Let me see your "expedition" F250!

[fifty]

Would you go with the 5 inch BS again, or go with a higher offset? I am looking at the kmc addict 17x9 in the 5.31 BS and the raceline renegade 8 17x9 in the 5.25 BS.

I think both make a 5.75 BS as well.

And then the facotry are 17x8 with a 6 inch BS....

 

[shellb]

I wouldn't hesitate to get either of those, I actually considered the Addicts when I bought mine. Next time I get wheels I will probably go for a little more backspace, I like the tucked in look better than the pushed out look.

To be honest I was going to go with 5.50 BS if I could find them, but the only wheels I could seem to track down in that size were custom or beadlock and I didn't have the funds to play.

The main reason why I think you see so many 17x9, 0 offset is because there is a disproportional number/choices in that specific configuration.

 

[Rovertrader]

I'm running the stock 17s- had to buy some as mine came with 18s, and 37/12.50-17s with zero rub, although I did a front 2" spacer (ordered the HD snow package to compensate for the bumper/winch) and add a leaf to the rear(and Firestone air bags as I tow a good bit). And they are tucked in with no protrusion past the fender.

 

[fifty]

Cool. I think the addicts come in a +18 offset, which I think is like 5.31 or 5.7 BS.

As for the factory 17's...all I need to decide now is if I want a 8 inch rim (factory) or 9 inch rim (KMC addict)

I am going to run the toyo 37x13.5x17 MT I think. (torn between those and the 37x12.5x17 nitto trail grappler)

 

[Buliwyf]

I'd go with the 9" rim for tires that big.

I think most are going to recommend the Toyo MT for better off road capability vs the Nittos. I like the look of the Trail Grappler as well. Hopefully I'll get to see another example of those at work.

 

[shellb]

Yes, the Addicts are 5.7 BS. As you probably know, the Toyo's are very wide (measure 37x14.6). Personally I would have probalby ran the nitto's if I went with a 5.7 BS wheel as those tires are a little more narrow (36.8x13.4).

 

[76hauler]

shellb, when I saw you posting, I had to chime in!
Yes, my 37's rub the radius arms when making tight turns. I pulled my front vallance so I would'nt have to go back on the trail and pick it up. These Toyo's are my first mudders, and I really like them. They are'nt to noisy either. I got to run my truck out in Ocotillo Wells a few weeks back, and these tires performed awesome. I also got to have Sage Carli ride shotgun with me on a few trails, and he was diggin the truck! I told he better, it was his stuff on it!!
Thanks for the welcome guys. I'm planning on joining some friends for a Mojave Trail run in April, from the Colorado River to Barstow, CA. Reading through thses forums gives me great idea's about overlanding.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

My 99.5 Super Duty F250 was completely expedition worthy with minimal work. single leaf leveling kit in the front, air bags in the rear that were already in the truck, only used when it had a lot of weight in it... Basic reliability work to make sure it was 100% reliable at close to 250K miles. And just some simple 285 65 R 16 tires, aka 33"..

 

[76hauler]

http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad10/76-hayhauler/super duty/
here are a few more pic's. I hope these are helpful. You'll see some of my truck when it had the 8" Fabtech stuff on it. I bought this truck used from a local Ford dealership with the lift on it. I took it all off and sold it, then saved up and got the Carli system.
There also some pic's of me using the Ford up-fitters switches to run my Cibie fog lamps, Icom radio, and Hella amber dust lamp. I might also try and get my Lowrance Baja 480c GPS in there soon.

 

[Revco]

This is my F250. It's an '83 XLT Lariat owned by my grandfather. As a kid I loved this truck, something about it drew me in like a bug attracted to light. About 5 years ago he realized that getting in and out of the truck was harder than getting in & out of his Cadillac, so he decided to get rid of it. He was reminded by his wife that out of all 26 grandchildren, I was the only one who loved the truck. He gave me the truck and I drove it for a bit, then wound up selling it. Two years later I saw it parked with a For Sale sign, and I bought it back from the guy I sold it to for half of what he paid. He only put 7k miles on it and didn't change anything but a tire.

Anyway, I won't ever sell it again, this is all I have from my grandfather. I've had several ideas on how I should build/restore it, but I settled on one. I am going to restore the body to 100% original, down to the pinstripes, paint colors, badges, etc. The truck will be converted to 4x4 by way of either a Dana 60 front axle and leaf springs, or swapping the entire frame with a 4x4 F350 frame with the Dana 60. The 351w is due for a rebuild, but I might swap a Cummins 6BT or 460 Big Block between the rails. The plan is to run a tire between 36"-38", probably in the form of a Military issue tire. I will make custom bumpers front and rear with integrated receiver hitches and lights. An aluminum utility camper shell will mount on the bed with a rack on top for lights and extra storage. The interior will be upgraded to the '87+ Interior.

So, that's the truck. I lost out on a Dana 60 axle locally, so I'm still on the hunt for one. I'm also looking for a complete running/driving reg cab F350 4x4 so I can just swap the sheetmetal over and continue the build without all the fabrication.

Here it is for now, in all it's gutless glory...

And here's a rough MS Paint drawing I did...

 

[bftank]

^^^^ sexy!

 

[Revco]

^^^^ sexy!

Thanks! I added a camper and lights.

I do this stuff with most anything I build so I can see it laid out, rather than just thoughts floating around in my head. I know it's not Photoshop, but it's just inspiration for me. I squint my eyes a little and I can see it oh so clearly. Picking up an aluminum utility shell in the next couple of days.

 

[Rot Box]

^ I like it! :bike_rider:

 

[Buliwyf]

Unless you plan on driving that thing cross country or something, I'd put the 460 in. Dirt cheap to find and rebuild. I still service tons of equipment with NG or LPG 460's. Parts are plentiful. Frankensteining a 4x4 F350 (solid axle) chassis form a rotten truck of the same era would be the route I would go.

Any 460 would be more fun off road as well.

 

[Greggk]

here is my truck next to a bone stock twin.. same year, same cab and bed configuration and same engine and transmission

here was my truck coming cross country.

here is my truck next to the wifes eddie bauer expedition in front of our new house in Georgia