New member Thermo
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Joined: Sep 2025
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New member Thermo
hello all, thought I would introduce myself. Some of you may know me already if you spent time back in the day on FordTruckWorld. I have owned a 97 Expedition for many, many years. It has a 4" lift and 37" TRXUS tires, regeared to 4.56. Fun truck to 4x4 in. I was leading the path forward for what was the biggest tire you could fit on the expedition with the minimal lift. With the failing of FTW, i kinda lost touch with most of the people there and moved on to other adventures. Now I do a lot with Jaguars (X-Types, XJ's). As some will find out, I like to dabble in a lot of different parts of the vehicles and am willing to get greasy when needed.
I am looking to get back into an F-150 and have started my research. Looking to start with a standard cab/short box XL (keeping things simple) and then adding:
-Stage 3 whipple supercharger to the 5.0L motor (to have some extra power and to also get rid of the cylinder deactivation function and to get rid of the auto START/STOP feature).
-3/5 drop
-20" rims running a staggered setup (265/50R20 up front with a 295/45R20 in the rear) - Possibly a wider tire in rear based on what will fit with no rubbing and not having to tub the truck.
- rear roll bar with a possible conversion to a 5 link setup.
-long tube headers with a dual 3" exhaust (muffler to be determined).
-aftermarket radio (final components will be decided once truck is in hand to ensure fitment).
-ZBO pearl overlay to the factory black paint. Obviously there will be some other color matching occurring here.
This is the list of "will haves". Other things I am researching are:
-FLIR camera setup in the front of the truck
-mirror delete being replaced by IR/daylight cameras being shown on 7" monitors at the base of the A-pillars (question of legality on this one).
-3" cowl hood (not needed, but pondering the final look of the truck).
-A ZBR pearl tribal stripe to complement the ZBO final color.
-rear roll pan setup
As you can see, kinda going after the 99 Lightning look, but with a modern day twist to it. Most of the work I will be doing myself. Going to be my retirement present to myself.
Let me know what you think. Looking to see what you all have to say. Looking to see what people's experiences are with some of the companies that I am looking at. More than willing ot spend a little extra to get something that will handle what I am tossing at it (specifically the suspension parts).
Chris "Thermo" Coleman and Nukie, the 97 Ford Expy, and Grayson, the 16 Jaguar XJL
I am looking to get back into an F-150 and have started my research. Looking to start with a standard cab/short box XL (keeping things simple) and then adding:
-Stage 3 whipple supercharger to the 5.0L motor (to have some extra power and to also get rid of the cylinder deactivation function and to get rid of the auto START/STOP feature).
-3/5 drop
-20" rims running a staggered setup (265/50R20 up front with a 295/45R20 in the rear) - Possibly a wider tire in rear based on what will fit with no rubbing and not having to tub the truck.
- rear roll bar with a possible conversion to a 5 link setup.
-long tube headers with a dual 3" exhaust (muffler to be determined).
-aftermarket radio (final components will be decided once truck is in hand to ensure fitment).
-ZBO pearl overlay to the factory black paint. Obviously there will be some other color matching occurring here.
This is the list of "will haves". Other things I am researching are:
-FLIR camera setup in the front of the truck
-mirror delete being replaced by IR/daylight cameras being shown on 7" monitors at the base of the A-pillars (question of legality on this one).
-3" cowl hood (not needed, but pondering the final look of the truck).
-A ZBR pearl tribal stripe to complement the ZBO final color.
-rear roll pan setup
As you can see, kinda going after the 99 Lightning look, but with a modern day twist to it. Most of the work I will be doing myself. Going to be my retirement present to myself.
Let me know what you think. Looking to see what you all have to say. Looking to see what people's experiences are with some of the companies that I am looking at. More than willing ot spend a little extra to get something that will handle what I am tossing at it (specifically the suspension parts).
Chris "Thermo" Coleman and Nukie, the 97 Ford Expy, and Grayson, the 16 Jaguar XJL