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I grew up with a father who loved and sold Fords. Rarely did we customize our vehicles, as the add-ons didn't add resale value to the vehicles. However, as I get older, I am more about making the vehicle fit my needs and keeping them much longer. I have also done many Ford Raptor customizations to my daily driver. In this case, it's a 2018 Ford Raptor (Gen 2) truck that's good for road trips, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Interior Raptor Modifications
What's important to me is to make the interior of my truck comfortable for long road trips. That's where I did most customizations. I also wanted to protect the interior from the mud and dirt we drug in from the great outdoors.
Built Right Dashmount
I hate when my USB cord dangles over my dash, it can get pulled loose when using the radio or climate controls. I also relocated the USB port to the dash so I can power my phone. Then I bought a Carlin Wireless Carplay Adapter (affiliate link). Then I attached a BuiltRight Industries Dash Mount to the center dash tray, with two ball Ram Mounts and cradles for my iPhone and iPad. I also hacked together a charging stand for my Apple Watch, with a magnet on the bottom to attach to the dash mount.
That way, I can mount my phone and Ipad Pro with maps when I am out of cellular range for navigation.
Carbon Fiber Accents
I was looking for ways to protect my truck's interior. Carbon fiber accents would be nice but expensive. I ended up buying plastic accents from Voodonala (affiliate link) with carbon fiber designs that covered a good portion of my interior accents.
I think it does add something to the interior look but it also helps reduce the wear and tear on my trim. Especially on the steering wheel and the door handles. I am sure the plastic isn't as strong as real carbon fiber but for the price, the accents look good and have held up for almost two years.
Steel MOLLE Panels for Seat Backs
I also like the steel seatback MOLLE organizers because they can hold a lot of gear and I can customize them to carry all my and Woodford's dog gear. They are probably my favorite upgrade to my truck. I can attach things to them with the MOLLE Pouch Attachment Ladder System or with magnets. Like these Warsun work lights.
F1 Floormats in the Front Seats
Normally I'd have just used plastic WeatherTech mats in the front seats of my truck. The problem with them is that they don't protect the along the seat and carpet from mud. I replaced them with these F1 Black & Black Luxury Diamond Mats. They cover most of the carpet in the front area, wipe clean, and despite looking fancy, protect the carpet. I do use a WeatherTech mat in the back row because it gives much better coverage.
Aluminum Billet Race Pedals
The factory pedals I had got very slippery when my feet were wet. That's why I added Performance Pedals Billet Racing and Show Pedals, which were custom made to perfectly fit my Ford. These pedals have a grid pattern, and I had them powder-coated black. The grid pattern keeps them from becoming slippery.
Console Safe
Whether you want to store cash or a handgun, or other valuables, have a safe in your vehicle. I have the model that splits the storage in my console between lockable and free storage. It's nice to keep cash and an extra credit card. I installed a Console Vault from E&G Customs; since then, a company called B&V took over making the Custom Console Safe. The safe is well made and provides a good amount of storage while leaving the console's other side free for everyday items. It has a three-digit combination lock and a backup key lock.
Exterior Customizations
While the Ford looks good as is, I think a few things help the appearance and outside functionality.
Lights
If you spend any time off-road, it's nice to have lights. I don't do this a lot and so I customized the front of the Raptor and used the pre-wired upfitter switches to hook up a number of lights.
Baja Designs S8 Straight Light Bar
Because this is my daily driver, I didn't want an obnoxious number of light bars. So I opted for the a light bar behind the grill. The Baja Designs S8 is a nice option that is low-key, but can put out a ton of light (31,750 lumens).
Ford Squadron/S2 Sport Fog Pocket Light Kit
This kit uses four Squadron Sports (3,150 lumens each), and two S2 Sport (1,130 lumens each). They fit in the pockets of the front bumper, which makes the truck look better IMHO. This mounting kit includes two Ford-specific mounting brackets and a wiring harness, allowing you to use your factory upfitter switches. You can use the two S2 Sport lights when driving on the road, and the Squadron Sports when offroading.
Raptor Liner Fender Flares
The Raptor is a beefy, well-built machine, except for the fender flares. They scratch too easily. I thought about adding after-market fenders. But the only ones I thought looked good were the ones from Anderson Composites, and the carbon fiber finish could still get scratched, and they are expensive.
