Brick'S hithouse

Now I feel the Sport package is complete. As I mentioned my goal here was not to build an off-road truck, I just wanted to complete what Ford had started. I feel with the additions I made this is what the Sport pkg was supposed to be. The truck looks great, factory appearing and just different enough from others.

BUT as we all know the mod bug never ends…….

Brick'S hithouse

Phase 2, The Day-2 Mods

Extang Solid Fold 2.0 tri-fold bed cover. A dealer installed item that is a must have for any truck, especially those of us in the snowbelt.

Brick'S hithouse

Bug shield. AVS low profile style. Another day-2 dealer item. After discovering 3 chips on the front edge of the hood after 1mo of owner ship, I was on the phone ordering this item. One thing I really like about the AVS shield is that the texture of the plastic matches the texture on the side mirrors and lower air-dam making it look like it came straight from the Ford factory.

Brick'S hithouse

Phone charger. This one is just one out of necessity. I know Ford would never add this, but I needed it. I ran a charging cord from the USB port in the front storage bin under the console trim and up in front of the center console. A clean simple mod that comes in very handy. Thanks to Johnny bravo00 for this mod. Hope the suit still fits (Brady Bunch pun for those of us old enough to remember that)

Brick'S hithouse

Along with all the previously listed mods I also did the following Forscan changes:

1. Disabled auto start/stop

2. Enabled “Bambi” mode headlights

3. Enabled GT Performance start up splash screen on Sync3

4. Enabled GT background screen on Sync3

5. Enabled climate controls screen on Sync3

6. Changed DRL to turns and Raptor lights only

7. Enabled Kicker sub and 6-speaker set-up

Brick'S hithouse

And after all that is said and done, here is the final product (so far)

Brick'S hithouse

I am extremely happy with this truck, it is truly a wonderful truck to drive.I think it looks great both externally and internally and I'm very pleased with it.

But as I mentioned earlier the mod bug never ends. Here is my list of possible future mods, some of which may or may not happen.

1. Line-X bed liner. This will happen

2. Up-fitter switches – These really should be an option for all F-150’s and included on the Sport package. Adding these at this point is now a major project, Ford could have really helped a brother out by my making these a factory option. I have seen KustomFX’s version of these and may go that route.

3. Grill changes – I like the standard Sport grill but I think it could use some tweaking. I have some ideas, we’ll see if I peruse them or not. One thing I don’t want to do is replace it with a grill from another package, I like how Ford gives each level of truck its own grill to differentiate them.

4. Heated steering wheel – again a pretty big project at this point and this is more of upper level trim item, may just stay with the $10 driving gloves from Costco.

5. Bed side graphics – I really like the splash/mud style graphics that come on the Raptors. I think the flat black ones would look good on the Oxford White and help to accentuate the Sport package.

6. Replacing the high beam bulbs with the Phillips 9011’s – this will happen

7. Leather interior – I love leather interiors and the availability to replace with Katzkin’s for only $550 bucks is very tempting but, doing this would break from my XLT trim level theme, so we’ll see.

8. Lighted vanity mirrors. Why these aren’t stock on the truck is beyond me. Haven’t all cars made since like 1995 came standard with lighted visors? (smh) This will happen.

9. Rear wheel-well liners – This will probably happen.

10. Exhaust. I didn't buy a V8 so that I could have a single-tipped side exhaust that I can barely hear, but not sure what I’ll do yet, it will be either a dual-side exit in front of the rear tire or a split-duel exhaust cat-back system. If I do go the duel system it will have to include modifications to the rear bumper, either the Raptor or the ’19 Platinum. I will not add an exhaust system that hangs below the stock bumper as I feel that does not look factory appearing.

11. Hood. This is a long shot, but a nice ram-air style hood would look killer. There are some nice ones available, but this is probably a $1300+ option and I doubt Ford would ever include this in the Sport package. Hell, they couldn’t even include lighted vanity mirrors!

12. Constant-on marker lights on the rear view mirrors (Blinker Genie). If someone could do a write on how to install these on 8-pin mirrors I would greatly appreciate it

Lastly thanks to all the members of this forum for giving me so many ideas and info on how to do this. I've emailed/contacted a number of different people throughout this process and everyone has been great at answering my questions and helping me along the way, this forum really is a great group of enthusiast. Hopefully my build will give some inspiration to other members to personalize their trucks as so many before have done for me.

Firerunner

iTrader: (3)

This line sounds vaguely familiar - "I wanted to add items that are from the Ford parts bin (or comparable aftermarket brand) as much as possible to keep the factory appearance and make it look like something Ford produced."

Seriously though, nice truck & nice work so far! Speaking from experience.... if you decide to deviate from the XLT trim & do some of the upper trim mods also you won't be disappointed!

OCMike

iTrader: (1)

Nicely done!!

Warning Firerunner syndrome is contagious and will do serious harm to your wallet.

Mike

Firerunner

iTrader: (3)

Your telling me!