The full sized mid-size, my 2014 F150 "Fiddy"

[Grassland]

New 5100s on order. No idea when they will arrive.
Rear main seal is leaking, so great news there.

The LSD sure makes driving on hard pack with loose snow on top interesting. Couldn't make it up an incline. Truck just slowly slid sideways with both wheels spinning.
Plus you can put the truck sideways/180+ with zero effort. I notice it slipping before traction control kicks on, but it reacts faster than I do most of the time.
It's helpful in deep snow tho.

Even with stock sized blocks there is axle wrap.
Hopefully will get out in a week or two for scouting winter camp site, and ideally be able to get out at least twice for winter camping.

The Transit is paid off now and I have five furnaces in stock and paid for, so don't intend to work any harder than necessary to sell and install those. And certainly won't be working this summer like I did the last two.
Corona and continuous lock down has changed my outlook on life.

I won't ever be able to afford new Super Duties or power wagons on 37's, or even a Lariat F150 on 35s, or to travel the country(IES) for months at a time so might as well enjoy what I can while I can.

If guys can run 10th gen F150s or 85 Rangers, then I can run my 12th gen into the ground.

Cyclone power!

 

[Grassland]

The 5100s came super fast.
Very impressed with Essex distributors in BC. The price was essentially on par with buying in the US and converting currency, and they came to my door in less than two weeks during the pandemic.
My shock bolts are all seized tho. Spent an hour outside in the cold a few weeks back trying to get them out to no avail. Truck doesn't fit in garage.
Worked 13 days straight and it's about to be -30 again so the current shocks will be staying on until after winter camping. Gotta order up some tow mirror extensions for the trip to BC in may to pick up the new Escape 19 trailer, and that's pretty much the scope of work left on the Fiddy for now.
Maybe a vinyl wrap for keeping my paint from getting any worse.

Thinking the CIPA mirror extensions. Good reviews and look good.

 

[Todd780]

Maybe a vinyl wrap for keeping my paint from getting any worse.

Oh really, hey? Here's a few suggestions for you!

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

Oh really, hey? Here's a few suggestions for you!
View attachment 640447
View attachment 640448
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@Jnich77 Already started a thread for this kind of NONSENSE!

 

[Todd780]

@Jnich77 Already started a thread for this kind of NONSENSE!

Nonsense? Picking out a wrap is serious business. I submitted what I felt were the best options.


........for someone else's truck.........

 

[Grassland]

Ok so if you guys never hear from me again, I'm dead.

We said F the forecast, and went winter camping. We cut wood for hours and brought several bundles too and a couple boxes of the envirolog and similar.

Well I just checked forecast for nearest town.
It's -29 now, but will be -39 by 04:00.
This is Grassland, signing out, possibly for good.
Take care

 

[phsycle]

Send your garage code so we can at least scavenge before the authorities get there.

 

[Buddha.]

?
-20f here. LPG fireplace and two electric heaters and we’re hovering between 60 and 65 inside. We have to rescue the dogs after they go outside. Brutal.

 

[Grassland]

I continue to exist.

Fiddy started like a champ every six hours or so. Didn't get stuck enough to need to shovel. The snow was the icey crystals where the wheels want to dig.

 

[phsycle]

I’m assuming that’s a heated tent since the jug of water seems to be still......water.

 

[Grassland]

Wood stove and shifts stoking the fire.
-35 is still too frighten cold to enjoy yourself much.
-20 overnight and you can sleep better, both because it stays warmer longer and there is less noise of the stove being opened and closed.

 

[Mekcanix]

your tougher than I was, we wouldn't go out if it was below -25 at night and now well I want to be in the tropics LOL

 

[Mawgie]

Grassland,

This is an awesome thread, thanks for posting. You make a great case for a 1/2 ton truck as a camping/escape/overlanding platform. I am looking closely at ordering a specifically optioned 2021 F150 XLT (2.7 or 3.5 Ecoboost) to for daily driving; DIY house project pickup duties; and towing a 3500 pound camper for long distance camping trips.

Like you, I have looked at all of the midsized pickups, and simply do not see them as a great value; and they are much tighter in cabin space than a 1/2 ton. (Of course, if you require the more compact form factor to get where you are going, that's different.)

The F150 can be relatively inexpensively optioned from the factory with a 36 gallon fuel tank; rear locker; skid plates; offroad package; heavy duty shocks; different towing packages; and a max payload package. I don't really know why the half tons don't seem to be a more popular platform.

 

[Grassland]

@Jnich77
He knows more about the 2.7 than me but it's certainly the way I would lean in a new do it all compromise half ton. Specifically with the 2.7 payload package which is heavier axle and springs amongst other things.
I'm a fan of the base V6 for reliability but not everyone lives in the flatlands and you notice it more with larger tires and towing up a mountain.

The F150 has reasonable aftermarket as well. It's no Tacoma or Wrangler, but it's not as orphaned as a Nissan when it comes to non OEM "upgrades"

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Grassland,

This is an awesome thread, thanks for posting. You make a great case for a 1/2 ton truck as a camping/escape/overlanding platform. I am looking closely at ordering a specifically optioned 2021 F150 XLT (2.7 or 3.5 Ecoboost) to for daily driving; DIY house project pickup duties; and towing a 3500 pound camper for long distance camping trips.

Like you, I have looked at all of the midsized pickups, and simply do not see them as a great value; and they are much tighter in cabin space than a 1/2 ton. (Of course, if you require the more compact form factor to get where you are going, that's different.)

The F150 can be relatively inexpensively optioned from the factory with a 36 gallon fuel tank; rear locker; skid plates; offroad package; heavy duty shocks; different towing packages; and a max payload package. I don't really know why the half tons don't seem to be a more popular platform.

2.7 hands down. The 3.5 is nice and all...but if you're not dragging a house behind you it's just a waste of money. I can have 7,500 lbs behind my 2.7 and set the cruise at 75 and have zero issues pulling hills. Even the 6% grade from Alamo to Cloudcroft NM is not an issue When pulling a travel trailer.

You can get a payload package with the 2.7, but they are pretty rare. In all honesty, a regular 2.7 F150 will probably be fine for you, unless you plan on carrying 1,000 pounds worth of stuff in the bed while towing your camper.