Tow Rig Build-up F-550

UNBREAKABLE

UNBREAKABLE

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 19, 2005
Location
Granite Falls
OK, so I figured I would start a build thread for my new(to me) tow rig. A 1999 Ford F-550 XLT Crew Cab Flat Bed. I've been wanting to build a Fummins truck and Kyle(cumminsdzl) found this one for me. So, I sold my Dodge('03 3500 dually) and bought this in Oklahoma.

Initially, when I bought it, I was told that it needed an engine and a transmission(they were wrong lol). I talked to the garage that had hauled the truck in and asked them to poke around and see if they could figure out what's wrong with it, they did.:huggy: So I flew out and drove it home:driver:. Well, they almost fixed it..it took 12 gallons of oil to get home. So, I got it home and got it fixed...8 new injectors. Apparently, the people who owned the truck before me had already been chasing the oil gremlin. They had already put in a new turbo, new under valve cover harnesses, 3 new injectors and a few other misc pieces. :lol:

So, fast forward a little bit...I've got the truck running correctly now(almost lol...transmission TC unlocks and locks when not supposed to) but that's being worked on lol. I have started doing some upgrades to help the truck run smoother, better and adding some creature comforts lol.

The first thing I got was an Edge Juice w/ Attitude(per Mark Watson's advise). Mine came with the EGT probe(that was a bitch to install). http://www.edgeproducts.com/product.php?pk=51&pvk=138

I also bought a gauge set from ISSPRO. Trans temp, Boost, EGT. http://www.dieselmanor.com/gauges/DM-3gk-isf.asp
(yea, I know I could have used the Edge for all of it, now)

I like the interior of my truck, BUT everything can be improved :lol: So, I found a guy in SC parting out an '03 Excursion Limited. Grant(Gtrobb) and I went down and started pulling all the goodies and wiring harness(bitch). The interior I bought has the heated, power, memory, leather seats. It also has the wood grain door panels, the fancy steering wheel that controls the heat/ac, cruise, radio, the overhead trip computer, fancy console, and a ton more. I'll post pics of the interior tomorrow, it's not installed yet lol.

And today I came across a bully dog propane injection system...so I bought it too lol. http://www.bullydogparts.com/Bully_Dog_Diesel_Propane_Injection_Kit_p/10800.htm

I also came across a REALLY nice 91 gallon RDS aux tank/toolbox combo. closest one I could find->http://www2.northerntool.com/fuel-transfer-lubrication/auxiliary-fuel-tanks/item-3490024.htm

I have a few things I'd like to change to make the truck a little more drivable. 1 of them is the gearing. The truck has 4.88's and 31's. Fucking Miserable. I'm taching out at highway speeds. So, I'm looking to do 1 of 2 things..either regear or I'm going to source the hubs from a Kodiak 4500 and swap mime for them. Reason: I can get 8-lug 22.5's and run a larger tire.

The other thing I'm working on is the trans. and the issue with the tc locking and unlocking. I'm not sure if it's a sensor(speed sensor or tps) or if it's the tc itself.

Oh, this thing rides like a brick. Marky told me about an air bag system...I think that is def in the works. More pics coming tomorrow


LIST OF NEW PARTS:
Turbo
8 injectors
under valve cover harnesses and gaskets
fuel pump
fuel filters
in tank filter(been dropped and cleaned also)
91 gallon Aux tank/tool box combo
RECON LED Clearance Lights
LED Headache rack lights
LED Tail lights
LED 2" round bed marker lights
EDGE Juice w/ Attitude w/ EGT Probe
Bully Dog 80Hp Propane Injection
Limited/Lariat Interior w/ rear heat controls(dreading the install lol)
ISSPRO Gauges
Glo-shift quad A-pillar gauge pod
Factory Fog Lights
 

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I like that fancy blue fuel tank mounting system. How much did something like that set you back:flipoff2:


What size tires are on the current 19.5s? Are they 225s or 245s?
 
cumminsdzl said:
I like that fancy blue fuel tank mounting system. How much did something like that set you back:flipoff2:
What size tires are on the current 19.5s? Are they 225s or 245s?
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I would say 225s since he mentioned they were 31" tall (should be closer to 32") and that is what is factory installed.

He could swap out for 245s that would be about 33" tall, or 265s that would be about 34, although the tread would crown a bit on the narrow wheels.

treadwright retreads has 245/70r19.5 retreads for cheap, with a Goodyear wrangler MTR knockoff tread design.
 
