MVI's F350 Build

[MVI]

I'm surprised how many people think getting a musty smell from running the AC is acceptable on a new $80k truck from Ford.....

Then again, neighbor has a 2019 F350, runs AC on all summer, he never had an issue.
All the GM trucks I've had in TX, not one had this issue

 

[The Evil Twin]

Never had a musty smell. Unless I leave the gym bag in there over the weekend

 

[Aaron24F350]

I think it's one of those "it's not a problem until it is" kind of scenarios... my 2018 F150XLT had the sunroof leak and later found a defect in the HVAC system... just from the standing water, it took no time at all to go from new truck smell to funky.

They tore the whole cab apart, just like yours, truck was gutted down the the carpet. Gave them the keys and traded up. didn't even want the truck back.

Since then however, 3 trucks with sunroof, now current no sunroof. Use AC year round and never a musty smell... and the area I live is almost always high humidity throughout the year.

Ford could certainly make the system more accessible, and serviceable though. People get sick from mold spores. nobody wants to deal with that.

 

[Avslash]

I’m with MVI. 105 and 99% humidity in Houston; I ain’t turning my ac off.

My Tesla had similar issue. Foaming the coil solved it. 3 Super Duty’s and haven’t drawn the short straw on that one yet.

 

[MVI]

28 FEBRUARY 2026
18582 Miles

Added the Sill Protectors from TUFSKINZ

• Cleaned the sills with 70% Isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Company recommends 50% mix.
• Used a trim tool to seat the seals as the Drivers Rear seal was loose.
• Dry Fit
• Started at the top and worked down, only removing the backing an inch at a time

Link to Front Door Sills
Link to Rear Door Sills

What I learned is I do not like working with stickers. However, they are pretty compliant. Point is , take your time when applying them.

The 3M adhesive is forgiving enough to allow for a quick adjustment or two when applying, but its strong enough to hold the numerous contours of the 2024 door sills.

 

[MVI]

07 SEPTEMBER 2026
21088 Miles

MVI Hitch Slider w/Pintle

The daily driver Pintle & 2- 5/16" combo hitch is too cumbersome for trail riding.
Fine for forest service roads, etc. But it wont do in Moab.

Installed a Standard Pintle Mount - it Measured out at 11 1/4" from the bumper - Far too much

Step 1 : Milled out the reducing sleeve so it would fit flush in the F350's hitch

Step 2 : Starting with a point Drill in the Mill, drill up to a 5/8" + hole

Mucho Better: The Pintle Mount when Pinned is only 9.75"

Step 3: Machine a pair of 5/16" Steel brackets

Step 4: Cut some 1/4" Steel Diamond Plate and bend the ends up in the Hydraulic Press to fit almost net zero around the Chain Loops on the Hitch

Step 5: Welder Up

Bottom View :

Quartering View :

Rear View:

Side View : Departure Angle

• Primary goal was to have rear recovery point
• Secondary goal was the Rear Hitch Protection
• Skid Plate is removable so trailer chains can be connected
• Tertiary goal was added protection of the painted rear bumper

 

[NightForceFan]

Nice work.

 

[MVI]

08 September 2026
21095 Miles

Installed FOX HTO 2.5" Shocks

old vs new

 

[MVI]

09 September 2026
21120 Miles


Finished Boxing in the Rear Hitch Rock Slider that mounts to the Pintle Mount;

We're now ready for the Tremor meet up in Moab.

This Project was made with 100% recycled metal off of other jobs.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

09 September 2026
21120 Miles


Finished Boxing in the Rear Hitch Rock Slider that mounts to the Pintle Mount;

We're now ready for the Tremor meet up in Moab.

View attachment 269255


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This Project was made with 100% recycled metal off of other jobs.

This is beautiful work! I really hope you don't have to actually "use it" on the trail because it will mean the rest of us stock heighters will not come out unscathed if we follow the same line.

 

[Bignc]

08 September 2026
21095 Miles

Installed FOX HTO 2.5" Shocks


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old vs new
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Are those the stock tremor shocks 2.5 also? I have all stock suspension stuff (other than Timbrens) and don't remember them looking that beefy. Or maybe the cover makes it seem fat....

Your hitch skid is awesome work btw. I want to learn to weld but am afraid my impatience is not a good trait.

 

[MVI]

Are those the stock tremor shocks 2.5 also? I have all stock suspension stuff (other than Timbrens) and don't remember them looking that beefy. Or maybe the cover makes it seem fat....

Your hitch skid is awesome work btw. I want to learn to weld but am afraid my impatience is not a good trait.

I measured the OEM TREMOR shocks at 2.38" OD IIRC
At 21,000 miles the stock shocks still have gas in them, but they are not nearly as charged as the Fox HTOs.

Night and Day difference on wash-boarded gravel roads between OEM and FOX HTO.

