Buildup truck vs camping setup
- Thread starter mtlangst
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Mainly washed out FS trails and mud holes on those trails is where i get into problems. My front license plate was just under the winch and it got ripped off somewhere last trip. Couple inches lift will hopefully help.
Yeah, I'm at 3.42. Really a 32 inch tire is pretty good. Mine aren't even that tall. Dont forget, getting a tire that is 1 inch bigger will only gain you a half inch of actual height. So spending $ on 33's (or 35's and regearing) wont get you much at this point compared to leveling off the front. The front Bilstien 5100's are about $100 each.
I dont know Fords like I know Chevy. My truck has coil overs up front. If yours does too, then pay to have these installed. Unless you are a professional mechanic working in a shop...PAY to get the fronts done. It still cost less than new tires. Believe me, taking that coil spring off the shock was so hair-raising, I was bending the spring compressor. I finally brought it to a shop, and even they had to be careful. So plan on spending a few bucks at least to have the shock mounted inside the spring.
I dont know Fords like I know Chevy. My truck has coil overs up front. If yours does too, then pay to have these installed. Unless you are a professional mechanic working in a shop...PAY to get the fronts done. It still cost less than new tires. Believe me, taking that coil spring off the shock was so hair-raising, I was bending the spring compressor. I finally brought it to a shop, and even they had to be careful. So plan on spending a few bucks at least to have the shock mounted inside the spring.
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Very nice truck. Why dont you go to a 4 wheel drive mod shop (if you have one) and just talk to them and get some local advise. They dont charge to talk.
Nice truck. Do you tow? Does your nose stick up when towing? I tow a 6,000lbish boat all through the summer. Thinking i should raise rear 1” also for towing.
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Thank you. I like it. I dont tow, but we have been thinking of getting a travel trailer. I have had the bed full of cinder blocks, however, and that was enough to cause some rear end sag. If you simply level the front, it will be level. Putting much weight in the back or towing will lower the rear a bit. So if you tow, yeah, you might want to consider replacing the rear blocks with something a little taller.
@Lanlubber just mentioned air bags for towing. Someone else mentioned to me helper springs that will keep the truck as level when loaded or towing just the same as when empty. I have no direct experience with either option.
That truck looks great! When you said 20's, I was expecting something else :)
Trading someone else for smaller rims would give you a lot more traction when you air down.
A leveling kit for the front but I would run it, maybe get a skid for the front to protect any low hanging valuables and get some camp gear instead.
Personally, I think that's a great truck and would run it until I wore out the 20's and see where I'm at.
Time to do more research and think about what you need.
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Well, most of my driving will be highway, back and forth to work. The tours of little roads, dirt roads, camp trails and going camping, hiking and to the mountains can only be weekends and vacations. I'd like to do as much as I can.
Last few times we were out was first week of November up to Mt. Osceola in New Hampshire, and then a couple weeks later to a local reserve for a more routine walk in the woods. The winter will undoubtedly slow us down a lot. I just have to resolve that all my time off from spring to fall is going to be camp/ hike related, and find the fire service roads and logging trails that will get me there.
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You hit the nail on the head about things getting expensive, I've got somewhere between 7k and 14k into my tuck just to fix what I felt the shortcomings from the factory are. Thats skids, lifts( i went through a few brands before I found what I liked), tires ( went through a few brands and different sizes), wheel spacers, rock sliders, hidden winch bumper, winch, synthetic winch cable, snatch blocks etc, tune to turn my diesel up, pedal commander to fix the dead pedal on drive by wire systems, snorkel, fender flares, led lighting. And all that don't even include the stuff for camping. And I still have to get a rear bumper thats another 1k or so.
For me it's less than that. Diamond deck tool box, front level and rear shocks (Bilstein 5100's all around), used Leer camper shell, used Trac Rac roof rack, some lighting (which I've yet to install!) And I just picked up the Chevy/GMC 7 spoke steel wheels on which, in the not too distant future I want to mount whatever 33 inch tires I decide. I already have the coolers, camping gear, tools, FRS/GMRS handhelds and CB
We have had a popup camper the last two years so actually i can camp with a current ground tent with no further expense on that front. I have all the camp stuff i need already. But i can see how this all adds up quickly. Ive done a hidden winch. And i need new shocks anyway so that is covered. The rtt route could get pricy, but after 8 years when i get a new vehicle the tent and the winch can move over to it.
