1996 Ford F150 - Centurion
 

Hello all.

I am new to this Forum but wanted to post some pictures and get some feedback on a Truck that I bought last year.

I purchased this 1996 Ford F150 4WD V8 351 last year. It came off the line at Ford as a Standard Cab XLT...and then Centurion took and elongated it and turned it in the a 4 door. It can easily carry 6 adults and is really awesome!! I paid $1800 bucks for it!! It is in GREAT condition!!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...6c700a59dd.jpg


1996 Ford 150 Centurion

I am planning on doing a few modifications to it. Like lifting it a bit...painting it...new head/tail lights...etc. I'll try and post my workings as I go along. If you have any suggestions I am wide open to them. For example I was thinking of putting a billet grill on it, but want something a bit more modern. I kind of like the raptor ford grills but I can never find an actual one to buy...maybe you have some ideas.

Anways, thought I would share this beauty since I don't see many of these on the road.

Very nice condition. Couple inches of lift, 32 to 33 inch tires, polish your front wheels...
I really like the chrome grilles, but I can see yours doesn't really stand out with the white paint .. I wonder how it might look if the grey parts behind the chrome were white ?

Over the last week I have spent some time lifting my truck. First I started with the tail end...I added a 2inch add a leaf. It was quite and experience!!! But in the end the tail end came up 3 inches...not sure why as it was a 2 inch lift.

The I moved to the front...initally I was just going to place 2 inch spacers under the coils. While doing that I also replaced the Radius arm bushings. Learned a lot about drilling out rivets and replacing with bolts!! And by "learned" I mean to say I swore a lot!!!

I ended up going with new lift coils. At first the 4wd Shop sold me 1.5-2 inch lift coil from Skyjacker. But since this Centurion is kind of not the normal truck it really sank hard and probably only lifted 1 inch...here is a picture.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...253018719b.jpg

I was a bit depressed with how this turned out...I mean my hands were bloody and sore and the time I had put in to this to not be happy with the front. I was happy with the back end though - as you can see it lifted really well.

So I called the 4WD shop and had them take a look at the truck...he too was amazing that the coil (Skyjacker 182) only gave an inch of lift. He swapped me for an upto 4" lift coil (Skyjacker 184)...these were some serious coils!!! Now it is sitting up really good...probably a bit more of a lift than I was going for. but I think it is starting to looks pretty good.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...1deab64c44.jpg

I need to get it aligned still as the tires are way off...I am debating if it needs a drop pitman arm. I drove it a few miles to help set the coils. The steering wheel is only off center by about 10 degrees. The shop says that they think I should be good as the steering rods can extend. What do you think? here is a pic of the steering geometry.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...1132b126df.jpg


This pic is driving straight down the road and where I had to hold the wheel.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...ad207a5d55.jpg

Found the coolest Diamond Plate polish. Check this stuff out!! It is a two step process with minimal to no elbow grease!!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...5f514dbc79.jpg

What kind of condition is your grill/emblem in?

What is it called and where did you find it? My truck needs to shine like that haha

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005WWMP86

The grill and emblem are in great condition. No cracks...some shine to the chrome and it could look great. I may just keep it stock but am interested in a more custom look.

Here is a link to it on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005WWMP86

Here is a YouTube video on the stuff. It really is as easy as the video shows.

My truck bed rail caps are also diamond plate but there seems to be a layer of dried out clear coat or something on it. Or it is a layer of oxidization from 96. The only way I have found to remove it is with steel wool. Then I polish it with this stuff. The wool l scratches the crap out of the metal but it still looks better Than it did... kind of a shiny matte finish.

But my tool box just takes some polish and it is mirror like. Crazy cool stuff. Have some rags ready though... they get really black when wiping of the polish.

1800 bucks? wow you gotta major deal. nice find.