Indiana Newbie

[mikey8450]

Just wanted to introduce myself. Name's Mike, Im from the northwest indiana area. Just getting into wheeling. Got a killer deal on an 84 F-150, 302 2 barrel, pretty rusty and is a perfect candidate for wheeling. Ive already trimmed the wheelwells out and am building new fender liners for it. got a killer deal on a HPD44 straight axle, lift springs and spring mounts and radius arm brackets and all the steering components out of a 77 F150 im going to swap in. Most likely going to go back and snag the 9 inch rear and lift blocks off the same truck. Going to cage it, shorten the bed about a foot or so for better departure angle, add a fuel cell and on-board air.

Im a mechanic by trade, and have been playing around with fords since i was a kid. I have a handful of buddies with built Jeeps and buggies and i wanted something to go play with, and this truck kinda fell in my lap so i figured why not...

[Yota Up]

/forum/newbie-general-4x4-discussion/128340-forum-needs-newbies-check-here-post.html
But since you're here now - do you have any questions/suggestions/tech?

You are a mechanic. Why are you going with blocks instead of doing it right?

[mikey8450]

because im on a budget and they're cheap...already with the 9 inch rear axle, so why not for the time being at least.

BTW....i guess i should have paid more attention to where to post this...haha. i didnt notice that thread till after I made this one. Sorry.

[D45]

Where ya from in NW IN?

[mikey8450]

valparaiso/crown point area

plans have already changed for the truck...haha. Still getting the HD44 though...but will probably get 8 lug hubs, and whatever I can find for a rear axle...9 inch, D60, 10.25 Sterling....found a KILLER deal on wheels and tires, so good its almost worth the extra axle work. Most likely going to swap to 4 wheel disc brakes off some kind of chevy.

[NT2HLBLY]

"Killer" hahaha

Sounds like you get to Illinois to much. I thought that was a local word.

Get er done, hit me up, lets go wheeln.

[abig84]

Originally Posted by mikey8450

valparaiso/crown point area

if youre new to wheeling and looking for a club to join might want to look up ironhorse4x4s. not quite sure if they are still around or really do much anymore due to the local places being shut down. i think theres a few other clubs around here too.

and the only parks i know around the area are the badlands which im sure you know about and the cliffs

[mikey8450]

Well...if you're into the no rules hillbilly thing....theres always haspin acres...hahaha

I know all about Badlands. I rode quads for years and got out of it. This is my new hobby for now. I do wish I still had one of my banshees tho.

[D45]

http://www.ironhorse4x4s.com/

They have some videos on Youtube also

Crown Point area here!