- Location
- Eagle Mountain, Utah
I've loved my Coopers. They just discontinued there old ATs and released the new "Stronghold" ATs. Supposed to be better in every way...
Rot Box’s Superduty
- Thread starter Rot Box
- Start date
DesertRam
Active Member
- Location
- Southern New Mexico
I run pretty aggressive tires on my Ram 2500, so I'll probably try the STT PROs when my current Yokohama Geolander MTs are done. Those are great tires, but they're made in Japan and are shaping up to have a shorter than expected life considering their price.
- Location
- Eagle Mountain, Utah
I had stt pros on my jeep for a long time and loved them. Did great in everything I tried them on. Specifically remember one trip in the winter that I was the only vehicle that didn't get stuck in the snow and I had just put the new stt pros on beforehand. Only reason I didn't keep them was because I went up in size and they are pricey!
DesertRam
Active Member
- Location
- Southern New Mexico
I'll stick with 295/70R17 - any larger would put the truck higher than I want for towing the fifth wheel. At that size, the SSTs are a few bucks more than the Yokos, but not enough to worry about considering they're US-made. It's worth it to me. I may also take a look at the BFG KM3 or Firestone Destination.
- Location
- Smithfield Utah
So the thermostat housing on these trucks is kind of a weak point. It’s a stamped steel piece that’s pretty flimsy. Mine started to sweat a bit so I replaced it with a nice stronger billet alum piece and a new Motorcraft thermostat.
Anyway the Napa/Gates pn for the upper coolant hose is 9906. This hose routes around the serpentine belt instead of through it. That way you can change the belt without removing the upper radiator hose—good job Ford 😉
Anyway the Napa/Gates pn for the upper coolant hose is 9906. This hose routes around the serpentine belt instead of through it. That way you can change the belt without removing the upper radiator hose—good job Ford 😉
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
There's always some stupids on a F*rd (probably on everything else as well?)
- Location
- Smithfield Utah
They all suck.. some are just worse than others 🤣
- Location
- Smithfield Utah
Drove Tinky under a big rock 😎.
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
How are your kidneys driving that beast down those roads?
- Location
- Smithfield Utah
Sore! Airing down (a lot) is a must. No name shocks are still attached. Haha
- Location
- Smithfield Utah
On that note would 4” lift springs and new shocks ride worse than the clapped out springs on this truck? Some of those aftermarket spring packs are super arched and THICK. Reason I ask is I’m due for tires soon. Would really like 37’s with minimal lift on this ol girl 😳
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Since I've gotten mine, I've been SERIOUSLY considering the '05 up suspension swap. We should collaborate/commiserate? I have a trail Jeep that will be sucking up my cash until at least June or so. After that, the 7.3L will get a bunch of attention.
- Location
- West Haven, UT
I think a swap to the '05-up suspension and axles would be a huge upgrade. The ride would be better, but turning radius is vastly improved. I think most of it bolts in. Swapping the steering box and new wheels make it more complicated/expensive. If you got a wrecked truck, it'd be easier than collecting the parts separately.
I considered it for our tow rig, but I upgraded to SSBC brakes and Bigwig sway bars this year...keeping these axles
I considered it for our tow rig, but I upgraded to SSBC brakes and Bigwig sway bars this year...keeping these axles
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
The really bad thing is when I think of axle swapping, then I go down the rabbit hole of should I swap in a dually axle set and dump the pickup bed. Then I talk myself out of the F350 axles into the F450 or F550 axles for the heavier tires. Then should I stretch the frame (remember it's an F350) to carry the Jeep on the deck? Then I go back to just leave the truck as it is (axle and tire/wheel wise) as I'm not the biggest fan of cobbled tow rigs.
I should just enjoy the truck for what it is and embrace it for what it's not. If I want an '05-16 truck, there are plenty out there (I'd likely go right back to a gasser (V10 or 6.2L) unless the right '14-16 6.7L showed up).
Totally different use case than @Rot Box but the same platform except color.
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- Location
- West Haven, UT
But keeping the 7.3L keeps you out of all the emission nonsense, easier/cheaper repairs and an unique rig. My vote is to modify to suit - just figure out exactly what it is the truck needs to do.
Thursty
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Green River
I need to drive Long Canyon again, it’s been too “long”.
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Which brings us back to the @Rot Box question of buying 4" lift springs for 37" or is it wiser/betterer to do the lift for a '05-16 setup? I haven't driven this leaf spring rig on dirt roads but did drive my '04 Dodge and my '10 Sweaty Betty a fair amount on dirt roads. The coils are NICE to have up front. I prefer the Ford design for strength and the Dodge design for comfort (but barely give the Dodge the edge there).
For his use, I think I'd look for an '05 donor truck and go with it? Not sure if that's within budget or desire?
@Rot Box did mention he was spitting blood above after his latest excursion
If you're doing a coil front axle (which I think would be GREAT), I think the '05+ trucks have longer rear springs compared to the older ones. Not sure how much--but that would help ride quality a bit. (not that my '12 is anything to brag about, but it is better than my 2000 was)