2010 f-150

[p71]

I am considering doing some mods to the truck to make it a little more expedition capable.

How she sits:

5.4 V8
4.10 gears
Electronic rear locker
6 speed auto
35 inch tires
Bed mounted hi lift.
Assorted chains, tow straps et al.


Things I am strongly considering:
Water and fuel jug mounts
Front mounted winch
Lights (many many lights)

I am unsure if I want to get an offroad trailer and go high end, or go simpler and just add everything I need to the trailer.

Any advice on winch size? I am a fan of overkill so I am considering a 12K... I really really hate being stuck.

Any other absoloutly critical bolt ons? I am a complete novice to multi day expeditions, and am in the preliminary stages of planning a trip that is months (at least 18) down the road.

Tango

 

[theksmith]

Any advice on winch size? I am a fan of overkill so I am considering a 12K... I really really hate being stuck.

Any other absoloutly critical bolt ons? I am a complete novice to multi day expeditions, and am in the preliminary stages of planning a trip that is months (at least 18) down the road.
Tango

they recommend a winch rated for 1.5 time your GVWR

i don't know about specific bolt ons for your vehicle, but armor is always a good place to start, make sure key components are covered (transmission, transfer case, etc).

beyond that best advice is to go on some smaller trips and get to know your machine and your needs that way - before you end up 200 miles from a toothbrush or tire plug and you find that you need them.

second best advice is to just make sure you have a great running machine (via basic maintenance and replacement of worn or near-end-of-life components) before you "bolt-on" anything after-market.

also, what level of difficulty of trails do you plan to run, if you're just doing forest roads then your requirements are different than if you plan to hit up some 3+ rated trails in a longer vehicle.

good luck and i can't wait to see what you do - i always like pickup truck builds that are for a real purpose instead of just throwing on 10" lift blocks, some 'mudders and a chrome Piss On X sticker for local mall cruisin.

 

[Rovertrader]

I had a '10 150 and strongly urge the previous advise of driving it a bit first. I loved the truck, but could not tolerate the headrest, nor could my wife. After our first 1k trip, it had to go- and we tried everything to 'adjust' those headrest. May not be an issue for you, but spend a little time driving to be sure there isn't something that is your achilies on the truck. And the dealer says that is the #1 complaint with the 150s, while our '11 SD250 is awesome, wierd...

 

[p71]

they recommend a winch rated for 1.5 time your GVWR

i don't know about specific bolt ons for your vehicle, but armor is always a good place to start, make sure key components are covered (transmission, transfer case, etc).

beyond that best advice is to go on some smaller trips and get to know your machine and your needs that way - before you end up 200 miles from a toothbrush or tire plug and you find that you need them.

second best advice is to just make sure you have a great running machine (via basic maintenance and replacement of worn or near-end-of-life components) before you "bolt-on" anything after-market.

also, what level of difficulty of trails do you plan to run, if you're just doing forest roads then your requirements are different than if you plan to hit up some 3+ rated trails in a longer vehicle.

good luck and i can't wait to see what you do - i always like pickup truck builds that are for a real purpose instead of just throwing on 10" lift blocks, some 'mudders and a chrome Piss On X sticker for local mall cruisin.

I did the 1.5 times GVWR and came out at 10425... I figure I would go to 12K based on more is usually better than less.... (also that is the rating on the power wagon winch and that truck has a GVWR of 8510 vs 6950 for my truck, I figure Dodge must know something).

The truck seems to have decent protection, though some of it seems to be made of composite material. I am stronlg considering some rock rails.

I had a '10 150 and strongly urge the previous advise of driving it a bit first. I loved the truck, but could not tolerate the headrest, nor could my wife. After our first 1k trip, it had to go- and we tried everything to 'adjust' those headrest. May not be an issue for you, but spend a little time driving to be sure there isn't something that is your achilies on the truck. And the dealer says that is the #1 complaint with the 150s, while our '11 SD250 is awesome, wierd...

My truck has >10K miles. Probably about 1K on dirt... nothing TOO bad but she does have a couple battle scars... definately needs a new bumper. I personally like the seats better than the buckets in my G8, so I am good on that front... Me and my buddy took her from eastern west Texas to Moab last May for a mountain biking and light duty wheeling trip. Lots of fun; the White Rim is about the most amazing place I have ever seen.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Rovertrader]

If you want to do a bit of fab, I have two older but brand new F150 TJM alum winch bumpers, and would love to sell one. PM if interested

 

[brianjwilson]

12k winch is definitely not overkill.
I used a 9k lb warn on my sport trac and it strained sometimes. I would say 12k would be the minimum I would want on my F150.
What are you using to fit the 35s? Spacers? Adjustable coil overs? Spacers are not the best idea on the newer F150s. Much more than an inch and the upper control is going to hit the spring when it droops, and the angles on the CV joints will get excessive real quick. I see a lot of guys with 2-3" spacers ripping their CV boots because you are exceeding the range of travel the rest of the suspension is capable of.
I have an eaton e-locker up front and really like it so far, might be worth looking into.
Oh and what bed/cap configuration do you have? I have a 5.5' bed rug for sale, don't know if it's something you might be interested in...



Getting rid of a new F150 because you didn't like the head rest? Seems a little over the top to me, unless you just plain didn't like the truck. I believe I have read that the older head rests fit in place. A lot of newer cars (obviously not all) have moved the head rests forward to reduce neck injuries in crash tests.

 

[p71]

Good looking out brianjwilson.

I have the shortbed S-Cab

Factory 35s...

 

[p71]

If you want to do a bit of fab, I have two older but brand new F150 TJM alum winch bumpers, and would love to sell one. PM if interested

I am probably looking at another OE bumper. Thanks for the offer.

