BoozeDaily's XLT Sport to Platinum(ish) Build
 

So I bought a 2015 Tuxedo Black XLT Sport SuperCrew. This is my third 2015 F150. Yes, third. I had a White Lariat 3.5LEB, a White/Caribou King Ranch 5.0L and now this 2.7LEB. Numerous reasons for the flip flopping but I won't discuss that here. Plenty of explanation in the 2015 section.

I bought this truck with the idea of getting it for pretty cheap and using some of the money I saved to make it unique to me. Truth is, I like the Platinums, but not all of the features. Some things I just don't want or need. An example of things I don't need would be: Leather interior, 360 camera, power fold mirrors, LED spotlights in my mirrors, moonroof, 8" cluster screen, 4x4, etc.

I decided on the 2.7L EB, RWD, 3.31 gears, 302A package with trailer tow and 36 gallon fuel tank being the only additional options aside from the Sport package.

Here is how it looked on day one

So the first thing I did was scout out some different wheels. I loved the King Ranch wheels but they only looked good to me because the pockets were painted to match the caribou. I took a look at the silver version of those wheels but I wasn't sold.

I also really liked the Platinum wheels. I could only find the Platinum wheels wrapped in the stock Hankook Dynapro tires. Fortunately, the place I called was willing to trade me my 18" Sport wheels with Michelin 265/60/18 tires. I believe they gave me $600 for mine and sold the Platinum wheels and tires for $1400. They also put them on for me so that counts for something. I didn't think this was too bad of a price considering I was seeing Platinum wheels being sold for $1800-2000 at the time.

I drove it from the dealership to the tire shop, so realistically the sport wheels never drove onto my property.

(I worked the deal on the wheels and tires around the same time I worked the deal over the phone for the truck)

Day one plus about two hours:

Next up was a tuner and larger tires. I decided on a SCT tuner and 5* tunes. The SCT tuner I have is for iOS and can be tuned from my phone. I thought this would eliminate any problems that people were having with Mac vs. PC. It does, until I need to update the tuner. Not as simple as just downloading an updated version of the app. If I need to plug in and update the tuner itself I'll need a windows machine. Didn't think that one through. Oh well, I'll figure it out if and when SCT ever releases an update.

I also debated back and forth with what size tires I wanted. I loved the way everyone's truck was looking with the 285/65/20 BFG KO2s but I was worried since I had a smaller engine and taller gears. Thinking 35s (34.6) might be a bit too much, I almost pulled the trigger on 33s. Once I looked up the weight difference between 33s and 34s, I decided to go ahead and get the 34s (275/65/20).

On the day I got the tires installed, my tuner arrived. I plugged in, got the PCM code and sent it to 5*. Couple hours later I had the 87eco, 87 perf/tow, and 93 performance.

I planned on a level/lift and talked to a few people about what would be a good size to go to. I settled on a 2.5" but I had a slight problem. The 2.5" leveled the truck out if you had a 1.25" rear block in the back. I didn't have that because I bought a 4x2. I was trying to find 1.25" stock blocks at the same time I was talking to Alex from F150lifts. He steered me in the direction of the 2.5"front/2.25" rear package from F150lifts. For ease, I got it.

I've never been a fan of the stock running boards. I always thought they looked cheesy and also served no purpose for actually getting into the truck. With the intent to lift and consideration of my vertically challenged wife and daughter, I contacted AMP to get the power boards.

Super quick turnaround, as they were here in about 3 days. Couple hours later, I had power steps again (King Ranch) and my wife and daughter were happy (which means I'm happy)

Around this time I was wanting the Platinum grille. I wanted it from the get go. I contacted Tasca and put an order in. I also put an order in to Motorsport Tech for 1.5" Bora wheel spacers. Tasca said the grille should take about 4 days. Motorsport Tech said they're build times are running 7-10 business days. One of those two were lying.

At this point, I have the lift/level kit sitting in the garage, just staring at me. However, I wanted to do the lift and spacers at the same time then do an alignment and be done with it.

So I was in for the waiting game.

Subtle things bother me sometimes and oftentimes its the subtle things that can really make a truck pop. In the meantime, I ordered some PTM mirror caps to replace the stock textured plastic.

Low and behold, the spacers arrived. I timed their arrival pretty well and was able to drop my truck off the next morning at the shop for the lift/level and spacers install.

Everything went well, except for the alignment. It was a real bitch. I ended up buying a camber kit since the 2.5 inch spacer changed the angle of the lower control arm and the shop didn't want to risk destroying threads or the bolt by forcing it. $100 bucks for the camber kit but the alignment went smooth after that. My steering wheel is a little off-center but it drives straight. I'm going back up there in a week when he gets back in town to have that adjusted.

The PTM mirror caps came in and the geniuses sent me two left side caps. Still waiting for the driver's side cap to come in, then I'll send them the duplicate left back.

So I previously mentioned that between Tasca and Motorsport Tech, someone was lying. Well seeing how the previous post already had the wheel spacers installed I'm hoping your powers of deductive reasoning answered the question.

I ordered the Platinum grille on July 21st. I received an email telling me it was a special order and it would be shipping in 3-5 days. So I waited 6 and emailed them back. Heard nothing. I got fed up after waiting and contacted Steve from Tasca. Steve was awesome and got the ball rolling. Once he was involved, it was about a week before the grille was on my porch.

All in all, I just received the grille today, August 18th. Almost a month.

It's installed, and aside from waiting on the other PTM mirror cap- it's done.

Yes, I'll probably end up doing an intake and exhaust on it as well as doing Plasti-Dip on the Ford blue oval. I'll probably take the EcoBoost emblems off the side as well. Little things here and there I'm sure. I might take the grille off and paint the silver mesh black like a few other people have done. I almost did it today before I installed it but the stock look is the reason I bought it so I am perfectly content with the way it already looks. Husky mats are in my future as well.

Some other things I did but didn't photograph: I bought the Hypertec speedo calibrator. Once SCT releases an update to allow my tuner to do it, I'll unmarry the Hypertec and sell it for a lower price. I bought the AVS in channel vent visors but they were a bust. Got a refund. I put the AVS Aeroskin Bugshield on the front. It's on in the pictures but it blends in very well and is difficult to even see on the black truck. I like it this way. Lexerd screen protector, Bakflip G2. I chopped the factory antenna. I think it's 17" now. I was able to get the ball back on and used some paint to touch up the areas that got scratched when I was prying it off.

I was able to sell just about everything I took off/replaced on the truck, but some of the things were pretty expensive. Once this credit card is paid off I may start shopping again.

Hope you enjoyed.

PS- Thanks to numerous people out there for answering questions and pioneering some of the things I did to my truck before I even thought of it. Special thanks to RedX/Dubsesd/SILVERBACK_PAT/baxzilla

Truck looks awesome bud! Stance is perfect, grille looks sweet, and all the little details like the mirror caps and the chopped antenna top it off! Congrats on having one bad ass truck!

Where in Texas did you get the wheels?

Downtown Dallas.

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