My truck's transformation (04 FX4 SCREW) *56K Warning*
05-15-2010, 08:38 PM
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My truck's transformation (04 FX4 SCREW) *56K Warning*
Hey everyone, hope you've been well. When I first got my F150 I knew absolutely nothing (no exaggeration) about cars or trucks. Even the simplest of things I had no clue about. I was an utter noobie. Through reading this forum and bugging the crap out of people on here with the dumbest questions ever, my knowledge base has grown immensely. Now when I read a thread, I usually know what’s going on. With this knowledge I gained from each of you, I started the never ending purchase of modifications for the truck. Since then, I've wanted to post a thread detailing my mods from inception to present day for quite a while. A couple Fridays ago I reached a milestone modification (based on the amount of $$$ shelled out at time of purchase), so I decided this would be a good time to write this all out in chronological order. Hopefully this will help other noobies so they don’t have to annoy the experts on here.
I bought my 04 FX4 SCREW, used, in September of 08 with about 65,000 miles (90k now) on it after rolling my father's 03 SCREW, four times, the previous month. I use a truck for truck things like hauling sod or building materials for home projects. I also use the truck as a rescue/relief vehicle when I volunteer during our hurricane seasons. I'm a big fan of practicality. The truck must work, no matter what, even in extreme circumstances. So the mods I've made reflect the desire for a near-unstoppable truck.
Stock:
Mod #1: Tires.
The tires that came on the truck were in very poor condition, so I did a quick upgrade to 265/70/17 BFG All Terrain T/A's.
Mods #2 and #3: Leveling kit and shocks.
Wanted to improve the stance of the truck. Went with a 2.5" kit from Hell Bent Steel.
Stock shocks were shot, switched them out for Bilstein 5100's all around set at 0 lift.
Mod #4: Line-X XTRA Bedliner.
Stepped into the bed one day and heard a loud crunch. Turns out I had a hole in the bed itself, beneath the plastic liner. I had that removed and the bed done with Line-X XTRA. I've fallen in love with that stuff ever since.
Mods #5, #6, #7, and #7 1/2: Bed cover, third brake light, tail light guards, shorty antenna.
The cover was a must. I needed a way to keep my cargo dry and secure. I chose a retractable cover because I wanted something with strength and to be self-contained if I wished to make more room for larger cargo. There’s also the added gas mileage “benefit”. I went with the Rollbak G2.
After a car wash, I noticed lines of water down my back seats and a puddle below that. Replaced the stock 3rd brake light with one from Recon.
Continued below:
I bought my 04 FX4 SCREW, used, in September of 08 with about 65,000 miles (90k now) on it after rolling my father's 03 SCREW, four times, the previous month. I use a truck for truck things like hauling sod or building materials for home projects. I also use the truck as a rescue/relief vehicle when I volunteer during our hurricane seasons. I'm a big fan of practicality. The truck must work, no matter what, even in extreme circumstances. So the mods I've made reflect the desire for a near-unstoppable truck.
Stock:
Mod #1: Tires.
The tires that came on the truck were in very poor condition, so I did a quick upgrade to 265/70/17 BFG All Terrain T/A's.
Mods #2 and #3: Leveling kit and shocks.
Wanted to improve the stance of the truck. Went with a 2.5" kit from Hell Bent Steel.
Stock shocks were shot, switched them out for Bilstein 5100's all around set at 0 lift.
Mod #4: Line-X XTRA Bedliner.
Stepped into the bed one day and heard a loud crunch. Turns out I had a hole in the bed itself, beneath the plastic liner. I had that removed and the bed done with Line-X XTRA. I've fallen in love with that stuff ever since.
Mods #5, #6, #7, and #7 1/2: Bed cover, third brake light, tail light guards, shorty antenna.
The cover was a must. I needed a way to keep my cargo dry and secure. I chose a retractable cover because I wanted something with strength and to be self-contained if I wished to make more room for larger cargo. There’s also the added gas mileage “benefit”. I went with the Rollbak G2.
After a car wash, I noticed lines of water down my back seats and a puddle below that. Replaced the stock 3rd brake light with one from Recon.
Continued below:
05-15-2010, 08:40 PM
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The Westin tail light guards were one of those semi-practical purchases. It had more of an aesthetic plus to it, in my opinion. They were really inexpensive and I decided to pull the trigger on them. Turns out they’re worth it! I backed into a metal mailbox with a solid concrete base and destroyed it without any damage to the truck or the guard.
Got me a 14 inch shorty to replace the 29 inch stock antenna that kept hitting the garage door and low obstacles. Simple, cheap, and effective.
Mod #8: Eaton Detroit TrueTrac Rear Differential.
