Backslider's F350 Tremor 7.3l Gahzirra Build

Some people mentioned some interest in seeing the new truck when it finally arrived. Well, the day has come!

For those of you that don't know, I have had two different 3rd gen Tundras since 2016 when I originally joined this site. I sold the first in order to rapidly pay off debt and get a few things set up for the future..

I bought the second in 2020 when Covid hit. The dealerships and EVERYTHING was empty. I had a feeling that I could get a really good deal (I did), and that the truck would be desirable because I knew that there was a 4th gen coming and that it would likely be a v6. While that was accurate, the true benefit was the supply chain problems brought on by Covid. I sold the Tundra to the dealer for nearly $15k more than I bought it for, and saved a boat load on taxes as a result of the trade. On June 23rd, 2021, I placed an order for an F350 Lariat Tremor.


September 16, 2021

Took Delivery

Installed Husky all-weather floor mats




September 17, 2021

Had wheels and tires installed. Discount Tire in WVC cross-threaded a stud when installing the rear passenger wheel. I've had issues with this Discount before, but they are always willing to beat prices. Because I wanted tires and wheels that match the load ratings I had limited choices when choosing new wheels and tires.

Tires: Nitto Ridge Grappler 35x12.5x18 F2 / 128 Load Range
Wheels: Fuel Covert 696 18x9 -12





Possible Future Plans

Suspension: Carli? BDS? I may lift the front and replace all the shocks with, you know, good ones. I may also lower the rear to level the truck and still replace the shocks with, you know, good ones. Likely Fox 2.5 with DSC adjusters.

Running Boards: I've got to get rid of these running boards. They look like my grandpa designed them before he had his morning coffee. Would prefer some actual sliders with kickouts. Currently searching for the right solution.


Opinion So Far...

The truck actually drives and feels great. A bit more power than the Tundra, lots more tech inside, wireless Apple and Android, nice leather, under-seat storage, bedliner from the factory, amazing camera system, setup for 5th wheel, integrated upfitter switches, ventilated seats, memory seats, amazingly responsive and intuitive 12" infotainment center, etc etc etc. The truck has 4.30 gears and a locking rear differential and front LSD. It's got everything I wish the Tundra had from the factory!

I understand the reliability argument, and I'll definitely report here if I have any issues with quality or reliability.

Ride is firm in a good way. Truck is already high enough that I have no desire to lift it, and instead may install a reverse-level (rear block going from 3.25" to 2").

I did NOT get the Powerstroke due to a number of reasons. Initial purchase price wasn't the main driver. Mostly the ongoing maintenance requirements and cost are not justified considering I will not be towing heavy daily. The additional weight of the diesel engine drops the payload capacity significantly as well.

This truck is still capable of hauling and/or towing everything I will ever throw at it.

Payload capacity: 3828 lbs
Tow capacities: 15k bumper pull / 20.2k 5th wheel

I plan to get a trailer with a <10k GVWR


I do miss my Tundra, but don't want to be towing at my max all the time, and am happy that I can now go get a yard or two of dirt or gravel when I need it instead of paying a dump truck $100 per hour like I have been.


I'll keep this thread updated as things progress. Feel free to flame me for venturing away from Toyota's stellar and renouned reliability. I deserve it. =(

 

One of my favorite trucks. If i could afford one i would get that same model over the tundra

 

With vehicle prices right now you might be a lot closer than you think! If not for the ability to get so much for my Tundra this would have been long away for me.

 

Tempted by these in large part due to the low tech 7.3. Buddy just picked up a 2009 F250 and it really is a nice looking truck. IIRC the Tremor package IS an F350 (rear springs) even though it can be had with the F250 badge.

 

very cool truck. I personally would prefer the 7.3 gasser to the diesel just because my towing needs would be pretty intermittent, but like you said - having the payload to drop some topsoil/gravel/etc instead of paying delivery fees would be pretty great.

 

I saw a Tremor in the ATL area the other day. Yours looks great OP. I'm sure you'll be fine with reliability long term. My Dad has had 2-3 F150s recently and has done great with both of them.

 

NICE truck! If I had to get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, this would likely be it. I've heard excellent things about the Godzilla engine.

 

Updating my signature to link to the build thread on the Tremors forum.

https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/backsliders-atlas-blue-gahzirra-build.6536/

This thread will no longer be maintained because I'm lazy.

 

I hear you! I originally wanted a 250 gasser but Ford was ridiculous with their pricing, it was no joke like 15k over sticker. I asked them to work with me on the price or I would go to the toyota dealer next door, they didnt, I did, and drove my tundra back to the ford dealer and waved goodbye. I am glad I went with the Tundra now, since i do not tow alot.

 

Gotta shop around right now. There are several benefits to going to a smaller Ford dealership right now.

1: They are more likely to honor X-plan or similar pricing. If you don't have special pricing, you can still negotiate pricing under invoice right now by going to smaller dealers.

2: They are less likely to have a ton of orders ahead of you. The way Ford ordering works is that Ford determines how many trucks that can produce in a production window. They then allocate that production capability to a region, and then down to the dealers in that region. They then take the top priority truck based on priority level and position in queue from the top allocated dealer. They take 1 truck, then move to the second dealer, where they again take the top priority truck. This process continues until they have taken the top truck from the next in line dealer, and they start over with the top dealer again. This continues until all production slots until they have met their quota. Understanding this makes it clear that you may be better off taking the 3rd truck in line at a dealer who is #11 in the draft than taking the 15th truck in line at a dealer who is higher up on the allocation list.

3: Smaller dealers usually don't try as hard to push all of their extra crap on you. I waived all of the additional options when completing my purchase by simply refusing the first, and telling the finance guy that I had no interest in any of their other offers. I politely let him know that I already had GAP (didn't really need it based on my down payment and the equity in the truck, but it exists as part of my auto insurance anyway), and was not interested in paint protection, extended warranty services, or whatever other offers he had. He just told me that was fine and we got to signing paperwork.



Bought a camper over the weekend. This was a repo that I got for almost $14k below book. I was able to find the same trailer for sale from several dealers around the neighboring states and they all had it priced based on book as well. It's a 2020 Coleman Lantern 244BH that still had all the protective wrapping on the appliances, smells like a new trailer, and the outdoor grill is still completely boxed up and sealed inside the trailer. I think someone bought it in 2019 or 2020 and just never used or paid for it. Other than my little overland trailer, I've never had a camper. It was nice to buy something that isn't a huge financial commitment but still nice enough for my little family to try the RV life out with. It was also nice being able to just pay in cash and not have to get financing.

It was missing keys so I was able to purchase new barrel locks and the door key for a total of $65. It had neither propane tank, so I purchased two 20 lb tanks locally for > $100 filled. The propane hold down top bracket and wing nut or knob was missing, but for 5 minutes of work I was able to use some old C-channel steel and an angle grinder to fabricate a more robust bracket than it would have had anyway. Spent $0.37 on a stainless steel 1/2" nut to secure the bottom of the support shaft and another $1 on a 1/2" stainless wing nut to secure the top. The battery case is missing the top and had some water in it when I purchased, but the battery tests fine and seems to work well. Purchased a new battery case from Amazon that should arrive today.

All in all just some minor stuff to deal with - not bad for the savings I received. While it's technically within what the Tundra can tow (~7700 GVWR), it is nice to to a lot more buffer between load and capacity with the new truck.