13' ECO.BEAST Build
 

I ordered the truck on 4/8/13, and it's likely being assembled as I type this. Stealership said 8-10 weeks, so I'm looking at delivery shortly after 6/3/13 hopefully. MSRP before tax & fees was $51,935 but after pitting 10 dealerships against each other I walked away $47,755...still ouch.

My Base: Race Red 2013 F-150 SCrew 5.5ft FX4; Fully Loaded with - Luxury Package, FX Appearance Package (love the black leather w/red trim), Navigation, MoonRoof, Tail Gate Step, etc. (Built like this)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8...91bfce02_z.jpg



My Disclaimer: I know I'm going to end up modding the hell out of it like everything else I've ever owned, so I've been reading the forums and checking out parts online etc since I dropped my $5k deposit 3 weeks ago. I suppose this is more of a preemptive thread, but I thought I'd get it rolling so I can get some feedback and idea's before I start going nuts ordering parts. I'm going to post my parts wish list and I'd love feedback especially those who can speak from experience as to if they had good/bad luck with said parts, or know a better way... or just have some styling ideas. I'll be sure to post pics and updates with each new mod.

Also, I come from more of a muscle car and motorcycle background, so I'm new to the truck scene, lifts, suspension etc.
(I've owned 64 1/2, 66, 78, 87, 91, 03 Mustangs, 07' Harley VRSCDX Super Charged 184rwhp, along with several other cars, bikes, and an Explorer)


https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...04742517_n.jpg



My Goal & Application: I love the wide stance and body work of the Raptor, (sans the two tone fender flares etc), but I don't really need something I can launch myself 90 feet over the dirt with...although ...lol I want to do a unique build. One that's more at home on the street than in the mud, handles well, and will be able to trek through any of our New England winter weather without needing a step ladder to get into.

Parts list's to follow!

INPUT & IDEAS APPRECIATED

So lets start with the body

I'm going to need to choose between big flares (which I'd PTM race red, with visible no rivets)

Like Deko's rig here-

https://www.f150forum.com/attachment...s-img_0028.jpg
https://www.f150forum.com/attachment...s-img_0025.jpg


OR

The FiberWerx Conversion (which I read is new and improved from their old kit which had fitment issues). I like the FX4 PTM'd fender flares over the OEM contrasting Raptor flares, so even with this kit I'd PTM as shown.

http://www.fiberwerx.com/wp-content/...2/IMG_8963.jpg



I'm not dead set either way yet...obviously the first option would be cheaper, and might look better with the minimal lift I want to do.
I want to go with the biggest tires I can fit, with no rub, and a 2-2.5 level lift.

According to - PizzaMan71 @ http://www.f150online.com/forums/sus...ml#post4956795 I can go up to 35" on my FX4 with the 2.5 level... If that's correct, and I could go wide enough to fill out either the Raptor Conv or those flares, that'll do perfectly.

As far as wheels are concerned, as I said I'd like to go with a more street than off road look, though I definitely want to beef up the rubber. Also, keeping performance in mind, I'd like to go with a reasonably light wheel (if such a thing exists) in 22" or 24" (as long as it doesn't create a low pro tire look). I was never one to think 20"s looks good, but they come stock on my truck, and the wheel wells are so damn big, I don't think 22's or 24's with 35" rubber would give it that "urban" appearance I'd certainly like to avoid.

Perhaps the TrueTorged Mach Six in black
http://www.trueforgedwheels.com/cont...Mach%20Six.jpg

Or American Racing AR890

http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheel..._mba_ci3_l.jpg

Or KMC D2

http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheel...d2_b_ci3_l.jpg


Since I don't want to go nuts on suspension, I've been told I'll need to go wide on the tires/wheels or space them out (and run the risk of stressing certain components?)

I like the blacked out look, a theme I intend to expand on with this project, so I'll likely go with black wheels, and save the OEM 20's for a winter snow tire set.

