Without the airbags inflated,...
Without the airbags inflated, the Super Duty is raised 5 inches over stock height, with the isntallation of the Kelderman Air Ride kit. By inflating the 'bags, the truck can be lifted another 5 to 10 inches, or to a full stationary height of 13 inches for static displays at shows. Needless to say, the AMP Research Power Steps come in pretty handy, no matter what height is selected.
We know. This show-ready '05 Super Duty looks like the farthest thing from a functional pickup. But, the shocking reality is that this Power Stroke-powered truck is driven everywhere, no matter what the weather. You see, the truck is a rolling showcase for Oskaloosa, Iowa-based Kelderman Air Ride, so trailering it just wouldn't do.
This Super Duty is but one of a family of trucks built by the folks at Kelderman. You'll recall the off-the-hook Screamin' Diesel '04 Super Duty we published in the previous issue of Diesel Power, and yes, there's more Kelderman rigs to come in future issues. For now, kick back and peruse Kelderman's latest diesel creation. It was built in only one month, but you'd never know it by the serious mods and the attention to detail. Oh, and don't be surprised if this vinyl-wrapped wonder comes rolling through your town.
 The guys at Kelderman aren't...  The guys at Kelderman aren't afraid to flog their creation. With a potential of as much as 10 inches of usable lift, a Banks-modified Power Stroke engine and Nitto Mud Grappler tires, even greasy mud doesn't stand in the way of the big Super Duty. |  Gone is the stock rear leaf...  Gone is the stock rear leaf spring suspension. It has been replaced by Kelderman's four-link air-ride system. Here, you can see the custom powdercoated bracketry that mounts the 'bags, shocks, and antiroll bar. The 'bags are heavy-duty Firestone airbags, the IPD antiroll bar is 1 3/8 inches in diameter, and the two shocks at each wheel are Bilstein's 7100 Series remote-reservoir units (dual rear shocks are an option on the Kelderman kit). Helping to keep the rear Sterling 10 1/2-inch axle cool is a finned, larger capacity aluminum PML differential cover. |  A pair of chrome air tanks...  A pair of chrome air tanks provides air to the all four of the Firestone airbags. Two Viair 400C air compressors feed the tanks. The 'bags are controllable via a trick Air Ride Technologies control system, which allows the 'bags to be inflated or deflated remotely or from inside the cab. The air compressors draw amperage from five Optima YellowTop batteries--two mounted underhood and three mounted in a custom frame-mounted battery box. |
 Here, you can see the front...  Here, you can see the front air-ride suspension. All of the Kelderman components simply bolt on after removing the stock front suspension components. Like the rear, each side features a Firestone airbag and a duo of Bilstein 7,100-Series remote-reservoir shocks. Reminiscent of the rear, there's a 1-3/8-inch IPD antiroll bar. |  A powdercoated rear four-link...  A powdercoated rear four-link mount is bolted to the frame to create a forward mounting position for the rear trailing arms. |  Like the rear mount, the front...  Like the rear mount, the front trailing arm mount bolts to the frame to create a rear mounting position for the front trailing arms. |
 The view of the Super Duty's...  The view of the Super Duty's front suspension is clean and uncluttered. It only hints at the extensive suspension modifications. Kelderman says that other than a drop pitman arm, the stock steering can be used with this kit throughout the suspension lift cycle. Here, you can clearly see the finned aluminum PML differential cover. |  Kelderman's Super Duty is...  Kelderman's Super Duty is packed with cutting-edge electronics. Hovering over the rear passenger area is a trio of Phoenix Gold amplifiers. They're fastened to the roof by custom mounts. Directly in front of the rear-seat passengers are two headrest-mounted Rosen 7-inch monitors and a flip-down, roof-mount Rosen 15.3-inch monitor. Up front, there's a Kenwood head unit with flip-out monitor, and it boasts navigation and Sirius satellite radio capabilities. Nestled between the front seats is a custom fiberglass subwoofer box that was built by Jason Chounlamany. It holds a pair of Xenon 10-inch subwoofers. Chounlamany also fabbed the dash-mount fiberglass enclosure that holds a pair of Phoenix Gold speakers. |  The 6.0L Power Stroke diesel...  The 6.0L Power Stroke diesel engine has had its output increased substantially over stock with the Banks Big Hoss bundle. This package includes seven major power-producing items, including the Six-Gun Diesel Tuner with Speed-Loader upgrade. The Six-Gun is a technological wonder that allows the user to select from six levels of power on the fly, while the in-line Speed-Loader increases the output of the Six-Gun even further. The kit also includes a Techni-Cooler intercooler with huge 3-1/2-inch boost tubes and High-Ram intake; stainless 4-inch-diameter Monster exhaust with constant-diameter turbine outlet pipe; polished-stainless 4-inch straight-through Monster Muffler with exclusive expansion chamber; and exclusive electronic DynaFact pyrometer and boost gauge assembly. |
 The big Super Duty rolls on...  The big Super Duty rolls on a set of Weld Racing 12-inch-wide Velocity 8 XT chrome dubs, fitted with a set of Nitto Mud Grappler 38x15.50 tires. |  The ashtray hides the Air...  The ashtray hides the Air Ride Technologies Ride Pro E air system controller. This allows manual adjustment of the Firestone airbags. The airbags can also be adjusted via a remote control. |  One of the most eye-catching...  One of the most eye-catching aspects of the truck is the in-your-face vinyl wrap. Ape Wraps in San Diego, California, designed and printed the highly detailed, no-maintenance wrap. |