The months of building the Ultimate Ranch Truck (aka Whopper) have gone as precisely as open-heart surgery, and the thousands of miles of hardcore adventure passed as quickly as they started! The build and the adventure were nothing short of ultimate. The Super Duty was transformed from an overweight slug into a nimble 10,000-pound trail rig that pulled highway speeds like a champ.
Our biggest thanks goes to Offroad Design owners James and Steven Watson, along with their crew of fabricators, for building a phenomenal Ultimate Adventure truck that performed far beyond our expectations. We were a bit uncertain about using the well-beaten project vehicle on a 5,000-mile adventure, but because of Offroad Design it survived and excelled.
Along the way we experienced some minor issues due to preexisting problems. The engine's high-pressure oil sensor was broken and finally gave out, effectively shutting down the engine. In addition, the rear ring-and-pinion grenaded in the Ford 10.5-inch Sterling axle that we thought was bulletproof. However, both problems were quickly fixed, and the truck was rolling down the highway in no time at all.
This is an excellent example...
This is an excellent example of what happens to some components on the Ultimate Adventure. These Wedco NATO-style fuel cans we picked up from Off Road Trail Tools took a beating, yet never sprung a leak.
The performance of the '01 Super Duty was everything we were looking for in a UA rig but never thought achievable due to its massive size and weight. The 7.3L turbodiesel's horsepower torque was more than enough to push and pull the heavy truck around. It was as if the engine didn't know all that weight was there! Highway cruising speed was a comfortable 75 mph, and the truck could literally push trees out of the way while making its way through tight squeezes. The Whopper's fuel economy was decent too. A number of times we changed drivers before refueling on long stretches of highway.
Many folks behind the scenes helped with the build, from the sponsors and manufacturers who supplied parts for the truck, to the crew on UA who helped with the repairs. Tom Alan at PSC Motorsports twice drove 100 miles to a UPS station to overnight us parts. No questions asked, Dave Schlossberg of Poly Performance sent a steady flow of quickly needed components. Building the Ultimate Ranch Truck was a monumental effort, and those who helped this year will be lifelong friends of the magazine and staff.
This is the last photo of...
This is the last photo of an unscratched and clean Ranch Truck on the first trail day. Most of these trails were cut by Jeeps, tree-lined, and very tight. The rocker guards, front bumper, and flatbed gave the truck protection and pivot points to turn, but the larger sheetmetal panels and crew cab windows didn't fare so well. Now, the dents just give the truck more character!
There is no question the Watsons'...
There is no question the Watsons' bumper is a stout design. It was fitted to James Watson's Super Duty before it was bolted on the Whopper. Not only does it look cool, but it's relatively lightweight and it stood up to the tortures of UA. We have heard tales that it also took out two elk before we got a hold of it, but there wasn't a scratch or dent on it!
The Ultimate Ranch Truck's...
The Ultimate Ranch Truck's front suspension used a radius arm, Bilstein 2 1/2-inch coilovers fitted with Eibach springs, and hydraulic bumps. The rear suspension was built around custom Atlas leaf springs, Bilstein 9100 remote-reservoir shocks, two traction links, and hydraulic bumpstops. We were all pleased with the truck's on- and off-road capabilities and performance.
Guiding us on the Ultimate...
Guiding us on the Ultimate Adventure was not only Péwé's keen sense of direction, but also this Lowrance 10-inch HD flat screen and navigation system. The marine system features NOWRad Sirius satellite weather and radio. We will give a full review of the system in our Feb. '10 issue.
On the Ultimate Adventure...
On the Ultimate Adventure every vehicle is required to carry a CB radio. This year Cobra sent us its newest radio, the 29 WX NW BT, which features Bluetooth technology. Once the system was calibrated, it offered excellent clarity at greater distances than CBs we've used in the past.
Boatsiding the Whoppers' rocker...
Boatsiding the Whoppers' rocker panels greatly improved the truck's trail capabilities. This modification increased its ground clearance in this area by almost a foot. The steel rocker panels worked as sliders and skidplates and allowed the truck to go places other Super Duties could only imagine.