Been away from here for a while. Finally have a new one to play with. Traded our 2005 F150 Lariat SCREW in on a 2014 Lariat SCREW V8. Going back in time here a little. First truck bought in 1988 was a 1977 F150 4x4 with 300 and T18. Then bought my first brand new truck, a 1990 Ranger 4x4 with a 5 speed. Sold that around 1992 and went back to the old ones with a 1979 F150 400 T18. That lasted until 1995 when I bought my first brand new F150. Have had several used trucks since then in the 1998, 2001, 2005 styles. Then saw the prices on the '14's dropping so we jumped on one.

We had just put new 275/70/18 Mich LTX AT2 tires on the 2005. The new truck had the chrome 20" wheels with them little bandaid tires on it. Those won't work for us. We spend all of our week long vacations driving on the beach, have to have some taller sidewalls so that when we deflate the tires down to 17psi, they squat good! The clear was coming off our wheels pretty bad on the 2005 so I asked if they would give me a set of new 18" off a used Lariat in exchange for my 20's off the new truck, and my Michelins off the old truck. They said yes.

Stock at the dealer.



Wanted a 2" leveling kit, but the dealer did not want to install it for whatever reason. Took deleverie of the truck two Saturday's ago. Had the leveling kit installed Wed of that week.




Took it back down to the dealer two days later for the tire swap.



The past weekend found me searching for a used cap. Found one Wed at a local Dodge dealer on a truck on their used lot, offered them $750 for it. The said SOLD




Now we can't have my pretty wife driving around a beautiful new dark green F150 with a black top on it, so tonight I detrimmed it and removed the glass. Tomorrow it goes to the body shop for color and clear.



Gonna miss the old gal we traded in, was a good truck that helped make a lot of nice family memories.








ThAnks for reading. Will try and post more as I learn my new truck and all the bells and whistles. Gotta figure out how to make the darn stereo louder! That's going to be top priority once the money pile grows again.

Phil

 

CONGRATS on the new ride, sir!

 

Congrats! I must say, it's refreshing to see someone putting more sidewall on their truck than rim!

Best of luck with it!

 

I know they sure do ride a lot nicer with that extra rubber!

 

I like that rim swap you did. To me, trucks need sidewall.

Also love that cargo rack on your old ride. Pretty sweet, and looks like you had a lot of fun with it.

 

A big CONGRATULATIONS, Pin! Looks real good! I like the cover you got, good deal on that too. I also like to fish, etc., and those covers are real handy.

 

Thanks folks! Love to surf fish! The front hitch just arrived via FedEx, will get that mounted this weekend so that I can use the rod rack on this truck. Stopped by the body shop to check on the cap. It's been scuffed so far, they found several small areas of damage that are down through the gel coat, will have to repair them before the color goes on. Dangit!


Don't know why I get so impatient when something of mine is in the shop.

 

Congrats and welcome to the 2009-2014 forum. She's real perty and you did a nice job with your pictorials and write up.

 

Congrats on the new truck. FWIW once you get that cap back you'll realize the extra wait was worth it. Especially since that cap will now look as new as the truck. I also agree that trucks need more sidewall then rim diameter. Those old wheels look right at home on the new truck.

 

Congrats! I'm a "more sidewall" kinda guy also. Im thinking of going to 17" rims when these tires wear out

 

Sold my F350 (2003) with 16 inch rims, 80 PSI on road and down to 25 on sand, to get this new one with 20's and that was one of my thoughts, how to deflate for the beach. Going to run them and see what happens. cant remember ever seeing any truck stuck, always an SUV.

 

Well, had the truck for a few weeks now, little over 1300 miles on it. The new/used Leer cap is painted and installed. Gotta run a wire for the third brake lamp yet. Tried my rod rack out the other day, seems to fit ok. Tow hooks are a little smaller diameter, will have to find smaller bushings for my braces.




Installed Thule ski racks for my long surf rods today.







I had to plow a garden for a buddy today, hooked the trailer up for the first time, back up camera made that pretty easy. Realized I miss my airbags that I had under the 2005.





Think I'm gonna love this truck.

 

Cool congrats on the new truck! Looks like you are having fun modifying it.