Had this horrible grinding in the rear of the truck during acceleration when the wheel was turned in either direction. Ford said my clutch packs were bad and I needed to give them $1600 to replace them. Found the TrueTrac for $600, superior to the stock unit, and paid $150 for the labor. Note: Eaton specifically says to use a petroleum based 80w90 fluid. I ordered the Motorcraft brand from Tasca.
Mod #9 - 9 1/2: Custom front bumper by Boondock Bumpers (now defunct).
I had a brush guard on the 03. Didn’t hold up too well. My hurricane duties required something a little sturdier with room for four KC Daylighters and, eventually, a winch. This bumper was designed by forum member, Impact9. It is the defining feature of my truck and my favorite mod. It’s already been through an accident and taken no damage. I had Line-X applied to it as well.
Mod #10: Power Slot Cryo Rotors and Hawk Brake Pads.
After an accident where someone cut me off, slammed on their brakes and I couldn’t stop fast enough, I decided it was time to get better brakes, considering the newly added weight to the front of the vehicle. I went with Power Slot Cryo treated rotors and Hawk LTS Pads.
Continued below:
Got me a 14 inch shorty to replace the 29 inch stock antenna that kept hitting the garage door and low obstacles. Simple, cheap, and effective.
Mod #8: Eaton Detroit TrueTrac Rear Differential.
Had this horrible grinding in the rear of the truck during acceleration when the wheel was turned in either direction. Ford said my clutch packs were bad and I needed to give them $1600 to replace them. Found the TrueTrac for $600, superior to the stock unit, and paid $150 for the labor. Note: Eaton specifically says to use a petroleum based 80w90 fluid. I ordered the Motorcraft brand from Tasca.
Mod #9 - 9 1/2: Custom front bumper by Boondock Bumpers (now defunct).
I had a brush guard on the 03. Didn’t hold up too well. My hurricane duties required something a little sturdier with room for four KC Daylighters and, eventually, a winch. This bumper was designed by forum member, Impact9. It is the defining feature of my truck and my favorite mod. It’s already been through an accident and taken no damage. I had Line-X applied to it as well.
Mod #10: Power Slot Cryo Rotors and Hawk Brake Pads.
After an accident where someone cut me off, slammed on their brakes and I couldn’t stop fast enough, I decided it was time to get better brakes, considering the newly added weight to the front of the vehicle. I went with Power Slot Cryo treated rotors and Hawk LTS Pads.
Continued below:
05-15-2010, 08:41 PM
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Mod #11: Mag-Hytec Differential Cover.
Stock cover was leaking a bit. Liked the look and added fluid capacity of the Mag-Hytec cover.
Mod #12: Wheels and Tires.
Finally ran the aforementioned BFG All Terrains down to nothing. Replaced them with 35" Nitto Trail Grappler M/T's wrapped around 18x9 XD Rockstars. Trimming was necessary, including part of the fender.
Gears and a tuner will most likely be my next upgrades in an effort to regain some fuel efficiency and power. If anyone has any questions, feel free to post them here or PM me. I'll do my best to answer them. If you need specific pictures, just ask.
Once again, thank you to everyone on here. You've helped me immensely.
Thanks,
Anthony
Stock cover was leaking a bit. Liked the look and added fluid capacity of the Mag-Hytec cover.
Mod #12: Wheels and Tires.
Finally ran the aforementioned BFG All Terrains down to nothing. Replaced them with 35" Nitto Trail Grappler M/T's wrapped around 18x9 XD Rockstars. Trimming was necessary, including part of the fender.
Gears and a tuner will most likely be my next upgrades in an effort to regain some fuel efficiency and power. If anyone has any questions, feel free to post them here or PM me. I'll do my best to answer them. If you need specific pictures, just ask.
Once again, thank you to everyone on here. You've helped me immensely.
Thanks,
Anthony
Last edited by AAK625; 05-16-2010 at 11:17 PM.
05-15-2010, 09:55 PM
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Good looking truck man.... i just got an 07 supercab and it has a plastic bed liner and after seeing that im preety sure mine will be out quick 
........... but i was wondering if u could post a pic. on how much u had to trim the fender to fit those 35's on there, they look awsome!!!!!
........... but i was wondering if u could post a pic. on how much u had to trim the fender to fit those 35's on there, they look awsome!!!!!
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05-16-2010, 12:38 AM
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Good looking truck man.... i just got an 07 supercab and it has a plastic bed liner and after seeing that im preety sure mine will be out quick ........... but i was wondering if u could post a pic. on how much u had to trim the fender to fit those 35's on there, they look awsome!!!!!
........... but i was wondering if u could post a pic. on how much u had to trim the fender to fit those 35's on there, they look awsome!!!!!The guard slides over the top of the light and you use the existing screws to attach it on one side and the clip on the other.
