2005 f150 to RAPTOR Conversion
12-17-2014, 10:33 PM
#61
Hey guys, sorry for not posting any updates, but I have been at college and kind of forgot about everything. So here's the deal.
I got Raptor calipers, and they fit onto the spindles, and after I returned the core, they weren't even that expensive.
To answer a question earlier about that crossmember tab that was cut off during the installation of the lift kit, basically, I just ground down what had been cut (because 4 wheel parts sucks at using a plasma cutter) then bolted up the crossmember with two tabs, then welded the tabs where they needed to be. It took about 20-30 minutes. Anyone who says it costs 1k either must not know what you are talking about, or is 4 wheel parts. If you know someone who has a welder and a cutoff wheel, you're set.
So I finally finished the suspension, and Fiberwerx came through. It ended up that it wasn't even their fault. The guy I ordered it from forgot to order it, and then when I asked him where the stuff was, he said he didn't know and then ordered it like a few months later. Fiberwerx made it all right by literally stopping what they were doing and making my parts in a few days (shoutout to Jason Duncan for being a homie on that one). The fiberglass fit spectacularly, way better than glassworks.
The headlights were by far the worst part of the build. I had to make a tab for each of the 3 mounting points on each headlight. It was 100% trial and error. I got so frustrated at one point I almost just sold the truck how it was to make it someone else's problem. But after about 30 hours working on those ***********, I finished it, and they somehow miraculously shined perfectly on the street (shoutout to God for making that one happen).
Also, the raptor hood safety latch that bolts into the hood was a mirror image of the stock one for my truck. So I cutoff the ends with the holes, and found some scrap metal that was somehow the exact same material, bent it to make it fit, then welded the two together. However, I messed up by not beveling the edges of each piece, so the weld did not have enough penetration, and snapped when I took it off road. Now I just ordered a stock Raptor one from a dealership for $25. Much easier.
So now, everything except the grill is finished. It fits well, but might be a pain to install.
I also bought a new alternator, battery, and upper radiator hose, to make the truck reliable.
Now that everything is finished, I am selling the truck. Not because I don't like it (I actually love it) but because I am now saving up to start my business, and start my new project. I am building a street legal trophy truck, starting with only a cab (anyone know where I can find that?)
If anyone is interested in my truck, feel free to send me a text (949)351-2963
I got Raptor calipers, and they fit onto the spindles, and after I returned the core, they weren't even that expensive.
To answer a question earlier about that crossmember tab that was cut off during the installation of the lift kit, basically, I just ground down what had been cut (because 4 wheel parts sucks at using a plasma cutter) then bolted up the crossmember with two tabs, then welded the tabs where they needed to be. It took about 20-30 minutes. Anyone who says it costs 1k either must not know what you are talking about, or is 4 wheel parts. If you know someone who has a welder and a cutoff wheel, you're set.
So I finally finished the suspension, and Fiberwerx came through. It ended up that it wasn't even their fault. The guy I ordered it from forgot to order it, and then when I asked him where the stuff was, he said he didn't know and then ordered it like a few months later. Fiberwerx made it all right by literally stopping what they were doing and making my parts in a few days (shoutout to Jason Duncan for being a homie on that one). The fiberglass fit spectacularly, way better than glassworks.
The headlights were by far the worst part of the build. I had to make a tab for each of the 3 mounting points on each headlight. It was 100% trial and error. I got so frustrated at one point I almost just sold the truck how it was to make it someone else's problem. But after about 30 hours working on those ***********, I finished it, and they somehow miraculously shined perfectly on the street (shoutout to God for making that one happen).
Also, the raptor hood safety latch that bolts into the hood was a mirror image of the stock one for my truck. So I cutoff the ends with the holes, and found some scrap metal that was somehow the exact same material, bent it to make it fit, then welded the two together. However, I messed up by not beveling the edges of each piece, so the weld did not have enough penetration, and snapped when I took it off road. Now I just ordered a stock Raptor one from a dealership for $25. Much easier.
So now, everything except the grill is finished. It fits well, but might be a pain to install.
I also bought a new alternator, battery, and upper radiator hose, to make the truck reliable.
Now that everything is finished, I am selling the truck. Not because I don't like it (I actually love it) but because I am now saving up to start my business, and start my new project. I am building a street legal trophy truck, starting with only a cab (anyone know where I can find that?)
If anyone is interested in my truck, feel free to send me a text (949)351-2963
