adamrcannon

I wanted to create this build thread because so many people are unsure or have questions about building a 2WD. I have never built one before but after seeing so many people build them where I live in South Florida I figured I would give it a shot since I have done so many 4WD's. My goal with this is to hopefully help people make the right decision when buying a truck to build. I am certainly learning a lot as I get in to it both good and bad.

Here is my previous truck build list:

1998 Vista Blue 4x4 Extended Cab 3" Body Lift on 33's
1999 Lariat 4x4 7" Fabtech $ 2" Body Lift on 37's
2004 STX 4x4 Extended Cab 7" Fabtech lift on 35's
2006 FX4 SuperCrew 6" Pro Comp Lift on 35's
2014 Silverado 4x4 9" Mcguaghys & 3" Body Lift on 37's

Current Truck: 2015 F-150 XLT SuperCrew 5.0

I went to the lot looking for the cheapest 5.0 Supercrew I could nab because I wanted to build something custom. These trucks are getting more and more expensive and while I could just grab a premium trim level and wrap it all up into my payment I would rather not just be another cookie cutter truck.

The things I want or at least hope some people take away from this are:

1) If you want to build a 2WD, do it. All of my 4WD trucks never saw mud or any real offroading. The 4WD ended up being a hassle because I had to cycle it through once in a while to ensure proper function.
2) How much money can be saved building a 2WD vs. 4WD.
3) What are the TRUE downsides to 2WD.

Here is a quick shot of how it started and where I am at now. I will get into more detail in subsequent posts.

Rexey

Good idea on the build... In the northeast I would be stuck on every hill without 4wd in the winter.

J15

Nice truck. Not all of us have the luxury of living somewhere that never gets snow. 4WD is a necessity if you live in snow territory. I wouldn't be able to make it up my driveway, much less around town without 4WD.

zx12-iowa

So essentially you want to build a truck that looks like it can be a god off-roader but actually can't. A poser if you will... Lol. Whatever floats your boat down here in gator country. I'm sure it cheaper to pretend in 2wd lower trim than 4wd premium trim.

It does look nice and would have me fooled.

Martian

Anyone claiming to be a "Senior Member" does not have to be so rude, @zx12-iowa.

Damien1990

What is the offset on your rims? And what lift kit did you go with?

redranger04g

Awesome looking truck OP. Lots of lifted 2wd here in southern california. Definitely not a poser, plenty of functions for a lifted truck.

AricsFX

iTrader: (3)

I hate the "off-roader" argument. You ever taken your lifted truck on a trail??? Lol a lifted truck on any offroad trail would fail miserably. Idk about you, but I'm not taking my 50 thousand dollar truck to any trail to offroad.

berty

I guess Baja runners aren't good offroad vehicles.

Ecoengineer

For the sake of argument and what I believe the other guy is trying to say but in a much more a hole way is that in Iowa you can basically count on one hand the number of 2wd trucks you see here. The ones you do see lifted and 2wd are usually not from Iowa....hence the "poser" comment. Nevermind off roading or trail riding, when there's 4 inches of wet snow on top of ice and you're at an intersection with a hill you better have 4wd or you'll be holding up traffic for awhile. I honestly don't care if you think you're 2wd truck could drive up it cause there's nothing easier than turning a *** and always making it. All this aside it makes perfect sense to build these trucks in the south if you are going for looks and a little more capability. I'm looking forward to what he all does with this truck.