Modifying my Strada / Triton

[GU9126]

Sharing some of the mods that I did to my truck .

This is my 2008 manual transmission 3.2 Triton/Strada when it was still brand new.


First mod that I did was the installation of a roll bar and a utility box.


A few months later I changed the 17” stock rims with 16” Dick Cepek rims and the stock HT tires changed to Wrangler AT tires.


The negative offset of the Dick Cepek rims made the tires move out by around 2” so I custom-built wider fender flares to match the offset of the rims.

[GU9126]

In early 2009 I had my truck lifted using a lift kit from Thailand at the same time changed the AT tires to Mickey Thompson MTRs. The lift required the stock shocks to be changed so I replaced them with Ranchos.

[GU9126]

January this year I custom-built the front steel bumper, installed Tabor winch and a set of IPF fog lamps.

[GU9126]

Latest mod is the repainting of the fender flares and the steel bumper to black.


My next mod will be the rear steel bumper and then maybe a custom-built snorkel.

[jimmy]

lookin good guilf, how much did u lift it, really like your front bar, would think u could sell quite a few of them over here

[GU9126]

Thanks, Jimmy. The front has a 3" lift and the rear 2". I only do these things as a hobby and only during my spare time since I still have a full time job .

[Cowboy Dave]

that's a really impressive looking front bumper - would love some more shots of that especially during construction if you took them. liking the custom flares too, very neatly done.

[GU9126]

that's a really impressive looking front bumper - would love some more shots of that especially during construction if you took them. liking the custom flares too, very neatly done.

Thanks for the compliment, Cowboy Dave .

Here are more photos taken during the construction.

After making the sketch I started the steel bumper project by making a mock-up version using 1/8" plywood:




I completed the other half of the plywood using Photoshop:


I made some adjustments to the design while making the steel version:

[Cowboy Dave]

sensational. must have taken you forever with all those little angles and stuff. very impressive work.

[ultimate]

That's an incredible front bar. Really a job well done.

[boo-ya]

That front bar is awesome . Great work there mate

[Homer]

One word mate...AWESOME

[snowman]

buddy i don't know what you do for a day job, but i think you should consider making front bars.

that is a piece of art. i know a lot of guys here don't go for the 'full on' ARB barwork but want something a little tougher on the front.....and that looks bloody great.

Top effort.

[new44]

It`s always refreshing to see a one off project like that come out so perfect looking.

Just like a factory job. Great work!

[GU9126]

sensational. must have taken you forever with all those little angles and stuff. very impressive work.

Thanks! My bumper project took me almost 3 weeks to complete.

That's an incredible front bar. Really a job well done..

That front bar is awesome . Great work there mate.

One word mate...AWESOME

Thanks!

[GU9126]

buddy i don't know what you do for a day job, but i think you should consider making front bars.

that is a piece of art. i know a lot of guys here don't go for the 'full on' ARB barwork but want something a little tougher on the front.....and that looks bloody great.

Top effort.

Thank you for the compliment! I also didn't want to install a full metal bumper like the ARB bumper where cutting of the stock bumper is required that's why I made my own. The durability of my steel bumper and the fender flares were actually tested a few days after completing the bumper. While on my way to a mall in Manila to purchase the set of foglamps, a speeding car cut through my lane too soon. From the strong vibration felt inside the cabin during the impact I was expecting to see a major damage to the side of my truck. Luckily my steel bumper was there so my truck suffered only a slight grazing to the fender. The car suffered dents to the side panel.

[GU9126]

It`s always refreshing to see a one off project like that come out so perfect looking.

Just like a factory job. Great work!

Thanks!

Here are pictures of the wider fender flares during the construction phase:

[Homer]

I had a feeling you were the flare builder that 5th had a bit of a rant about a few months back

[Naff]

... and you make it look so easy. Your truck looks fantastic.

I'm with snowie.. quit your day job and start making these.. or maybe just moonlight and make these.. or sell the design to someone who can make these.. any which way, you could make money from it!

[GU9126]

I had a feeling you were the flare builder that 5th had a bit of a rant about a few months back

Maybe he saw my video .

Here's a link to my video making the wider fender flares: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQt8PZQtoRg

And the video making the steel bumper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvzD8iGNENM

[GU9126]

... and you make it look so easy. Your truck looks fantastic.

I'm with snowie.. quit your day job and start making these.. or maybe just moonlight and make these.. or sell the design to someone who can make these.. any which way, you could make money from it!

Thanks . I have a very good high-paying day job so I can't quit yet . I work as a designer for a US company. I am home-based so I can do my work either during daytime or nighttime and can do my work anywhere .

[giancarlo93]

Congratulations!
Very nice truck.
Good work on the flares and bumpers!

[ratstriton]

Nice work on the bumper mate looks great.

[jop]

Awesome workmanship mate, very keen to see your rear bumper ideas

[NowForThe5th]

Me? Rant? No way!!

Recognised the work though. No job offer as a painter but that steelwork is amazing. Well done GU9126.

Edit: Just watched the video. Hope that winch plate and chassis mounts are more than 3mm. Very happy to see you found the safety gear.