjoy fishing, hiking, and camping. While my wife is newer to camping, I've been camping the entire 25 years that I've been on this wonderful planet. The camping I grew up with though almost always pertained to trailer camping in state parks (domesticated camping). While my folks still do this in their 1962 vintage Yellowstone, I've grown more fond of backwoods camping.

Unfortunately there aren't too many great forums out there dedicated to this type of camping that includes vehicles

Jump to the present:

My wife and I recently bought a new to me 2004 Ford F-150 FX4. My first 4x4 truck since I was 16 yrs old I sold my 99 GMC Sierra rcsb 2wd and decided it was time to move into an extended cab and get a 4x4 for my daily 45min commute to work in northern winters. So, I found my dream truck on craigslist... unfortunately it was out of my price range. After a few months and many trucks later, I spotted my dream truck on craigslist yet again. To my surprise it was a few grand cheaper...yet still out of my price range. I decided to call the guy up anyhow and to my luck he spit out that magic number and rest is history

The RaidenFX4:
2004 Ford F150 FX4, 5.4, 102k miles
33x12.50R18 General Grabbers
Moto Metal MO956 rims
Banks ram air
Throttle Body Spacer
Grillcraft grill
Rhino lined bed
Leveling kit
Seat covers
Husky liners
Flowmaster SI/SO muffler



There are a few item on the truck that I plan on changing for better suited camping needs. The flowmaster will gone as soon as I get around to it for something a little less annoying.

I just recently discovered overlanding, so I dont have any cool gear or a truck top tent, etc. My wife and I purchased a Eureka Copper Canyon 10 this summer. It fits our needs perfectly and is large enough to fit my dogs cage as well as all our gear inside.



Eventually I would love to get a roof mounted tent and some other gear, but for now we are happy enough to get to domestic camp when our schedules allow. I haven't found/heard of too many places to back country camp in Indiana yet thats not in a corn field

I do plan on doing many mods in the future that will benefit and be useful as a daily driver. I also plan on spending a lot time here drooling over your rigs :drool:

I hope you guys enjoy my truck and my build progress!

Thanks,
Cody

 

[bob91yj]

As long as you are getting out and having fun, you are ahead of half the people that have all of the "cool" stuff, but never get out.

 

[locrwln]

^^ What he said.

By the way, I am pretty sure you have a 5.4l Mod motor and not a 5.3. :sombrero:

Jack

 

[dondonraiden]

^^ What he said.

By the way, I am pretty sure you have a 5.4l Mod motor and not a 5.3. :sombrero:

Jack

Haha fosho. I've been a gmc guy my whole life. I'm so used to talking about the beastly 5.3

 

[Ray Hyland]

Welcome to the Portal Cody.

Check out the classified sections, Roof tents and gear come up all the time.

But getting out there and having fun is what is important.

Looking forward to reading about your future adventures.

Ray

 

[RoosterBooster]

... I just recently discovered overlanding, so I dont have any cool gear or a truck top tent, etc ....
Cody

epic line !!! .... :victory: ...i still have tears in my eyes from laughing and almost choking on my caffee :coffeedrink:

anyway, Hello from one FNG to the other

btw
yeah, for some peeps "overlanding" equals stuffing the vehicle full with gadgets (and a snorkel ) ... but hey; its a free country ...

 

[roostercruiser]

I like it. I do my camping out the back of my burban. Its not fancy but it works on a limited budget. Go out and have fun with what you have

 

[dondonraiden]

So, i've got a chance to buy a fiberglass cap for my truck for $200. It actually came off a truck exactly like mine, so it should fit well. What are the pros/cons of buying a cheaper used cap? At a $200 price point does it even really matter? I don't plan on sleeping in the cap, but just to have a little extra security from theft and water damage when we camp or just out and about.

 

[jeepmedic46]

The important thing is getting out there and enjoying life.

 

[BCHauler]

I don't see any cons to buying a used canopy. Check to see if it's cracked and put it on the truck to make sure it lines up the way it should. Then buy it and use the $1000 you saved from buying used over new and get yourself a Slurpee for the drive home.

 

[goin camping]

I like it. I do my camping out the back of my burban. Its not fancy but it works on a limited budget. Go out and have fun with what you have

Same here but I'm packing a $3.00 coleman stove and an ice chest. Camping like a king baby!

 

[thebrassnuckles]

use the $1000 you saved from buying used over new and get yourself a Slurpee for the drive home.

THAT'S AN EXPENSIVE SLURPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!:Wow1:

but def check the fit of the topper, and do it. I wish I could find a cheap one for my Ram 1500..

 

[Crazy Al]

I don't have all the cool toys or anything yet either. My current gear? My backpacking gear. Gotta start somewhere, and if I get stuck or break way to much, I can just pack out.

Great truck, and a good start. Getting out there is more important (and more fun) than buying all the toys.

 

[Cody1771]

welcome to the boards Cody, i like your name, but im a bit Biased to it. wicked looking truck! imo save the money on a RTT and go for a trip

 

[Rovertrader]

Cody, welcome aboard!! Being an old fart and started with even less 'Overland' gear or equip, try to remember the KISS principal, and like said above, do it on the cheap and travel more. Notice we predominantly look for older simpler vehicles, and carry less the more we travel. I believe it is human nature trying to aquire stuff to make it more fun and or easier, but as they say, less is more. Sorry to ramble, welcome, and enjoy the world. Cheers!!