Jeffster74
New member
Truck: Originally, 1997 F-250HD 4x4 crew cab short bed XLT and still is according to California DMV - $55,000
Additional Craigslist pics of truck: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/d/el-cajon-1997-ford-450-short-bed-dually/7414200155.html
Additional Craigslist pics of camper: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/rvs/d/el-cajon-arctic-fox-811s-and-ford-450/7414651688.html
Truck and Camper combination would make a perfect Overlander if you don’t mind the weight
I purchased this truck stock with 103k miles in 2004 from the second owner. It has always been in southern California and was used by the first owner for mostly commuting from San Diego to El Centro. I began hauling a 2011 Arctic Fox 811s cabover camper (4100 lbs) and towing an enclosed trailer with a 4 foot extension and quickly realized that airbags were not going to handle the weight. Preferring to stick with a 7.3 and not wanting a new truck I began making modifications that ultimately ended up with this Frankenstein of a pickup truck.
Like most projects, when it’s finally almost done, priorities change and I bought a motorhome.
Engine: 7.3 Powerstoke:
-original stock fuel system (with new lift pump, fuel lines, fuel bowl seals)
-original injectors, glow plugs
-rebuilt stock turbo with .84 exhaust housing, gutted back pressure valve
-Banks intercooler
-AFE 4” aluminized free flow exhaust from turbo back
-DP Tuner with 6 tunes (0-no start, 1-stock, 2-60hp economy, 3-100hp performance, 4-80hp tow, 5-60hp tow, 6-20hp tow)
-S&B intake system with Mishimoto catch can
-Cactus aluminum radiator
-newer water pump, fan clutch, idler pulleys, vacuum pump
-I’ve used Shell Rotella 15w40 full synthetic oil since 150k miles, change every 5K miles
Transmission: E4OD
-rebuilt by Advanced Automatic in Santee, Ca.
-billet torque converter
-John Woods valve body
-external screw-on oil filter
-26,000 gvwr cooler
Isspro pillar gauges for boost, EGT and transmission temp match dash colors
Fuel tanks:
-Rear 38 gallon
-Front 17 gallon
Steering:
-Howe power steering box, pump, reservoir (with screw on filter), assist ram, cooler with Meyer Engineering chromoly steering linkages and 1 ton ball joints
Front Axle:
-1997 Ford Dana 60
-4.88’s, Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited slip
-Warn manual locking hubs
-Motorsport Tech aluminum adapters to 10x225mm bolt pattern to match rear
Rear Axle:
-2006 F-450 (pickup truck version) Dana S110L with 10x225mm bolt pattern
-4.88’s and Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited slip
-15” disc brakes with integrated drum parking brake
Suspension:
-Deaver custom leaf springs front and rear with Bilstein 5100 series shocks
-Deaver overload springs in rear
Frame:
-Custom 1/4” steel plate with 90 degree bend to support any type of 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch, all suspension rivets replaced with grade 8 bolts. Frame plate extends from under cab to rear bumper. Additional reinforcement at front of rear leaf spring perch attachment point
-Torklift 20K double hitch
-Torklift camper camper tie downs
-Torklift 4’ hitch extension
Short Bed:
-replaced with custom 1/8” sheet metal and 1/8” custom supports (originals were collapsing under weight of camper)
-Wallis Dually fenders
-1/4” cap on front bulkhead of bed behind cab
-needs to be painted but holding off because the buyer may have other plans for the bed
Wheels:
-Stazworks custom matching 20x9.5” dually steel wheels (7) each rated for 5000 pounds with 295/60R20 all terrain tires allowing you to air down when not hauling a load or going in sand
Extras (not installed):
-front hitch
-Dodge mirrors (future project)
-new headlights
-original catalytic converter
-Stockton camper shell with integrated lumber rack
2011 Arctic Fox 811s Silver Fox edition: for a heavy duty short bed truck (not an F-150) - $21,500
-wireless remote control jacks
-aluminum frame
-2, 12 volt batteries
-45 gallons water
-41 gallon grey water
-25 gallon black water
-14 gallon LPG
-6 cu ft 3 way refrigerator
-3 burner range
-oven
-microwave
-custom counter tops, back splash extension and table
-front cabover window
-thermal pain storm windows
-11k BTU air conditioner
-2500 watt LP Onan generator with extra muffler
-70” dinette slide out
-full queen bed over cab
-wet bath
-8’ driver side awning
-rear awning
-solar ready
-tv mount
-Fantastic Fan
-all led lights
-diamond plate
-Advertised dry weight is 3500 pounds
-Loaded it weighs approx 4200
Additional Craigslist pics of truck: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/d/el-cajon-1997-ford-450-short-bed-dually/7414200155.html
Additional Craigslist pics of camper: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/rvs/d/el-cajon-arctic-fox-811s-and-ford-450/7414651688.html
Truck and Camper combination would make a perfect Overlander if you don’t mind the weight
I purchased this truck stock with 103k miles in 2004 from the second owner. It has always been in southern California and was used by the first owner for mostly commuting from San Diego to El Centro. I began hauling a 2011 Arctic Fox 811s cabover camper (4100 lbs) and towing an enclosed trailer with a 4 foot extension and quickly realized that airbags were not going to handle the weight. Preferring to stick with a 7.3 and not wanting a new truck I began making modifications that ultimately ended up with this Frankenstein of a pickup truck.
