ArmyAV8R

What's up guys. This is my first build and I thinking its turning out pretty well so far so I figured I'd share it with you all.
I bought my 2011 XLT last September and I've slowly been adding to it. I originally wanted to get rid of all the chrome and black it out, but I thought the chrome fit the look I was going for.
The first thing I added was the bull bar from Rough Country to mount some Hella Rallye 500 auxiliary lights.



Then I swapped out the headlights and tail lights. I was not much of a fan of the stock ones.






Of course I had to put bigger tires on; so I upgraded to Fox coilovers, thanks to DOYAM, and rear shocks. Leveled it out pretty well I think.




Then I threw on some 35x12.5x17s. I got a good deal on the wheels and tires that I couldn't pass up. Surprisingly, they don't rub even with just 2 inches of lift.



Overall I think the truck is turning out great....



But I have a conundrum. I don't know if I'm just getting bored with it or if I'm thinking of going a different direction. I'm thinking of switching to a winch bumper like the Iron Cross bumper with pre-runner bar to mount the aux lights and add fog lights, and then pairing it with a matching rear bumper and side steps. I would then have to raise it up with a Rough Country 4in lift to give it a more aggressive look.


Other upgrades I'm thinking of adding later would be:
Audio/Video (Either video receiver or Ipad mini install)
Recon lighted emblems
Recon front mirror signals
Cat back exhaust
Pre-runner bed rack
Super charger
Amerihood E-Type vented hood
Some custom plasti-dip


Let me know what you guys think. Keep it, change it, or focus on something else, like audio? I wish I was awesome at photoshop or something so I could give you guys an idea of what I have pictured in my head. Also, if you guys have anything to add, I'm all ears.

ArmyAV8R

Alright... so I knocked off one of the items on my list over the past week. Decided to go with an Ipad mini install. I got my inspiration from Jermsy with his diy install (https://www.f150forum.com/f30/my-201...56-a-263726/); only thing is I don't have sync. So I had to get creative. I went with a Sony MEX-GS610BT so that I could control the radio using their remote app. With a little bit of cutting and epoxying and some more cutting and epoxying I was able to get it mounted. Don't mind the crappy craftsmanship, it gets the job done. Maybe later down the line I'll throw money at a slider kit, but for now it will do. I did managed to keep the cubby that comes with the mounting bracket for a little extra storage if needed.





I also put in some new Alpine SPR68s that I nabbed for a good price off ebay. My front driver's side would fad in and out unless I turned up the volume so I figured If I change one why not change them all.



By the way, I decided to keep the truck simple. I'm doing away with the winch bumper idea, the pre-runner rack, and possibly the lighted emblems (still debating). I would still like to put a 4in lift on and possibly add a little bit of stance, not too much, maybe an inch or so. Let me know what you guys think. I also started an Instagram page. Give me a follow @smithappens_150

ArmyAV8R

Added a few more things... Nothing major though. Put a Rustoleum do-it-yourself bed liner on, roll up tonno cover, and blacked out the middle grille and rear oval with some plasti-dip. I wasn't sure how the plasti-dip would turn out but I think it doesn't look half bad.





I forgot to mention it was all with the help of my daughter.

Allinkdupp

Love my iron cross bumper! Still need the winch though.
Trucks lookin good... Keep it up. Looking forward to seeing progress.

jstephens24tx

The ovals look like just a black oval. Ever think about just peeling the letters off? That's what I did to mine

ArmyAV8R

I tried Doing it using painters tape but it didn't turn out any good. What's the best way to do it? I wasnt sure if taking an exacto knife around the edges after it dried would work.

ArmyAV8R

I might go with the the winch bumper later on but for now this is what I'm going to roll with. I also looked at the move bumpers. They are pretty slick but I would have to find a shop to put it together for me.

jstephens24tx

I did a very light coat of plastidip and then let dry for 20-30 min. let do 4 more layers letting the same rest time between each layer. I was able to use a toothpick to get it to start to peel. just the letters came off. I just did the back emblem since I replaced my front grill.

ArmyAV8R

I'll try it out. Thanks

ArmyAV8R

As per discussed I peeled off the ford lettering on the front. it does look a lot better.


I have also been thinking of a 4in lift. I originallly thought about going with a rough country lift but I would like to stay away from spacers. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with fabtech? Does anyone know, if I get the basic lift if I can use the springs from my fox coilovers for the Fabtech shocks that they use for the front? I asked stage3 but they didn't really answer my question. If money was no factor I would get the kit with the coilovers. Also, I know that Fabtech does not guarantee fitment with 17in wheels but I wasn't sure if anyone else has had success or not. Any help?