Rebuilt the shocks at a local shop - Forged Offroad

 I have about 57k miles on the Raptor now, and given my driving style it's suggested to have the stock Fox shocks rebuilt around 50k miles.  If you're a major off-roader, you may have to do this every 10-30k miles depending on the daily beatings.  Fortunately, Forged Offroad is about 11 miles away and they do the majority of shock rebuilds for these trucks and are part of an avid off-road community as well!

For local customers, we can bring to the shop in the morning and it's done by end of day.  In my case, I got there about 8:45am and they called me to pickup around 2:30pm - great time! 

Here's how they look after the rebuild - great team, and great work!

Cold Start - 2017-2020 Ford Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost Trombone Equal Length Resonator Delete, RDFR20EL

 Here's a cold start video of my Whipple Tuned 2017 Ford Raptor with the SPD Performance 3.5L  EcoBoost Trombone Equal Length Resonator Delete, RDFR20EL

Definitely louder on cold-startup than with the Flowmaster Flow-FX.  The truck sounds like a race car when you floor it, and really screams!  There is some drone from 1,800-2,200 rpm so I'm not happy with that as that is cruising RPM around town.

SPD Gen3+ Trombone Equal Length Resonator Delete Installed

 It's been 4 years since I changed the exhaust with the Flowmaster Flow FX setup and was looking for something a little different.  SPD created this new equal-length resonator delete pipe that mimics the 2020+ Raptor exhaust.  It's pretty funky looking!

When I first reached out in February, I asked SPD about "drone" and they said absolutely no drone... well, it's not entirely true.  

The pipe showed up a few weeks ago, so aboutI had mine installed today - ordered February, showed up about 2 weeks ago... almost 5 months waiting!!!

My initial review (sorry no video yet)

• The truck idles more deeply, and sounds throatier
• it's definitely LOUDER for sure, but very cool to hear how this engine 'breathes' - you can't hide any throttle wiggle with this pipe!  Seriously with this mod, it sounds more like you're driving a Ford GT - it's pretty crazy!
• sadly it drones around 2-2.1K rpms which is really disappointing, which is a lot of driving around town RPMs when in sport mode, and hunting right around 6th gear...

Maybe it's just the difference from the FlowFX which tended to rumble more in the middle of the truck - now all the sound has moved to the rear outlets...

I kept my Flowmaster FlowFX if I want to go back but will give it some time to wear in a bit

Hope to record and post a video soon for a better sound review.

new shoes for the Raptor - Pirelli Scorpions!

 After 36k miles on the BFG KO2s they were getting rather lumpy, noisy and down to about 4-5/32nds so it was time.  Did a lot of research and found the Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus in the stock size 315/70R17 - and decided they were a good choice for my driving style.

   

Pirelli’s new SCORPION™ ALL TERRAIN PLUS offers light truck and SUV drivers a durable, high performance driving experience in a wide range of challenging on or off road conditions. The product feature a self cleaning pattern aimed at increasing integrity while delivering excellent wet, snow, and mud traction.

These are E-rated tires, so heavier duty sidewalls - not the best for MUD and crawling, but then again my truck is 90% road so I won't be that concerned.  The tire comes with a 50k warranty as well, as compared to the BFG KO2 - with no warranty.

The feel on the highway is excellent, and these tires are nearly silent.  Maybe it was just the wear on the KO2 but it was like riding in a 747 - you had that constant drone of the tires...

A little cheaper than the KO2, and 50k warranty - plus all the features - time will tell if these were a good switch!

2021 Bronco - get it!

 

It's not a Raptor, but dang I'm loving the new 2021 Bronco!

What do you think of the new 2021 Bronco?

A little off-roading today

If you're in the Sacramento area, you've probably heard of Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA)   It's 836 acres of off road access, a big chunk is for motorcycles, ATVs, etc.  But there is a great 4x4 section as well!  There are sections from mild to wild...

You probably won't do this in your daily driver...

