Dawson Murphy’s Show-Ready F-250

There’s a line in the sand you cross once a certain number of modifications are made to your ride. Sure, there are the first additions that usually include new wheels and tires and maybe a suspension leveling kit to set your truck apart from the rest of the factory clones on the street, but there is so much beyond this territory. Dawson Murphy, the proud owner of this 2019 F-250 he affectionately calls Spruce due to its factory Ford paint (Silver Spruce Metallic), knew exactly where the threshold that divided the grounds of a moderately customized truck from an impressive show rig was, and he was dead set on crossing it.

“I built this truck because I was ready to have something nice enough to drive on the daily but at the same time be cool enough to show off,” Dawson admits. Of course, his first instinct was to dramatically lift his F-250, and after some careful consideration, Dawson selected a full 4.5-inch Pathfinder 2.5 system by Carli Suspension to do the trick. The kit included 4.5-inch front springs, progressive leaf spring packs for the rear, remote reservoir shocks all around, as well as a front sway bar for good measure. With so much extra clearance available, Dawson then selected his rolling combination—17×9 JTF Forged BD-211 wheels covered in 38/13.50R17 Nitto Trail Grappler tires. Dawson was cool enough to film the entire install process, which can be viewed on his YouTube channel (Mic’d Up Motorsports).

While the F-250’s 6.7L Power Stroke was more than capable of getting Dawson around from point A to point B, he felt it necessary to upgrade the diesel mill with an S&S Diesel CP4 to DCR conversion as well as install a 5-inch Maryland Performance exhaust system. Dawson and his group of close friends handled all the engine work and had a blast doing it!

Dawson’s F-250 was well on its way to becoming something truly special, and to increase its nighttime visual appeal, he lined up a set of AlphaRex fog lights, Boost Auto mirror and cab lights, and a total of sixteen BAMF LED rock lights to cut through the darkness. A Cervinis cowl hood was also added to the list of exterior modifications, which has been color-matched by Knockout Kustomz to blend in with the truck’s Silver Spruce paint.

“I learned that a camera boy, a plumber, a couple of window tinters, and a rock truck driver can figure out how to build anything if they work together,” Dawson says about working alongside his loyal group of buddies. “My advice to anyone building a truck of any kind is to just get out there and do it,” he continues. “I am far from a mechanic, and I don’t own any fancy equipment. I promise that you can do it all with Harbor Freight tools and a positive attitude.”

Now if that doesn’t inspire you to break out your hand-me-down wrench set and get to working on your rig, we don’t know what will.