canadianguy

Just saying! It seems like a lot of guys get grand ideas with big budgets like this that never come to fruition. I hope it does, this is the type of project that I'd love to see an end product. However I think it might cost a bit more than you have budgeted for, especially adding power with (potentially) a rebuilt motor and procharger.

I don't think 500hp is necessary, and to get there I think you are going to reduce reliability especially in an application like this, where I assume you are going to be going through some nasty terrain. I would think swapping the gears out would be a better approach. Intake, exhaust and tune with 4.56 or something.

I'll be eager to see some progress!

Cutless009

From what I've seen intake and exhaust, even with a tune, don't do much.

However, a gear swap to 4.56 or even 5.11 in preparation for the oversized tires wouldn't be out of the question, it's something I've been looking into recently. Since reliability is basically THE key to this truck, I'm definitely not keen on doing anything to reduce it.

If 500hp from this motor isn't realistic, it isn't realistic. Honestly I felt like 500hp would be necessary for getting through nasty weather (think mud slide) or up steep hills, maybe it's not. Perhaps someone with more experience off-road would like to chime in on this.

Cutless009

Still trying to figure out what I want to do suspension-wise.

So far I am thinking:

DBR Long-Travel Suspension Kit w/ Hydraulic Stops:
http://www.vegasdezertfab.com/prerun...nsion-kit.html

Camburg Coilovers:
http://camburg.com/store/04-08-f-150...-coilover-kit/

Still not sure what to do with the rear. I'm not sure how much travel/beefiness I need out of the rear suspension. Any suggestions?

ccwbrd

This is kind of what I was picturing, by what he had written.

Bossgame

Any update?

Cutless009

So far nothing big on the outside. Replaced the timing chains, guides, and tensioners, VCT solenoids, cam phasers, plugs, COPs, regeared the rear diff to 4.75 (had to be rebuilt anyways) and did clutches etc, new ac condenser/evaporator and some other related parts, did transmission flush, pan drop, and filter change, fitted new LED fog lights and new fog assemblies and recently added some retrofits with dual RGB halos in each light from sdatrlp.

Next up is re-blacking all the faded grey plastic on the exterior, better offset offroad wheels and 35 (37 if I can make them fit) tires, a box for under the rear seat to hold pull straps and other rescue gear, and more lighting for night rescues.

After taking with some folks at an offroad parts store I think I can scale back the suspension and tires a bit and still meet my goal for offroad performance and stick with as much lift as I can get away with without custom driveshafts and do some nice upper and lower control arms in the front with hydraulic bump stops and an extended axle in the rear to widen the stance about 2-3 inches on all for corners.

So far with all the repairs etc I've put about $7,000 making her a solid foundation to build from. Time to start saving up for the bigger purchases to get her where I want her.

ak_cowboy

What gears did you use? pics?

zimmer0

iTrader: (1)

you have budgeted $12k for the suspension and you're sticking with IFS for this type of application? SFA or go home, especially when you plan on running bigger tires, more power and are planning for extreme conditions. Comparing the 1/2 ton IFS to a Dana 60 is laughable.