Ok guys here goes everything....

I would like to build my truck up so it is worthy to look at and when people see it I get the WOW factor.

This is what I have done so far to the truck and have to work with.

2002 Fx4
3" body lift
Soon to have 50 series flowmaster exhaust(right now its straight piped)
Throttle body spacer(next week if it comes in)
33 11.50 R17 Dynapro M/T's
Waiting on new 17X10 rims for my stud spacing from eagle alloys



I am shooting for a functional, powerful mud truck that I can show off at car shows every once in a while. I would like to get as many ideas as I can...

By the way money is not a disposable income but I have enough to do it right over the next 2 years or so. I would like to fit at least 37's or 44's (now I am currently looking ointo the whiplash kit), under the truck and am also curious to find out the ring size in the rear end for axle bearing purposes.

I know you guys know the ins and outs of these trucks and I am just getting into it. Also what order would you take your steps in to beef it up.

 

what would i do? i would keep that truck looking slick but close to stock and find another 'beater' truck that you could use to tear up, i found that out the hard way!

you could find a pretty good reliable truck for $1000 and thats steep, then modify and tweak all you want until you get it the way you want it.

just my suggestion.

IF you are just hellbent on wheelin this truck you need to really think about your axles, with that being said 35" tires max or you will toast a shaft! you'll wanna look into aggressive mud terrain type tires and traction aids such as a detroit locker!

-cutts-

 

rockwells?

 

I wouldn't dream of taking a truck that new boggin! If you want people give you the WOW factor...looks-wise you're well on your way. The torsion bars, CV axles, electric xcases, and so forth of todays newer trucks are not up to the abuse of hard off roading. Your best bet would be to go with an older 3/4 ton pickup or Bronco. Build it with the strongest drivetrain you can find, big lift, big mud tires, and big wild motor. Don't worry about making it pretty until you have the business end of you rig taken care of. Your FX4 sounds nice, like something I would take cruising on Saturday night or go for a ride up in the dunes, or moderate trails. Once you get into running rough trails and bogging it, you'll tear stuff up in a hurry. The motors in todays trucks are impressive (fuel injection, variable cam timing, direct fire ignition, and what not), it's just a shame they went cheap on soft car-like suspensions. It's pretty hard to beat the ol straight axle Dana 44s and Dana 60s, manual hubs and transfer cases...Heck I would even take a TTB Dana 44 over a torsion bar/ double A-arm set up!

 

I found a guy to do ghost flames in a real faint blue ought to look cool for only 800 bucks.

I'm gonna start with that then probably work on the supercharger next but I didn't know if a chip or programmer would work on top of that also.

 

Ghost flames? Only $800 chip or programmer? Dude... You do NOT want to use that truck off road...
If it were me, I'd put that $800 towards something to wheel instead...

I can offer constructive advice about the Dynapro RT03's, they work damn good on my diesel.

 

i would leave that truck alone, thats wut i would do

 

The one thing i've learned from working at schucks,is that new cars/trucks are made the way they are for a reason. Period. Trying to make them 'better' isnt worth it. I see people having huge problems just from putting a cold air intake on. Then they wont even take off the intake when you've convinced them it's the problem, cause it "gets them horsepower"

 

thats why i dont much care for anything past 96 (except the F350's which would then include 97) and even those can be a PITA

-cutts-

 

> I would like to build my truck up so it is worthy to look at

It is a ford, it already is.

> 3" body lift
> I am shooting for a functional, powerful mud truck
> I can show off at car shows every once in a while
> but I have enough to do it right over the next 2 years
> what order would you take your steps in to beef it up.
> I found a guy to do ghost flames in a real faint blue
> ought to look cool for only 800 bucks.

For me, nothing says "worthless" and "unimpressive" then a truck where
its main features are a body lift, body graphics, and tires.

The engines on the newer trucks are pretty good, so I would not
mess with that first.

I rather have a rusted out piece of junk with a straight front axle
and manual hubs (wait ... I do) then something with a body lift
and nice graphics.

At least ditch the body lift and get a suspension lift or spend your
money on something really worthwhile like a Dana 60 or Ford 9" straight
front axle swapped into the front.

You know, I was surprised once when some young kids that could not even drive
were checking out one of my rusted out 4x4s, paint brushed with green Rustoleum,
for a "cool" rear ARB. It was like, how do they even know what it is?

Make it functional, not pretty, that will impress people more. Especially
when you do not get stuck on wet grass or can take your close friend
to a remote spot and still get out.

> 2002 Fx4

F-150?

If you want to do "cool", I think a nice electric moonroof always wows them,
especially on a truck. Even a flip up sunroof makes a big difference to the
interior feeling different and brighter. It is a worthwhile cosmetic and
chicks dig them.

 

Amen Fellas! You wouldn't wear your nice Sunday clothes when you're workin out in the garage or in the yard or in the garden right? Why would you want to trash a newer vehicle (that you spent a ton of money on for cosmetics) out in a mud bog or trail ride? It kinda reminds me of a buddy of mine... he spent a bunch of money on expensive tires/ wheels and a lift for his Dodge when the front end is in a major state of disrepair, and the rest of the truck was not in any shape to turn the size tires he wanted! Some people just don't have their priorities straight when building a truck. Son, that truck would make a great mall cruiser!

 

thats like the clothes with the least grease spots right!

FORDS_FORLIFE

 

Priceless!

 

Wow guys I know this truck has alot of potential but to just let it be would be a disgrace to my whole being. I eventually am going to put a suspension lift on it but right now I have to haul the kid around to daycare and getting her in and out is ok but would be hell with 13" and 44's. The truck will be paid for next year and then it is getting a straight axle conversion at some point; but for now I take it muddin at least 2-3 times a summer and get it in the mud on the jobsites every chance I get. So if a supercharged, mud runnin, lifted up, ghost flamed, daily driver is a bad thing to you I'm sorry, but to me it would be awesome.

To give you an idea of what my old truck was here's a pic....

 

Nobody is doubting that. We're just a little amazed that someone would tap that potential with a bodylift, ghost flames and simulated beadlocks.