Showing posts with label OEM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OEM. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Updating the wiper arms and cowl

Mother nature can be harsh, especially when your garage can't hold your Raptor.  I've had this beast parked outside for 8 years now, and some of the plastic has taken a beating!  I did some research on the forums and Facebook and found that replacing the cowl plastic and wiper arms can really refresh the look and functionally seal up the hood space between the windshield and hood.

Below, you can see how thrashed the OEM parts were from NorCal sun, rain, leaves, etc.  Very faded, cracked and even some sections broken off an missing.  The wiper arms, while they worked just fine - needed a refresh, no more ceramic coating could bring them back.




These are the parts that I used to replace the old OEM parts, it's ~$200 in parts

Removing the old parts isn't too hard.  First remove the old wiper arms.  Start with the driver side.  This is done by sliding out a small tab that holds the wiper arms onto the rotating assembly on the wiper motor.  A small flathead screwdriver works great.  You may need to wiggle the arm a bit to get it off, just keep that tab extended and it will come straight off the wiper motor hub.  


Once you figure out the driver side, the passenger side is identical - just a bit harder to reach. As you can see, my OEM parts are pretty thrashed.

Next up - pop the hood, and lift to full height to get better access to the cowl pieces.  

You can use the flat head screwdriver to pop the snap slots.  There are also 3 clips per side that will pull out when you lift up on the cowl pieces.  The passenger side is where the wiper washers are connected, there is a simple clip that holds the hose to the body, and simply pull the water connector from the hose.








Here are the old cowl pieces off the truck.  The rubber/plastic is hammered.  Also, I cleaned up the windshield and cowl area - used a razor blade to clean the glass really well as the grime is caked on.






Lastly, you replace the old parts with the new parts just the inverse process.  Just to note, the new wiper arms came with a small metal tab that I had to remove, no matter how hard I tried - I couldn't get that tab to fit the small slot in my hubs - your mileage may vary.  A simple flathead screwdriver popped the tab out and they fit fine.


I sprayed the new parts with a good ceramic sealant/wax: 


Now the final result!  Just like new!  Good luck on replacing yours!









Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Switching to color-matching amber fog lights...




The nice part about a great online community is that when a great product needs a little tweak - the vendors LISTEN!  We all tend to love https://fordraptorlights.com/  because they put out great products - the fog pocket lights match PERFECTLY to the OEM body style and looks like it should have come from the factory that way...

The little 10W KC-HiLites at the outer edge can be clear or amber, well the amber lenses from KC-HiLites that come with the setup are a little too yellow - think Subaru WRX fog light color :)

Well, we spoke and FRL listened!  They developed new lenses that are color matched to the OEM amber lights - so much better!

Check out the pics!

Here you can see the new amber lens on the left which is ever so slightly darker when compared to the KC-Hilites on the right.


Next - some of the color probably comes from the lens thickness, the KC lens is on the left, and the new lense is on the right - it's probably double the thickness!


Here I've mounted the new lens on the left pic, and the original is on the right... hard to see in the daylight, but the new lens is brighter and matches the color of the OEM lights!

new amber lens below


original KC lens below



side by side light output


Pretty noticeable difference!
I hope this helps if you're looking for a color match.

  The lenses are only $12!  WELL worth the service and look!





Saturday, November 11, 2017

Common Replacement and Maintenance parts for the Ford F-150 Raptor



Here's some simple stuff that I've found perusing the internet to consolidate into one simple post.  BTW if you use Ebates you get Cash Back from certain stores too!

BRAKE SYSTEM
View on Amazon
View on Amazon
 VGX Brakes CE1790 Ceramic Brake Pad Set - Rear
VGX Brakes CE1790 Ceramic Brake Pad Set - Rear
Akebono Brake Pad Set (ACT1414), GREY
Akebono Brake Pad Set (ACT1414), GREY
Akebono ACT1602 Proact Ultra Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad kit, GREY
Akebono ACT1602 Proact Ultra Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad kit, GREY
Power Stop K3167 Z23 Evolution Sport Performance 1-Click Brake Kit Fron…
Power Stop K3167 Z23 Evolution Sport Performance 1-Click Brake Kit Fron…


