Finally found my dream tow rig

GO BIG OR GO HOME

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Hey guys! Haven't posted in awhile. My life has been a little crazy the past few months but it's all starting to settle back into rhythm. I have been searching for this truck for about 7 years and had actually pretty much given up hope and quit looking. So i was messing around on Craigslist last week and saw it listed in knoxville. The pics the guy posted were pretty terrible and his ad made it sound like the truck was in poor shape cosmetic wise but i called anyway and after talking to the owner for several hours i had to gamble on the 5 hour ride to go see it. Boy was i surprised when i pulled in his driveway Saturday morning. There sat this gleaming, one owner, 2001 450 4x4 Fontaine Hauler. I literally was in shock over how clean this truck is. The owner was an engineer who was super anal apparently and had really made the couple cosmetic flaws out to be way worse than they really are. The driver's seat cushion needs covered and the clear is starting to peel on drivers side dually fender. Other than that it's absolutely perfect. The door jams and under the hood were squeaky clean with a thick coat of wax. The interior still smelled new. I received 2 folders at least 4 inches thick each of every dime that has ever been spent on the truck. Every oil change has been done by Ford dealer. I mean i could go on and on but it's honestly the cleanest 7.3 super duty I've ever been around. He ordered it with 430 gears and manual 4x4 in the floor which i LOVE! It doesn't have the hp I'm used to....yet. i really think this truck will be a tow missile once we get a little power under the hood. The rear is full air ride and 4 linked with auto leveling system which works flawlessly(rides like a half ton empty). Can't wait to see what it does with my 18k lb. horse trailer. It has a transfer flow fuel system with 2 underbody tanks that will hold 80 gallons total. He had a full billet Suncoast transmission with billet converter installed. I'm honestly just in shock that i actually own this now. Anyway, enough of my rambling, here are a few pictures.
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Anyone who has any experience with these suspensions I'd love to hear it.

Planned mods are 238/200s, undecided on the charger yet(not sure due to 4.30 gears, input appreciated), hpop(was thinking badger jr but now I'm having second thoughts, again input appreciated), and either airdog 2 or other fuel system, and eventually a GV o/d and 22s and 35s

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79jasper

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Nice.
I've seen a select few trucks with a similar bed setup. Always liked the look of those.


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sootie

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box sides are shorter to allow clearance for trailers.
 

TyCorr

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Is the interior different? Never seen one of these before. Pretty cool.
 

suprhlr

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Nice looking truck, I priced out the exact same truck new in 01 @ $62K sticker. Dealer wouldn't budge on price so I ended up with my F450 LA West conversion truck from a different dealer. I wish I would have known you were looking I probably would have sold mine.
 

GO BIG OR GO HOME

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Got window tint done
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Also as requested, here are some pics of the rear suspension....guess it's a 5 link???
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Excuse the ugly underside....it's going to get a full underbody detail and paint once i get the peeling bedside fixed

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GO BIG OR GO HOME

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First one I've seen in person was yesterday morning on 62 in burlington. That red looks killer on that truck. Here's the link to the one I saw.


http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/5981014419.html
My paint guy have him am estimate awhile back for getting the Fontaine parts recleared. I think he was having the same issues mine has. One side of bed is delaminating as well as the mirrors. I think it's a common problem with these trucks

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