well, since my truck wont be staying exactly 'stock' i guess i should maybe make a build thread!
#1. when i bought it::
this is exactly how it came to me other than i removed and got rid of the TrailFX plastic drop-in bedliner. it already had a body lift on it but otherwise it was essentially stock. went to Elkton MD for it and shelled out 11K for it with 64K on the clock.
not long after i got it, i put it to work. i use this truck for nearly everything. i heat with wood over the winters so i use it for a wood hauler and i also use this thing as my contractor buggy hauling OSB, 2x4's, siding...just about anything!!
when it came to me, it was missing the front tow hooks so i tracked down a pair and bought them, best part is they were already modified for a 3" body lift so it was a bolt-in affair. also, it didnt have a front skid plate so i made one up out of .80" stainless steel. i also went ahead and shortened up the factory transfer case skid plate. it always seemed to me that it hung way too low.
Now for some of the good stuff to follow!!
----------
as promised, some of the good mods!!
Expo OHC!! i painted the bezel a nickel/silver to match the radio bezel in my truck. turned out pretty good i suppose. i have not wired it up yet though.
and there it is...a twin-stick truck with a body lift retaining the factory shift boots and bezel!! if there is enough interest in this, i may take it all apart and do a how-to type of write up on it. my trans. shifter does have an extension on it BUT the transfer case shifter does NOT. it was kind of a PITA to accomplish but i'm glad i stuck with it and put the extra effort into it.
i also started working on some steel bumpers for it. this is the back bumper basically finished with the exception of the brackets to bolt it to the frame. it retains a stock appearance and even uses the factory license plate lights! i'm also working on a front bumper as well, but that one is proving to be a bit more challenging that i had anticipated.
and here it is currently! i added some 06+ mirrors, an aluminum diamond plate toolbox, some rhino-lining in the bed tweaked my torsion bars to level it all out and most recently picked up an OEM Ford bed extender along with the hardware and mounted it all up!
probably by the end of the year i will need new tires on my truck. (along with new front lower ball joints and an alignment) i will probably opt for some 32x11.50R15 BFG All-Terrains but am still a bit undecided. what ever it ends up being, they will be on my factory Alcoa's!