SP Rides: Chuck’s Big, Bad Truck
By Michael Kitchens
Name: Charlie “Chuck” Rutherford
Age: 24
Occupation: Machinist mate, USN
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, trucks
Year/Make/Model: 2008 Ford F250 Lariat Edition
Color: Black
Engine: Sinister diesel full EGR delete, DPF delete 4 in turbo back exhaust with dual 6 in Aussie stacks, H&S Pro Street Programmer, Edge CTS monitor, Mishimoto radiator, Bully Dog intake
Exterior: Fab Four HD front bumper, 50 in luxurious led lift bar, Rigid 4 in dually led pods on bumper, Train horns, Custom Headache Rack
Interior: Complete Pioneer sound system, Camo-accents
Suspension: 8-inch Rize 4 link lift kit, Fabtech shocks, Vari air onboard air system
Wheels, Tires: 20 in KMC XD Series Wheels with 37 in Super Swamper Mickey Thompson M16 tires
Charlie “Chuck” Rutherford has never been a fan of imports or muscle cars. Rather, this tall and lanky hunter and fisherman has always preferred the big game found in Ford trucks, and his entrance into the U.S. Navy gave him the options he needed.
“Coming into the Navy, I really wanted to get out and see the world. But (I knew that if) I left the Navy, I wanted to take something home with me and that was a nice truck,” says Chuck, whose first ride was an 1986 Ford Ranger.
The F-Series of Ford trucks have been in production since the late 1940s in one variant or another. The number series each representing a higher duty/grade per truck with F-250 recognized as a Super Duty variant. Built for heavier work and higher payloads, these big, bad behemoths are the go-to variety for serious enthusiasts and workers. Chuck was in the mood for an upgrade from his F-150, so naturally he turned to the 250 series.
He got just what he wanted. After saving money from deployments, he purchased this straight black 2008 Ford F-250. The truck was pretty plain with chrome wheels, so Chuck set out to make his mark.
Most important to Chuck were the wheels, the tires and the stacks. He opted for 37-inch Super Swamper M16 Tires on 20-inch KMC XD Series Wheels. This monstrous $5,000-plus combination if of the high and mighty variety, lifted off the ground by an 8-inch Rize 4-link lift kit fitted with Fabtech Shocks. In addition, the truck is fitted with a Vari onboard air system.
The gleaming polished Dual 60-inch Aussie stacks were a custom install completed by Chuck, who fabricated the steel headache rack, mounted the enormous stacks and routed them through the bed to connect with a DPF delete, 4-inch turbo back exhaust. The engine features a Mishimoto radiator, a Bully Dog intake and a Sinister Diesel full EGR delete. The entire setup is tuned with an H&S Pro Street Programmer and monitored with an EDGE CTS monitor. Although dependent on the tune, with this combination you’re looking at roughly 700HP and an ungodly amount of torque — more than 650 lbs., to be exact.
Chuck had a vision of nothing but black on black. The grill has been painted flat black and the truck features black running boards in addition to the camo-flavored mirror accents. Also installed is a solid Fab Four HD front bumper, which has been fitted with Rigid 4 in dually LED pods.
The highlight of this ride is its absolutely blinding 50-inch Luxurious LED lift bar fitted on the roof. It’s practically brighter than the sun with the simple flick of a switch. Train horns have been installed to really send a message to any luckless lane-changers who forget to use their turn signals.
“If you have a dream, just go after it and don’t let anything stop you,” says Chuck. That’s the kind of advice that makes even more sense if you ever see Chuck and his monstrous truck barreling down the highway in a cloud of diesel-black smoke. That will be your cue to get out of their way!