Like most projects, when it’s finally almost done, priorities change and I bought a motorhome.
Engine: 7.3 Powerstoke:
-original stock fuel system (with new lift pump, fuel lines, fuel bowl seals)
-original injectors, glow plugs
-rebuilt stock turbo with .84 exhaust housing, gutted back pressure valve
-Banks intercooler
-AFE 4” aluminized free flow exhaust from turbo back
-DP Tuner with 6 tunes (0-no start, 1-stock, 2-60hp economy, 3-100hp performance, 4-80hp tow, 5-60hp tow, 6-20hp tow)
-S&B intake system with Mishimoto catch can
-Cactus aluminum radiator
-newer water pump, fan clutch, idler pulleys, vacuum pump
-I’ve used Shell Rotella 15w40 full synthetic oil since 150k miles, change every 5K miles
Transmission: E4OD
-rebuilt by Advanced Automatic in Santee, Ca.
-billet torque converter
-John Woods valve body
-external screw-on oil filter
-26,000 gvwr cooler
Isspro pillar gauges for boost, EGT and transmission temp match dash colors
Fuel tanks:
-Rear 38 gallon
-Front 17 gallon
Steering:
-Howe power steering box, pump, reservoir (with screw on filter), assist ram, cooler with Meyer Engineering chromoly steering linkages and 1 ton ball joints
Front Axle:
-1997 Ford Dana 60
-4.88’s, Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited slip
-Warn manual locking hubs
-Motorsport Tech aluminum adapters to 10x225mm bolt pattern to match rear
Rear Axle:
-2006 F-450 (pickup truck version) Dana S110L with 10x225mm bolt pattern
-4.88’s and Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited slip
-15” disc brakes with integrated drum parking brake
Suspension:
-Deaver custom leaf springs front and rear with Bilstein 5100 series shocks
-Deaver overload springs in rear
Frame:
-Custom 1/4” steel plate with 90 degree bend to support any type of 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch, all suspension rivets replaced with grade 8 bolts. Frame plate extends from under cab to rear bumper. Additional reinforcement at front of rear leaf spring perch attachment point
-Torklift 20K double hitch
-Torklift camper camper tie downs
-Torklift 4’ hitch extension
Short Bed:
-replaced with custom 1/8” sheet metal and 1/8” custom supports (originals were collapsing under weight of camper)
-Wallis Dually fenders
-1/4” cap on front bulkhead of bed behind cab
-needs to be painted but holding off because the buyer may have other plans for the bed
Wheels:
-Stazworks custom matching 20x9.5” dually steel wheels (7) each rated for 5000 pounds with 295/60R20 all terrain tires allowing you to air down when not hauling a load or going in sand
Extras (not installed):
-front hitch
-Dodge mirrors (future project)
-new headlights
-original catalytic converter
-Stockton camper shell with integrated lumber rack
2011 Arctic Fox 811s Silver Fox edition: for a heavy duty short bed truck (not an F-150) - $21,500
-wireless remote control jacks
-aluminum frame
-2, 12 volt batteries
-45 gallons water
-41 gallon grey water
-25 gallon black water
-14 gallon LPG
-6 cu ft 3 way refrigerator
-3 burner range
-oven
-microwave
-custom counter tops, back splash extension and table
-front cabover window
-thermal pain storm windows
-11k BTU air conditioner
-2500 watt LP Onan generator with extra muffler
-70” dinette slide out
-full queen bed over cab
-wet bath
-8’ driver side awning
-rear awning
-solar ready
-tv mount
-Fantastic Fan
-all led lights
-diamond plate
-Advertised dry weight is 3500 pounds
-Loaded it weighs approx 4200
