Help on epic build!
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Help on epic build!
Hey guys this is my first post on here!
I just got a 88 f150 4x4 last week and I plan on making it one of the coolest trucks ever. I want to start with a lift big enough to clear my brand new 38" thornbirds I just paid for and are on order : ) I plan to run the stock axles/gears and will see what happens. I really dont know too much about trucks as I've always been into cars. I want this truck to be mean looking but can still go offroad and dominate. Truck has a straight six and have been told its a good motor. I want to run a snorkel kit I'll probably start fabbing it up out of some 3" plastic pipe I got around the house. Just want to know what your ideas would be on this build and how I can make it a beast that I will nickname " The Legend"....thanks
I just got a 88 f150 4x4 last week and I plan on making it one of the coolest trucks ever. I want to start with a lift big enough to clear my brand new 38" thornbirds I just paid for and are on order : ) I plan to run the stock axles/gears and will see what happens. I really dont know too much about trucks as I've always been into cars. I want this truck to be mean looking but can still go offroad and dominate. Truck has a straight six and have been told its a good motor. I want to run a snorkel kit I'll probably start fabbing it up out of some 3" plastic pipe I got around the house. Just want to know what your ideas would be on this build and how I can make it a beast that I will nickname " The Legend"....thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
you aren't going to go off-road and dominate with 38" turd-birds and stock drive train. sorry to be the bearer of bad news,but those are the facts. and this is putting it nicely,the posts following might not be so nice lol.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Olympia
Really? No Kris, Karl, Paul or Dan??
First things first.
Thornbirds aren't "Overly Aggressive".
Keeping stock drive train doesn't seem that smart either. Chances are you have 3.50 gears or something in that nature, which would put more stress on your I6 as it is. As I can't be one to skimp on details while i'm rambling.. you'll probably want a solid axle up front (assuming that you don't have one already.) and lower gears. (5.13 seem to be good enough, but i'm sure others will suggest lower.)
What kind of off-roading will you be doing? The amount of lift you will want is kind of dependent on your use. Usually a trail truck will want little lift, and fender trimming to keep the center of gravity low. As for a mud truck, I personally really don't think it matters much. Also, a snorkel seems pretty pointless in most cases. Will you actually need it, or is it just for show? I built my snorkel because I submerged my engine in mud, not because I thought it looked cool.. (Actually it really isn't that pretty.)
But so far, your plan doesn't seem like you'll dominate much; and around here your truck wouldn't earn a name like "The Legend." but you might earn the nickname "The dink who thinks his truck is badass."
At least you got the Ford thing right.
Good luck, and i'm sure others will chime in.
Edit:
Oh and welcome to FTE.
First things first.
Thornbirds aren't "Overly Aggressive".
Keeping stock drive train doesn't seem that smart either. Chances are you have 3.50 gears or something in that nature, which would put more stress on your I6 as it is. As I can't be one to skimp on details while i'm rambling.. you'll probably want a solid axle up front (assuming that you don't have one already.) and lower gears. (5.13 seem to be good enough, but i'm sure others will suggest lower.)
What kind of off-roading will you be doing? The amount of lift you will want is kind of dependent on your use. Usually a trail truck will want little lift, and fender trimming to keep the center of gravity low. As for a mud truck, I personally really don't think it matters much. Also, a snorkel seems pretty pointless in most cases. Will you actually need it, or is it just for show? I built my snorkel because I submerged my engine in mud, not because I thought it looked cool.. (Actually it really isn't that pretty.)
But so far, your plan doesn't seem like you'll dominate much; and around here your truck wouldn't earn a name like "The Legend." but you might earn the nickname "The dink who thinks his truck is badass."
At least you got the Ford thing right.
Good luck, and i'm sure others will chime in.
Edit:
Oh and welcome to FTE.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Springfield, VA
Don't be a bunch of haters! That straight 6, 8.8 rear and ttb D44 matched up with a set of 3.55 or 3.73 gears will rock a set of thornbirds! Only thing is you are going to need a little lift. Maybe a 2" suspension and 3" body should get you enough to clear 38's. if you want to step to to 44's just stack the body lifts and all will be good. just make sure you swing by your neighborhood home depot for the longer bolts. They have a pretty good assortment of grade 5 stuff. Some people on here don't give stock stuff enough credit and think everything needs to be rediculously overbuilt.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NC
Don't be a bunch of haters! That straight 6, 8.8 rear and ttb D44 matched up with a set of 3.55 or 3.73 gears will rock a set of thornbirds! Only thing is you are going to need a little lift. Maybe a 2" suspension and 3" body should get you enough to clear 38's. if you want to step to to 44's just stack the body lifts and all will be good. just make sure you swing by your neighborhood home depot for the longer bolts. They have a pretty good assortment of grade 5 stuff. Some people on here don't give stock stuff enough credit and think everything needs to be rediculously overbuilt.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: utica il
all i can say is this wasn't me, but i smell troll, perhaps a previously banned user? seriously, rainbows, thornbirds, bodylifts, and epic in the title? for ****s sake, try to be a little less obvious.
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Wow I missed alot. You guys seem to think my tires choice is obviuosly a bad choice. Also it seems to be more of a joke than any heplfull advice. I may be new to the offroad 4x4 thing but I am looking for pointers as to how I should maybe put this thing together. I'm really just looking for some advice with this style truck for help and what tricks I can do to make it RIGHT! Maybe I should have posted in the 87-96 section
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: utica il
my advice to you is to abandon this username, and come back in a few days or weeks under a new name, and use an avatar that doesn't "puke gayness", and start a new thread titled " newb to the offroad scene in need of advice". try avoiding terms like "epic build" and "i'm naming my truck the legend", and come up with a good cover story for why you bought t-birds. maybe something like " i got 38's for $50 a piece, so even though they suck, i had to buy them at that price".
look on the bright side, you are only losing 4 posts and gaining the option to not get flamed for the rest of your time here if you go my suggested route. i unfortunately screwed myself over, but cannot bring myself to abandon all that is the awesomeness of the username fatdan460.
*p.s. the name funboy+rainbow=pleasemakefunofme
look on the bright side, you are only losing 4 posts and gaining the option to not get flamed for the rest of your time here if you go my suggested route. i unfortunately screwed myself over, but cannot bring myself to abandon all that is the awesomeness of the username fatdan460.
*p.s. the name funboy+rainbow=pleasemakefunofme