FStorm150

Hey guys! Well it has been a long road traveled to this point, and can finally say I've done everything I could want to do to this truck. It was all topped off last weekend with a 6" BDS lift, 35's on 20's and new gears. I just ordered some Bushwacker flares for it today so those pics will be added later. Anyway, these pics are from the day I brought it home and so on. Comments are appreciated, I'm really proud of how far it has come and don't take it for granted when I get compliments on it every single day, most notably the popular "Is that a raptor?" question

Anyway enjoy!

Here she was the day I brought her home. I was a senior in college at the time and it was really my first "big" purchase as an adult to that point. Every vehicle prior had been a beater. I finally was able to go out and find exactly what I wanted

First things first, those hideous wheel covers that the dealer put on to hide the dirty stock rims came off and new OEM center caps went on. Soon after, me and a friend put on a Flowmaster Super 40 series cat back si/do exhaust. Up to that point, all I wanted in life was a truck with dual exhaust, and finally got it. The day we put that on and the first time I started her up, I had a grin from ear to ear. Heck I wanted an exhaust so bad that I ordered it online as soon as I got home from the dealership with the truck at 11:00 at night. Love the tone Flowmaster gives, there's just something about it. I wasn't after the loudest or "throatiest" sound out there, I knew exactly what I wanted.

FStorm150

Soon after the exhaust went on, I ordered a K&N CAI to compliment it. Made the exhaust sound a little louder, and with both installed I noticed about 1-2 mpg gains. Also added an Anzo LED tailgate light bar, and some Wet Okole custom neoprene seat covers. These things rock, fit like a glove and are very comfortable. I highly recommend them

After a while, I wanted to get some slightly larger tires. Like the exhaust, I knew exactly which tires I wanted and have wanted them for as long as I can remember. I don't know if it's because of the white walls or the tread or what, but I love BFG all terrains. Decided to go with 285/70R17's (approx. 33's). Loved the new look and they performed great in all types of weather, never had a problem with them.

Along with the tires came a Hell Bent Steel leveling kit. Easy to install and gave the truck a whole new look. All leveling kits are the same in my opinion, and all work well for the intended purposes. It's no lift kit, but it's something

FStorm150

Acquiring more mods for the truck became more and more like a disease I added a set of KC slimlites on an NFab light bar on the front. Outer two are fogs, inner two are driving lights (high beams). I find myself using them all the time, the fogs are almost always on with my headlights, and driving lights with my high beams, and sometimes all 4 at once (when I'm on the back roads ) They really make a difference at night.

FStorm150

Then came the real transformation. I never thought I'd go for the blacked out look seeing as I have the two tone paint and chrome bumpers, but I was completely sold once I stumbled upon these Raptor grille overlays. I popped out the chrome grille which was just an overlay on top of the stock black honeycomb grille. I then ordered a new steel mesh grille and bolted the Raptor style overlay to the front of it, PTM'd first of course. The Raptor overlay was made by Kyle Patton, member on the forum here. If you're interested in one, PM me for his e-mail. Looks great and really changes the look of the whole truck. Also added the amber LED's behind the grille as well. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten the question "Is that your Raptor?!" Also got some aftermarket LED projector halo headlights off eBay (big mistake, even after sealing them they still fog from time to time) and blacked out my tails and 3rd brake light with some VHT Nightshades.

FStorm150

And finally, the grand finale All along I always said I would never lift this truck due to it's age, mileage, and the fact that it's my daily driver. Well as I thought about it more and more and kept looking at pics of these trucks lifted, I caved and finally bit the bullet, but man was it worth it. Went in the off road shop last Wednesday and was done on Sunday. All I can say is that when I first saw it when I went to pick it up, my jaw hit the ground! I had a BDS 6" suspension lift installed, along with new Yukon 4.10 gears front and back. Also put on some 35x12.5R20 Nitto Trail Grapplers and 20x9 XD Hoss's! LOVE how she turned out, such a different looking truck now. The stance is mean as hell and she rides like a dream. The new gears feel great and make the truck feel stock again. I know lots of people will say go to 4.56's, but honestly I didn't feel like I needed them, especially since I added an SCT Livewire tuner (installed on the dash with an Edge dash pod ) and hardly ever tow. I haven't been able to do too many fuel mileage calculations yet to compare, but so far so good. She goes in for a check up on the new gears and a gear oil change next weekend and then she's good to go. I used to think riding on 33's was bad ***, but this is a whole different truck now, it's a beast! Now the Raptor questions are coming in more and more!

FStorm150

..

FStorm150

...

FStorm150

Up next, and just ordered today, are a set of Bushwacker extend-a-fender flares. I went with them over the pocket style ones because I just wasn't digging the riveted look, nor was I digging the price difference. Gunna have them PTM'd by my local body shop, they should be on within the next couple of weeks. Let's just say the +18mm offset on the new wheels stick out way further than what I anticipated... 2 inches on the front and an inch and a half on the back. I'm very picky about keeping her clean on a weekly basis, and I won't stand for my paint chipping along the sides, so as much as I didn't want to, flares it is. Oh well, it'll be worth it in the end.

Also coming this week are a new set of decals for the bed, new 4x4 off road decals in black They should be on by the end of the week.

Until then, stay tuned...

FX4sRgreat

Very nice. I like the mods and appearance! How long have you had the ANZO light bar? I've been looking at a read led bar but many folks seem to have them crap out after 1-2 years (not Anzio specifically ).

FStorm150

Thanks! I've had it for maybe a year and a half now, still going strong