Hi all,

I've been a long time lurker here but wanted to introduce myself.

Name is Michael and I'm new to the diesel world, took me a long time to find the right truck but finally did.

1997 F350, crew cab, 4x4, black on tan, carpet flooring removed and replaced with vinyl, south texas outfitters front and rear bumpers, nerf bars and headache rack. 163k miles and running strong!

Thanks for all of the great info you guys have provided, searching has been bountiful.

Hope to be able to contribute as experience is gained.

Here's a quick pick from my phone:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...?albumid=33489

Only question I haven't found through my searches is a good source for factory take offs from our era of truck. Bought the truck with 35's and want to go back to 33s on factory aluminum wheels. Fuel costs are my primary reason although I'm not certain how much 2" less tire will help. Was getting about 13.5 mpg until I read the suggestion to keep the rpm's under 2K whenever possible, jumped up to a little over 16 mpg now! Looking for more.

 

Welcome to FTE. Nice looking rig. I really like the bumper....you could take that thing to the outback in Austraila and knock down a bunch of 'roos hehe.

Smaller tires should help the MPG's a bit...the wider tires seems to eat up the fuel more than the taller ones. Trading your 35's down to 33's should be pretty easy, most guys are going the other way. Good luck with it.

I try, key word 'try', to keep the boost below 10 psi to get better MPG's. Not easy though when it's so much fun to blow black smoke at the ricers LOL.

 

Michael, Welcome. I actually think I've seen your truck. I'm out in Spicewood, but I'm up around your area alot doing Iron work. I drive a white crew cab 4x4 dually with Death Row Diesel on the windshield. For your wheels.......

http://dallas.craigslist.org/pts/608562866.html

I came across that posting in the Dallas craigslist. If I was you, I'd grab those ASAP. Again, welcome. If you ever need some help with something feel free to give me a call on my cell phone. As a matter of fact, I'm doing gauges on one of my Death Row trucks tonight. We will start after about 10:30pm. If your bored, give us a call.

Cody
663-6150

 

i have good luck running 35's on my truck, i do have 4.10 gears though, if you have 3.55's then i would say you are better off with the 33's.

i really like your front bumper, where can you get them?

 

Thanks for the welcomes and information!

cuda_jim - with the number of deer I've encountered (as in made contact with) around here the bumper was definitely a selling point. I'm going to go with the 285/75/16 All Terrains to go a little skinnier too, when I find the wheels.

Speaking of wheels, thanks for the link Cody - I sent them an e-mail this morning, waiting for a callback. Thanks for the offer on help too, I'm sure I will utilize it. Right after I bought the truck I had a water pump go out. I didn't have time to handle it myself so a shop did the work, but I'm the generally the type that does 99% of my fixes and upgrades so there will be plenty of future projects and questions. I'll keep an eye out for your truck too.

c00nhunterjoe - the bumpers were on when I bought the truck so I'm not sure of details or remaining availability but here is the link to the company the PO bought them from. http://www.southtexasoutfitters.com Their nerf bars are one of my favorite features, full length wheel to wheel with boot scrapers at each door...