With 12 inches of lift and...
With 12 inches of lift and 1/2-inch tires, it's not the biggest F-350, but owner Joe Speaks wanted it to be the best.
Joe Speaks describes himself as a Ford guy. When Ford brought out its '00 crew cab F-350 Lariat, he loved the body style, calling it tough and rugged. "Not a lot of people had them, and I was really attracted to both the looks and the diesel engine." Joe owns Meticulous Painting and Paper Hanging in Lake Worth, Florida, and bought the Super Duty as a work truck, pulling a trailer to the job site every day.
The First Modifications
Over time, however, subtle changes began to occur. Even though it was a work truck, there was no reason why it couldn't look good too, so one of the first changes Joe made was a suspension-leveling kit that raised the front end approximately 2 inches. The new stance was a subtle shift, but it got the ball rolling and it hasn't stopped yet!
A new brush guard led to a new set of tires, both emphasizing the truck's rugged character. That led to some nerf bars and an even bigger set of tires and wheels. At red lights, people would tell Joe to roll down his window so that they could compliment him on his truck. With each thumbs up, he became more enthusiastic, determined to make the truck even better. Today, the truck rides on its third lift kit. After the initial leveling kit came a a 6-inch Skyjacker kit that has now been replaced with the current Kelderman air spring system.
Suspension Setup
Joe chose Kelderman after doing considerable research on the Internet and seeing television shows and magazine articles about the product. Once he decided it was right for him, he had the company send its standard package. Modifications Unlimited in Royal Palm, Florida, installed it using two Viair compressors and two aluminum 3-gallon reserve tanks.
To most folks not familiar with lifted trucks, seeing a pickup of that size with adjustable altitude was amazing. In use, the setup provided a full 12 inches of lift, and the ride was a dramatic increase in comfort. An Air Ride Technologies switch box was integrated into the Kelderman controls, allowing individual adjustment of each bag. It has three preset heights, beginning with the lowest position that allows easy entry. The second level is the established ride height; the system reaches it automatically when you turn on the key. Tires are aligned to this setting to prevent excessive wear. The third setting provides the tallest profile and is reserved for shows or the occasional red light. All settings can also be accomplished from across the street using the remote-great for surprising spectators who get a little too close.
Having altitude under the driver's control was an amazing change, but it meant that the rest of the truck had to get in line. Part of the driving philosophy behind the creation of the truck was Joe's notion that "I don't care how big it is, rather I'm concerned with how perfect it is."
 |  Under the hood, the mighty...  Under the hood, the mighty 7.3L Ford Power Stroke diesel V-8 benefits from an upgraded air induction system, larger Banks turbo, intercooler, and huge 4-inch stainless steel exhaust. A Diablo two-stage chip adds an additional 115 hp and makes its owner smile. |  The bed, upgraded with Rhino...  The bed, upgraded with Rhino Liner and carpet, holds the aluminum toolbox filled with recovery gear and showcases the twin Viair compressors and reserve tanks. A Roll-n-Lock tonneau cover keeps everything protected from the elements. |