Hello all,

I have a 1977 f150 4x4 that i will be using on the pavement about 70% of the time and off road 30% of the time.

It has a 4 speed in it and 3" flowmaster exhaust, with 33" AT tires.

Here's my questions:
1)How can I make this a better trail rig? Any ideas?

2) What can these trucks do offroad? They're not little jeeps, they're big trucks.



I want to make it pretty badass, while being stock looking.

Any help would be great..

--Bryan

 

First thing I'd spend money on is a winch and recovery gear. No matter what you do as far as modifications you'll still get stuck some day. The more capable you make it, the worse stuck you'll get and further from help.
Then drive it the places you want to go and see what it will do and won't do and modify accordingly.
I've been off-roading for about 40 years and one of the main mistakes I see people make is buy a rig new to them, especially when they are new, or relatively new, to off-roading, then throw gobs of money at it before figuring out what the really need.

Actually, the first thing is to make sure it's mechanically sound. Breakdowns in the boonies suck.

 

a locker of some sort in the rear i prefer leaving the front open but that is just me. a decent set of 33's will be fine, but 35's would be nice to and with a 4 speed wont be to hard on it, what engine? 351m i suppose?

 

This order
High lift jack
Winch
35" tires swampers bias
Detroit locker in rear
Arb in front if dana 60 front if not dont waste money on 44 buy 60 and arb it

 

Buy decent 33" tires and play with what you have.

Graduate high school

Get job

Save money

Get dependable daily driver

Build this truck to be badass then.

/endthread

 

Haha.
Yeah, looking for a job currently. Been offered a few places, but I want to see what I can do that I actually enjoy. (I will accept those lame jobs if I don't get accepted at a cool place)


My 33's are good, and it is a 351m,

Lockers aren't cheap, and are they completely needed for a good trail rig??

Yeah, I have to buy a winch eventually. I'll get it off of Craigslist to save money.


Or a lift? Anybody recommend any type, or length? Are lifts even needed?

oh and rock sliders, would they lock and perform stupid on this dentside?

Thanks.
--Bryan

(Remember it's you guys that keep me from driving a little rice rocket honda)

 

How do you plan to get home when you get stuck with lockers and/or a lift?

No, lockers aren't really needed for the vast majority of off-roading. Mostly they are a luxury so you don't have to winch quite as often. Driving skill and a winch will get you through most places lockers will, just maybe slower.

Yes, you can get good deals on high quality winches on Craigslist. The only winch I've ever bought new was my Warn 8274 which I bought in '76.
My Ramsey RE10000, both of my other 8274's and Ramsey Platinum 9000 I got off Craigslist or Ebay. I have less than $1000 in all of the used ones. My Koenig PTO came on my '67 Land Rover 109.
With a winch you'll of course need a winch bumper. Does your school have a metal shop? It would be a good welding project for you or a friend who's taking shop classes. There's a recent thread I started here that has photos and dimensions of a good bumper.

Of course, if you always wheel with other people (which I strongly suggest if you're new to off-roading), a winch isn't as critical as other people with you can help you get unstuck.
But you should still get some good recovery gear and make sure you have solid recovery points on your truck.

 

no a lift is not required for 33's on these truck's or even 35's but it gets a little tighter and wont have as much clearance to get flexed out unless you trim the fenders which is not hard and alot cheaper than a lift,

 

Just noticed your sig says it is a long bed, that will make things a little more complicated on tight trails

 

My high school doesn't have an metal shop, or anything cool.

My friend has it all: mills, plasma cutters, welders, and access to a cnc machine

And yes, it is a long bed

I've taken it to a place called clear creek without a spare tire, any tools, and the truck was new to me. It was REALLY stupid. REALLY REALLY STUPID.
It was one of those things that you just thank god that you're not stuck out there with no communication.

Is there any way I can cut a slot for the winch in the front bumper where the license plate goes? To make it more stock/stealth?

Or how bout those front hitch receiver winch mounts, I could take it off when I'm not using it.

Thanks so much for you guys to take my stupid questions.

 

I personally would not use a front receiver for a winch just because if your not winching straight forward it puts it in a really bad bind.

 

hmm okay, so what about behind the front bumper?

 

i would mount the winch in the rear of the truck. if it is mounted in front, you are stuck pulling yourself deeper into the unknown you are already stuck in.

mounted in the rear, you can pull yourself out and go back the way you already know you can move, because you already drove through it.

 

Winches are for sissies, lock it front/rear and go have fun. Keep a cell phone or hope that guy with a really nice jeep and winch is around when you bury your 01 f150 on private property in a swamp on your 19th birthday.. er..

 

when i was younger i like to get stuck with a lady at nights, it can be good to be stuck.