GCncsuHD said:
I would say 225s since he mentioned they were 31" tall (should be closer to 32") and that is what is factory installed.
He could swap out for 245s that would be about 33" tall, or 265s that would be about 34, although the tread would crown a bit on the narrow wheels.
treadwright retreads has 245/70r19.5 retreads for cheap, with a Goodyear wrangler MTR knockoff tread design.
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That was what i was thinking. A set of 265s may be easier on the wallet than 22.5s, and accomplish the same thing.
 
I have a friend with an air-ride setup for sale (I think it gets rid of the leaf springs) that came off an F-350, not sure if it will fit. Think it's in good/like new condition if you want me to check on it. Helper bags on top of the leaf springs will make it ride worse, obviously.
 
cumminsdzl said:
I like that fancy blue fuel tank mounting system. How much did something like that set you back:flipoff2:


What size tires are on the current 19.5s? Are they 225s or 245s?
Click to expand...

Dick. It's bolted down and plumbed in now. I'm going to redo the existing filler neck because for some reason, Ford put the small nozzle neck in it.

It has 225's on it currently. I found a set of 8-lug 22.5's if I can source a Kodiak in a junk yard and rob some parts off of it.

DAWGTOY said:
lol.
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Dawgdick. Lol
StretchASU said:
All of this just to haul a stupid Toyota around. :flipoff2:
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And anything else that may need moving lol (remember, we've got a mobile home park---now I can evict faster than ever lol)

rockcity said:
exactly what I was thinking :D

:lol:
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You too! There's soo many dicks around here STRETCH will be in heaven!

Tacoma747 said:
I have a friend with an air-ride setup for sale (I think it gets rid of the leaf springs) that came off an F-350, not sure if it will fit. Think it's in good/like new condition if you want me to check on it. Helper bags on top of the leaf springs will make it ride worse, obviously.
Click to expand...

See what he has. I may be interested. I don't know how much of it I can use. The 550's have a square tube rear axle housing. If it's the setup that gets rid of the shackle, I'm still interested
 
More stuff I've done lol
It had quite a few out the lights out; clearance lights, bedside lights, tail lights, and tag marker lights. So, what to do? Get rid of them all and replace with LED's.
The clearance lights were replaced with '03-'07 Recon LED lights. Reason...they don't make a LED direct replacement for the 99-04 SD trucks.
The upper headache rack lights were replaced with 3x6 Red LED's. I'm not a fan of the clear LED's. The side and back lights were changed to 2" round LED's. Red and amber respectively. And I replaced the tail lights with LED trailer lights
 
does the new interior have hught adjustable seats, or are you going with a leather covered booster?
 
I'm having the driver seat modified with more padding so I can see over the steering wheel.

Kinda like how Brian had his seats modified so he could slide farther back so you wouldn't hit the steering wheel with your head while you were mouth hugging him :flipoff2:
 
you going over the axle & out the back or out the sides in front of the rear tires?
remember that more bends = less power.
how bout 4 inch from the turbo to the single outlet muffler of your choice
no cat then turn out in front of the passenger side rear. free flow few bends.

good sound mo power.

thats what i run on the 97 only with a stock muffler & no cat.


dawglol
 
so i'm confused, are you planning on putting a cummins in this truck? I was pretty sure that fummins was slang for a ford cummins truck.
 
tw89yj said:
Whatever you can find to fit cab and chassis. I think I was only able to find one brand to fit my 05 450.
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I figured that if I came out in front of the rear tires it wouldn't matter?
Jakemd98 said:
so i'm confused, are you planning on putting a cummins in this truck? I was pretty sure that fummins was slang for a ford cummins truck.
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That was the plan initally...
chromerunner said:
I just installed FBD 4" stright pipe. Very happy with sound/fitment/overall etc..To my door quick also.
http://www.farmboysdiesel.com/servlet/the-117/FBD-Budget-Exhaust-4"/Detail
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I'll check into them
 
yea man just buy yourself a downpipe-muffler of your choice and some tubing &
fab up your own system. sounds like a plan man.
 
Question, what is the real difference b/w a diesel F350, F450, and F550?
 
Simply put...the capacity of the truck. Differences go to the chassis, front and rear brakes, gearing, frame, springs, rear axle, fuel tank and I'm sure more
 
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