2018 Ford F350

“I Love Haters”

Owned by: Ed Kuby

Photos by: Chris Gosda

Ed Kuby’s 2018 Ford F350 is not just a truck; it’s a testament to a lifetime passion for automotive craftsmanship. From his early years immersed in the world of cars to his extensive experience building high-performance vehicles, Ed has poured his heart and soul into this one-of-a-kind project.

Inspiration Behind the Build

Ed’s inspiration stems from a lifelong love of building trucks and cars. “I’ve been into building stuff my entire life, been around cars since I was a little kid,” he shares. This deep-rooted passion is evident in every detail of his 2018 Ford F350, where he decided to go “over the top” and push the boundaries of custom truck building.

The Build Process

The journey to transform his 2018 Ford 350 took about eight months. This period was a blend of meticulous planning, extensive modifications, and countless hours of labor. Ed’s dedication and expertise, honed over years of working on cars and trucks since he was 16, shine through in the final product.

Club Affiliations

Ed is a proud member of The Skynet Team and Team Billet Chicago, communities that share his enthusiasm for custom automotive builds. These affiliations have provided support, inspiration, and camaraderie throughout his building journey.

Future Plans

Ed’s future plans for the F350 are ambitious. He envisions a full custom center cradle and a Dooley-converted short box. Additionally, he plans to implement compound turbo systems, promising even greater performance and uniqueness.

Vehicle History

The story of this 2018 Ford 350 is as fascinating as its current state. Originally purchased brand new in 2018 to serve as a tow vehicle for Ed’s race car and snowmobiles, it gradually evolved into a full-blown project. After an unfortunate incident with his race car, Ed began making minor modifications to the truck. Last year, he undertook a full frame-off restoration, transforming it into the stunning vehicle it is today.

Acknowledgments

Ed extends his heartfelt thanks to several key individuals and organizations:

• Allan from Skynet for being his build manager
• Kyle Woody from Kustom Auto Works
• Liberty Forged
• We Print Wraps
• DS18 Audio
• Road Armour Bumpers
• Ryan from Smoky Mountain Truck Fest for hosting the first show he attended two years ago
• Cutting Edge Off-Road
• Morimoto Lighting
• True Spike Lugnuts
• Bamfled Off-Road Lighting
• Window Tint Pros
• Tate Design
• Fury Tires
• Next Level Mats
• Carbon Shocks
• VPE Design
• Effenfast
• Twisted Metalworks
• Ales Leather

Previous Rides

Ed’s passion for vehicles is also reflected in his previous rides. He had a 2010 Duramax with a solid axle conversion, compound turbos, and a Baja suspension, as well as an O2 Camaro with a pro charger among several other toys.

Detailed Breakdown of the Build

Engine

• Make: Ford
• Year: 2018
• Cylinders: 8
• Displacement: 6.7
• Mods: Full piping kit powder coated to match illusion purple, custom stack from VPE Design
• Add-Ons: Chrome or polish
• Builder Shop: Myself

Driveline

• Clutch Flywheel: Torque Converter
• Axle: Gears 513
• Builder Shop:

Chassis

• Chassis: Factory frame, custom powder-coated illusion purple with white highlights
• Mods to Frame: Shaved all leaf spring brackets, smoothed out frame rails
• Frame Builder: Me
• Drop or Lift Inches: Stretched out 18 inches of lift from Kerman Air Ride
• Front and Rear Shocks: Carbon shocks
• Four Link: Kelderman Air Ride
• Compressor Info: Four Viair 444 supplying 15 gallons of air (3 tanks)
• Valve Info: Airlift Performance
• Airbag Info: Firestone
• Other Mods: Multiple rock lights to highlight the powder coat
• Chrome, Paint, or Polish: Powder coated illusion purple with white

Wheels

• Front and Rear Wheel Type: Liberty Forged LBTY21 custom powdered coated windows and inner barrel, polished outer barrel and lips
• Front and Rear Wheel Size: 30/16
• Front and Rear Tire Size: 44/16.50

Paint

• Color: Multicolor
• Paint Type: Custom wrap from We Print Wraps
• Graphics Description: A multicolor multi-design wrap

Body

• Channeled:
• Chopped:
• Body Drop:
• Hood: Hood stack
• Grille: Custom haters grille from Cutting Edge Off-Road
• Bumpers: Armour bumpers
• Addon Accessories: Fiberglass bed topper
• Body Mods: Paint matched headlights and tail lights, 40 rock lights, 10 roll wheel lights from Bamfled Off-Road Lighting, custom light-up side badges

Interior

• Dashboard: Custom dyed to match the interior
• Console: Custom rear console
• Head Unit: Linkswell Generation 6 T-style
• Amps: 14 DS18 amps
• Speakers: 64 speakers including custom door panels, front and rear full bed audio with 6 12s with a blow-through
• Video System: Fully automated bed topper which raises and lowers the audio to be exposed
• Shifter:
• Seats: Custom wrapped black and white with purple stitching from Ales Leather, rear bench seat replaced with two captain’s chairs
• Tint Percent: 5% all around, 35% on the windshield
• Trunk or Bed: Bed
• Upholstery Description: Re-wrapped all door panels and seats with custom diamond stitching highlighting white, purple, and black
• Other Mods: Full thousand-strand starlight headliner
• Upholstered By: Kustom Autoworks

Ed Kuby’s 2018 Ford F350 is a true labor of love, reflecting his passion for custom builds and his relentless pursuit of perfection. Each modification and enhancement speaks to his dedication and skill, making this truck a standout masterpiece in the world of custom vehicles.