Just thought I would introduce myself into the forums as I do love my Ford Truck. I currently own a black 2007 F-150 STX Supercab and love it (for the most part) Its the 4.6 which does the job for my needs. I've outfitted it with a leveling kit and 20' black Rockstars and 33' Falken All Season tires. Aswell as the lights have been changed to a nice HID set up, 10000K for the head lights and 8000K 35w for my fog lights. Unfortunatly, no power options and no leather seats but I am cool with that for now. I've installed a double din into the dash to give it a nice sleek look. The rest of the stereo is soon to come. One lower ball joint has been replaced and both the front rotors have been redone.




As I said before, I love my truck for the most part. However I am sure as with most people here you always like to think about the future and see what your truck my become or maybe swapping for a new one. I am on 21 so I think about this often. The reason I am a little upset with my truck is it does tend to get stuck quite often because its only a 2x4. Not something I like to brag about but it was all I needed for my needs before. Its going to be another couple of years till I have it fully paid off so I keep thinking of what maybe I would like to do next. My goal is to have a truck that is going to tackle anythingput infront of it. I was driving to a course I needed to do for my job a few days ago and got stuck on some ice at a rest stop, so that really got me thinking. I came here today because I would like to get some advice from some other truck enthusiansts.

I've always loved big diesels. Jacked up way in the air looking down on everything. My only concern is that maybe it will not be practical for someone like myself. I plan to buy a trailer (camper) when I am more settled. Nothing huge, but something comfortable. Around here everyone always suggests a diesel for pulling which is probably correct, but can a gas do that same job?

Where I am moving to skiing/boarding is huge and I wanna get in on the action. Mountian biking is also the summer event going on around here. I wanna make sure that no snow will ever tell me I can't go boarding one day when I have the day off. So I know 4X4 is a must for my needs, is there a big difference between all the 4x4 models? And what about the Raptor, if I can find one thats in my budget should I pounce on it? Are they worth the hype?

The last thing I wast wondering is besides tires, is there anything else product wise I can do to avoid getting stuck now and in the future?

I would like to thank you for your time in reading this post. Hopefully I can become a helpful member of the community.

 

Welcome to FTE!!

Not a bad looking truck you have there. In some cases a 4x4 is needed but not usually in snow to be honest. What you need is a better tire then the Falkens you have. Something more aggressive will help in the times when you get stuck. I would suggest looking for a tire with more sidewall bites to help with mud, dirt, and snow traction.

As for a diesel or gas doing the job for towing a trailer it will depend largely on the trailer you select. The 5.4 in my truck has never let me down before when towing something but everything has its limits.

 

Welcome to the forums. You have a nice looking truck. I agree with Drew 4x4 is not always needed but it certainly is nice to have in certain applications and tires can make a lot of difference when out in the elements.

I have a gas 5.4L and have yet to have an issue with it but I don't do any towing. I'm sure others will give their advice on the towing aspect.

Again, welcome to the forums. There are a ton of knowledgeable people on this forum.

 

Thank you guys for the welcome. I thought my tires probably had something to do with it and might be a good investement for me to make in the time being.

I have been doing a bit of research about gas vs diesel, but many pages arent really giving me the info I need. Why pick diesel is my question, and are they really more money for up keep?

As far as tires go, do you guys have a specific tire you guys trust for winter needs and another for summer? I heard the one down fall to M/T tires is dont last as long which is understandble with some of their composition.

 

OK yes diesels are more expensive to maintain that is by far true. But they will also run for damn near ever with proper care. Diesels will also get more MPG's usually then a good gas engine. They both have there ups and downs so its just a matter of what suits your needs.

I don't bother switching with winter and summer tires as I live in VA and we don't always have bad winters here. I could understand someone who lived in say a place with bad winters to switch back and forth between something like a good AT or one of the newer style MT tires such as Nitto Trail Grapplers or Toyo Mud Country. The Trail Grapplers are listed as a MT tire but they are not like a true mud tire I would say they are just a more aggressive AT tire. This also goes for the Toyo's and a number of other brands have done similar concepts too. Gives people more tires to select rather then just AT's or Mud tires.

 

Ya I have just done some looking into the ups and downs and both, gas sounds like the better option for someone like myself. I have also been researching tires aswell and have been looking at qutie a few. It seems a lot of them last a lot longer than I thought they could. I have a friend who used to run the Trail Grapplers, I have heard they are a very popular tire. I went with me Falkens cause I thought they would get the job done for me and they haven't impressed be a whole lot. Also, I was told to believe that am A/T tire would last longer than a M/T. Some of the reading I have been doing is proving me wrong though.

 

Welcome to FTE. Nice truck. I love black trucks. I've got 20" Monsters on mine. In theory an A/T tire should last longer if I am not mistaken because of the harder rubber and less aggressive tread compared to an M/T. That's not to say you can't get them same amount of life. I run Toyo M/Ts even though mine is just a daily driver and doesn't see the dirt to often, but I just loved the aggressive tread so that is why I got them. Plus, I don't do a whole lot of driving so the shortened life isn't as big of a deal.

Anyway, do a little more research and ask around and hopefully we can point you in the right direction. I got a lot of good advice from these guys when I joined a while back. Good luck.

 

In the past something like the Falkens you use would always get more life then an AT or MT tire. But now with the different levels of tires they have on the market and the different compounds the old ideas don't always hold up as well. So yeah when it comes time to replace them look into a lot of different brands and see what you like for your taste first. Then come to a place like this and try to find some people who are actually using the tires and get their reviews.

I currently run Nitto Terra Grapplers which are a decent tire. I have had no complaints with the tire except when i hit some slick mud. I can power through but would prefer something that would bite a bit more. So when I replace i will be going with the trails instead as they will better suit my weekly needs more then the Terras do.

As for gas vs diesel it will fall down to what is better for your needs. I considered the 250 but went to the 150 because I knew for at least the next 8 years that was going to have more then enough power for me and my needs. I know several guys who have a 250 and might have a need for it once a year. At that point I would go and rent the truck I needed for the trip or task. Just my thoughts though and down the road that may change.

 

Ya I will probably waffle back and forth but as I stand right now gas seems like its ganna do more than enough for me. I just need it for a decent sized trailer, quads, mountain bikes and the snow gear. Not all at the same time of course.

I love those Monster tires too, I debated back and forth between the ones I have now and those becuase the ones I have now are a bit too common around here.

As far as the tires go I will be defanitly getting some opionons from everyone here.

 

Add weight to the back of your truck for snow/ice and you can go perty good. 4x4 has its points, most being/shouldn't have done it. As long as you live on and near well plowed roads you can get along quite well with 4x2. If you get up at dawn to go to work in all kinds of weather then 4x4 with limited slip rear axle the way to go. You still need some weight in the back for good traction in the worst along with decent speed control. Speed makes for the shouldn't have done it. 4x4 and agressive tires is for mud mostly. For ice and snow you want a more all season tire. Agressive tires and icy conditions aren't as good usually, but can pull you through deep stuff OK. Again shouldn't have doneit rules the day usually. LOL