1998 Ford F150 - Jim's Dandy

Jim Morgan of San Antonio, Texas, collects heavily modified 4x4s with the passion of someone who honestly loves trucks. The newest addition to his stable of vehicles is this stunning, custom '98 Ford F-150 that sports a wide range of eye-catching and heavy-duty components. The truck was built by monster-truck driver and custom-truck builder Kirk Dabney of Overkill Racing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, according to Morgan's specifications. The result is a one-of-a-kind truck that not only looks tough, but is.

Opening the hood of this beautiful F-150 reveals a potent big-block powerhouse that measures 472 ci and generates an estimated 500 horsepower. Stephens & Hull, also in Fort Wayne, did the machine work before the engine was assembled with Speed-Pro pistons, a TRW oil pump, Moroso oil pan, and a Lunati valvetrain and camshaft. Induction is through a Holley 750 double-pumper carburetor and Edelbrock Stealth intake manifold, while the ignition system is comprised of a Mallory Unilite distributor and Mallory spark plug wires. Exhaust gases are passed through L&L Industries headers, a dual 2 1/2-inch exhaust system, and Flowmaster mufflers.

Behind the engine is a C-6 transmission that was heavily modified by Russ Moore Transmissions in Fort Wayne and it features a TCI torque converter and flywheel, as well as a heavy-duty cooler. The result is a transmission that can easily handle the power from the bored-out 460ci engine. The tranny is bolted to a heavy-duty remote-mounted NP205 transfer case, and this unit splits the power to the 2 1/2-ton Rockwell military axles (built by Chuck's Trucks in Orlando, Florida) via custom driveshafts that were fabricated by Fort Wayne Clutch. A custom hydraulic steering setup helps Morgan turn the massive 48x25-20 Goodyear Super Terra tires, which are mounted on custom 20x20 Midwest aluminum wheels.

The frame of the F-150 underwent a substantial number of modifications, including the removal of every stock crossmember. They were replaced with custom-fabbed heavy-duty crossmembers, and all were drilled with numerous 1-inch holes for weight reduction. The custom suspension consists of custom coilover air springs in front, with three Superlift shocks per wheel. The rear suspension includes custom re-arched Superlift leaf springs with two Superlift shocks per wheel.

With the truck sporting such a mind-boggling array of beefy drivetrain mods, it was only natural to make it visually eye-catching as well. After installing an Aero-Form cowl hood, the truck was left in the care of master painter Brian Townsend of Fort Wayne. He and Jeff Fusselman went to work spraying the truck with Ford Toreador Red paint, and laying on the checkered flag graphics in Corvette White and black. The painting was completed at Fussey's Custom Painting in Fort Wayne then a number of exterior bolt-ons were added, including a Tekstyle bedcover and Ramsey 9500 Pro winch on a custom winch mount.

The Ford came equipped with a full array of factory options, so the interior is inherently very comfortable. Hence, it was left mostly stock. However, keeping an eye on powerplant functions was paramount, so a full array of Auto Meter gauges were installed to monitor engine rpm, oil pressure, water temperature, amperage, and fuel pressure.

Lest you think that the F-150 is nothing more than a show vehicle, Morgan is quick to point out that the truck is street-legal in his home state of Texas, and he not only drives it often, but plans on crushing cars with it just for fun.

Specifications