Stormtrooper Build Thread
- Thread starter eyemgh
- Start date
sumnrfam
Active member
Andrew,, Sumo is still on 37’s right?, & are you still on the OEM 3:73’s?Wowza, you're getting better mileage than I with the 6.2, I got 9.2mpg from Denver to Alberqueque averaging ~70mph, and from there crisscrossing overland back to LA, mostly off-road and driving mostly under 30mph, I got 10mpg. My old Land Cruiser was half the weight and half the power, and running on 33's got pretty similar milage, so I'm not unhappy about it, but of course would love it to be closer to 30mpg!
thx, Wade
eyemgh
Well-known member
I’m 35s 4.30
Macfly
Active member
Yes, riding on 37's and the stock rear gearing with the 3:73 Electronic Locking rear axel. The automatic box is pretty good on the road using the 'Haul' engine setting, and on the dirt I'm almost always in manual, so changing gears works fine and doesn't seem to need a different final drive ratio
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Hi - just jumping in to say I enjoyed this thread. I'm the guy who bought the TFL F250 build. I'm a long-time lurker, first-time caller on this forum.
I've been mulling a Bowen bed and so ended up here. Your build looks fantastic.
On the rear suspension discussion... it is hard to get the right spring rate on the rear.
TFL sent me the truck with two sets of leaf springs the '2000 lbs' XHD version installed, and then the lighter-duty version sitting in the bed. (I believe this is because Carli used the truck to test/prototype fitment for the 2020's). The XHD's were far too stiff for me when anywhere close to my base weight. But the lighter duty springs had a bit of sag when I was fully loaded for a trip. (and looked absolutely awful when towing).
Long story short, where I've landed is that I have the lighter-duty springs installed paired with the relatively new CJC custom spec Full Travel air bags. I've got about 14K miles on the air bags, with plenty of offroad along the way. (I've put 60K miles on the truck since I bought it).
It is really, really nice to be able to dial in the rear suspension to the load. I pull the spacer block when doing the type of offroading where I need full suspension articulation. So I don't feel like I'm giving anything up - loaded, unloaded, offroad, highway, whatever.
If I were building this thing from scratch again, I think I would end up in a similar place. I'd try to get springs for a little more weight than my unloaded base weight, and then add the full travel air bags.
I've been mulling a Bowen bed and so ended up here. Your build looks fantastic.
On the rear suspension discussion... it is hard to get the right spring rate on the rear.
TFL sent me the truck with two sets of leaf springs the '2000 lbs' XHD version installed, and then the lighter-duty version sitting in the bed. (I believe this is because Carli used the truck to test/prototype fitment for the 2020's). The XHD's were far too stiff for me when anywhere close to my base weight. But the lighter duty springs had a bit of sag when I was fully loaded for a trip. (and looked absolutely awful when towing).
Long story short, where I've landed is that I have the lighter-duty springs installed paired with the relatively new CJC custom spec Full Travel air bags. I've got about 14K miles on the air bags, with plenty of offroad along the way. (I've put 60K miles on the truck since I bought it).
It is really, really nice to be able to dial in the rear suspension to the load. I pull the spacer block when doing the type of offroading where I need full suspension articulation. So I don't feel like I'm giving anything up - loaded, unloaded, offroad, highway, whatever.
If I were building this thing from scratch again, I think I would end up in a similar place. I'd try to get springs for a little more weight than my unloaded base weight, and then add the full travel air bags.
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eyemgh
Well-known member
Variable weight is a tough nut to crack. Like you, I think it’s best, but not perfectly handled with bags. They’re a little more boingy, but variable. It’s hard to do anything else.
We run at a near constant weight, so our custom Deaver pack is perfect.
eyemgh
Well-known member
Congrats on your first post! 🥳
I think the 1 ton is the way to go. We got into this when a Raven pushed our Silverado 1500 right to its GVWR.
Kingsize24
Well-known member
The OG and still the best IMO. 👌
Your truck inspired us to take the leap with Bowen and Hallmark. We couldn't be happier, and this still remains one of my favorite builds of all time.
Jason
Your truck inspired us to take the leap with Bowen and Hallmark. We couldn't be happier, and this still remains one of my favorite builds of all time.
Jason
eyemgh
Well-known member
Yours is pretty dang sweet!
Kingsize24
Well-known member
Thanks brother. I appreciate that. Our family is super excited about our next adventures with the new setup.