Diesel trucks have come a long way. Once thought of as "oil-burners" that couldn't get out of the their own way, they now lead the industry in torque and driveability. With its introduction, the Power Stroke V-8 dethroned the big-block 460 as reigning torque champ in Ford F-series trucks.
Ford specifies 7.3 liters of direct-injected, turbocharged, and intercooled power from the Navistar engine to achieve 235 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Jason Mack's 2000 F-350 Crew Cab needs all that power and more to turn its new 44-inch Super Swamper Boggers. To unlock additional grunt from the engine, a custom chip was burned by Redding Fuel Injection in Redding, California, and a 4-inch exhaust was added. Power figures now hover around 300 horses and 610 lb-ft of torque!
Ford's new 4R100 heavy-duty automatic copes with the twisting forces produced by the engine, and the rest of the chassis is up to the task, as diesel trucks get auxiliary transmission, oil, and power-steering coolers. The good news for off-roaders is that the Power Stroke comes standard with dual batteries and a 130-amp alternator. Dual 130-amp alternators are a factory option, and can give you enough power to run the winch and driving lights you always wanted, or to light any small town that is suffering from a blackout.
Jason wanted the biggest Ford around, so he brought his Super Duty to Off Road Unlimited in Burbank, California, where it was fitted with National springs and Sway-Away Race Runner shocks for 17 inches of lift. Lowered urethane bumpstops work with the new springs to keep the lugs of the Boggers, mounted on Weld Super Single wheels, from ripping the fenders off
With seating for six, the F-350 crew cab becomes a leather-clad, red roller coaster ride for five of your closest friends. Its size and altitude don't just overcome obstacles-they crush them. Traffic jams tempt driver and passengers to perform Big Foot impersonations without hesitation.
Power and size are what 1-ton diesels are all about. Jason now has his own big rig to take him anywhere he wants. When the turbo spools up, its whistle offsets the deep baritone note coming from the 4-inch exhaust, and the mad clatter of a thousand Singer sewing machines under the hood hammers away to move every ounce of the 9,900-pound GVW.
Custom shock hoops by Off...
Custom shock hoops by Off Road Unlimited mount Sway-Away reservoir dampers and limiting straps front and rear. Dropped bumpstops keep the tires from poking their way into the engine compartment.
A Sterling 10.5-inch full-floating...
A Sterling 10.5-inch full-floating rear axle with 4.56s and a Detroit spin the wheels out back. Sway-Aways can be found here as well, allowing for a smooth ride on the road, and plenty of control when shifted into 4-Hi. Note the 4-inch stainless steel exhaust that has been routed to dump in the center of the truck. This sewer pipe expels all the air a turbocharged 444ci engine can pump out.
Up front, 4.56 gears and a...
Up front, 4.56 gears and a limited slip hide behind ORU's finned aluminum differential cover for the Dana 50. A hydraulic ram provides power-assist to the steering and keeps the 44-inch tires pointing in the right direction. Not only does this hydraulic assist increase the power available to turn the 19.5-inch-wide Boggers, it also ensures that the Ford steering box won't sever itself from the framerail.
Traction bars work with the...
Traction bars work with the 17-inch-lift National Springs to fight the axlewrap-inducing torque of 610 lb-ft being sent through 4.56 gears. Custom frame mounts for the traction bars are bolted to the chassis with Grade 8 hardware. A factory two-piece driveshaft stands up just fine...so far!