Buildup truck vs camping setup

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mtlangst

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I hope this hasnt been asked a bunch already. I currently have a f-150 4wd and started to drive forest service trails and want to start camping/overlanding. I am in the midwest so forest trails here are tight and ive been dragging my bottom alot and had to use my winch once to get out. I currently have ko2 tires but they are on 20” rims. Should i start with the truck lift kit, bigger tires, new gears etc or get a rack and rtt and then build the truck up better. I do have a cheap ground tent so we could go now like that. We currently do camp in a popup camper but want to get out more remote also.
 

ThundahBeagle

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Like CLRussell says, you do have to find what works for you.

Having said that, identify the problems as a first step:

Bottoming out? You may want a little height. Level the front?
You didnt say what year your F-150 is. But most of the time a 20 inch and above rim is going to be more show and a little less go offroad, only because you now have less room in the total wheel well space (unless you trim . You didnt say) for actual rubber, and often the tires that go on a 20 or 22 inch rim will be lower profile. That's less comfortable off road, and not as much tire side wall, so airing down will leave you with even less sidewall. You didnt mention overall diameter of your tires, so it's hard to know if you need bigger ones
 

mtlangst

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Pretty much. Ive been twice so far on trips once to Shawnne NF and Ouchita NF and both times ive been pulling sticks out from under the engine and dragging etc... i think i am pushing my luck.
 

mtlangst

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It is a 20” show rim but its what i have for now. I do bottom out. My tire size currently is P275/55R20. They are bfg ko2 and i believe they are 31.9” size. It is a 2011 screw cab with 5.5ft bed.
 

ThundahBeagle

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Sounds like a good truck! The best tool or vehicle is the one you have with you. That tire is just shy of 32 inches. Not bad. I myself an in the 31 5 or 31.7 range. And I would like to go a little bigger. I intend on getting some 33's soon. With the almost 2 inch front level I put in, that should be fine enough for what I want to do.

Are there any skid plates under your truck? Things can get expensive, so identify you biggest problem in your eyes, during any trail you run, and then solve that.
 

mtlangst

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I dont want to go too high either. A couple trails i have been on have had trees leaning over them and you wouldnt get under them if you were too high.
 

mtlangst

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I kinda buggered up one rim already, not bad though. I just bought the ko2 tires, but that is an option. Wouldnt hurt to try though. Thanks for the idea.
 

MarioT'sCJResto

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Sounds like a good truck! The best tool or vehicle is the one you have with you. That tire is just shy of 32 inches. Not bad. I myself an in the 31 5 or 31.7 range. And I would like to go a little bigger. I intend on getting some 33's soon. With the almost 2 inch front level I put in, that should be fine enough for what I want to do.

Are there any skid plates under your truck? Things can get expensive, so identify you biggest problem in your eyes, during any trail you run, and then solve that.
I have a Ram 1500 that for months I have been planing out my build. Initially I had my eye's set on AEV's 4inch lift but due to COVID, by the time I put some cash aside for their sale it was out of stock. So I just went with a Pro Comp 2.5 lift, I run Pro Comp 275/60/20's and I love them. The point I'm trying to make is that a Leveling Kit might offer what you need right now as a temporary solution until you can really shop around and select the best options for you.
Gear - I have 3 large dogs so the RTT isn't an option - I went with White Ducks Canvas Bell Tents and Tent Stove, and shifted my attention to my Recovery Points as Priority.
I will wait for Spring to install my mods.
Here's a pick of my leveling kit installed
 

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mtlangst

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I bottom out on the backside also. Have big clumps off mud all impacted all over rear diff and hitch From dragging them through mud. Don't know if a level would help in the rear.
 

Billiebob

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20s with low profile tires cost a fortune. List the for sale, visit a few local tire shops, you might get a good trade deal.

What gears are in your truck?
What options does it have?
It sounds like a street rod.
 

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33s with a small lift is where I'd start, unless it has some options better suited to highway running than off roading. Ford makes both if yours is the highway version, trade it.
 

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I dont want to go too high either. A couple trails i have been on have had trees leaning over them and you wouldnt get under them if you were too high.
Add guide wires to lift the branches (A wire cable attached too each side of your front fenders at the top leading edge) to the highest point on your rig) if the branches are too big to be lifted with the wires use your chain saw and trim them nicely. The only thing that will raise your Diff is tire height, a lift will not do that, it will lift your body only.
 

ThundahBeagle

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An inch taller tire gives you half an inch more of height. If your nose end sits a little low, as many trucks from the factory do, then a front level will bring the front up about 2 inches. Two and a half extra inches up front is always a better option.

If you take a look at something like the Chevy Silverado Custom Trail Boss, it may not be the end all/ be all, but it's more than capable on the trail. All it really has is a 2 inch lift, 33 inch all terrain tires (duratracs) on 18 inch rims and mild offroad shocks found on the z71.

So I think what @Billiebob said there is on par with what I'm saying, and should get you the most bang for your buck. Since you already have 32 inch tires, though not 33, they are not bad. It's possible that if you invest just a couple hundred bucks to maybe $500 into the front level/ 2 inch lift, that might get you more bang for much less bucks, and put you in a better position. Test it out, see how it behaves then.

My tires are a very little bit smaller than yours, but are only highway tires. However, I have already added a 2 inch front level kit and removed that low hanging front air dam off my 14 GMC Sierra. So right now I'm pretty happy with the lift. I just would like 33 inch all terrain tires. That might give me an additional 3/4 of an inch more lift, while also adding much better off road traction. But I did it like Johnny Cash - One Piece At A Time
 

ThundahBeagle

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This is what my front end looks like now. Would installing bilstein5100 lifted 2” be better than just a level?
Nice truck! Good truck. I'm not sure where you are going that you are bottoming out on fire and logging trails. Maybe you are more adventurous than me.

I have the Bilstein 5100's at the top setting and I like it. Only the fronts have that adjustment, so if you get Bilstein 5100's at all 4 wheels, only the fronts adjust, so that IS a "level" as opposed to an all around lift, which lifts the rear up a little as well.

The Bilstein rear shocks will handle some lift as well, but only 1 additional inch. This is done by replacing the factory blocks at the rear with replacement blocks that are 1 inch taller than the factory ones. I have not done my rear but I'm thinking about it.

I'm not sure they are built for anything more than trail riding, though, so I wouldnt go rock climbing with them.

I dont have pics that really highlight the stance with my Bilsteins. Maybe I'll take some tomorrow and post