Prairie City is situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills, 20 miles east of downtown Sacramento and three miles south of U.S. 50. The area offers off-highway vehicle enthusiasts a variety of interesting terrain and trails for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and 4-wheel drive vehicles. There are flat, open grasslands, rolling hills with native blue oak trees, and acres of cobbled mine tailings left after gold dredges combed ancient river beds in search of gold during the late 1800s. Beginners, as well as experts, find a variety of terrain both challenging and enjoyable.

My buddy and I went out, honestly it was my first time there, but he's been a couple times.  I need to sync up with the 4x4 groups more!  Like NorCal 4x4 that does a lot of stuff!

I didn't get to Prairie City until about 1:15 so a lot of the mud was gone, but I did get a good coating - my buddy with his new Ram Rebel was the first guy in the mud - can you tell?  LOL He didn't have any mudflaps, but I did - man does it save your paint!!! Had a great time, here are a few videos...

 

the last video, you probably heard that nice "CLUNK" well - that was my passenger side running board LOL.  It's a little squished now...

Definitely recommend the trip to the OHV, it's $5/day or $50/season - worth the mud!

 

pick your choice of floor mats... Top 10 here!

My floor mats are starting to wear at 24k miles (seriously?!)

here's a list of the Top 10 replacement mats - what do you think?

Top 10 Best Floor Mats: Top Rated Floor Liners for Car, Truck or SUV

10.  Lund Catch-It Floor Mats $80-$199

The all new Lund Catch-It line is custom-molded for a perfect one-piece fit in your specific vehicle, providing the widest coverage for your floors. The mats are molded from tough Vyram material, which resists all the mud, snow, and chemicals you can dish out while still looking great. The Lund Catch-It Floor Liner is designed for premium convenience and function as well.

9. Avery's Touring Floor Mats $74-183 (ugh fabric?)

Avery's Touring Floor Mats bring modern style to your aging interior. Built of tough nylon, these custom mats come in a variety of colors to revitalize your car’s look and cover up pre-existing stains.

8. Intro-Tech Hexomat Rubber Floor Mats $45-99

Intro-Tech molds your Hexomat Floor Mats from an advanced composite rubber material that will never crack, fade, or fall apart. The mats are durable enough to handle a lifetime of kicking, yet flexible enough to handle and sit nicely on your floor. They're custom-molded to your exact vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and great looks. Plus, the honeycombs hold so much liquid there's no need for clumsy high-walled outer trim.

7. Aries StyleGuard Floor Liners $193

Your Aries StyleGuard XD Floor Liners are built with three durable layers to offer unmatched protection and performance. A flexible, TPR top-layer is completely waterproof and designed to withstand both time and UV-rays – no cracking or fading here. This thermoplastic top-level also features raised edges and channels to completely contain any muck, mud, or spilled drinks. A polyethylene foam center brings cushion and comfort to these mats, as well as climate insulation and reduced road noise. Finally, a tough-grasping underside features thousands of OmniGrip™ fibers which keep your mats fiercely in place.

6. 3D Maxpider Kagu Floor Liners $183

Maxpider Kagu Floor Liners boast a 3-layered design that offers protection, convenience, and comfort. The top layer is crafted from a textured thermoplastic that resists cracking and deforming, while the middle cross-linked polyethylene (XPE) layer offers shock absorbency and insulation from outside noise and temperatures. The bottom layer boasts unique MAXpider fibers, which grip onto your factory carpets without damaging them and hold the liners tightly in place. These mats are easy to clean, even easier to install, and complement any interior beautifully.

5. Lloyd Ultimat Floor Mats $79-170 (no F150) boo!

4. Northern Frontier ToughLiner Floor Liners $89-178

Forged from a form-fitting thermos-plastic, the raised edges and ribbed top texture of Northern Frontier ToughLiner Floor Liners are enough to handle the filthiest of work boots. These durable mats are designed specifically truck and SUV drivers in mind. The results are a tremendously tough liner that’s made in the USA and backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

3. Maxliner MaxFloormats $145

Using computer technology to measure the exact specifications of your make and model, Maxliner MaxFloormats will cover every inch of your “danger-zone” with durable polyethylene. This low-density material is both flexible and durable – give you a mat that’s both functional and fashionable. With reinforced edges and textured for traction, these mats are definitely tough enough for the job.

