Hello all.

I have picked up a 2003 F150 Extended Cab FX4 Lariat (fully freakin loaded) in the last couple of months, and I want to start modifying it, just a little though. So far, I have put new tires on there (P265/70R17 Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos), a diamond plate toolbox, and a JVC AVX2 head unit. I have also started collecting parts for a nice stereo system, but more on that in a minute.

The reason I bought the truck was that I had just gotten out of school and had a good job (I work for Firestone as a sales associate) and wanted a nicer truck, and I also wanted something that can tow my project truck around. I was driving a 2000 Ranger, which I love the truck, but I wanted more of a truck, and this is definitely it. I have already towed the project around a little, but that was before teardown, and it towed great, except for a not-so-good trailor.

Since I am going to be towing with this truck, I would like a little more power underfoot. It already has great power, but with a load on there a little more can never hurt. I am planning for an exhaust system, but on a gasoline engine that doesnt do much unless you replace it all the way down, and that gets expensive. I have also looked into an intake, but I dont have the money to drop on that right now.

The stereo system will consist of 2 Memphis M1 in the 10 inch variety and a Memphis 500D amplifier for now. A little later down the road I am going to upgrade the highs and maybe put a small amp on those as well. Nothing that is a show stopper or a competition system, but something that sounds good and makes the truck thump.

For those of you wondering, the project is a 1988 Suzuki Samurai getting Toyota axles and coil springs, triangulated 4-link in the rear and a radius arm style setup in the front. I will be running 36 inch IROKs. Not much is done on that, except I have 95% of the parts needed to get it done. It will hopefully be around the 25-2700 pound range when completed, but we will have to see.

Also, while I am new to your forum, I am a member of several other forums, and a moderator on one. These things are great fun and a great learning tool. I am eager to learn about my new truck.

Thanks
Cameron

 

Welcome to crazy world Cameron...

If its mods you want, well then hold on to your wallet, the guys in here will have you spending your money in no time.

Sounds like you have a cool little project truck going there. Get us some pictures of both rides when you get a chance. I'd like to see that Samuri on the 37's


BREW

 

Hey Cameron! Welcome buddy! This is a great site. Lots of cool people.

 

Fairly new myself, you've found a great group of folks here. Welcome to the boards!!!!!

 

Welcome....

Best bang for the buck for more towing power and torque is probably going to be a tune, best tune is suppose to be Troyer ExcalibraterII custom tune.

But I dont know how many tunes you get with that... I odnt know if you can have it changed "retuned" if you change the exhaust, intake or anything. So check that.

Yep we'll be happy to spend your money......

 

I have no problem spending money, so far thats pretty much been my entire project. Gears, lockers, shafts, links, springs, brackets, and tires really adds up. I dont want to think about how much I have spent so far, that would not be good.

Here are some pictures, the truck pictures are before anything is done. The Zuk picture is a recent picture, needless to say I have a lot of work ahead of me.

EDIT: photobucket doesnt want to work so good, pictures will come.

 

You can upload the pics to a photo gallery here.

At the top click photo galleries and follow instructions to set up your gallery, then add photos.

 

Sammy -


Radius arm with coil mount (self jigging peice, not welded so it looks a little funny) -

 

And truck picture, before anything was done -

Thats the only good picture I have. I have only seen one other FX4 with the same color scheme as mine in the area, not bad for 3 months of looking for one like mine.

 

The picture with tires: The springs under the bench are TJ 3 inch lift springs for the front and stock rear 4Runner springs for the rear. The t-case at the bottom is geared 6.4:1, and all of the axle stuff is next to the springs. The axle is geared 5.29:1 with a Detroit in the front and a spool in the rear.

 

Welcome
Best way to get yourself started would be Intake, Exhaust, and Tuner. After that, The mod train starts to really roll, and we take no responsibility for stopping it.

 

So you can get us deals on tires right? More importantly how bout me?

Have any Steeltex's layin around your store? Bought out all the remaining stock from our local firestone.

 

I can get deals but shipping would kill the deal.

No more Steeltex's, now all we have are Transforce's, in both A/T and H/T.

 

Cameron! I have an 86 Sammy, nothing as fancy as yours, mostly stock but they are a fun little rig to play around with!

 

It doesn't really matter how much you spend, as long as we're happy with the results. :santa: