F150 trucks

[kozmobrown]

I have seen a lot of F150 projects here lately and have followed with interest looking for ideas. Thought I would contribute mine too. Only had it a few months but have enjoyed getting out with it. It is a 2002 F150 with a Fabtech 6'' lift in the front. Skyjacker 5'' springs in the rear. Next step will be to add a roof rack. Primarily a camping, exploring rig. Wanted a solid front axle, but it seems too expensive and I am not sure I really need it. If anyone has done a SAS on 2002 F150 I would like to hear how it went.

 

[Blackline13]

awesome man! i have an 09 i was looking to do a prerunner look with, i like the look of your truck! keep up the good work

www.fiberwerx.com good stuff

 

[Ala5ka]

Hey another F-Series, way to go buddy. I wanted to go the solid axle setup too but I figured it would be too expensive and I would rather buy a dedicated trail rig.

 

[Robert B]

Great looking truck. Welcome to this site. I've found that there's much more useful information here than "what is the cheapest 12" lift I can put on my 2 wheel drive 6 cyl truck" variety found on the F150 sites.

 

[marshal]

Nice f150! Welcome to the club!

 

[Ala5ka]

Welcome to this site. I've found that there's much more useful information here than "what is the cheapest 12" lift I can put on my 2 wheel drive 6 cyl truck" variety found on the F150 sites.

Hahaha exactly, I'm literally laughing. Nail on the head. Guys here are never going to criticize you either, very friendly and will give you the info you need. The only thing F150 sites are good for is how to articles. The F-150's are kind of an odd Expo rig though because of the long wheel base and how heavy they are compared to their size (can't tow alot or carry a ton) but I think they are an underutilized resource. If you want to do something radical a F150 truggy would be sweet, chop the frame and driveline and make the thing a whole lot shorter, then fix the front suspension but don't lift a ton and it would be a radically capable rig, that's just my dream that will never come to fruition because mine is my DD. Best of luck and happy trails.

 

[kozmobrown]

Thanks for the welcome. I agree, the F150 forum is lame. Here are a couple of shots of the roof rack build. Got the pieces cut for the main part of the frame and did a dry fit layout. Probably will use perforated steel or extended steel as a decking. Hope to do the welding in the next few weeks. I may have some questions as he project progresses. I intend to add at least a couple of lights to the rack too.

 

[brianjwilson]

Great looking truck. Welcome to this site. I've found that there's much more useful information here than "what is the cheapest 12" lift I can put on my 2 wheel drive 6 cyl truck" variety found on the F150 sites.

Most of the F150 sites are horrible, I agree. A bunch of 15 year old boys whose mommies bought them a brand new truck, and they want 16" of lift with 42s. Usually some awful combination of body lift, rize 12" drop bracket lift, and coil spacers all together.

But there are a FEW knowledgeable guys and a couple of good how-to write ups.

 

[Robert B]

I agree with your comments about the suitability of the F150, as expedition vehicles, particularly, the very heavy later model trucks. The trucks are quite wide, which coupled with the long wheel base, make it challenge on many trails. I only recently decided to start building my F150 after losing the pitch to get my wife to give up her 100 Series Land Cruiser as her daily driver. That said, based on what I've learned from this site and seeing what folks have done with F150's, F250/350's, Power Wagons and Suburbans, I am excited about what can be done with my truck. While it won't get me through the Rubicon trail, it will get me out to hunting and fishing spots, along with hauling Boy Scouts and their gear for camping trips.



(BTW - pics of the new tires and Kings should go up tonight.)

 

[Ozarker]

I made several posts before about having several "off-road" vehicles and was told that my '99 F-150, 4x4x, trailer package and 71k miles was a good one to keep for taking off on my adventures, so now my question, is, what should be done to make it suitable for the mild, not wild, ventures. I'm not doing the rubicon, no baja, but streams, sand bars, woods, you know, the mild stuff, getting off the main roads or trails. I don't see the need to scale a cliff, if it gets too rough, I'll get the Transalp out. Now, I'm hearing they are not a great platform, without alot of modifications, what do these Fords need? What makes it an expedition vehicle vs a pickup truck?

 

[jonzer12]

If the truck will fit down the trails you plan to explore than its a perfectly suitable platform. I used to have a 2001 F-150 supercrew, I did years of hunting and backcountry driving with it. All I did was add a few skid plates, lock the rear and put some good rubber on it. I have a Jeep for pure wheeling but for camping/fishing/hunting it was more than capable enough so long as it could actually fit down the trails.

I sold it a couple years ago to finiance the wife's car but I have done a few multi-day trips in the Jeep and really missed the truck. A good rack over the truck bed gives you so much versatility and the high gross weight ratings of the Ford meant it barely struggled when it was all loaded up.

 

[Ala5ka]

In a perfect world the only thing I would do is armor the undercarriage, lock the rear, rock sliders, add bumpers and expo gear. For a basic camping and exploration the F150 is great. I would add the same stuff that any expo rig has and your camping stuff and your set. The only complaint I really have is the kind of weak IFS and the gas mileage. I bet that the IFS problem could be remedied by simply owing a different year because mine has the torsion bar IFS (bleck). I think it is a great platform for extended camping and moderate trails.

 

[txflyyaker]

Ozarker
Good questions. I too have questions. I have an 04 F150 4x4 with the automatic switch on the dash for 4 wheel drive engagement (2wd/4hi/4lo). I found out yesterday that on slick roads that the 4x4 doesn't actuate right away. My question is: Does the manual transfer case engagement (lever on some models on the floor) engage the transfer case and does it lock it in 4x4 instead of a solenoid engaging 4x4? Also can the auto engagement be swapped over to the manual lever engagement? What are the pros and cons to doing this and also can I even do this swap?

 

[DuvaFX4]

Ozarker
Good questions. I too have questions. I have an 04 F150 4x4 with the automatic switch on the dash for 4 wheel drive engagement (2wd/4hi/4lo). I found out yesterday that on slick roads that the 4x4 doesn't actuate right away. My question is: Does the manual transfer case engagement (lever on some models on the floor) engage the transfer case and does it lock it in 4x4 instead of a solenoid engaging 4x4? Also can the auto engagement be swapped over to the manual lever engagement? What are the pros and cons to doing this and also can I even do this swap?

When you asked if the 4x4 doesn't engage right away do mean the truck didnt switch to 4x4 by it self or you mean you selected 4hi or 4lo and it took a second to engage? The truck will not do it automatically. When you select 4hi or 4lo it will take a second for the solenoid to enagage. As for a manual transfer case when you shift it into 4x4 it does automatically, as if you were shifting with a manual transmission. If you want a manual shift 4x4 you will have to get a new transfer case with manual shift you can not switch it with the automatic transfer case. Somebody please correct me if i am wrong i do not want to give false information out it has been 7 months since i have seen my truck to actually go out and look at it to make sure because im currently deployed. I hope this answers your question.

 

[Ala5ka]

The manual transfer case is nice because I know that I never have to worry about electronics to engage my four by, but You have to come to a complete stop and take the truck completely out of gear before engaging and even then I've had to turn the truck off, but for some reason the 4X4 on the floor seems more reliable.