Ill be watching this build. I have an 11 Ecoboost CrewCab that we have been adding engine upgrades to. We are starting on the lighting and exterior mods soon. I cant answer questions on the wheels and tires yet, be we have done a lot of intake and tuner testing.

ECOBEAST 28 suggested a headlight retrofit to me. While I ordered the truck with OEM HIDs, I looked into it a bit and RetroShop.us will disassemble, paint, and modify them any way you want.

I'll likely be going with a scheme like this, but on the OEM HID's with smoked reflectors, and maybe some LEDs.
http://retroshop.us/2009+%20Ford%20F...s/DSC08857.jpg

Other than that, LED upgrade bulbs inside and out.
And since the FX4 comes with the nice black trimmed tail lights, I may just paint the inside edge black, or add some smoked covers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...66/tails-1.jpg

I also intend on picking up the blacked out tail light and mirror signals.
http://www.gorecon.com/product_image...image-1593.jpg
http://www.gorecon.com/product_image...image-1513.jpg

And, what operator could resist a 30,000 lumen light bar?..lol
http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn....jpg?1355849930

Roof mount? Hood Mount? On an ADD front bumper? Or maybe behind the grill...?
http://addictivedesertdesigns.com/sh...194-Small3.jpg
^ Love that bumper

Picked up the truck today and it's beautiful. The race red is almost neon...makes my 03' mustang look dingey and faded. Also just ordered a Undercover Flex folding toneau cover, weathertek mats and vent visors. I'll post pics in the next few days.

Can't wait to see how it turns out. I would get the flares that you posted first. And for rims I would keep the stock AP 20's and put some meaty tires on them I would also mount the 50" light bar on the roof.

Having the windows tinted tomorrow, and I have a Line-X appointment June 3rd.

Then I'll be installing the following items which are on order and should have arrived by then;
Undercover Flex folding toneau cover
WeatherTek front and rear Digital Fit Floor Mats
WeatherTek Vent Visors
WeatherTek Mud Flaps
Recon smoked LED Third Brake Light
Carraige Works Black Billet Lower Grill
Bushwacker Extend-a-Fender (after I PTM) & 2" wheel spacers

Can't wait!

Windows are tinted, WeatherTech front and rear mats installed, and just installed the OEM front plate delete kit and Carriage Works lower grill IN THE DARK..lol

They were both pretty quick. Perfect fit on the grill. It arrived a little bent but easily bent back to form, very easy instal with clear instructions provided.

The OEM front plate delete was a snap too, litterally. Reach in, squeeze the clips closest to the opening and pop that side off, then just pull the other side off, then pop the new one in place. You only need the plate side but they give you both. I switched out both just in case the plastic were to fade differently between sides.

Obviously I took these pics in total darkness, so it's all I've got for now. Flash makes my race red beauty look orange.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/8...394f398751.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8...507e34f7b7.jpg

I am ordering the CW upper grill tomorrow, so this will match nicely when it comes in, and more importantly it will protect the intercooler from gravel or road debris.

Front plates are required in my state (CT), but I've never given anyone a ticket for that...and I don't know anyone who has. I think this cleans up the front end nicely (although now the ridiculous vanity plate I have on order will only be on the back....maybe that's a good thing...lol)

Had my Line-X appointment in Waterbury CT this monday. It came out great and I was surprised how thick the coating actually was. Ran into a slight issue though.. the fitment of the tail gate was already so tight, especially in the center where the bottom of the gate and the door are closest, that when both the tail gate and bed were LineX'd the coating made them come in contact and made the latch bind on the left side. They quickly shaved down the end where the contact was occurring and it immediately resolved the issue. Looks great, very functional upgrade as in the first few days I'd have it I already scraped up the paint in the bed hauling building materials.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8...eddd964c3b.jpg

(I had just washed the truck so you can see water in the bed)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/8...699f61e6b9.jpg