Offroad Work Truck: 2013 EcoBoost FX4
02-24-2014, 08:26 AM
#11
Proudly Canadian
Damn! That's quite the pin striping for the first trip. I too would like to see some pics of it on the terrain you're travelling! Sounds like a fun drive
02-24-2014, 08:48 AM
#12
It's a truck..?? That's what they build them for..hence "truck" and "FX4 Offroad package". Weird how those seem to be ignored these days.
Love it man. I got the 4" rancho for mine and will be upgrading to 35s soon and king coilovers built and valved for my specific height!!
Also just took my steps off and will be getting amp automatic running boards! Stoked on your cabin as well. Gonna need some storage for guns and ammo to!
Running boards off 4" rancho and 33x12.50r18 w/ 18x9 -12mm XD addicts
Love it man. I got the 4" rancho for mine and will be upgrading to 35s soon and king coilovers built and valved for my specific height!!
Also just took my steps off and will be getting amp automatic running boards! Stoked on your cabin as well. Gonna need some storage for guns and ammo to!
Running boards off 4" rancho and 33x12.50r18 w/ 18x9 -12mm XD addicts
So you're telling me your fine with denting and scratching the hell out of your truck?
Lol. Yeah, I was expecting comments like this one.
The way I see it is that there are essentially two types of truck owners. The first treats their trucks like delicate show queens. They add all manner of aftermarket goodies to make the truck look better than stock. They can't imagine driving it offroad and scratching the paint. Instead, they cruise it on Friday nights to be seen. They may daily drive their truck, too, but it gets a wash and wax every other week to keep it in near perfect condition.
The second type of owner bought the truck to function as a workhorse. Scratches and dings aren't sought, but when they do happen they are treated almost as badges of honor. This person also adds aftermarket goodies, but only if its functional in nature, and only if it will improve the usefulness of the truck. This type of truck gets washed occasionally, too, but it's to remove underbody mud and broken off trail branches, not to make the truck look pretty.
The simple truth is neither type of owner is better or more "right" than the other; they're just different. In addition to my FX4 workhorse, I also have a thoroughbred show queen in the garage (1959 Austin Healey) that I bring out occasionally for Friday night cruising (and Saturday afternoon autocrossing).
Two types of owners; two different applications. Viva la difference.
-Bug
The way I see it is that there are essentially two types of truck owners. The first treats their trucks like delicate show queens. They add all manner of aftermarket goodies to make the truck look better than stock. They can't imagine driving it offroad and scratching the paint. Instead, they cruise it on Friday nights to be seen. They may daily drive their truck, too, but it gets a wash and wax every other week to keep it in near perfect condition.
The second type of owner bought the truck to function as a workhorse. Scratches and dings aren't sought, but when they do happen they are treated almost as badges of honor. This person also adds aftermarket goodies, but only if its functional in nature, and only if it will improve the usefulness of the truck. This type of truck gets washed occasionally, too, but it's to remove underbody mud and broken off trail branches, not to make the truck look pretty.
The simple truth is neither type of owner is better or more "right" than the other; they're just different. In addition to my FX4 workhorse, I also have a thoroughbred show queen in the garage (1959 Austin Healey) that I bring out occasionally for Friday night cruising (and Saturday afternoon autocrossing).
Two types of owners; two different applications. Viva la difference.
-Bug
Oh trust me my trucks have seen more work then yours ever will but I'm not going to dent and scratch the hell out of the body and be fine with it. I don't think any of my vehicles have ever had a coat of wax but they don't stay dirty for long. I didn't mean to sound like an *** its just my opinion on this subject.
02-24-2014, 09:01 AM
#13
So I guess what I'm saying is there are three types of people. The two you mentioned and the third, a person who uses the truck as a truck but still wants a Friday night cruiser. Although that category probably has very few people. Anywho back to your build thread and I would love the picture of when you first bought it. LOL!!
02-24-2014, 09:34 AM
#14
So I guess what I'm saying is there are three types of people. The two you mentioned and the third, a person who uses the truck as a truck but still wants a Friday night cruiser. Although that category probably has very few people. Anywho back to your build thread and I would love the picture of when you first bought it. LOL!!
