Ford Build Thread: FrED the Ford. '98 E350 7.3 4x4 The More We Explore's Adventure Van

[sixstringsteve]

It's looking like the high top won't be here till Monday or Tuesday. I'll keep this thread updated.

 

[thefirstzukman]

You didn't update this, hope you got some help.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I ended up running out of time and driving it to long beach to get it installed. Loving the high top.

 

[thefirstzukman]

Cool, hope you are out of this weather.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Yup, we are in AZ now.

Here's fred.

 

[sixstringsteve]

A few recent pics. I'm LOVING this van.

 

[jeeper]

No interior pics???? Why you gotta leave us hanging???

 

[sixstringsteve]

it's just a mess of gear at the moment. We haven't built out the interior yet.

 

[RogueJeepr]

Your graphics are missing ?

 

[Max Power]

Looks good!

 

[BlueWolfFab]

Your graphics are missing ?

Gotta watch the videos

 

[benjy]

I've really been enjoying the youtube channel lately, getting some great ideas from you guys. We are planning on part timing this summer (3-4 months/year), picking up a new to us 5er next week. Keep it up! Looking forward to the video on the high top install.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Thanks Benjy. Unfortunately I didn't film the high top install (the vendor didn't want to advertise that they do installs). Congrats on the 5th wheel.

 

[glockman]

How are you liking those Coopers after all the towing you have done with them? I am thinking they will be the next tires to go on my tow rig.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I love 'em. They're heavy, but they're fantastic tires. I've had them on 3 rigs. They do well in all conditions except ice, but they're still better than most A/Ts in snow and ice.

 

[BlueWolfFab]

I had cooper STT's on my work 6.0 powerstroke, only got about 20k mi out of them, I feel like they were a softer compound. Hope you get more out of yours.

 

[sixstringsteve]

They have a soft rubber that's good for snow and colder weather. I've got 15k on 'em and I'm at about 80% tread.

 

[mbryson]

I had cooper STT's on my work 6.0 powerstroke, only got about 20k mi out of them, I feel like they were a softer compound. Hope you get more out of yours.

I'm with BlueWolfFab on the Coopers. Not a fan on my rigs that have had them (FAST wear and not quite as round as I'd like) but if they are working out for you (and it appears they are) run 'em if you like 'em

 

[sixstringsteve]

Not all coopers use the same rubber compound. I had some SSTs and they wore fast, same experience with their MT. These are wearing great though. I like these for the true 3 ply sidewall and the silica-infused rubber for when I hit cold weather. Even if they wear a little bit faster (which they don't seem to be doing), I've really been a fan of them. They're only slightly quieter than an M/T though. I like them more than my KM2s and KO1s in the past. The KO2 is an intriguing tire too. If these coopers didn't exist, I'd have the KO2s.

 

[sixstringsteve]

If they made a Michelin LTX MS/2 with a thicker sidewall and a thicker carcass, I think that'd be a fantastic tire for my needs. I'm pretty hard on my sidewalls.

Good reading here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/66989-Michelin-LTX-MX-2-Off-Road/page2