2017 F150 Overland Build

[mjherron]

The beginning of my 2017 F150 build. We went on a trip this past week to Colorado. Main places we went were the Great Sand Dunes, Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak with some driving through Pike National Forest. My truck is currently in land cruiser mode but will start moding the truck for overlanding.



Picture was taken after coming down Pikes Peak after a June snowstorm. It’s was pretty cool after I peeled my hands off the steering wheel. First time up and it was windy and snowing pretty hard.

Stock truck for now with a tonneau cover. Future mods coming as $$$$ permits are........

Shock upgrade
Tire upgrade
KB Voodoo bed rack

After these, gear, gear, and some other gear. Been a member for a few years, but finally went somewhere that I could take a picture of being somewhere besides our driveway.

Will update as things are added. Enjoy. Connect, Outfit, and Explore because Adventure is Necessary!!

Thank you to all for ideas and inspirations!!

 

[Raul B]

The beginning of my 2017 F150 build. We went on a trip this past week to Colorado. Main places we went were the Great Sand Dunes, Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak with some driving through Pikes Peak National Forest. My truck is currently in land cruiser mode but will start moding the truck for overlanding.

View attachment 101811

Picture was taken after coming down Pikes Peak after a June snowstorm. It’s was pretty cool after I peeled my hands off the steering wheel. First time up and it was windy and snowing pretty hard.

Stock truck for now with a tonneau cover. Future mods coming as $$$$ permits are........

Shock upgrade
Tire upgrade
KB Voodoo bed rack

After these, gear, gear, and some other gear. Been a member for a few years, but finally went somewhere that I could take a picture of being somewhere besides our driveway.

Will update as things are added. Enjoy. Connect, Outfit, and Explore because Adventure is Necessary!!

Thank you to all for ideas and inspirations!!

Welcome. Glad to see that the f150 platform is more regularly used now.

 

[mjherron]

Thanks Raul B! How is your rear bumper coming along by the way?

It is good to see all of the F150’s here at Overland Bound!

 

[Raul B]

Thanks Raul B! How is your rear bumper coming along by the way?

It is good to see all of the F150’s here at Overland Bound!

Rear bumper is done.

 

[mjherron]

Looks really good. Thanks for sharing.

 

[JCWages]

Glad you got out and explored! Where to next and was there a specific situation where you felt a specfic mod or item would have been helpful?

 

[mjherron]

JCWages, thanks for the reply. As to what’s next, probably some local stuff but future plans are back to the Badlands area and Overland West Expo 2020. As of right now I can’t think of anything that was needed. Didn’t hit anything really technical or that the truck couldn’t handle as is. I am going to take off the front air dam. The forest road we took to Pike National Forest wasn’t that bad either. So when it level the truck and add tires they will be primarily enough to get us further out but not over the top as this is also my daily driver.

 

[JCWages]

JCWages, thanks for the reply. As to what’s next, probably some local stuff but future plans are back to the Badlands area and Overland West Expo 2020. As of right now I can’t think of anything that was needed. Didn’t hit anything really technical or that the truck couldn’t handle as is. I am going to take off the front air dam. The forest road we took to Pike National Forest wasn’t that bad either. So when it level the truck and add tires they will be primarily enough to get us further out but not over the top as this is also my daily driver.

Sounds like a good plan. :) Skid plates and rock sliders are good mods for trucks given the long wheelbase. A basic setup like that will get you safely to a lot of places. You don't need a ton of fancy gear.

 

[mjherron]

Sounds like a good plan. :) Skid plates and rock sliders are good mods for trucks given the long wheelbase. A basic setup like that will get you safely to a lot of places. You don't need a ton of fancy gear.

JCWages, totally agree with fancy gear not needed. Until I do something to the factory skid plates the only one I may add is a front skid plate. I have been looking at sliders. I currently have the factory powered running boards and am hoping to incorporate the two but I haven’t been able to find anything. I have seen sliders with power steps in them but I don’t want to get rid of something I already have to just buy it again.

Gear wise I’m looking at recovery gear, Garmin inReach, and some camping gear.

 

[JCWages]

Definite thumbs up on recovery and safety related gear. :)

We had trouble getting a catering trailer down to a meadow on one of my preserves yesterday and to keep from damaging the trailer I pulled my traction boards off my rack and used them to bridge 2 rocks and reduce the drop off height. You never know when gear like that will come in handy. lol

 

[Bilbo]

Sounds like a good plan. :) Skid plates and rock sliders are good mods for trucks given the long wheelbase. A basic setup like that will get you safely to a lot of places. You don't need a ton of fancy gear.

