In between all the $100,000 builds we feature, we find a truck that's so well put together it might actually be obtainable.
A Solid Foundation
Jeff Teasley's 2016 Ford F-350 King Ranch is a lesson in restraint. As you'll see in the following slides, his F-350 build has taken a seriously capable, comfortable, and attractive platform and made it just a little bit better in every way. Even Teasley will admit, the F-350 Super Duty is a heck of a place to start. The 6.7 liter Powerstroke Diesel is the heart and soul of the build and as you'll see, it's received a few meaningful upgrades to really bring it to life. In other aspects, the King Ranch is a bit of a sleeper. There's no 12-inch suspension life, you won't find train horns tucked under the grille, and the exhaust doesn't have a 9-inch tip. Nonetheless, this might be one of the few trucks we've featured that you could live with and drive daily. Click along to find out what I'm on about.
Just Enough Presence
Teasley's F-350 sports a modest Icon Vehicle Dynamics leveling kit in place of some of the more expensive and involved coilover or four-link setups we typically see. The effect is a truck that ditches the typical "stinkbug" stance setup at the factory. A by-product is a little extra room to clear larger wheels and tires.
>>Join the conversation about this subtle King Ranch F-350 build right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Going Under
Tucked beneath the Icon springs you'll see Bilstein shocks. Out of view are Helwig front and rear sway bars and One Up Offroad's traction bars. With as much torque as the stock Powerstroke makes, the traction bars are a good call. Similarly, upgraded sway bars ensure more compliant handling characteristics making Teasley's F-350 a joy to live with day in and day out.
>>Join the conversation about this subtle King Ranch F-350 build right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Pulling It's Weight
Teasley's F-350 is no doubt a handsome and rugged example of the Ford brand. Going past the aesthetics, this King Ranch still handles "truck" duties with ease. Thanks to the capable Powerstroke platform and some intelligent performance upgrades, this Super Duty pulls Teasley's equipment trailer and fifth-wheel without breaking a sweat.
>>Join the conversation about this subtle King Ranch F-350 build right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Maximizing Potential
I wouldn't call the upgrades under the hood of Teasley's F-350 minimal. I don't think adding a second turbo to an engine could ever be considered "minimal". With that said, this Super Duty's engine upgrades aren't outlandish. The added BorgWarner S475 turbo feeds the stock turbo and when combined with other necessary improvements, bumps horsepower to 670 and torque to 1,350 lb-ft. All of this power is made with stock fuel injectors and unmolested internals like the camshaft, pistons, and heads. A lot of the credit goes to perfecting the flow of air both into and out of the Powerstroke motor.
>>Join the conversation about this subtle King Ranch F-350 build right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Maintaining Comfort
The inside of the F-350 was kept in classic King Ranch fashion. The comfortable (and huge) front seats remain untouched and the only noticeable upgrade is the Edge Insight Programmer. Ford has led the market in comfort and materials with the King Ranch spec since its inception. Teasley was wise to not mess with it.
>>Join the conversation about this subtle King Ranch F-350 build right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Nice Kicks
The 22x10 BMF Novakane wheels Teasley picked for his King Ranch were definitely the right choice. The black contrasts off the otherwise snow-white paint of the F-350 and compliments some of the more subtle black trim pieces. Wrapping the BMF wheels in Toyo All-Terrain tires was also a good call as the tires provide daily driveability while maintaining an aggressive appearance.
>>Join the conversation about this subtle King Ranch F-350 build right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Like a Well-Tailored Suit
Teasley's F-350 King Ranch is the perfect truck for any occasion. Need to tow? No problem. Taking a vacation with the wife and kids? No problem. Feel like making a statement at the valet? The King Ranch has you covered.
>>Join the conversation about this subtle King Ranch F-350 build right here in Ford-trucks.com.
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