Hello, my names Damian and I'm from Deer Park Texas.

I am about to graduate high school and I get 15k as a graduation present.

I really want a F150 lariat supercrew 5.4L triton V8 Fx4 2003, is there anything I should pay attention when looking for one?

Also I want to jack it up 6 inches. Any good brand names for suspension lifts? And also which are the best all terrain tires 35"?

And could you explain gear ratios and all that about modding them,

There are a few truck stores around. Anyone know if they are trustable?
-Allout offroad
-BC off road
-mikes truck toys
There's one in Texas city I forgot the name of..

I would really appreciate all the help I can get, thank y'all much,
- Damian

 

As far as lifts go the price pretty much denotes quality. Zone is a good cheaper lift if you plan on keeping the tires at 35s and keep the extreme off roaring to a minimum. Tires are all your prerogative though. Bfg is a good stand by yokohamas wear really well and so do the procomp AT general ATS are a good tire too. If you plan on running these on stock wheels be prepared for some rubbing on the frame at full lock. The gears are a whole nother story though. It will come stock with 3.73s and that will turn the 35s ok but ideally you would need 4.10s or 4.56s to have the same feeling as stock when you get on it. Changing gears gets expensive and you have to change front and rear when you do it or having a 4x4 is useless. Use the search function and check out the stickies at the top of the forums. You can find almost anything here.

 

Make sure its not leaking anything and the transmission fluid doesn't smell burnt

 

You get 15k for graduating? I got a little party with cake and family members. Lucky bastard haha

What he said is right ^^ Since money isnt a problem, buy a BDS or fabtech 6" lift with some new rims and 35s. Throw some 4.56s on front and rear axles, buy a programmer, and your truck will drive and look like you wouldnt believe. Post some pics when you get everything done man!

 

I am looking at one with 5.56's already on and also has a skid plate. Only bad thing is its 9300 and has 170k miles. Is that a problem with truck engines? I know Diesel engines run forever... My F250 7.3L power stroke has 250xxx+ and runs beautifully. What's a good all terrain wheel that looks really nice and isn't too pricy?

Thank you everyone for all if y'all's help and I will be happy to post plenty of pictures when the time comes.

And what about exhaust? And getting new headers?

 

I definitely wouldn't spend that kind of money on something with so many miles.... You never know how the previous owners took care of it. Keep looking around you'd be surprised how many nice f150s you can find for 15 grand!!!

 

yea i agree....forget lifting the truck right off the bat and use all 15K and get yourself a nice lower mileage F150...or save up for a while and you can get a newer F150