Show, Work, Or Play

A 500Hp ’99 Super Duty That Does It All

- Mike McGlothlin

Most of us remember when we found our diesel engine of choice. For Ken Houston, his addiction to the 7.3L Power Stroke began as a young boy, after his dad brought home an ’00 F-450. Believe it or not, Ken’s father was a Chevy guy, but back around the turn of the century the 6.5L Chevy he owned didn’t want anything to do with the 36-foot gooseneck trailer he needed to pull.

“My dad bought that F-450 when I was a kid, and I fell in love with the 7.3L and have been a fan ever since,” he told us. Now, at the age of 26, Ken works as a diesel mechanic and owns three 7.3L’s—the finest example being the immaculate, 20-year old dually you see here.

From Farm Truck to Show-Ready

Originally sporting a white and tan, two-tone paint scheme, the transformation of Ken’s early ’99 F-350 began two years after he picked it up. With the rocker panels shot because of rust and the front doors in need of replacement, he decided to repaint the whole thing. Thanks to the help of his local Paint Masters, the dually was treated to Ford’s Golden Bronze Metallic (a color first offered on ’11 Super Dutys) and a steel cowl hood from Goodmark Industries. Around the same time, the interior was updated with seats out of a late model King Ranch and a center console from an ’08.