couple of truck mod questions

[SFROMAN]

I currently own an 07 H3 and F250. I want to build a vehicle that my family and I can take trips in.
The F250 is the only vehicle that we will fit in (3 kids wife and me) comfortably. I want to build a truck that will allow us to go out and explore and not be afraid of getting stuck out in the middle of nowhere.

I want to build the truck up in 2 years becuase my youngest will be 2 by then and we will be ready to startt taking more aggressive endevers in the out doors.

So what are the suggestions that you guys have that work for you and that you would do if you were in my shoes.

Thanks
DEL

 

[jcbrandon]

You'll find lots of fans of 3/4-ton trucks here. Count me in. (I've got an '07 Power Wagon.)

Depending on how you travel, where, and with whom, and how your truck is set up now, you might want to consider:

-recovery gear
-upgraded, upsized tires
-an on-board air system
-underbody and rocker panel protection
-a winch
-locking diffs
-communications gear like a SPOT and two-way radio
-extra fuel capacity (jerry cans work great, especially in a pickup)
-a basic tool kit
-a shell (or topper, depending on where you live)
-a storage system for all your camping gear

 

[BigDaveZJ]

-a basic tool kit

Gotta have some parts to use the tools to replace too! Is your F250 a 99-02 7.3? Have you had the CPS recall done? If not, you NEED to bring a CPS with you pretty much wherever you go.

 

[SFROMAN]

I have an 07 with 20k miles on it. It has the 6.0 diesel with 100k warranty. I want to lift the truck but I am afraid I will make the truck to top heavy if I do. I want the truck to be as versatile as possible so I was thinking of staying with a 4.5 lift with 35 mud terrains.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Do you need to go that high for 35's?? I've got on 01 F250 as a tow rig and run 33's on it with stock suspension. I wouldn't think you'd need 4.5" of lift for 35's, but then I haven't looked into the suspensions for Super Duty's too much as I don't take mine on trails very often, that's what the Jeeps are for.

And your warranty won't do you much good in the backcountry, so you need to make sure you can get yourself out of there somehow.

 

[SFROMAN]

Well I want to have as much clearance as possible since the truck is a crewcab. The lenght of the truck makes me think that I should lift it more to get more clearance. I dont plan on taking the truck through extreme trails or anything crazy.

I would lov eto get a jeep but they are not practical for my family. I bought the H3 and was perfect until we decided to have our third kid.

This makes the truck a perfect vehicle so I can carry the kids and wife comfortably as well as all the gear I would need to keep them happy.

 

[jcbrandon]

Your choices of modifications will all involve compromises and trade-offs. Choose carefully.
Before making a major modification like a suspension lift to a nearly new truck, you might want to spend some time out on the trails exploring the strengths and weaknesses of what you have now. Then you can decide what is the best way to invest your time and money to gain the biggest benefits.

Getting maximum clearance sounds like a great idea. But will that clearance cause premature U-joint failure? If so, that may not be the best way to achieve a get-us-home-every-time build.

Lifting a truck will improve approach, departure, and breakover angles. But it will not raise the lowest point of the truck, which is under the axles. Only larger tires will do that. What tires do you have now? What axle gears? There is a practical limit to how much you can increase tire size before you need lower axle gears.

Some time on the trails will indicate where your truck would benefit from improvements.

 

[SFROMAN]

Here is a pic of the truck out in the desert near my house when I lived in New Mexico. picture taken about 2.5 years ago a week after I bought the truck.


I agree 100% with high lifts leading to premature wear on suspension components, Especially if abused.

I drive the truck through some pretty rough roads to work every day and the stock tires just dont cut it. They have no traction and make the heavy truck slide all over the place.
There is a particular mud hole that I have to get through that is pretty deep and makes the truck flex pretty good to get out the other side. Something scrapes every time but I am not sure what. It might be the chrome side steps. they will be coming off shortly.
I have seen other f250s with a 4 inch lift and 35 tires and they are not that high. I think for my needs and wants that would be an ideal compromise. I plan to keep the stock gears for a while. When I get ready to put in air lockers I will go ahead and regear to 4.56 gears. I ran 4.56 gears on my old truck and loved them.

Oh and I am definitly replacing the 20 inch stock rims that came stock on the truck. The lowest rim size I can clear is 17 so that is what I will be running.

Del

 

[jim65wagon]

I'm diggin' the subtle flames on the side! I don't think a 4 inch lift and 35s for that size truck would be unreasonable. But, I'm no expert on Ford suspension either! Nice looking truck either way!