Where the FOX HTO's shocks shine is at speed in the rough stuff like this plowed field I hunt at.
It might look flat, trust me, it is not.

 

[MVI]

This is beautiful work! I really hope you don't have to actually "use it" on the trail because it will mean the rest of us stock heighters will not come out unscathed if we follow the same line.

I'm willing to go first down the to see what is what.

Trail Captain !

 

[Bignc]

I measured the OEM TREMOR shocks at 2.38" OD IIRC
At 21,000 miles the stock shocks still have gas in them, but they are not nearly as charged as the Fox HTOs.

Night and Day difference on wash-boarded gravel roads between OEM and FOX HTO.

Where the FOX HTO's shocks shine is at speed in the rough stuff like this plowed field I hunt at.
It might look flat, trust me, it is not.

View attachment 269410

This is VERY useful for me. Probably the most relevant RIDE and road condition description I've read on the forum lol. I don't mud or rock crawl on purpose. I daily drive it, tow 7k lbs approx 800 miles a month and ride in crappy pasture that has hidden bumps and ruts and fire ant beds and brush. Or of course, damp pine straw lol.
So the adjustable option is really too fussy for me. The full Carli type setups would be a waste.
Thank you! Sometime between now and when I really should, I think I will be going with these.


Nevermind. I figured it out with clues in the photos lol.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

I measured the OEM TREMOR shocks at 2.38" OD IIRC
At 21,000 miles the stock shocks still have gas in them, but they are not nearly as charged as the Fox HTOs.

Night and Day difference on wash-boarded gravel roads between OEM and FOX HTO.

Where the FOX HTO's shocks shine is at speed in the rough stuff like this plowed field I hunt at.
It might look flat, trust me, it is not.

View attachment 269410

I just ordered the Fox HTOs for my truck as well. I also looked at boots and couldn't figure out if the HTO was "2 3/8ths or 2.5" I assumed it was 2.5 inches. Did you happen to measure the Fox for diameter?

I believe the reason the stock shock looks the same width as the Fox HTO is because they may be dual chambers vs. the monotube of the Fox. The piston in the dual is actually smaller than the monotube.

 

[MVI]

I just ordered the Fox HTOs for my truck as well. I also looked at boots and couldn't figure out if the HTO was "2 3/8ths or 2.5" I assumed it was 2.5 inches. Did you happen to measure the Fox for diameter?

I believe the reason the stock shock looks the same width as the Fox HTO is because they may be dual chambers vs. the monotube of the Fox. The piston in the dual is actually smaller than the monotube.

You want 2.5" diameter boots. I elected not to add them at $70 a pair

Ford factory-tunes these trucks with custom monotube shocks in the front and twin-tube shocks in the rear to maximize off-road capability without destroying highway ride comfort. They work, just not as good as the HTOs

 

[MVI]

14 September 2026
21201 Miles

Added a WARN Winch Hook Strap, PN# 69645

A Simple addition that in practical application make perfect sense when mired down in muck

#SafetyFirst

I've only had to perform one self recovery to remind me to add this strap.

 

[MVI]

14 September 2026
21201 Miles


Added Ditch Lights to the Top of the Fenders.

Bought the 23+ Super Duty Hood Mounting Brackets from F150 LED's website.
Quality Product and I highly recommend these brackets.

Then topped the brackets off with a set of ROADSHOCK 3" LED Spots, with Side Lights

• Foot note # 1 - I specifically did not want huge hood lights, and figured if they did not perform, any upgrade to different lights was easy as I'd have all the wiring to the up-fitter switches already done.
• Foot Note # 2 - I chose these as they have 3 LED's designed to throw Light the Left and Right respectively

Left photo is the passenger side, Right is the Driver light

A 13mm swivel socket is for the hood / fender bolts.
OEM bolts are long enough that you can re-use them.
Loosen, insert Brackets, and tighten.

Upfitter box released with 4 tabs, easy enough with a screwdriver and some light pressure

I used AUX 1,
It was the brown wire with a green stripe on the 2024 F350 Lariat Tremor

used some 2 pin WeatherPack connectors w/ 14 AWG leads from Amazon.

Ran 4 ground leads in the 3/8 wire loom for additional connectors as needed

Wrapped it all up with Electrical Wire Harness Cloth Tape - 1 Inch

View 1 - low beams Left, AUX Ditch Lights right

View 2 - low beams Left, AUX Ditch Lights right
Same truck position, photo taken to the passenger side from the Drivers seat

 

[Bignc]

Looks good! I was thinking a combo light like these but I get so much glare off the hood, I may make my a-pillars only side/wide throw and keep them away from the front. Then mount forward/ driving on the front bumper area. Just a little more light for country deer! ETA: I should add that I am 6'5" and sit with my hair brushing the roof pretty often (I move around to help my knees out so sometimes sit higher or lower) so get a good down-angle view of the hood.

Looks like a clean install!