Snake's build (2005 - present)

Snake · Oct 15, 2013

I decided to take a different approach with this thread, so just sit down and enjoy the ride.

"I'm only going to add an exhaust, an intake, and tint the windows. And that's it. I'm done after that."

I keep thinking about the Dodge Dart II commercial when considering the time and effort I’ve spent on my 2005 F-250 Harley Davidson Edition: “Step 1 - order a brand new, bone stock truck to your specifications.” And I did just that after failing to find one with a moon roof, a bench seat, and no back-up sensors. Ford completed their part of the build on St. Patrick’s Day and Harley Davidson Edition #3991 arrived at the dealership on April 1, 2005. April Fool’s Day. Ironic, considering I hadn't researched the 6.0 Powerstroke. LOL

After cleaning everything up, here's how the truck sat when it was stock.

I decided there was no way my dogs were riding in the cab with me, so I began my search for a topper that wouldn't instantly transform my new truck into a Grandpa mobile. The ARE Z-Series topper was exactly what I was looking for. I liked that with the exception of one handle, there aren't hinges or anything else on the outside of the back glass. The clean lines ended up making my F-250 look like an Excursion.

(anyone else see my scooter in the garage? Man, I miss it!)

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jdc753 · Oct 15, 2013

This is gonna be good...

opcorn:

Continue

int:

Snake · Oct 15, 2013

Like a good diesel newb, I joined a bunch of different sites looking for go-fast stuff. At the time, everyone said the first thing my 2005 needed was an exhaust to keep the EGT's down. So I purchased a MBRP 4" turbo back kit with the muffler and cat delete pipes. Tip is a 5" rolled end straight cut.

OEM exhaust

MBRP (ignore the finger prints LOL )

I ran a straight pipe for a looooong time. Even swapped a 03 turbo on for more whistle. It was eventually too much for my old ears and I put the 05 turbo back on AND installed the muffler. That's the current set up, but I'm looking for ways to quiet things even further and may install a resonator sometime in the future.

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6.0newb! · Oct 15, 2013

In for the rest.....

Mdub707 · Oct 15, 2013

Snake said:
so I began my search for a topper that wouldn't instantly transform my new truck into a Grandpa mobile.

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Snake said:
It was eventually too much for my old ears and I put the 05 turbo back on AND installed the muffler. That's the current set up, but I'm looking for ways to quiet things even further and may install a resonator sometime in the future.

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What was that about a grandpa mobile again? LOL

Looking forward to the rest. Of course you would be the guy who has a dozen pictures of his exhaust install! Love it man! Documentation expert!

Powerstroked162 · Oct 15, 2013

Yes! Finally you make a thread

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Snake · Oct 15, 2013

Now I was ready for powah! Ordered a SCT X2 and custom tunes to see what the truck was capable of. Several hundred dollars later, I realized that almost all of the good tuners put out about the same amount of horsepower. But that didn't stop me from trying to squeak every last pony out of the motor....

I think we hit just under 430 rwhp (no torque # available). The truck was unbelievably strong but sadly I never made it back to the track with that combo (stock height and live tuned). I also realized that making an 8,000 lb truck fast was going to be a lot more expensive than doing the same for a car and re-focused my efforts on other aspects of the truck.

I've run tunes from Doug, Innovative, Biava, Mitch (Choke on my Smoke), DJ, Vivian, Tony, and TSD. Currently the Super Panty Dropper (with early TQ lock) from Chris at Truck Source Diesel is installed. Absolutely love it.

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sootie · Oct 15, 2013

i spot a tire change that wasnt documented or photographed...

oke:

jk..i love your threads.

Snake · Oct 15, 2013

Mdub707 said:
What was that about a grandpa mobile again? LOL

Looking forward to the rest. Of course you would be the guy who has a dozen pictures of his exhaust install! Love it man! Documentation expert!

It's not the years, it's the miles! LOL That exhaust install was my first write up ever. Ended up on a few different sites and I had to go back to get the pics.

Powerstroked162 said:
Yes! Finally you make a thread

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And just for you LOL

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Snake · Oct 15, 2013

sootie said:
i spot a tire change that wasnt documented or photographed... oke:

jk..i love your threads.

You have no idea......I kept track of fuel consumption for a year. I gave up after the spreadsheet said 14-15 mpg over and over and over again. LOL

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99F250Smitty · Oct 15, 2013

In to follow this one. One of my favorite trucks!

Snake · Oct 15, 2013

One of my all time favorite mods. Completed in 2006

Before I even made my first payment, some goofwad backed out of a parking space and hit me while I was stopped. Only damage was a nick in my rim. He said he didn't hear my horn, so I looked for the loudest thing I could bolt to the truck.

Nathan K3HA

I realized that they'd have to be modded in order to fit without losing my spare tire, and I began researching again. Eventually I ended up fabricating some custom brackets that allowed me to eliminate the manifold for the train horn. It also allowed me to run 1/2" line all the way to the bell's diaphragm. :evil

No way to mount the NPT fittings to the bell

My solution? Tap and thread a 1/2" thick piece of billet aluminum for the fitting, then drill two more holes so everything can be bolted together.

Fabrication and test fitting the brackets.......

Completed all my mock-up's then primed and painted everything.

Reassembly

I chose a Viair 480C as the compressor to fill the 5 gallon tank. It's good for 200 psi and it's 100% duty cycle.

How to get air from one solenoid valve to three bells simultaneously

Installed pics

Air lines plumbed in.

Yes. They're loud.

And they also have a quick connect for an air line. I ended up having to relocate pretty much everything when the lift kit was installed, which sucked. But the tank and the compressor now reside where the spare used to be. On something custom, of course.

The compressor was wired in so Upfitter #4 works as the trigger wire for the pressure switch. This gives me the capability of turning the compressor off even if the tank pressure is below the switch's min number. Upfitter #3 arms the solenoid valve. This allows me to use the horn button in my steering wheel for both the OEM horn and the Nathans.

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TXGLASSMAN · Oct 15, 2013

man this is going to be a sweet thread, keep the info coming. Im looking forward to the timeline of the lift, wheels and tires.

onebadcoastie · Oct 15, 2013

How does such a clean, immaculate truck, especially the undercarriage have some a rusted out driveshaft and carrier bearing? lmao!! In for the finish on this Mike. Could take you a while.

RedRice589 · Oct 15, 2013

Can you put the train horns and compressor setup on my truck??? Please and thx!!!!

fine69 · Oct 15, 2013

In for this one!!!:thumbup:

Snake · Oct 15, 2013

onebadcoastie said:
How does such a clean, immaculate truck, especially the undercarriage have some a rusted out driveshaft and carrier bearing? lmao!! .......

Amazing, isn't it?! The truck was only a few months old in that pic and hadn't even seen a winter yet. The guy who installed my lift said every single truck he worked on had the same issue (this was in 2007).