SPARK & IGNITION

Ford CYFS-12YT3 Spark Plug
Ford CYFS-12YT3 Spark Plug
 Autolite APP5863 Double Platinum Automotive Replacement Spark Plug (1 P…
Autolite APP5863 Double Platinum Automotive Replacement Spark Plug (1 P…
 NGK # 6509 Iridium Spark Plug LTR6IX-11 - 6 PCSNEW
NGK # 6509 Iridium Spark Plug LTR6IX-11 - 6 PCSNEW
Motorcraft - S.Plug Can Use Sp580 (SP534)
Motorcraft - S.Plug Can Use Sp580 (SP534)


OIL & FILTERS
Motorcraft Engine Air Filter - FA-1883 (OE Replacement Part for Ford: 0…
Motorcraft Engine Air Filter - FA-1883 (OE Replacement Part for Ford: 0…
Genuine Ford Parts AA5Z-6714-A Oil Filter
Genuine Ford Parts AA5Z-6714-A Oil Filter
NOCRLG MG301-8 microGreen Oil Filter
NOCRLG MG301-8 microGreen Oil Filter
Mobil 1 M1-212A Extended Performance Oil Filter, 1 Pack
Mobil 1 M1-212A Extended Performance Oil Filter, 1 Pack
ATP B-399 Automatic Transmission Filter Kit
ATP B-399 Automatic Transmission Filter Kit


K&N High-Flow Original Lifetime Engine Air Filter: Increase Performance…
K&N High-Flow Original Lifetime Engine Air Filter: Increase Performance…
K&N Oil Filter: 20,000 Mile Engine Protection with Wrench Off Nut, HP-2…
K&N Oil Filter: 20,000 Mile Engine Protection with Wrench Off Nut, HP-2…
K&N LIFETIME Cabin Air Filter: Washable, Clean Air for your Cabin, VF20…
K&N LIFETIME Cabin Air Filter: Washable, Clean Air for your Cabin, VF20…

Genuine Ford Fluid XO-5W30-5QSP SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor…
Genuine Ford Fluid XO-5W30-5QSP SAE 5W-30 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor…
Ford Genuine Anti Freeze, VC-13DL-G
Ford Genuine Anti Freeze, VC-13DL-G
 Ford Genuine Ford Fluid PM-20 DOT-4 LV High Performance Motor Vehicle B…
Ford Genuine Ford Fluid PM-20 DOT-4 LV High Performance Motor Vehicle B…
 Genuine Ford Accessories (XY-75W90-QLS) SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubri…
Genuine Ford Accessories (XY-75W90-QLS) SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubri…


Ford Genuine Ford Fluid ZC-32-B Premium Windshield Washer Concentrate -…
Ford Genuine Ford Fluid ZC-32-B Premium Windshield Washer Concentrate -…
Ford Genuine Ford Fluid XT-10-QLVC MERCON-LV Automatic Transmission Flu…
Ford Genuine Ford Fluid XT-10-QLVC MERCON-LV Automatic Transmission Flu…
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View on Amazon
Ford Genuine Fluid XG-1-C Premium Long-Life Grease - 14 oz.
Ford Genuine Fluid XG-1-C Premium Long-Life Grease - 14 oz.
Genuine Ford Fluid XL-5 Multi-Purpose Grease - 11.5 oz. Aerosol
Genuine Ford Fluid XL-5 Multi-Purpose Grease - 11.5 oz. Aerosol
Genuine Ford Fluid XL-1 Penetrating and Lock Lubricant - 12 oz. Aerosol
Genuine Ford Fluid XL-1 Penetrating and Lock Lubricant - 12 oz. Aerosol


Odds-n-Ends under the hood: PCV valve, lower ball joint, Ford intercooler, serpentine tensioner

Motorcraft EV267 Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve
Motorcraft EV267 Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve
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View on Amazon
Ford Cooler ASY - EN
Ford Cooler ASY - EN
Ford BR3Z-6B209-E Genuine Tensioner
Ford BR3Z-6B209-E Genuine Tensioner



Updating the wiper arms and cowl

Mother nature can be harsh, especially when your garage can't hold your Raptor.  I've had this beast parked outside for 8 years now,...