F350 as Dakar support vehicle

[haven]

Pickuptrucks.com has an interesting article about a fellow who set up three F350s as support vehicles for the recently concluded Dakar rally. The trucks act as support vehicles for several motorcycle competitors.

The trucks are not highly modified from stock form. They use the 7.3L V8 Powerstroke diesel engine, stock transmission, bigger fuel tank, upgraded springs in front and airbags in the rear, upgraded sway bars and Bilstein shocks. The trucks use 285/75-16 BFG 10 ply T/As, and reportedly have never had a flat tire during the race. The first support truck now has 130,000 miles of use.

Here's the article

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/0...-chasing-the-race-with-ford-super-duties.html

Chip Haven

 

[Tree]

Sweet rig... I hear only good things about the 7.3 diesel, thats probably why they went with it instead of the 6L

 

[Christian P.]

I am pretty sure I have seen them around in San Francisco. I think they are based here.

 

[Geronimo]

Support trucks require full padded roll cage and race seats/harnesses. They have all the electronics the race cars have. Costs serious money to race Dakar.

[/IMG]

 

[cjmitchell5]

Here's a couple for sale if you like!

http://www.rallymanagementservices.com/trucks.html

 

[brut4s]

Now thats a tent!

 

[bucketosudz]

Love the Orange/Black/Checkered One.... That is a pretty swell setup:wings:

 

[akfj40]

very nice rigs!

 

[BigDaveZJ]

As the owner of a 2001 F250, there is NO way I would trust the stock auto transmission in that scenario, and that ride would be bumpy as all get out!

 

[BIGdaddy]

hmmm, buying an ex-dakar support truck...I think that would actually be a worse idea than buying an ex-rental mustang...:elkgrin:

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Who supplies the beds for the trucks?