I have been searching for a proper tow rig for months because last season we purchased a camper. We towed it with the explorer last weekend and it did it but didn't like it. I also scaled the camper and determined I'm 1500 lbs over my GVCW and around 1000 lbs over the towing capacity on the explorer. So I went and pick up this truck today for $9,500 out the door with taxes, titles, etc. now with my v8 5.4L and 3.73 gears I should be able to pull 7,100 lbs and take a dirt bike with me! (Bonus!). Hope you like me new tow rig, my very first v8 (except for my ski boat which also has a Windsor power plant). My new truck even came with a 7pin connector and a brake controller installed!

 

very nice!
How many miles is it showing?

 

130k is on the ticker

 

Can someone recommend a good set of running board and maybe show some pics?

 

I like the SCREW cab trucks.......... on my second one now !! Lots of room for family and good towing capability........... both mine had factory boards.

 

Best thing I did for work and towing was to install a heavy duty rear sway bar and progressive 2500# overload springs. They sit above the factory springs and only come into play when a load is applied. As you can see in the picture she didn't squat too bad with a bed full of freshly cut hickory.

 

That's a nice color! What's involved on doing your mod? Do I need it to tow a 4000lb camper?

 

Thanks, I like it because it doesn't show any dirt. It was very easy. I bought the springs from Hellwig "Load Pro" They are rated at 2500 lbs. I think I also bought the sway bar from them. I do not remember how much as I bought them back in 2004.


Here is a link to their website.


Load Pro Series | Hellwig Products

 

Nice rig! Should tow the camper a whole lot better than the explorer! I tow a 4,200 boat (4,700 with a full tank of fuel on board) with my 5.4 / 3.73's and it does a nice job. Very stable/safe. You will work the motor going up hills on the highway but it has no trouble keeping 70mph even on an incline.

The running boards on mine I got on e-bay for $100. A pain to install but they look/work very good.

Oh, and you will not need any extra beef in the suspension. The pic below is a 350lb tongue weight on factory suspension.

 

Wow, that looks real good. I like the way your boat matches your ride, I wasn't smart enough to think that far ahead, plus then I'd have to settle for a maroon truck! Tell me more about your running boards, as far as manuf, those look perfect.

 

this is where I did a lot research of which style I wanted. This site is carrys our vintage/ generation, most don't.
Ford F-150 Running Boards | Nerf Bars | Truck Steps | Step Bars | Side Steps | Step Rails | RunningBoardWorld.com
Sadly most are made overseas. Stuff that's is made here IN the USA are pricey & that's what I'm holding out for. In the mean time, I hunt for a bargain on CL and Ebay.

 

....I still get a smile on my face when I come out and see my 2001 SuperCrew......149k on it, has the typical rusted lower rockers, but I think I may bring it to a shop and see how much it'll cost to get it fixed...Interior is still mint! and like others, the family fits in it perfectly, plenty of room....Brakes leave a lot to be desired..I think I may have an issue with the abs module though.....