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Super Duty upgrades

2,458 Views | 27 Replies | Last: 7 days ago by MyNameIsJeff
cheeky
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11:45p, 2/20/26
AG
Just ordered a new truck. Moving up from a V8 F150 to a V8 Super Duty. Otherwise same 4x4 truck with off-road package. On the 150 I replaced the shocks with Bilsteins, leveled it, went to a 34" tire on 20" rims and added a Retrax MX Pro retractable bed cover. I really like the setup.

Now to outfit the incoming F250. It also will have 20" rims. Do I need to upgrade the shocks? Level? Beef up the tires? Seems the Super Duty has less rake to begin with from factory. On the bed cover I'm considering the Paragon and Diamondback products. Main thing is best weather proofing and security.

Usage will be mostly a city truck with some off-road and mountain use. Typical trailer hauling of toy and utility trailers.

I don't want to lift the truck unless it's adding 35" tires, which likely I'll do.

Suggestions appreciated.
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Roger350
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12:16a, 2/21/26
AG
Why not post this on the Automotive board?
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to cheeky • 4:01a, 2/21/26
AG
Call Luke at truck alterations for bed cover. I'd strongly consider a Lomax bed cover. I have one on my f159 per recommendation of auto board and it's 99% waterproof. Really more like 100% because the only place water gets in is OEM cracks in tailgate.

Regarding tire size, you don't need to level or lift for 35" tires. If you throw a level in the front you can likely clear a 37" tire.
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BrazosDog02
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8:43a, 2/21/26
AG
My suggestion is to do nothing until you have to.

Leveling kits are expensive to do properly and rarely do people want to spend 2-5k to do it right. Plus, you remove the entire benefit of having the truck in the first place. As soon as you throw in a half pallet of horse feed, it's going to squat and look goofy. You can then add airbags I guess but again…more money. I don't see the need. You will have issues with the your onboard scales if equipped, and you'll have issues with your headlights you'll have to adjust if you don't have automatic leveling lights. These can be corrected but again…more money.

If you just have to have a level get a 1.5". It will maintain a little rake, an it won't require alignments, eccentrics, or mess up scales and headlights.

295's will fit these trucks without any issue. No need for leveling kits or lifts.

Shocks, again, the factory shocks are quite serviceable and I would t consider replacing until they are ready. I've done it both ways and in a 1 ton truck the ride quality and handling was not noticeably different to me so I can't justify new shocks unless I already need new shocks.

Only accessories I like to add are replacement bumpers front and rear and a Weatherguard toolbox. I'm not a truck bed cover fan but that's a worthy item if you like them.

In the end, it's your truck and your money, you should do what makes you happy.

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Gunny456
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In reply to BrazosDog02 • 9:04a, 2/21/26
AG
Sound wisdom. I kinda outgrew the big tires and high lift kits at about 30. It Just meant more money spent on maintenance and tires and shocks than what I was actually getting as the return on investment.
On my F350's I basically add a little larger quality tire than what they come with and that's about it. No lift really needed and stay with stock shocks until they need replacing.
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ChoppinDs40
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In reply to cheeky • 9:25a, 2/21/26
AG
What trim?

Bilsteins, I'm told, are too soft for the f250s. Need Foxes or Icon. Level kits are a spacer only unless you want to drop 3-5k on a real lift. These aren't strut front ends like an f150 where shocks raise the front up. Need to lift the frame (or use a spacer).

35"s will fit in stock. My tremor can fit 37"s stock.

Did you get the diesel or gas?

If the gasser, I suggest the Ford Borla performance exhaust. Bolt on, no cutting. Sounds great and adds a little more performance. The stock exhaust is… sad.
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cheeky
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9:53a, 2/21/26
AG
I checked the automotive board. Thanks for playing.

Trim is King Ranch with FX4 off-road package and pro power 2kw on a 7.3L V8 powertrain. My brother bought the same with Tremor package and it's beyond my needs. Just looking for basic improvements from stock equipment. Don't haul heavy or often enough and don't put a lot of miles on vehicles to consider a diesel. On my F150 the truck would sway while stationary when traffic passed by so I would say the stock F150 shocks are garbage. Put in the Bilsteins and problem solved. Just don't have experience with F250 and don't want to be running to the shop every few months for upgrades. I'd like to get everything done upon delivery.

