Page 1: Truck Now      Page 2: Future Plans     Page 3: Truck when I got it

  Here is my truck as it is now.  Its a 2000 F150 XLT Supercab 4x4.  It has a 5.4 Liter Modular Ford V8 and automatic transmission.  It has 100K miles on it and is rolling along without problem.  As far as modifications, I tinker with it here and there but mostly this is a commuter truck, not a show or race truck.  I have had it on the drag track once and play with it in the mud once in a while. 

This XLT came from the factorywith fog lamps and tow hooks up front and a big skid plate underneath.  I took the cheapy plastic mud flaps off to pick up some free ground clearance and look a little cleaner. 

  I changed the air cleaner to a K&N and got rid of the factory snorkel-style breather.  Although not technically a cold air intake, the factory tube with an open filter basically accomplishes the same goal.  As you can tell, I never have detailed my engine bay.  As you can probably also tell, it sees the mud from time to time.  Someday I will detail it but for now it just seems like a lot of effort with essentially no purpose.  Cleaner engine bays don't make more power or fuel economy and its a commuter and not a show truck.  I took the stupid plastic shield off so now its easier to tell theres an engine in there.

  The other thing I did in the engine bay was change the spark plugs to NGK G Powers for a little nicer spark and some better mileage.  I also have dual exhaust on this truck.  Its not true dual, just a single cat and pipe into a performance muffler and two tail pipes.  I was told by the muffler shop it was a Flowmaster and it sounds great but it turns out they ripped me off and put an "Xcelerator Performance" on there instead.  Unfortunately I didn't find that out until I was 5 states away.  In terms of ignition and valvetrain, the truck is solid stock with SOHC and coil on plug ignition. 

Regardless of the muffler brand, between the opened intake, spark plugs and exhaust, I make 18 mpg on the interstate which is pretty good for a half ton v8 4x4 truck in my opinion. See future plans for more potential ideas I have for the truck.

As far as wheels and tires, so far it still has the original Ford 17s.  I replaced the factory sized 265s with 28570R17 Kuhmo Road Ventures.  They were a great price for the size and are animals in the mud and snow.  In fact, this is the best truck I've ever had off road, both the best in two wheel drive, and the best in four wheel.  With the slightly oversized tires and no lift to speak of, the truck body is riding with 17 inches of ground clearance in the front, and 21 inches in the back.  Not sky-high but not bad for no lift.

In August of 2009, despite having no lift on the truck, I put Rancho RS5000 series shocks on all four corners to replace the old worn out factory ones.  The Ranchos are amazing.  The truck feels twice as solid, idling, driving and especially cornering. 

Above are the Rancho RS5000s installed in the front, red dust boot and all. 

Below, installed on the rear.  I opted to skip the dust boots for the rear ones in the name of exhaust clearance. 

When I got the truck, there was a paint spot missing on the dashboard where he had a mini-calendar.  I found this cool Centenniel Ford Emblem on ebay and stuck it on over to cover the spot, and add a classy flare to the interior.  My hope is that it looks as though it is supposed to be there. 

When I got the truck, the running boards were badly rusted.  I refinished them myself. Still the factory boards but now they carry 4 coats of truck bed liner black.  They don't look original but they look a lot better. If you care to read about the process, thats on page 5.  Below are finished pictures of just the running boards.  Most of the truck pics on here are with the running boards in their rusted form.

One of the reasons I have a truck is to tow my small fishing boat.  This an older picture I came across of the truck hooked up to the trailer, from behind. Below is the truck all washed, polished and waxed. 

Thanks for checking it out.  Also check out page 2 for future plans and page 3 for pics of when I first got it.  Also, in case you're interested page 5 has running board project pictures.