02-25-2014, 12:50 PM
#15
SkallyWag
Ya. It happens. Big tires and big jobs require a bit of sacrifice. If I get a scratch on my truck it's no big deal. I bought a truck for the uses listed above as well and I really don't care what it ends up looking like. If I really want to look good I'll pull the new john Deere out $275,000 set of wheels and cruise the streets. That's an attention getter
So ya. If my job gets done and I loose some paint in the process no big deal! Plus I hate washing my truck. It's easier to leave it dirty.
The 33s will look fine. I have 33s on 18s man. I'm planking to show some flex off this coming week! Ill post pics
So ya. If my job gets done and I loose some paint in the process no big deal! Plus I hate washing my truck. It's easier to leave it dirty.
The 33s will look fine. I have 33s on 18s man. I'm planking to show some flex off this coming week! Ill post pics
02-25-2014, 01:50 PM
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Okay, the first official upgrade to the truck: a new antenna. I broke off two OEM rigid steel antennas on my old truck on the cabin trail before learning my lesson and upgrading to a rubber flexy unit. Was real happy with that result, so I figured I'd do the same mod on the FX4 before I broke the OEM antenna off.
Here's the original steel OEM unit:
And here's the $7.99 rubber unit purchased last night at the local Autozone:
Super flexible and tough. The reception is just as good as the stock antenna, too:
Not a uber-sexy upgrade, but important nonetheless...
-Bug
Here's the original steel OEM unit:
And here's the $7.99 rubber unit purchased last night at the local Autozone:
Super flexible and tough. The reception is just as good as the stock antenna, too:
Not a uber-sexy upgrade, but important nonetheless...
-Bug
Last edited by BigBadBug; 02-25-2014 at 01:56 PM.
02-27-2014, 01:24 PM
#19
Senior Member
Based on your application I would recommend two 'enhancements' - but they aren't cheap:
Adjustable coilovers up front - this will allow you to adjust the height just a bit which will help, but more importantly the valving and spring rate improvements will be much better suited for what you are doing and will ride better on the pavement. FOX, KING, ICON, SwayAway, etc...
Heavy Duty lift springs out back - ditch the factory lift blocks and use a +2 HD spring from Deaver or National - or have a custom pack made locally. Regardless, a HD 10+ leaf pack will handle that bed/cargo weight far better than factory springs and give you a bit of a lift while reducing axle wrap.
It won't be cheap but the end result will last much longer and will perform / ride better under the same conditions.
Adjustable coilovers up front - this will allow you to adjust the height just a bit which will help, but more importantly the valving and spring rate improvements will be much better suited for what you are doing and will ride better on the pavement. FOX, KING, ICON, SwayAway, etc...
Heavy Duty lift springs out back - ditch the factory lift blocks and use a +2 HD spring from Deaver or National - or have a custom pack made locally. Regardless, a HD 10+ leaf pack will handle that bed/cargo weight far better than factory springs and give you a bit of a lift while reducing axle wrap.
It won't be cheap but the end result will last much longer and will perform / ride better under the same conditions.
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BigBadBug (02-27-2014)
02-27-2014, 09:37 PM
#20
Member
Thread Starter
Today I installed a hidden kill switch on the truck. Living in Tucson, we're very close to Mexico. Ford F-150s are one of the most stolen vehicles here that end up across the border. While it won't stop a flatbed tow truck (which is how some of the vehicles get stolen), it may slow down a hot-wire attempt. Yes, I know the factory encrypted key is supposed to be pretty good, but I've also read that this can be disabled and/or the villains find a way to get duplicate keys made by bad buddies in a parts department. Dunno what to believe, but I do feel better after wiring it up.
I won't tell anyone here where the switch is located in or on the truck, or what circuitry it ties into, but it was actually pretty easy to figure out and install. I may be fooling myself, but I think I'll sleep a little easier when I leave the vehicle in parking lots.
-Bug
I won't tell anyone here where the switch is located in or on the truck, or what circuitry it ties into, but it was actually pretty easy to figure out and install. I may be fooling myself, but I think I'll sleep a little easier when I leave the vehicle in parking lots.
-Bug