 

[marshal]

Probably should have specified it was a raptor

Keep in mind that you bought baja prerunner, if you strap a heavy winch bumper and 175lbs of winch to the front of your raptor you're going to have to have to call fox and have them build you a new set of front shocks valved for the big weight increase if you ever want your raptor to perform decently again. The factory fox shocks are not rebuildable so you're screwed on that one.

 

[Rovertrader]

Getting rid of a new F150 because you didn't like the head rest? Seems a little over the top to me, unless you just plain didn't like the truck. I believe I have read that the older head rests fit in place. A lot of newer cars (obviously not all) have moved the head rests forward to reduce neck injuries in crash tests.[/QUOTE]

Actually, the older ones don't fit- tried that. For me, while it seems a little rediculus, I am looking at some major neck and low back surgery, so it becomes a major issue rather quickly. And as stated, Ford has tons of similar complaints. No biggie around town, but a killer on a 10 hour trip day. The new F-250 is amazing- 4 Wheeler even comments on the comfort. Sorry for the rant, while I may be a bit wacko, this case is one of self preservation

 

[Robert B]

Keep in mind that you bought baja prerunner, if you strap a heavy winch bumper and 175lbs of winch to the front of your raptor you're going to have to have to call fox and have them build you a new set of front shocks valved for the big weight increase if you ever want your raptor to perform decently again.

I just Kings on my 07 FX4 -- I have the same concern if I upgrade the bumper and add a winch. What do you think?

 

[marshal]

You'd be ok. He's going to have a problem because he has a different spring rate, shock rate, sway bar, weight distribution and his truck is designed to be flung 20 feet in the air and land gracefully

 

[p71]

Getting rid of a new F150 because you didn't like the head rest? Seems a little over the top to me, unless you just plain didn't like the truck. I believe I have read that the older head rests fit in place. A lot of newer cars (obviously not all) have moved the head rests forward to reduce neck injuries in crash tests.

Actually, the older ones don't fit- tried that. For me, while it seems a little rediculus, I am looking at some major neck and low back surgery, so it becomes a major issue rather quickly. And as stated, Ford has tons of similar complaints. No biggie around town, but a killer on a 10 hour trip day. The new F-250 is amazing- 4 Wheeler even comments on the comfort. Sorry for the rant, while I may be a bit wacko, this case is one of self preservation

Honestly my truck is super comfortable... that said that is personal opinion so if you did not like yours...

The new superduties are are killer... that new turbo diesel is insane. Most of my trucks offroad toys are available on them (hill decent, electronic locker) as well as having the new display with camber and pitch info as well as everything you could possibly want to know about the trucks systems.

Probably should have specified it was a raptor

Keep in mind that you bought baja prerunner, if you strap a heavy winch bumper and 175lbs of winch to the front of your raptor you're going to have to have to call fox and have them build you a new set of front shocks valved for the big weight increase if you ever want your raptor to perform decently again. The factory fox shocks are not rebuildable so you're screwed on that one.

You'd be ok. He's going to have a problem because he has a different spring rate, shock rate, sway bar, weight distribution and his truck is designed to be flung 20 feet in the air and land gracefully

Mostly was just messing with you guys.

I honestly do not really consider the truck a prerunner... just a more comfortable and capable FX4. I have launched it a few times and you are right it lands like butter. That said I really wanted a power wagon, but this is the closest thing in capability, has superior wheelbase, and costs 10K less (as configured) than a base power wagon. Although it is designed to go fast it does WAY better on the slow stuff than any other stock full size 4x4 PU out there.

As to bumpers and weight and shocks... The factory shocks are rebuildable (according to a variety of sources), though they may not mat the hardware to re-valve them. Do not know, I can barely tune the suspension on my mountain bike.

In order to keep weight down I will probably go back to a stock bumper with something like this;

Along with a winch with synthetic line. Hopefully the kit and caboodle will only run a little over 100 lbs, which is about the weight difference between a 6.2 and a 5.4 raptor, which both have identical suspension. That winch plate is a prototype from a company in AZ (not sure on the rules of mentioning non vendors), but there is a dealership in Houston that also makes them, and having one custom fabed should not be too impossible.

Apparently Ford may be introducing a front locker for 2012. May be it can be retrofit.

 

[brianjwilson]

Probably should have specified it was a raptor

No kidding!
That is a sweet truck! I wouldn't be adding a big old steel bumper up there either. If anything a basic tube bumper, or simple a hitch hidden behind the bumper and a removable winch platform.

Actually, the older ones don't fit- tried that. For me, while it seems a little rediculus, I am looking at some major neck and low back surgery, so it becomes a major issue rather quickly. And as stated, Ford has tons of similar complaints. No biggie around town, but a killer on a 10 hour trip day. The new F-250 is amazing- 4 Wheeler even comments on the comfort. Sorry for the rant, while I may be a bit wacko, this case is one of self preservation

I have heard the same comment from a few people about the head rests, I just thought I read that the older style fit. You don't have to convince me on the new F250, I would be all over one if I could afford it! I've been plagued with neck and back problems for a few years myself so I can understand. The only thing that I can drive for a long time now is my wife's new VW Golf TDI. 30 minutes in anything has my neck and back in fits, but I drove that VW over 14 hours straight (on two occasions) with almost no back or neck pain.

 

[brianjwilson]

Apparently Ford may be introducing a front locker for 2012. May be it can be retrofit.

Just pick up an E-locker, that's what I have in the front of mine. In that front diff you can also run an automatic locker (I don't recommend it) or a gear driven limited slip.