As I stated, no interest in lifting the truck, or I would have just gotten the Tremor package.

Sounds like 295/65/20's, an exhaust enhancement and bed cover are all I really need for my objectives.

Appreciate the inputs.

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ChoppinDs40
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In reply to cheeky • 4:11p, 2/21/26
AG
Yup. Don't level it or lift. The 2" tremor lift is more than adequate. Also, it's a 350 so it rides much rougher.

The new super duty's are pretty smooth.

Enjoy the Godzilla. I'm really liking it. The 4.3 gears in the tremor sucks gas but has lots of low end grunt. 3.73s would've been better for putting around town.

Look up the Borla exhaust. My dad and I installed it in about 1.5 hrs.

One easy change that adds a more "aggressive" look is to replace the front air dam with the tremor one. Also adds more clearance on the front. You can buy dupes on Amazon.

I wouldn't mess with the shocks until it's time to replace in 60k plus miles.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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5:39p, 2/21/26
AG
Bro
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Hoyt Ag
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8:17p, 2/21/26
AG
I run 35s as it rides better for my f350. Open country at work for me.

I put a larger fuel tank on mine. It was the titan 65 gallon tank. Best mod I ever put on a rig. I can run from NW Colorado to Dallas on a single tank of fuel.

When your warranty is up, delete that mofo..23mpg for me and 100hp more woth tune.

I put a light bar in the grill to help see wildlife given i live in very remote territory. Some may shun this but it keeps me safe.
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ChoppinDs40
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In reply to Hoyt Ag • 8:55p, 2/21/26
AG
He's in a gasser.
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Gunny456
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In reply to Hoyt Ag • 10:46p, 2/21/26
AG
I can't sit that long anymore!
TAMU Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Boat racing is like beautiful women……..expensive, high maintenance, but well worth the fun!
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ChoppinDs40
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In reply to cheeky • 7:00a, 2/22/26
AG
cheeky said:
I checked the automotive board. Thanks for playing.

Trim is King Ranch with FX4 off-road package and pro power 2kw on a 7.3L V8 powertrain. My brother bought the same with Tremor package and it's beyond my needs. Just looking for basic improvements from stock equipment. Don't haul heavy or often enough and don't put a lot of miles on vehicles to consider a diesel. On my F150 the truck would sway while stationary when traffic passed by so I would say the stock F150 shocks are garbage. Put in the Bilsteins and problem solved. Just don't have experience with F250 and don't want to be running to the shop every few months for upgrades. I'd like to get everything done upon delivery.

As I stated, no interest in lifting the truck, or I would have just gotten the Tremor package.

Sounds like 295/65/20's, an exhaust enhancement and bed cover are all I really need for my objectives.

Appreciate the inputs.



One more thought since you will be doing some towing.

I assume you got the regular bed? Here's my really only single complaint about the Ford configuration. The regular super duty bed only comes with a 34gallon gas tank. In a diesel? That's fine as you're likely getting 16mpg. 500miles to a tank is just fine.

The 7.3L though? You'll be getting 14 and probably 7-8 while towing. Pretty frequent fill ups.

Since I've got the 4.30 gears, I'm currently averaging 12mpg (lots of city driving). Towing my trailer I get about 8mpg.

Only 1 company makes a certified larger gas tank for the Ford, transferflow out of California. It's a 58g replacement that sits in the same footprint as the OEM tank. Problem? It cost $2,800, $250 for shipping, and most shops charge about $1k for install.

If you got the long bed, no worries, it's a 48g tank.
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BrazosDog02
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9:58p, 2/22/26
AG
Crew Cab long bed is where it's at.

