I drive an 02 F550 4x4 at work. It'll go, and has been, pretty much everywhere I needed it to go, (top of Hart Mt., Lookout Mt. over near Baker City, etc.) I probably have to drive 5k to 6k miles per year on what could be described as rough dirt roads to dirt trails. Went through 7 tires last year alone, at over $200.00 a pop.

But I know what the truck can't do. It won't do deep gullies or steep berms like my bronco will. The wheel base is just too long, like your F250. It will do mud, because it's got some semi-aggressive tires. (245 R19.5, skinny and tall, 12 ply Toyo.) It weighs over 15,000#, because of the knuckleboom and boxes.

You just have to learn the limitations. The shorter, narrower, and taller you get - the places you can squeeze into grow. Look at hills that everybody tried to drive up, but couldn't. You'll see the tire tracks and where they stop, depending on what someone was driving. Years ago, I took an old ******* jeep up a steep, washed out gully. By the time I got to the top, I was balanced on the right rear tire and it was still climbing. Don't know what the grade was, but any steeper and I would have flipped over. It was a virgin trail that high, till I made it. I'm a fairly good driver, but getting up that was probably 20% skill, 80% vehicle.

 

Well said Howdy,
I have a 76 Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 for the rough & tough stuff, a 78 Scout II for moderate wheeling and around town and a 69 F250 crewcab 4x4 for the highway and for getting my gear into the backcountry. If you're new to wheeling you would be well advised to look at what the other 4 wheelers in your neighbourhood are driving, how they are driving and what mod's they've done to make it all work. You can 4 wheel a crewcab in the gnarly stuff but it won't be stock. Joining a local 4x4 club would be a good idea as well. There is safety in numbers! Nothing like having a couple of spare winches around to haul you out of the uglies! Most of all learn from those around you you'll save yourself a lot of grief. Having said all that my funniest 4x4 moment was when I was out 4 wheeling down an old seismic trail, it had rained and was really challenging for me and my FJ40. At one point in the trail I could hear someone coming from the other direction. I pulled over to allow them to pass. My jaw hit the ground when a 74 plymouth staionwagon came lurching around the bend! Oldtimer behind the wheel just nodded casually at me as he lumbered on by. Blew me away.

 

Holy Cow - been there and done that. One of the most humbling experiences of my life.

. . Mine was an old guy in a delapadated Studebaker pickup that couldn't possibly have been hitting on more than 5 of the 8 cylinders.

I have pain associated with the memory. That's bad.

 

dude you need bigger tires. Lift your truck if you want frame clearance. Get bigger tires if you want axle clearance.

 

Your guys stories are killing me Too funny.

What Mook said. Plus some lockers, then you won't feel silly again unless its a honest stuck. We all started out with stockers...

 

I took my f150 out the other night on trails I have only attempted in my 92 Jeep YJ, with 4 inches of lift and 33's.

This 4x4 F150 with the limites slip rear end walked all over that powerline like it was nothing. Oh and it has stock crap 225 75 R15's GENERAL AX's on it.

There was a little problem with getting around some of the rocks but i was careful and i didnt even scratch it.

I am totally impressed with the off road quality of this truck.

just my two cents

johnny

 

well, you can do like i did, and buy a beater to beat on.
i also took my 03 out this weekend, had it in some seriously deep snow, and it did great!
started snowing in the afternoon, so i took it home, and returned the next day with my 78 to have fun with.
the 03 would have got stuck within 20 seconds the second day, just far too much snow for that heavy beast to handle...not to mention my 142" wheelbase! even my 78 is too long, i wish i could find a beatup shortbed 250 for sale....

anyhoo, good luck!