Hi all, I've been a lurker here on the site for some time now and I love reading the articles, classified section, and build threads for ideas and inspiration. So I finally decided to start a build thread to document my progress on my vehicle and hopefully get some input from you guys. My main goal for my truck is to be a great camping vehicle and get me wherever I need to go. For me that usually means forest roads, desert washes, or any other fun trail I see. I try and do as much camping as work and school permit me and I also love backpacking, XC skiing, and mountain biking. As of now my truck is entirely stock but fortunately that is going to change very soon! So here is a little background on my truck and why I chose certain features.
2017 Ford F-150 XLT Screw with 6.5ft bed and FX4 package.
3.5 ecoboost with 10 speed automatic
4x4 with rear electronic locker
3.55 axle ratio
Max Tow Package (kinda wish now I had gotten Max Payload instead)
I chose the 6.5ft bed for a couple of reason. I owned a 2011 CrewMax Tundra which has the 5.5ft bed and found it so limiting. My bikes and double bass could never fit straight in and finding places for my gear was like playing tetris. So right off the bat I knew I wanted the standard bed size. I would have loved the shorter wheelbase of the supercab but I have a lot of family and the massive rear seat is just amazing! It also makes road trips super comfortable and complaint free. Well not totally complaint free, but it helps minimize it for sure. The only thing I never really cared about was the FX4 package but it came on the truck so I went for it. I just think that marketing the package as an off road one is ridiculous. The are the same shocks and pretty crappy at that and I wouldn't trust the skid plates but I guess they would save you in a hairy situation.
Now for the fun part. Aftermarket parts!
Front Suspension: Bilstein 6112 with Icon tubular delta joint UCA's.
Rear Suspension: Bilstein 5160 with Autospring AAL
Wheels: I'm sticking with stock for now to save money
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs or General Grabber AT2 in 275/70/18 which equates to a little over 33 inches. I'm still undecided between these two so help me decide!
All the suspension parts are currently in transit and I'll hopefully get it all installed in the next week or two. I was going back and forth between the Bilstein setup and Icons but for what I use my truck for I thought the Bilsteins would be plenty. Plus it gets you a 2.5 inch shock and reservoirs in the rear for a fraction of the price.
Currently I have a custom camper on the bed of my truck. I've had it for about a year now and have really enjoyed it. I spent a few weeks building out the interior with some cabinets, sink, and storage areas. I originally purchased it with the goal of going to Alaska this spring but due to more commitments at work I've had to postpone that trip so I will likely be putting it up for sale sometime in January.
I am going to throw up some photos too, but since this is my first time posting on this website it might take me a bit to get them all up. Plus my USB SD Card reader died so I have to order another to get the photos off of my camera.
2017 Ford F-150 XLT Screw with 6.5ft bed and FX4 package.
3.5 ecoboost with 10 speed automatic
4x4 with rear electronic locker
3.55 axle ratio
Max Tow Package (kinda wish now I had gotten Max Payload instead)
I chose the 6.5ft bed for a couple of reason. I owned a 2011 CrewMax Tundra which has the 5.5ft bed and found it so limiting. My bikes and double bass could never fit straight in and finding places for my gear was like playing tetris. So right off the bat I knew I wanted the standard bed size. I would have loved the shorter wheelbase of the supercab but I have a lot of family and the massive rear seat is just amazing! It also makes road trips super comfortable and complaint free. Well not totally complaint free, but it helps minimize it for sure. The only thing I never really cared about was the FX4 package but it came on the truck so I went for it. I just think that marketing the package as an off road one is ridiculous. The are the same shocks and pretty crappy at that and I wouldn't trust the skid plates but I guess they would save you in a hairy situation.
Now for the fun part. Aftermarket parts!
Front Suspension: Bilstein 6112 with Icon tubular delta joint UCA's.
Rear Suspension: Bilstein 5160 with Autospring AAL
Wheels: I'm sticking with stock for now to save money
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs or General Grabber AT2 in 275/70/18 which equates to a little over 33 inches. I'm still undecided between these two so help me decide!
All the suspension parts are currently in transit and I'll hopefully get it all installed in the next week or two. I was going back and forth between the Bilstein setup and Icons but for what I use my truck for I thought the Bilsteins would be plenty. Plus it gets you a 2.5 inch shock and reservoirs in the rear for a fraction of the price.
Currently I have a custom camper on the bed of my truck. I've had it for about a year now and have really enjoyed it. I spent a few weeks building out the interior with some cabinets, sink, and storage areas. I originally purchased it with the goal of going to Alaska this spring but due to more commitments at work I've had to postpone that trip so I will likely be putting it up for sale sometime in January.
I am going to throw up some photos too, but since this is my first time posting on this website it might take me a bit to get them all up. Plus my USB SD Card reader died so I have to order another to get the photos off of my camera.
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