for the bumper, are you saying that the little clips on the top of the bumer where it meets the metal part are busted? if so you might be able to get new clips from ford or for now just zip tie them on. ive run my truck without the lower part for a while and had no problems, just had to zip tie up the flap that goes from the crossmember to the plastic bumper part.

as for the tires- the biggest most aggresive tires you can run are always the best when your trying to off road. i ran 32" bfg at's when i was at stock height and had alot of fun, in fact i have pics in my gallery of off roading with them.

I painted the lower plastic part of my bumper black, i still have to paint the grille cause its the stock gray and ill probably just tape it off like you did.

 

For the bumper: The spot where the clip goes over the hole is cutt off because the clip was cutting my plastic as my air ratchet turned it, when using a normal ratchet it also cut it. So instead of having a hole for a screw/bolt to go through, its a U. So the clips and using a bolt will no longer work.

Painting the grille without taking it off was really easy. The tape will go right underneath the insert and right overtop of the shell, its the easiest thing you would ever want to have to put tape on. I found some old xmas wrapping paper so I covered my headlights, and engine. Its easier to put the hood up so you dont have to put tape on your paint.

 

you might have to replace that lower valence, you could drille new holes just to the sides of the old ones but that seems like alot of work, run it without it for a bit and if you dont like it get a new one

 

I got nothing wrong with running without but the frame is just stickin right out and its coated with surface rust so it doesnt look too great

 

Im hopefully picking up this Bad Boy this weekend!

 

picked the truck up about 3 weeks ago. 4.6L 5sp. 4 wheel drive on the floor

 

Pic of the first day I saw it on the lot.



Pic with latest mods

 

97 4x4 4.6 5 speed

 

You've gotta love the reg cab flare sides ) Nice trucks guys!

 

Almost back on the road. 4.6L was still running strong after 240k miles.

 

arent you dropping a cummins in that thing bigreen? been following your build over on pirate. gives me inspiration to sas a 99-03 truck one day.

 

It's already in it in that picture. All we are waiting on is the intercooler to be made, and a new tranny. We made some bonehead moves with the first tranny, and also the t-case was shot before it even went in.

It should have been done long ago. Im tired of just moving it in and out of the shop.

Kits are available now for the SAS. Best thing I have ever done to it hands down.

 

you using the stock dodge tranny and t case or gonna do something like a 203-205 doubler type idea?

are those kits through your company or just on the market in general?

 

Stock Dodge stuff for now.

Id love to go further into detail on the kits, but dont want to overstep my bounds before knowing the vendor rules on this site.

 

good call, forgot about that. ill check out your site for now. ill pm you if i have any questions.