Custom 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson Super Duty F-350 - Screamin' Diesel

The 10 1/2-inch Sterling rear axle is nearly the only stock component left under the tail of the F-350, and its only modification is a PML aluminum differential cover. Heavy mods were showered on the rear suspension. The stock leaf spring suspension was removed and replaced with what Kelderman calls its 15-inch Super Duty Lift. This bolt-on kit includes new sway bar endlinks; rear airbags; an upper airbag crossmember/mount that also serves as the upper track bar mount; upper shock mounts; and a multi-purpose lower assembly that serves as a mounting location for the bottom of the airbags, the lower shock mounts, the lower adjustable track bar mount, and the rearend mount for the upper/lower trailing arms. Dual Bilstein 7100 Series Remote Reservoir shocks reside at each wheel.

The rear ends of the chrome rear trailing arms mount to the Kelderman multi-purpose lower assembly, while the forward ends mount to chrome bolt-on mounts made from 3/8-inch plate. These mounts are tied together with a crossmember for strength and are bolted to the frame with beefy bolts. The knuckles are from a semi-trailer application.

Leaf springs no longer reside under the front of the "Screamin' Diesel." They've been replaced by the components of the Kelderman air suspension system. The kit includes an upper crossmember/mount that serves as a mounting location for the bottom of the airbags, the lower dual Bilstein 7100 Series shock mounts, the track bar, and the upper trailing arms. This assembly is attached to the axle via U-bolts that also locate the bracketry for the lower trailing arms. An upper bolt-in mount pulls double duty as an upper airbag mount and an upper shock mount. A new Donahoe Racing crossover steering system ensures correct steering geometry no matter what suspension height is selected.

Naturally, an electrical upgrade was mandatory, so a custom battery tray was built to house a trio of Optima YellowTop batteries. They work in conjunction with a pair of underhood batteries; the transfer case was reindexed 20 degrees with an Attitude Performance reindexing ring kit to compensate for the increased driveshaft angle the suspension lift created.

A number of modifications were made to the frame to accommodate the hydraulic bed. All of the factory crossmembers rear of the cab were removed and replaced by a pair of custom crossmembers designed by the folks at Kelderman. Additionally, 10 inches were removed from the tail end of the F-350's frame. Finally, a custom frame was installed to the bottom of the cargo box, and it works in conjunction with the modified truck frame to allow the bed to lift and slide.

The air suspension system draws air from a pair of 3-gallon air tanks fed by an Oasis HP-1000 air compressor. The suspension's ride height is controlled by a Firestone Intelliride system. It has three height settings: 8 inches (no air); 14 inches (normal ride height); and 17 inches ('bags fully inflated). Four ride height sensors detects the distance between the upper trailing arm and the frame and the information is sent to the Intelliride system to determine that the suspension height is the same as is selected.

The components of the rear Kelderman Air Ride suspension system. Note the custom 1 3/8-inch antiroll bar and custom endlinks.

The 6.0L Power Stroke diesel engine was massaged with a few simple, yet effective, power-producing upgrades. First and foremost were a Banks Six-Gun and Speed Loader. Together, this pair has the potential to increase the 'Stroke's performance by 138 hp and 231 lb-ft of torque. Given that Ford says the stock mill generates 325 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque, this translates to a very respectable 463 hp and 791 lb-ft of torque. That's not all. The engine also inhales easier thanks to a K&N air filter and exhales easier thanks to a 4-inch-diameter stainless steel Bully Dog after-cat exhaust system.

The gigantic audio system gets its wattage from three Phoenix Gold amplifiers mounted on a custom, chrome roof-mounting system designed by the folks at Kelderman.

The Banks Six-Gun switch is conveniently mounted on the dash and offers the driver 100 percent of the Six-Gun's available output in 20-percent increments.

Kelderman technician Jason Chounlamany installed the mind-boggling amount of electronics in the once-stock interior. The list includes a Kenwood Excelon head unit with a slide-out DVD monitor, Sirius satellite radio, a Kenwood navigation system, a Kenwood Music Keg hard drive MP3 player, a Sony PlayStation 2, three Phoenix Gold amplifiers, three Phoenix Gold 10-inch competition subwoofers, five sets of Phoenix Gold 6-1/2-inch component sets, and 14 Rosen 6-inch video monitors (for show purposes, two are mounted in the front bumper where the tow hooks used to be). Jason also fabricated all of the fiberglass speaker enclosures and installed a Motocam color back up camera.

Starved for entertainment? You won't be in this Ford. Each rear door contains custom fiberglass pods fitted with one set of Phoenix Gold 6 1/2-inch component speakers and a pair of Rosen 6-inch video monitors. The front doors each have two sets of Phoenix Gold 6 1/2-inch component speakers, a custom fiberglass pod, and three Rosen 6-inch monitors.