texas_superman

Title Changed 3.26.21 - For a Build tread of the Lost Penguin
Whelp, I have been out of the Ford Truck game for some time, but am finally getting back to it. After close to a decade in small cars and Junkers (I may or may not be a penny pincher, still am), I have found myself back in a truck. Remember, I am still a tight-@$$, at least when it comes to buying a vehicle. So I bought the reserve work truck from my day job. 2014 F150 XL 2WD Single Cab Long Bed with a 5.0 and 114000 miles.
Now, I may not like spending a lot on $$ on a vehicle purchase, that doesn't mean I am not willing to spend some $$ on mods. SO, here we go.


Of course, I am not thrilled that it is a 2wd. but I'll live. Was able to buy well below KBB trade values.

I now enlist you all, Single cab-ers to offer some ideas, show me what you've done and what mods have been your favorites. Bonus points for those who show off their SC-Long beds!

texas_superman

I will tell you what I sort of have in mind:
As far as initial maintenance goes, our work trucks are maintained to OE Specs. Mileage intervals all by the book. So, I feel rather good about not having to perform any initial purchase maintenance for items I am not sure have ever been done.

I will of course be dumping the tool boxes, I will not utilize them for anything and to me, they will just attract passerby's of the mischievous sort, to want to inquire about their contents. That Being said, Ill have a couple side boxes for sell in north Texas soon!

Tires are in great shape, so I certainly don't want to dump $$ into new tread. I do however want to dump the wheels. I don't hate the OE Steelies, but they do have some rust building on the seams that I would rather head off early. What 17" OE's are out there that would look nice?

Interior, I am not sure about yet. Seats are vinyl, which I am great with, but the center jump seat is a bulks pain! I would love to do the center console mod, but I will need the center seat at times. So, I am curious if the XLT center jumps will swap?? The ones that have the cupholders and console storage.

My 2009 STX years ago, I got a set of the XLT chrome a/c vents and swapped out. I will def. be doing that to this one. Window tint, also will be a must.
Audio, I haven't decided on yet. It does not have SYNC system, so We will see what I can do. I am curious however where the factory subwoofers go in the cab. I have seen several OE subs for sell rather cheap.
For exterior, aside from the wheels I have already touched on, I am thinking maybe a low-profile tool box up by the cab. Maybe a replacement heavy front & rear bumper, good 'ol Ranch hand style. I like the black on white! Maybe a headache rack? I was curious about a roof rack, but haven't seen any for a single cab??? Ideas anyone?
I really like the idea of a very low impact overland build. Well, maybe not overland, but a fun weekender wife and son can enjoy too. That's what has me thinking about the roof rack or an integrated headache rack with integrated roof rack....??

I have a set of front Shock/struts off an 4wd with a lift spacer i had had on my 2009 F150 2wd at one time. Will that work on a 2014? I don't love the ride it gave the 2009 when I had it, so I took them off, but something to think about.

For engine, I'm really not interested much in performance mods, unless I can improve my mileage.

Well, I think thats about it. So yall show me what you got! Lets see it!

Also, Happy Friday YALL!

Spiky

I don't think there is a factory sub for the regular cab. A thin aftermarket would be more likely.
Shocks from a 2009 should fit.
The book says 10k oil changes. I'd switch to 5-7k if I were you.

LNF150

I have a 2013 xl 3.7 single cab long bed 4x4 limited slip w/ tow package I purchased at a farm auction last year. It is as plan jane as they come and driven by an elderly farmer. It is a clean truck and now has 43,000 miles on it.

What I did first off and continue doing are fluid changes. Engine oil/filter, changed the transmission filter/ clean the magnet refill with new mecron lv, transfer case, rear differential, radiator. Added a ThunderStruck grill guard. You are in Ranch Hand country so when in Rome...

I kept the steel wheels and put on 245 75r17 10 ply tires. My neighbor has the short bed version of your truck, he picked up a very, very nice set of factory tires on factory chrome rims for $650 from the dealership. Even though they were takeoffs from a new truck, they couldn't be sold as new tires and rims. Looks sharp. I was going to do that but I need the rubber more than the chrome looks.

Check out the under $50 modification in the top sticky. I did the board across the bed and splash guards covering covering the 'hole' in the front wheel well around the front shock to keep water from splashing into the engine compartment. Also replaced the air deflectors around the radiator because the old ones were ripping. Used the same material I made the splash guards from.

texas_superman

I wasn’t sure where the factory subs were located. Figured it was somewhere in the rear of a crew, thought it was worth a shot. I’m not big on sound systems, just saw several of the factory subs available on the cheap.

When I had the factory shock/coil set up with the spacer lift, on my 2009 I had a lot of issues with the traction control where it would shudder the brakes on when hitting a bump in a curve. I forget the TSB code from way back then. Is that still an issue with others? On the ‘09+ models?

I did say “by the book” maintenance but in reality the oil changes were always 3-5k ranges. More often that not 3k. Old habits at the day job.

texas_superman

ha! Yes, Ranch Hand country! That’s basically an umbrella statement for replacement bumpers around here. Same as, I’ll have a coke, okay what kind? Dr. Pepper, coca-cola, sprite?!

those ThunderStruck bumpers looks good! I’m not completely against the steel wheels, they’re just seeing a lot of rust on the seams and want to head off any issues that may come up. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of OE options for 17” and don’t wanna spend a boatload on aftermarket. The tires on it now have a ton of tread left, and certainly don’t want to dump those for different size wheels/tires.

Spiky

I suppose I could answer, right? In the SCREW, it is located under the passenger side rear seat. In the SCAB, driver side rear seat.

texas_superman

thanks Spiky! I figured It was a rear application. Oh well.

Laminar

In 2014 they changed the design of the front shock lower mount, so struts can't swap between '09-'13 and '14-up.

Early:


Later:


I wouldn't bother touching the engine, but I think it is worthwhile to get an LSD if you don't already have one.

Laminar

Raptors came with 17" wheels that look pretty nice:

https://www.f150forum.com/f2/raptor-...x7-5-a-187010/

You'd just want to make sure your tires can be mounted on a 17x8.5" wheel, not sure which stock 17" tire you have. The 255/65R17 would be okay, but the 235/75R17 wouldn't like it.