Hello

I'm thinking about building out a 2024 F150 RCSB for light-moderate offroading and camping. Not going to do Rubicon trail or anything, but I do hit some trails with deep washouts, steep rocky ascents/descents, washboard roads and I do encounter some short rock gardens from time to time.

I would like to add some light armor to my F150 and just need to know what aftermarket manufacturers have good reputations, and which ones to avoid.

I'm looking for:
Front steel bumper with recovery points, winch mount, and also will improve the approach angle
Rear steel bumper with recovery points
Rock sliders
Skid plates

I'm also going to lift the F150 1-2", so wondering which kits are good quality?

Thanks for your help

 

The bumpers and rock sliders are going to set you back a good bit.
I haven't see a worthy aftermarket skid plate that could stand abuse. You can't make them too beefy because that adds weight.
As for 2" lift... lots of options. I would suggest something like Fox, Eibach, King, Falcon reservoir rear shocks. Then on the front do a lift/level strut assembly. The smallest I would go is 2.5" diameter... and don't forget you will need upper control arms to gain
the most benefit. You can also delete the sway bars when going off road.

 

Thank you!

I'm selling my Jeep wrangler and this is so new to me. I can speak intelligently about Jeep and lifts, but moving to IFS double-wishbone and leaf springs is all new stuff.

Would love to know how to disconnect or delete the sway bar without it being a big project. Not sure if there's a quick disconnect kit for the F150

From the research I've done, the only rock sliders out there are for Super Crews. I suspect I'm going to have to hire someone to fabricate the rock sliders for the RCSB - that's okay though.

I'm going to run this with a slide-in Four Wheel Camper pop up. So I'm going to have to beef up the rear suspension quite a bit.

 

Skids - I have Aluminum RCI Skid plates, I went with aluminum because I 99% of the time do desert running. Definitely plenty of rocks but nothing that has hurt them. They have an option for steel or aluminum.

Sliders - My sliders are from White Knuckle. Expensive and heavy but very very stout. They bolt through the frame and I can confirm they work as a point for lifting the truck and will protect you from just about anything. I paid like 1800 for them with shipping. Friend of mine had some built for 600 and welded to the frame.

Bumpers - the options that look good, in my humble opinion, are few and far between. You just have to find what you think looks best. My next project is a high clearance rear bumper with a swing out. If you have a small lift and 315 tires you'd be surprised at how much clearance you have.

Sway bar disconnects - They make them for Raptors so I imagine there would be some for a non raptor.

Lift - Simple 2 inch level kit like the companies mentioned above with allow for 315 tires. Depending on offset, they will clear without rubbing.

 

I'm rethinking the Regular Cab Short Bed (RCSB). Aftermarket parts are so limiting. So far all the sliders that I've found are for Super Crews.

Pax Power installs Raptor rear leaf springs as part of their "Alpha Sport" pkg. I"m looking into that.

As far as lift, I just want to get a good set up so that the articulation isn't hurt too much after lifting.

 

You can add a leaf or just get something like the HD RAS and its fully adjustable to keep your leaf springs arched when you add the slide in. I would look around on Facebook marketplace... they seem to pop up on there less than 1/2 new.
https://activesuspension.com/product...f-150-4wd-2021
I haven't seen a quick disconnect. I have a few friends in Reno with 1 tons & 3" lifts that don't run sway bars because they are off road so much they do run tracbars or trusses. It would probably take you 30 mins to remove bars... most of that time would be on the front... the rear can be done in 10 mins.

 

Also look at Deavers for leaf springs. 10/10 recommend. I just installed mine and the rear end is solid as it can be. No more jumping around in the rear or wheel hop.