Full size truck questions

[saltamontes]

the icon 2.5 instructions call for seating the alignment cams after the coils/shocks are in.

since the cams are a tight fit and typ. need to be seated completely w/ a mallet, do this while you still have easy access w/ the mallet (before the coils go in).

otherwise the install in very simple (assuming you have some very tall jack stands)

 

[SFROMAN]

I am in the military so I can use the Auto skills center which has big car lifts. I installed the lift on my old truck there.
Thanks for the advise on the install. It will be a while before I install it since I will be parking the truck for another go round "over there".

 

[strider3700]

I'm wondering if you've decided on the lockers and or compressor yet?

On my 350 CC longbox I keep my wrangler silent armors at 70 lbs most of the time since I usually have big loads in the back. A few times on slippery hills they took some careful throttle control to keep the spinning reasonable. Airing down or lockers/LSD would have gone a long way but I've got neither at the moment.

I also second the backup lights recommendation. A few times I've hit the end of a trail and my choices were trash the corners trying to turn around or backup a couple of km... the stock lighting is bad enough I seriously considered trashing the body was the better choice..

 

[SFROMAN]

Eventually I am going to add some work lights on the top of the camper. I have to figure out what to do about a rack or platform on top of the camper. I will have to figure out that first so I can mount the lights and an awning that I am currently creating that will surround the whole camper. basicly like a parachute if that makes sense.
I will be adding some lights down low by the bumper as well so it will make it easier to connect the car hauler.
Currently I am still working on insulating the camper. I should have some pics up tommorrow night.
Also I will be working on a shower system in the very near future.
As far as lockers I will with out a doubt go with ARB air lockers as well as an on board air system with tank and dual compressor. I havent been in a situation where I needed lockers yet so they are at the bottom of the list but With beach season coming up I am going to need on board air sooner than later.

 

[Wyowanderer]

F250

Hi im fairly new to the site.
I want to build up my F250 cc to do a little exploring.
My plan is to build up the truck while testing it out on local weekend camping trips for the next 2 years until my youngest turns 2. By then I plan to drive out west and visit places that I keep reading about on this site.

My question is how far can you push these big trucks? By that I mean, I know that the truck is not as nimble as a jeep so it wont go where a small jeep can go. At the same time I would not be able to carry 3 kids and my wife with all their gear comfortably in a jeep either. So there is the dilema.
I already own a full size and love the truck. By building a fulsize ould it hinder the places that I can go because of its size.

I plan to lift the truck 4.5 inches and run 35 inch tires. I realy dont wan to tear the truck up either since it is a new truck. If It was just me I would build up a toyota tacoma and be done with it (proven recipe). Unfortanetly that would not work for me.

So What cons do you guys that drive full size trucks face? Comments, suggestions, positive or negative feedback, advise is more than welcome.

Thanks
DEL

By the way here is a pic of my truck.

You'll do just fine, so long as you exercise common sense and don't try to do everything a jeep can do. I've been using an 84 F150 for years, had it in places that people can't believe it was in, only had a couple small problems.
The lift might give you fits with a slide in, but as long as you're wise you won't tip it over. Main thing is to have fun; just be aware of the truck's limitations.

 

[SFROMAN]

Time for some mods again. Can anybody recommend an on board air system? I want to be able to air up my tires in a few minutes. currently it takes me about 20 to 30 minutes with a cheap pep-boys compressor.

What do you guys think about those tanks? I hear you can even run power tools with those. I like those due to them being able to be transfered from my f250 to my FJ40.

So what are your suggestions?

Thanks
DEL

 

[Kilroy]

Time for some mods again. Can anybody recommend an on board air system? I want to be able to air up my tires in a few minutes. currently it takes me about 20 to 30 minutes with a cheap pep-boys compressor.

What do you guys think about those tanks? I hear you can even run power tools with those. I like those due to them being able to be transfered from my f250 to my FJ40.

So what are your suggestions?

Thanks
DEL

Tanks are a quick and easy solution. I can air up tires pretty fast, until they are out of air, which you don't know until they are out of air:drool: OK if you have 2 tanks. If you go to have a partially filled tank filled, where I go charges for a whole fill.

Or you go to your favorite welding place to have the tank filled and find they are out of business. A friend did put me on to an alternative filling place(he needs CO2 for his in house tapper), and that is where they fill fire extinguishers.

I will be looking into a high powered portable compressor, such as a Viar (sp?) I probably won't mount it on truck as I want to use it on multiple vehicles.

 

[ccarley]

I'll be the first to admit that having a full size rig is tight on the trails. My Suburban is tall, long and wide. The trails we have been on are mostly one-lane wide, but with 2 way traffic. I don't feel too bad putting a few extra stripes on this rig though

If you do research on where you want to go, you should be able to find out if your rig can fit, and how twisty & bad the trail really is. Turning around is not always an option... and I would not go anywhere where I would need to. The places I have been to, though, have had areas for you to pull over & let traffic by if need be.

As has been mentioned, recovery gear is key. I still need more myself, but I picked up a 60" Farm Jack from Harbor Freight, and some tow straps. So far so good, but I felt bad about not being able to help some people last weekend out of a hole they had dug themselves into on the beach.

I've got a set of KC fog lights on the front, which really help out; they light up side to side a lot so you can see the edges of the trail or road. On the back, I'm wiring up a set of driving lights, wired to the backup lights, so you can see if you are going to drive off the edge...

Good luck, the FJ looks like a fun rig too!

Clay

 

[addicted56]

How are the builds comming along now that you are getting ready to move? After getting shot you should have plenty of off time to get real work done

Time to ditch that stang and get some stuff done on the F-Series. Trust me, after living here for a year you are going to want to escape. I can't believe people choose to live here on their own accord.

If you need a place to stay when shuffling the garage around we are only a couple hours up the road from your end location.

Give me a ring sometime and update the thread.

 

[Ozarker]

I'm known as Wavewacker on some boating/yachting sites and this has so much in common with yachting. You really need to select the right boat for the water you plan to travel. I see this being just as true when discussing land yachts or any terra traveler. So, as mentioned above and to the OP, if I were taking off for just a two hour trip and could take my F-150 or ride in a Wrangler, the Ford wins hands down. If I really want to charge up a rocky hill I'll pull the Wrangler. Each has its own purpose.

You have a great looking truck, I wouldn't think of trying to do much beyond fire roads, fields or hard beaches. My 99 F-150 extended cab is in very nice shape and intend on keeping it like that, I'll throw by bike in the back or pull my old Radier for anything rougher.

I'm new at this really and having on board air seems to be for re-inflating tires after deflating them for tougher trails. My truck won't go there, so don't see the need, maybe a portable tank (that I have) or a couple cans of fix-a-flat...LOL Now, maybe in the old Raider might do that. I have decided to use my truck for what it was intended to be used for because I have options.

I see it's easy to drop ten grand in my truck to make it do something it can't do now and it would not end up doing it better than a five grand in an older smaller go anywhere something or another.