I finally got around to getting the lift on the truck as the first step in my F-250 overlanding/camping/hunt build. Between Hurricane Harvey, grad school, and medical setbacks, it's been a rough year and those delays put me back a few months, but better late than never!
I went with the BDS 4" radius arm kit with Fox 2.5 remote coil overs. The coil overs provide a superb ride and will allow me some adjustability as I continue my build and add weight to the truck with other modifications and accessories. I opted for the dual steering stabilizer with Fox 2.0 shocks to help tame the front end and steering with the added weight and stress of the 37's up front. The steering is more precise and controlled now than it was when stock.
Out back I added Sulastic Shackles to help clean up the rear end ride. If you have ever ridden in the back seat of an unloaded Superduty then you know it can be a kidney killer, the Sulastic Shackles take most of those bumps and jars out of the equation, probably the best $400 a Superduty or HD truck owner can spend on their truck, lifted or stock.
For the tires I went a different route than I normally do. I usually equip my trucks with a mud terrain since it sees a lot of this south Texas clay mud when at the ranch and farm. While they've always gotten the job done, they create a lot more noise and vibrations and tend to wear out a lot faster. Seeing how this truck will see a lot of highway miles and travel down unpaved roads more so than thick caliche mud, I decided to go with something more tame, yet still capable of getting me out of those sticky messes I might occasionally find myself in. While they are heavier than I'd like, I went with the Toyo Open Country RT in a 37x12.50R20 and I couldn't be happier. They are very quiet while traveling at 75mph in comparison to the M/T's I've run in the past and they come with a 45,000 mile mileage warranty. I have yet to put them to the test off-road, but I am sure that will change very soon.
For the wheels I wanted something different than what I see on 90% of the trucks on the street and a departure my from my usual choice, black. Nearly all aftermarket wheels on trucks these days are black in color and while I myself like the look, I feel as if it's getting a little played out and it was time for something new. I have always been a fan of bronze colored wheels since the the first time I saw a set of bronze BBS wheels on a Gen 1 WRX. I was concerned the color would contrast too much with the Caribou Brown bottom paint, but I think it's close enough to not contrast it, yet different enough to stand out in a good way. The wheels are 20x10" Raceline 934BZ Clutch model in Bronze, they have a -19mm offset and 4.75" backspace. With the King Ranch factory flares the tread just barely protrudes from underneath the wheel well/flares, helping to keep the side of the truck cleaner than a wider option.
I'll be adding remote controlled rear airbags in the coming weeks to help with towing needs and to level out heavier loads in the bed when traveling overland. I am torn between adding a hard shell camper with a roof rack or an exposed rack like a Leitner rack. I need a place to mount my RTT, but I have to decide which option will be easier to live with and whether form or function are more important in my decision. Maybe an adventure/expedition trailer? I'll be adding a bed slide system of some sort (gotta decide one which make/model) soon as well to mount my storage drawers/fridge/kitchen/etc., along with an aftermarket front bumper with 12K Warn Zeon winch and Baja Designs LED lights.
I plan to keep this thread updated as the build continues.
Stock, prior to lift
Post lift install
I went with the BDS 4" radius arm kit with Fox 2.5 remote coil overs. The coil overs provide a superb ride and will allow me some adjustability as I continue my build and add weight to the truck with other modifications and accessories. I opted for the dual steering stabilizer with Fox 2.0 shocks to help tame the front end and steering with the added weight and stress of the 37's up front. The steering is more precise and controlled now than it was when stock.
Out back I added Sulastic Shackles to help clean up the rear end ride. If you have ever ridden in the back seat of an unloaded Superduty then you know it can be a kidney killer, the Sulastic Shackles take most of those bumps and jars out of the equation, probably the best $400 a Superduty or HD truck owner can spend on their truck, lifted or stock.
For the tires I went a different route than I normally do. I usually equip my trucks with a mud terrain since it sees a lot of this south Texas clay mud when at the ranch and farm. While they've always gotten the job done, they create a lot more noise and vibrations and tend to wear out a lot faster. Seeing how this truck will see a lot of highway miles and travel down unpaved roads more so than thick caliche mud, I decided to go with something more tame, yet still capable of getting me out of those sticky messes I might occasionally find myself in. While they are heavier than I'd like, I went with the Toyo Open Country RT in a 37x12.50R20 and I couldn't be happier. They are very quiet while traveling at 75mph in comparison to the M/T's I've run in the past and they come with a 45,000 mile mileage warranty. I have yet to put them to the test off-road, but I am sure that will change very soon.
For the wheels I wanted something different than what I see on 90% of the trucks on the street and a departure my from my usual choice, black. Nearly all aftermarket wheels on trucks these days are black in color and while I myself like the look, I feel as if it's getting a little played out and it was time for something new. I have always been a fan of bronze colored wheels since the the first time I saw a set of bronze BBS wheels on a Gen 1 WRX. I was concerned the color would contrast too much with the Caribou Brown bottom paint, but I think it's close enough to not contrast it, yet different enough to stand out in a good way. The wheels are 20x10" Raceline 934BZ Clutch model in Bronze, they have a -19mm offset and 4.75" backspace. With the King Ranch factory flares the tread just barely protrudes from underneath the wheel well/flares, helping to keep the side of the truck cleaner than a wider option.
I'll be adding remote controlled rear airbags in the coming weeks to help with towing needs and to level out heavier loads in the bed when traveling overland. I am torn between adding a hard shell camper with a roof rack or an exposed rack like a Leitner rack. I need a place to mount my RTT, but I have to decide which option will be easier to live with and whether form or function are more important in my decision. Maybe an adventure/expedition trailer? I'll be adding a bed slide system of some sort (gotta decide one which make/model) soon as well to mount my storage drawers/fridge/kitchen/etc., along with an aftermarket front bumper with 12K Warn Zeon winch and Baja Designs LED lights.
I plan to keep this thread updated as the build continues.
Stock, prior to lift
Post lift install
