VIDEO: Turning a Super Duty Into the Ultimate Tow Rig

A diesel Super Duty is already an excellent tow rig, but these modification push it over the top.

If you’re a car enthusiast, the single best modification, tool, or accessory you can buy for your project car is a tow rig. That’s exactly what the gang at throtl on YouTube did. They recently upgraded from their Ford Ranger to an F-250 Super Duty. The 6.7 liter PowerStroke diesel-powered machine is a pretty big upgrade on its own. However, they have a massive pile of parts to throw at it. The goal is to make it the ultimate daily driver/parts chaser/tow rig.

First up is a 2.5” lift kit with a set of 17×9” Method wheels and 35×12.5” Falken tires. There’s a right and a wrong way to lift a truck. We’re glad that the throtl gang went the extra mile to relocate the trackbar, correct the caster, and upgrade the steering stabilizer. Out back, they’re fitting an Air Lift load leveling system. When all is said and done, the truck will not only look better, but drive better as well – even when it’s towing.

The total package looks great, but these guys are far from done. For additional visual impact, there’s a new grille, plus smoked LED headlights and taillights. With the matching dark grey paint on the truck, the whole package looks really well thought out, especially when they top it all off with a set of fender flares. It’s a gorgeous looking tow rig that we’d be proud to drive, but they still aren’t finished.

Loud & Lovely

Now that the truck is looking good, it’s time to make it sound good, too. The throtl team takes a three-pronged approach with a new exhaust, a new stereo system, and a train horn. Any way you look at it, they’re certain to be heard.

The exhaust from aFe Power is a comprehensive kit with carefully chosen components. However, since there are so many different cab and bed configurations available, some custom fitting is necessary. Thankfully, a chop saw makes short work of it and the installation goes smoothly. When all is said and done, it sounds great, and looks great, too. The single black exhaust tip looks great with the subdued theme of the truck.

The next step is a quadruple train horn that’s sure to get them noticed when necessary. The installation is simplified by a clever bracket that replaces the factory spare tire with the compressor, tank, and horns. Since this is a tow rig, there’s plenty of space for the spare inside a trailer.

Of course, once the horn is hooked up, the boys in the shop have far too much fun playing with the horn. We know their neighbors are used to hearing loud cars and trucks all the time, but the first day of the quadruple train horn setup must have been a nightmare for them.

Speaking of loud, the final piece of the puzzle is a set of four subwoofers and an amplifier in an enclosure underneath the rear seat storage area. This setup works with the stock head unit, but adds substantially more bass. The end result of all this work? An ideal tow rig that can eat up miles with a great soundtrack – whether you’re in the mood for rock, rap, or that excellent uncorked PowerStroke exhaust note.

Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.

He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.

In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.

You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

Instagram