I decided the best option was to refinish the fender flares using Raptor Liner, bed liner. I filled the scratches and then roughed up the finish a little bit with an 180 grit sanding sponge. Then I used Raptor Adhesion Promoter to prime the fender flares. Then I painted the fender flares with two coats of Raptor Liner Black 2K. Once they cure, I will try coating them with Cerakote Ceramic Trim Coat to see if I can add a little shine. I also like this option because you can easily sand and fix the fender flares with a rattle can.
Wheels
I was not a fan of the Ford Raptor factory wheels; I ended up replacing them with the Rhino Armory Wheels, which I thought looked much better.
Wheel Well Liners
I like keeping as much of the undercarriage protected as practical, especially given that I like to drive on the beach and want to avoid the corrosive salt spray. Husky Liners Wheel Well Guards are an excellent way to protect the rear wheel wells on your Raptor from damage. They are made from durable plastic that will withstand impacts from rocks and other objects. Installation is easy if the holes align with the factory fender flare holes. They are also affordable, at less than $100 for a set. I spray them down with Chemical Guys Bare Bones Premium Dark Shine Spray for Undercarriage, Tires and Trim (affiliate link), and they shed mud pretty well. Also, I think to make the truck look a bit better.
Bed Storage
I don't haul a lot of things in the back, like mulch or yard waste, but when I do, I want storage to be easily removable.
Tounneau Cover
A tonneau cover or truck bed cover is important for keeping our gear dry while driving in inclement weather. My Ford Raptor came with a BakFlip cover and a LineX bed liner from the dealer. The tight seal helps keep out moisture and dirt and helps reduce drag on the truck while driving. In addition, the cover is lockable to keep things secure.
Ideally, I would like to have a roll-up tonneau cover. The reason being so I can mount an Overlanding rack on the bed and still. The other option is to use Billie Bars which can slip under the tonneau cover and attach to the side rails so you can add storage.
Tounneau Buddy Storage
I used a Tonneau Buddy for storage under my tonneau cover. I like it because the it maximizes the storage space and footprint in my truck bed (a total of 12 cubic feet). The Tonneau Buddy is made of a polyester cover wrapped over a powder-coated steel frame. I also have a waterproof cover to keep everything in dry.
Swing Out Toolboxes
While I have the Tonneau Buddy is great for larger items. The SwingCase is nice for things you need easy access to. Like tire deflators for airing down, work lights, and bungee cords. The SwingCase has a key-lockable lid (though I think you could easily break into them) & can hold up to 75 lbs. of cargo. It features an organizational tray and a moisture seal to help keep contents dry and protected against the elements, which was more of my concern than actual security.
More GEN 2 Raptor Customizations
There is always more I could do to the Raptor, including additions that would improve the performance. Though as the truck gets older, you can do things like performance tune, which technically can void your warranty, so I'd consider that while your truck is still under warranty. I already have enough trouble staying below the speed limit, so I probably won't try to increase performance too much.
Exhaust Tips
The factor exhaust tips don't hold up well, and as someone who likes to take meticulous care of their vehicle, I'd like even the little things like the exhaust to shine. My next modification to the Raptor would probably be some better exhaust tips that hold up to the heat and dirt.
Brakes
From a performance standpoint, I think the brakes for the Raptor are a little under-powered. If I were going to do anything else, I'd upgrade my breaks with a front and rear brake kit. My choice would probably be the Brembo F-150 GT Series 6-Piston Front Brakes.
Peddle Commander
If I was worried about faster acceleration, I'd consider the Peddle Commander to help bypass the slow Eco-Boost accelerator. Though I already have enough problems keeping the big Ford V-6 under the speed limit.
The Pedal Commander system eliminates the delay from your electronic gas pedal, allowing your 2010 and newer Ford F-150 Raptor to accelerate faster, giving your vehicle a night/day difference in performance.
Winch
I don't often go to places where I feel like I'd get stuck, but then again, how many people go places they'd get stuck without recovery gear? If I were going to add a winch to the front of the truck, I'd have to relocate the intercooler and replace the front bumper. My choice would be a Warn Zeon 12 Winch. So this is an unlikely upgrade for the present. However, my dream bumper would be the Fab Fours Grumper to cover the winch body.
There are endless things you can do to modify your truck. These are the upgrades that worked best for me. Although I am sure that works for me probably isn't exactly what everyone needs.