I know most of you are tired of my posts about this kind of stuff. But this one isn't really my DREAM truck as my previous ones have been. Just let me know what you think and do not try to start crap.


These are concerning my newest project..

I want this thing to be sturdy, but i'm not going to dump ten million dollars into it. (As previously planned.) This will be a trail truck and a mudder. No rock crawling or anything like that.


I would like to know your opinions on the best setup regarding the following:
Steering:
Suspension:
Axles:
Gears:
Misc:

Please don't give me answers like "Oh go buy rockwells!" I'm aware that I do not need rockwells to run what I want. I just want to know what would get the job done, without snapping on a trail.

The only things that are set in stone are the Body, Tires and the Engine.

Body- 1973 F-100
Tires- 35/14.50-15LT, TSL Bogger
Engine- Ford 390.


Those are the only things i'm definate on. I would like your opinions on the rest of it.

Yes I have pictures, but no you can't see them. I'll post them up when I start the build completely. (I just got my truck running again, i'm toying with that for awhile.)

 

well if the 390 is stock the half ton running gear will survive just fine, it will be breakable but if you don't punch the throttle with the tires cranked it will survive, I would put 4.10s in if you gearing it, maybe a detroit or aussie in the rear and if you got the coin a selectable upfront. I don't know how cheap your talking.

4'' lift fits with 35's good but if your a sick puppy like me and like a low COG I would be tempted to just put 2'' bronco graveyard coils in the front and sawzall the tar out of everything to clear the 35s they would fit with minimal rubbing that way I think, this is my plan one day when the 33s are shot.

 

Yeah. I don't mind trimming and what not. I would prefer to be able to throttle the **** out of it when I want to, or need to.

The 390 is going to be rebuilt, but stock. Not putting anything preformance into it.

 

my friend runs a mild 400 with 35 inch boggers and 4.56s, detroit in the rear, stock half ton axles. just put spicer axle joints in the front end and say a few hail marys over it. you should be able to gas it pretty hard just avoid axle hop and that sort of thing.

 

a) full hydro, if not at least hydro assist
b) link type suspension with coilovers or a standard radius arm/coil setup
c) since you said no to rockwells what else do you want us to say? i vote mogs but then you complain about money. so i guess you are limiting yourself to 1 tons!?
d) it ALL depends on your driving style and tire size but i say at least 4.88's. i am running 5.38's and love it
e) just some suggestions if you really plan to wheel this rig... full cage, upgraded driveline (u-joints, driveshafts, etc), well built electrical system, winch, and believe it or not but get some good safety harneses. i never thought i would like them but they have kept my butt in my seat when i would have been thrown out with a regular shoulder belt.

my .02 worth

-cutts-

 

fishman did you catch that he is planning on 35s? 4.88 for 35's seems a little overboard? same with full hydro?

 

I'd say ford 10.25 out back, dana 60 front.....4.10's or 4.56's at most if you're not running more than 35's.....

For sure a roll cage and good harnesses to keep you in the truck....

Good tow points and a winch if you can afford it...

 

Plan for what you WANT... Not what you have now. If you want 40" tires down the road, gear for 40" tires... not 35's...

Roll cage or a roll bar at the least, and some kind of upgraded safety harnes would be a good idea.

 

I have 33's ON the truck, but its just kind of the roll around tires. I have some 35 boggers in the corner of my shop.

I'm planning for some new bucket seats with upgraded safety harness.

I'm going to keep with 35's. I've set a goal for this truck.

I have a project I want to start but its too expensive to start right now. I already have too many that I don't work on enough. :P

But as I said. I want these to get the job done not go way overboard. I have cash to spend, I just dont want to spend it where its not needed.

As for the electrical i'm going to cut out ALOT of the wires. The only things I need are my vital gauges and a heater.

I'm not going full hydro with only 35's. As for mogs? I have no idea what those are. And arn't those gears a little low for 35's aswell?

I'm not bagging your idea's i'm simply questioning them. Thanks for the input though.

I'm in the process of sketching what the project will look like in the end.



I'm not sure about the cage. I would love to have one but i've never worked with cages before. The truck will have a roll bar build onto the flatbed going on it.

 

Uh huh .





I'll be looking for your "What's the best way to put 54 inch boggers under my truck?" post in 6 months !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Lol the biggest i'll go is 44. My cousin is trading me his set of 44 boggers for one of my jeeps but I have no use for them right now. :P

Especially because I dont have the axles to run 44's.

 

'Mog axles are very beneficial for ground clearance. They run portal wheel ends like the H1's did. Another benefit of using them is that you get instant lift from them due to the portals making the spidles able to be closer to the ground rather than being in line with the axle shaft.

 

Why arn't they a more popular upgrade? Cost or something otherwise? They are about 80%. I say the jeep i'm trading him is about equal with it in cost.

I broke the part of the grille that goes around the headlight when I was moving it with the dozer so now i'd like opinions wether to change it, trim the ends of or do something completely different.

 

mogs are expensive...

 

sounds about right....