Which Accessories First? And new member.
 

Hello. New to the forum, first time F-150 owner, and first time full size pickup owner. I use the truck mainly to commute, so it will only get light usage most of the time (no hauling, no dirty boots or equipment, etc).

I need help in determining which accessories to add first. Which are must-haves now. Depending on the price, I’ll plan on adding 1 or 2 of these items every 3-6 months. Mainly, I’d like your opinion on which items I should add right away and which can be pushed out. I know that there are tons of other mods/upgrades that I could add, and some of those might come later, but here is the list so far…in no particular order. I added “reasoning” comments regarding the items…which may or may not be accurate. ��

Thanks for your help.

2018 XLT SCrew (Texas Edition - whatever that means haha).

1) All-weather floor mats (Husky, Weathertech, 3D Maxpider) – I had rubber floors and mats in my previous small truck and I liked the durability and ease of cleaning. The F150 has carpet.

2) Bed liner – bare bed right now. When I haul around the occasional ladder or piece of equipment right now, I put moving blankets to keep from scratching the bed. In my last truck I had a drop-in. Considering a drop-in, spray-on, or even the all-sides rubber pieces.

3) Side-steps/running boards – I think these would be a good idea to help some of the shorter (or older) folks get in and out of the truck. I’ve also heard that they help keep door dings down.

4) Sun shade (Weathertech full vehicle) – Given the heat in Texas, I’ve already purchased this one.

5) Wheel well liners – I do not like the bare look of the rear wheel well. Should also help keep the area cleaner or easier to clean.

6) Tonneau cover – to provide a little security, weather protection for items in the bed, reduce wind drag. Considering soft top or hard tri-fold. Any recommendations here are appreciated as well.

7) Underseat Storage bin – I was surprised at the lack of storage compartments in the crew area of the cab.

8) Mud guards (husky, weathertech) - to reduce pebble chips and keep the lower panels cleaner.

I started out with almost the same list when I started modding. The first 3 essential things to me that I did from the beginning was Husky floor mats, tonneau cover, and window tint. After that everything else followed along with a lift and wheels and tires. What you have listed you've made good choices on things that you want to add.

So how do you like the Bakflip G2 Cover? Would you buy it again if you had to do it over? Dang things are expensive.

Agreed. Husky liners were my 1st purchase after I bought my 2012 new. I prefer them over Weathertech because IME they fit better and are more very durable. Other than the scratched driver side from dirt under my feet, they look new when cleaned up and the carpet is in perfect shape. My 2nd should have been a spray in bed liner. 6 years later still no bedliner and it shows (bed dented and scratched).

I was used to having a toolbox, but didn't want to give up so much room in my 5.5' bed and wanted a tonneau cover. So I went with an Undercover swing case. Pricey for what it is, but fit my needs nicely. Although you loose the tie down and a 2nd one would be nice to fit some actual tools. I really like being able to utilize the flat floor in the crew cab, so I personally wouldn't care for the under seat storage box.

When I was in the market for a cover it was between the G2 and MX4. I went with the G2 cause I ended up getting a great price for it. Other than having to lift up the panel to close the tailgate the other differences were minor in comparison to the price. If I'd would to do it again and price wasn't an option I'd get the MX4, but the G2 is also great.

Why not just buy/install them AS YOU NEED THEM? If your shoes are dirty, order floor mats. If not, why buy them? If the bed gets scratched up, spray it - until then, why spend the money? It'll work & look exactly the same if you scrape half the paint out of the bed before spraying it. Don't just go on a buying spree - let the truck grow into what you actually need.

Tint and deezee tailgate assist were the first mods I did. Next was the Borla exhaust.

Based on your limited needs and how you use the truck….I can’t really give a recommendation on what to do first. I’m not sure that you “need” anything done but I’ll tell you what I did in order of first to last and why:

1. Husky Floor mats – I do get in my truck with dirty boots, and I like the Husky rubber mats a lot better over plastic weathertecs I’ve had in the past. Had these in the truck 2 days after buying it.
2. Bed cover – at the time my truck was the family hauler, so I was putting the stroller and anything we bought while shopping in the bed and needed something secure. Also bought a tailgate extender to use as a bed divider to keep all this stuff at the rear of the bed so it was easy to grab. Bought a cheap one off CL the week I got my truck until I could get something better, which as luck would have it happened later that month. Sold the CL cover for what I paid for it.
3. Underseat Storage – I carry around a lot of toos, tie downs, spare clothes, air pump, and numerous other items so I picked up storage bins pretty quickly and they get a lot of use. For this same reason I also did the mod to fold down the rear seats as there’s a lot of room back there for some of the items that don’t get much use.
4. Running bars – My truck came with them, but I’m 5’8” and would have eventually added them anyway. The Fords sit high enough they’re useful to me, and even more so for my wife and kids.
5. Bed liner – My truck came with a liner so this was a moot point. I haul firewood and prefer a plastic liner because they protect the bed better from dents that occur when you drop 80lb logs in the bed. It also makes it easier to slide heavy items around like appliances when you move them. My truck came with a spray in and I’m OK with that too, it just doesn’t work as well for what I do and sometimes I’ve had to add cardboard or dowel rods in the bed to make heavier items roll or slide in. It’s a lot harder to shovel dirt/sand/gravel out of too. You need to decide how you plan to use the truck because they all have their pluses and minuses and it honestly doesn’t sound like you need a liner. Your bed is aluminum so scratches won’t result in rust like it will mine.
6. Wheel well liners – unnecessary IMO except for aesthetics. My last truck had them and I found they trapped a lot of mud when I went off-road and made cleaning harder.
7. Mud flaps – again unnecessary unless you like to do burnouts on gravel or fly down muddy/rocky roads.
8. Sun Shade – not needed for me. I park in the shade at home and in a parking garage at work, and I’m sure Ohio heat isn’t the same as Texas heat anyway.

I accessorized my truck in this almost exact order. The Wheel Well Liners, I will say if you are going to do the Bed Liner at a Shop, you can ask them to Spray the Wheel Wells also (Unless your F150 came with the OEM Well Liners).

Customizing
 

I would say do all the ones you listed first. Plus I would get on the waiting list for a 8" cluster if you don't have one.