Figured it was time to start a build thread. Here's my 02 XLT 4x4. Been in the family since it rolled off the show room floor. Just recently put a plow on it this winter. Here's how it sits as of now. Don't really have any other pictures of it before this. Lots of worked planned for the spring once the weather turns around now that it has become a plow truck. 117,000 miles

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Now that the weather has turned around and there is no more chance for snow, I got around to upgrading the suspension for plowing. Installed #1 torsion bars to accommodate the extra weight of the plow. These were a PITA to get out since the rust pretty much bonded them to the control arm. Had to beat them out with a sledge and pipe. Took about an hour for each one including torching them numerous times to try to get them to break free. Keys were also bonded by rust so had to use a press to pop the bars out of them. Everything got a generous amount of anti-seize but hopefully I won't have to change these again. Once those were in, I maxed them out at about 1 3/4". Might have to get drop shackles now that the front is higher than the rear.

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Since getting the torsion bars in, I figured it was time to replace the worn out shocks that get me rocking whenever I hit small bumps. I wanted something that would work great for plowing and also towing a boat. So I picked up a set of Rancho RS9000XL shocks for the front and rear. Got them on Rock Auto for about $86 a piece and a $100 rebate made the deal that much sweeter. Rust proofed all of the valve adjusters, they have a tendency to seize after a short period of use. I set them all to a level of 6 and the ride is a night and day difference. These socks were well worth the money.

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Subscribed!

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2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents

duplicate

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If you're wondering how those tires ride, look up member Castleguard.
He has a 5" RCD lift and Duratracs. Some say the Duratracs suck and some say they're good.

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2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents

I've only seen good reviews outnumber the bad.

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I mean since you plow snow, I assume they're rated really good for that?

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2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents

They handle great in snow, which is what they'll mainly be used for. I don't do much serious off roading so I don't need a tire to hummm down the highway. These have some noise but nothing like a mud tire.

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Started on installing a body lift so I can fit the new tires, but I'm battling 13 years of Midwestern winters. Only two bed bolts came out in tact, two snapped, and the other two needed the heads ground off. I'm facing the same problems with the cab mounts. For now I have to drive around with my truck looking like this.

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Just a teaser of what's to come

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Did you get the body lift done? That's why I decided against doing it on my truck, do NOT want to deal with the rust.

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2004 DSG FX4 Level II - DD, T-bar Crank, Custom front tube bumper, Dynomax Catback, DSG Alcoas & 32x11.50 BFG KO2s
2002 Ford Focus ZTS - Toy, Supercharged & Lowered

Body lift is done except for the bumpers. It really wasn't that hard taking out the cab mounts once they were heated. I used an induction heater to get them red hot and out they spun with an impact. There's loctite that keeps them from coming out.

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For those who haven't followed my nexus install thread, finished mounting a nexus 7 tablet in the dash along with its own dedicated power supply. The head unit is held in place temporarily until my floor console is finished.

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While the truck is in the shop getting an alignment and the new wheels and tires put on, I started work on a projector retrofit. So far I've made my own PCB for turn signals and running lights. Outer ring is running light halo.

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A little teaser before the final product.

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