Any recommendations on skid plates? Steel versus aluminum... brand... Buying for a 2016 Tundra

 

[mjherron]

Bilbo, there are quite a few manufacturers out there especially for the Toyota Tundra.

Steel will cost less, weigh more, and take a beating.
Aluminum will cost more, weigh less, take a beating, but not as well as steel.

So it kind of depends on your needs I would guess.

 

[JCWages]

Any recommendations on skid plates? Steel versus aluminum... brand... Buying for a 2016 Tundra

I've seen a lot of Tundras running RCI and Budbuilt skids but I don't have experience with either brand. The steel skids are nice and thick though. I prefer steel. Aluminum is fine for daily drivers who don't plan on needing skids but want some insurance. Steel is for those you know they will be smashing into rocks occassionally.

2007-21 (2nd Gen) Tundra Skid Plates > Engine | RCI Off Road

Whether sliding over rocks or hitting a surprisingly deep pothole, many of your vehicles most expensive components are completely exposed below and underbody damage is costly. Protect your investment with a RCI Toyota Tundra Skid Plate.

rcimetalworks.com

Transmission Skid Plate | 2007-2020 Tundra | BudBuilt Off-Road and Overland

budbuilt.com

 

[Dave1014]

As far as for F150s RCI is really the only current option. They work great though and are priced well

 

[MidOH]

Not many skids out there because most of us mock them up with cardboard. Then again, with plywood. Take the whole assembly to a metal shop. Pay cash, done.

I'll be starting a '17 250 SD, oil pan to trans brace plate, this fall.

 

[mjherron]

Small update. Got some free ground clearance and increased approach angle. Got rid of the front air dam. No noticed decrease in gas mileage. Currently 22.5 mpg. Have had the following items for a while and put them on recently.

First is the BuiltRight Industries Dash Mount.

Second is the ProClip USA phone mount.

Fourth is 1” B ball mounts for my iPad mini 5 with the X-grip and mount for a Garmin InReach Explorer+.

Third everything but the Garmin.

Still need to get the Garmin and a handheld ham radio but plenty of time for that here in the near future.

 

[JSeymour123]

The beginning of my 2017 F150 build. We went on a trip this past week to Colorado. Main places we went were the Great Sand Dunes, Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak with some driving through Pike National Forest. My truck is currently in land cruiser mode but will start moding the truck for overlanding.

View attachment 101811

Picture was taken after coming down Pikes Peak after a June snowstorm. It’s was pretty cool after I peeled my hands off the steering wheel. First time up and it was windy and snowing pretty hard.

Stock truck for now with a tonneau cover. Future mods coming as $$$$ permits are........

Shock upgrade
Tire upgrade
KB Voodoo bed rack

After these, gear, gear, and some other gear. Been a member for a few years, but finally went somewhere that I could take a picture of being somewhere besides our driveway.

Will update as things are added. Enjoy. Connect, Outfit, and Explore because Adventure is Necessary!!

Thank you to all for ideas and inspirations!!

I have a 2016 Platinum. Curious to know if you were thinking about any exterior mods (bumpers, grill, etc.). I have a leveling kit on mine, thinking about other upgrades.

 

[mjherron]

I have a 2016 Platinum. Curious to know if you were thinking about any exterior mods (bumpers, grill, etc.). I have a leveling kit on mine, thinking about other upgrades.

Long list small wallet, JSeymour123. Will concentrate on the level and tires when the ones I have give out. Probably after the winter or before depending upon how good or bad our winter might be. What type of level you running? What other mods do you have planned for your rig? Curious as we could learn from each other.

 

[JSeymour123]

Long list small wallet, JSeymour123. Will concentrate on the level and tires when the ones I have give out. Probably after the winter or before depending upon how good or bad our winter might be. What type of level you running? What other mods do you have planned for your rig? Curious as we could learn from each other.

I’m considering a “roof tent” (mounted over the bed) or longer term maybe doing a truck camper. Haven’t found a lot of good options that meet the weight requirements of an F-150 (and they are so expensive). Other than that thinking about a little bit of lighting, maybe some bumpers and an off-road GPS. Like you said, trying to stage all of it and stretch the dollar!

 

[mjherron]

I’m considering a “roof tent” (mounted over the bed) or longer term maybe doing a truck camper. Haven’t found a lot of good options that meet the weight requirements of an F-150 (and they are so expensive). Other than that thinking about a little bit of lighting, maybe some bumpers and an off-road GPS. Like you said, trying to stage all of it and stretch the dollar!

Have you checked out Brad-F150’s setup? KBVoodoo bed rack with an iKamper tent. Thought about bumpers to, but with the tech package there a lot of moving to be done and I have the 3.5 Ecoboost. Love the engine but a lot to deal with the intercooler.