FTE Member’s Ford F-350 Build Is a Rolling Tribute to Our Veterans
Can you give us a rundown of the mods you made to the truck?
How much time ya got? I know the frame is original! Actually, I bought the truck bone stock and it now has 305k miles on what I believe to be an all-original 7.3. I’ve never had to do anything but regular service, a starter (since it was my first diesel and I didn’t know about waiting for the glow plugs), and the typical sensors and wear items.
I’ve made a ton of mods on the truck, doing the work myself. I modified an Asfir front bumper with 4-inch aluminum pipe-light enclosures and a lockable winch cover. I regularly hang out at a shop called Metzfab Industries that has a water-jet machine, so I designed a Raptor style grill, tool box side covers, roof rack with “USA” cut into it, custom F-350 badges, and the running boards are full-on custom.
‘The willingness of Ford enthusiasts to share their hard-earned knowledge is really cool. Without them I wouldn’t be driving one of the baddest 7.3s on the road today.’
It’s got a front 10k winch with Factor 55 Prolink, Dyneema synthetic rope and a rear winch coming soon. It has Fox & Bilstein shocks, ProComp 4-inch lift, and dual Bilstein stabilizers. And thanks to our first automotive sponsor, Anthem Off Road, an awesome set of Anthem Off-Road Aviator 17-inch wheels. I put a set of Bushwacker fender flares on it, eBay mirrors, a 45 gallon polished diamond plate transfer tank, BedSlide, BedRug, Raider Bed Cover, AirLift airbags, and a built-in Viair 400c Air Compressor. There’s also a 10-gallon shower system that’s fed through a 2014 bed’s def fluid inlet with its shower hose located in the running board.
The interior is all-new, including the carpet. Custom embroidered FX4 black leather seats with red stitching, matching 2014 console with gun safe. There’s also an in-dash DVD with rear camera, a Shelf-It overhead visor shelf, and a forward-facing dash cam.
Performance wise, the 7.3 has a BD Turbo Thruster 2, Boost Fooler, T&S 6-position chip with canned tunes, John Wood Tow Master Trans, AutoMeter Gauges, 4-inch turbo back exhaust, AirRaid Intake, AFE Filter, IH Bellowed up pipes, and a dash mount Scan Gauge II. I bought a 2000 F-250 with a forged rod 7.3 in it two years ago and have been waiting for the time and money to have it built and installed by somebody like Swamps.
How does your F-350 help contribute to The Trees in Honor Project?
It’s been an awesome visual for parades and events. It draws attention wherever it goes! Kids love it and want to take pictures with it. It’s our everyday work truck since we don’t have the money for this truck to just sit looking pretty, waiting for a parade. This build has always been one of function over fashion.
