Duster's 1999 build "The Lobo"

[Duster]

Well I've had my truck for a few months now and well, here's my build. The Lobo.
(all photos taken with my HTC One, so don't mind the sometimes crappy photo quality)

1999 XLT 3.0 Auto 2WD

Here's how it looked when I bought it




A few days after I bought it I found out one of the Cobra wheels had a dent and would leak air after a few days, so I bought a busted stock as a spare meanwhile I bought a new set of wheels and tires.


First "mod" was to plasidip the grille


Random pic of my dogs enjoying the very roomy back half of the truck


Was assigned a new droid


Picked these up on CL

Thought about buying a set of wheels online, but I'll save the nicer stuff for another time.

Not Belltech, but I'm sure they'll do. $45 at Pep Boys


Side by side

Took me a couple hours to install, driver side was a real PITA to do


New tires for the stocks, Achilles Desert Hawk A/T 235/70r15


3" lift coils came in, will be swapping out for 2" lift coils since I don't really want to swap out to aftermarket control arms (pissed at myself for not realizing this while ordering)



Prepping bumper for satin paint

After


Center caps dipped


Lower half of bumper also getting satin paint


Wheels dipped



Prepped for painting of chrome on bumpers



Dipped Ranger badges also


Finished product, not the best looking paint job, but I like it.





Soon to come:
Add missing leaves to each side that PO removed or new set of leaf springs
Tinted windows
Upgraded sound system
Blackened headlights, not sure whether to buy aftermarket or to use current ones
2006+ tail lights, also blacked out slightly
and whatever else comes up

[Tyler46]

Glad you decided to make one, definitely subscribed!

[Duster]

Originally Posted by Tyler46

Glad you decided to make one, definitely subscribed!

Thanks for looking. Slow progress, but It's coming along.

[Tyler46]

Thought I would put this here instead of clogging the picture thread:

Originally Posted by Duster

I might just take a trip out to Anaheim to swap them for the 2" personally, it will be way cheaper that way. $575 is more than what I want to spend.

Yeah I don't want to spend that much on uppers but they're the only ones out there. Unless you make a rare find and get some Fabtech ones. Will the guy not accept the return?

[Duster]

Originally Posted by Tyler46

Thought I would put this here instead of clogging the picture thread:



Yeah I don't want to spend that much on uppers but they're the only ones out there. Unless you make a rare find and get some Fabtech ones. Will the guy not accept the return?

They will accept it, I just have to pay to ship these back and pay shipping for the new ones as well.

[Tyler46]

That's not gonna be cheap, ouch. I complained to the guy that it only lifted it an inch and he mailed me the 3 inch for a V6 (same as yours) free shipping. Even after I've abused them for 3 months now. Lol

[Duster]

Finally got around to installing the 2" coil springs and slapped on some new Monroe shocks



Better pics to come when I get a chance

[Tyler46]

Nice, how do they feel?

[Duster]

It's a stiffer ride, but not bad I like it. I just need to swap the rear shocks since they are lowering shocks and don't ride well as it sits.

[Tyler46]

Yeah they'll get softer the more you drive on them. You'll get a bit used to them as well. Looks good!

[Duster]

Thanks
btw, your wheel is still sitting in my garage

[Tyler46]

Ah, I'll text you.