3 figure diesel bill but you can drive from Houston to El Paso and never need to fill up until you get there.
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lp01
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7:20a, 2/23/26
AG
If you live in a metro area, or travel to San Antonio, you will want to get some security screws for your tail lights. Maybe even something to block them. They have a way of getting stolen way too much and are expensive to replace.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to lp01 • 9:10a, 2/23/26
AG
lp01 said:
If you live in a metro area, or travel to San Antonio, you will want to get some security screws for your tail lights. Maybe even something to block them. They have a way of getting stolen way too much and are expensive to replace.
Ask me how I know….


However, that's only on the models with the built in Radar (Lariat and higher trims, I believe)
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Aggieranger
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In reply to lp01 • 9:39a, 2/23/26
lp01 said:
If you live in a metro area, or travel to San Antonio, you will want to get some security screws for your tail lights. Maybe even something to block them. They have a way of getting stolen way too much and are expensive to replace.

I have a buddies son who has had his F250 taillights stolen 3 times in 2 years from his apartment complex in SA. 2 of the times he had to have the wiring harness replaced since they jacked it up so bad when they stole them. I want to say it was North of $4K each time?
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to Aggieranger • 10:43a, 2/23/26
AG
$3-4k for the set + any damage they did to drop the tailgate (like breaking your window).
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lp01
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 10:48a, 2/23/26
AG
My XLT has it. The neighbor down the street had the same thing. I also invested in Jimmi Jammers and security screws for the panel on the tailgate that they bend open to pull the tailgate handle.
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cheeky
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12:56p, 2/23/26
AG
The real question is who buys all this stolen property? Throw the book at them.
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cheeky
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12:58p, 2/23/26
AG
Who is the guy on TexAgs to hit up for truck bed covers? Bought my last one from him but can't track it down.
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tlh3842
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In reply to cheeky • 1:10p, 2/23/26
AG
sales@truckalterations.com
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to cheeky • 2:17p, 2/23/26
AG
Luke at Truck Alterations. The sales email will go to him.
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JFABNRGR
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2:34p, 2/23/26
AG
As far as upgrades, copy what they have done here in the vid you can't go wrong.

“You can resolve to live your life with integrity. Let your credo be this: Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph. But not through me.”
- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
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BrazosDog02
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In reply to lp01 • 7:06p, 2/23/26
AG
lp01 said:
If you live in a metro area, or travel to San Antonio, you will want to get some security screws for your tail lights. Maybe even something to block them. They have a way of getting stolen way too much and are expensive to replace.


This is a good idea but I have at least four bits each for almost any security screw currently in production, and I'm not a thief. I'd expect them to have the same but if they have to figure it out and chuck a bit and blah blah blah they'll probably move on. Be aware you can't get the tail lights without the tailgate down….but once they get that down they'll just take that instead so get a lock for that as well.
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BrazosDog02
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In reply to cheeky • 7:15p, 2/23/26
AG
cheeky said:
The real question is who buys all this stolen property? Throw the book at them.


Facebook buyers. It's not that easy because you cant catch them. Here is how I surmise it works from the few parts I've had to buy on marketplace. Using a tailgate as an example…You call the ad for the tailgate or lights on Facebook and the person you talk to is not the person who you will be meeting usually. He's like a broker I think. He didn't steal it, but he has a person to acquire it from the those who did. He'll give you directions where to meet in a sketchy location and a third party seller will show up with the product to exchange for cash. The thief gets paid, the broker gets paid, the seller gets paid and after all of that a 3000 dollar tailgate can be bought for 500-1000 depending on generation, age, condition, etc.

I met two people for potentially buying a tailgate. The first guy I met brought it, but I guess I asked one too many questions and he got nervous and said something under his breath and literally jumped in the truck and left me standing there wondering what happened. I guess that one was stolen.
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aghunt19
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10:26a, 2/25/26
AG
Strictly a visual upgrade, but I replaced the stock obnoxiously large front valance with the tremor/low profile one. Direct unbolt/bolt on and it makes the truck naturally look taller without the lift. Was able to scoop it for free thru ford parts using the points they gave from buying the truck.
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MyNameIsJeff
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In reply to aghunt19 • 10:42a, 2/25/26
AG
You can do the same thing with a piece of masking tape/marker, utility knife or other cutting tool, and about 15 minutes.
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