Hello everyone, as you can tell I am the new guy on the block...I am Skip. I am in the beginning stages of a Complete restoration of my 1996 F-250 powerstroke. I have a lot of Questions and would like to see everyones ideas of building their "dream truck" I have made a dedication to take this to the fullest extent....and still having a streetable truck on sundays.


I am starting by getting it down to the frame, figuring out what I want to do as far as suspension/Steering upgrades and blasting the frame and galvanizing it. I have read hundreds of posts and ideas but this is where I want to start....


I see a lot of people putting SD axles under their trucks....Apparently getting approx. 4" of lift (exactly what I was looking for) and a nicer ride. thoughts?? experiences?? I would also like to do a steering upgrade and going with Sky manufacturings Crossover kit? (yes I already have a dana 60 under the truck) but I am willing to lose the D60 and put super duty rears in if it is a good move.....opinions?


I am looking for any input on having the best chassis upgrades etc. Like I said I am building this truck from the ground up and do NOT want to do anything as "cheap" as possible. I simply want to build the 7.3 everyone dreams about. I will listen to any ideas!


I will Post pics once I get the cab and stuff off and start the process. this is not going to happen overnight, just a filler in when I get the time, so please be patient.


thank you all in advance

 

Welcome, Skip! You're in the right place for advice. These guys are good!

As far as advice is concerned, in my opinion there is little to be gained by going to a SD axle unless you want to convert the front end to coil springs. If you're okay with the leaf springs, then a RSK (Reverse Shackle Kit) up front is all that is needed to give you the lift you're looking for. The D60 you already have is a good unit. There is some to be gained in terms of ride comfort and turning radius by switching to SD axles but there is some to be lost as well. It depends on what you want to use the truck for.

Just curious, what made you decide to galvanize the frame instead of going with a more standard type of frame finish?

 

Looking forward to this!

 

I'll be watching as well!

 

Welcome to FTE Skip! I agree with Nate. Keep your D60 and do an RSK and SD springs.

 

going to get pocorn now ...bags have always had good comments as to ride smoothness...welcome to FTE good choice!

 

Best damn forum on the planet....welcome! Now git tah wurk!!

 

I hope you have 30k to invest

 

And don't care about seeing it again.^

 

Thanks everyone for the welcome. As I said it is going to be a long road, and I understand that, this is not my first rodeo....just my first 7.3. I am aware that this project will be costly (quite frankly 30k is not going to cover it) and I am aware that I will never see it again. that is not really the point. I am doing it with my son, for the learning experience and to have the coolest 7.3 in town I love the OBS trucks and this has been in my "to do" book for years now. So as I said before, im not looking for the cheapest way....I am looking for the best way!!


Nate,
I am going galvanized because the business I am in I have dealt with paint...the best of the best, as well as powder coating. I want to do galvanizing for corrosion, mostly salt. they lay it on thick here and I think this is the best route. I may paint over top of it which I have done in the past but I am thinking of leaving it as-is.


I have looked around at all the forums and I am happy to call this my home, seems like a great group of guys on here with a lot of knowledge and proven facts!!

 

Thanks for the info on the RSK kit and SD springs, I do like the idea of building my D60 and keeping it anyway. anything I need to look for in the SD springs? I seen somewhere people talking about V code springs? and the RSK brackets I assume are pretty much the same no matter where you go?






sky manufacturing also has a crossover steering kit I have been looking at that I really like for the D60's. anyone have any experience with that?

 

That sounds like a great way to go! I can't wait to see you get this started.

 

I think it's the U codes that will give a better ride. Precision metal fabrication seems to be one of the preferred rsk kits.

 

PMF does have a very nice kit. Looks like I will probably be ordering that today. Seems like they really have a handle on it. Thanks for the advice!!

 

I have used all 3. SKY, ORU and PMF

PMF is by far the nicest kit.

Also agree with the U codes giving a better ride than the V codes