2. WeatherTech DigitalFit Floor Liners $196

First off, one of the biggest names in the industry, WeatherTech. Their DigitalFit floor liners get their name from the precise, laser-measured process through which WeatherTech attains such a perfect fit. Designed for vehicles with factory carpet, this high-density tri-extruded semi-flexible material is simply as good as it gets for many. After all, the reputation didn’t come from nowhere.

1. Husky Liners WeatherBeater Floor Liners $146

Also available in a cargo liner, the WeatherBeater line from Husky Liners is always a top seller. With a thermoplastic construction and extra-tall exterior walls, these mats will stand up to any weather and any climate for years and years to come. Each set comes custom-made to cover every inch of your interior carpet, and Husky backs these with a Lifetime Warranty. Plus, cleanup is as easy as can be - just remove the mats and hose them off in your front yard.

got a little dirty :)

Well, the time finally came to dip the truck into some muck...

If you're in the Sacramento area, sure there's the Prairie City SVRA

But there's a road - just little further southwest - near Blodgett Reservoir where Keifer Rd washes out every winter...  yes, those big murky brown puddles in the pic below...

time for a bath! :)

Slick little stickers for the up-fitter switches

Those finer points that you add to make a vehicle unique are always something spinning in my mind... The guys making these up-fitter switch labels are doing just that!  You can customize all 6 of your switches, so there's no more guess-work.  Thanks Jay-Graphics!

Here's the before and after on the Raptor - I haven't wired anything (yet) on #4 and #5...

There are some others that people have submitted too...

this one is awesome!

Looking for a full coverage Ford Warranty? Check out Flood Ford - seriously!

When you buy a new vehicle nowadays, there are so many bells and whistles that are just amazing - but also VERY expensive to fix.  With our new car purchases, we usually get an extended warranty beyond the standard 3-yrs/36k miles - why?  Because we usually own our vehicles beyond those time-frames and/or miles...

Sure you can use your dealer that you purchase from, or shop around - I found this site is a full coverage Ford/Mercury/Lincoln dealer that offers excellent pricing!

https://www.floodfordesp.com/

Just put in your Make, Model, Year and the numbers are updated for you.  They offer $0, $50, $100 and $200 deductible plans up to 8 years and 150k miles!!

Trust me, the prices are fantastic!

Finally got the new Vorsteiner VR-602 Tungsten Graphite wheels installed!

Finally! All 4 of the Vorsteiner Venom Rex VR-602 Tungsten Graphite wheels arrived!

I ordered them from my buddy Sterling 

Love the look of these wheels!  They're a little more aggressive than stock, and perform wonderfully!

Here is a spec comparison to the OEM wheels:

	VR-602	OEM	Benefits
Color:	Tungsten Graphite	Machined	n/a
Build Process:	Flow Forged	Aluminum Cast	Lighter and stronger
Bolt Pattern:	6x135	6.135	same
Size:	17x9	17x8.5	.5” wider
Offset:	+12	+34	22mm more clearance
Backspacing:	5.5”	6.04”	1/2" more clearance
Load Rating:	2646 lbs.	2100 lbs.	Over 500 lbs. stronger
Weight:	24.4 lbs.	32 lbs.	7.6 lbs. lighter

  

The guys at America's tire were nice enough to put the chrome lugs on, and ordered black ones and will swap them out for me when they come in.  Here are pics mounted!

The black lugs will look awesome once they come in!

Nice flush look with the little bit more offset!

and now - with the right colored lug nuts :)

ProClip phone Mount 2017 Raptor...

One of my biggest pet-peeves is when people hold their phone while they're driving - especially when it's a big-ass truck - like a Raptor... HELOOOOO it's almost 3 tons - you're gonna kill someone...

There are tons of mounts out there - just get one, I ended up choosing the ProClip model and have had them in 4 of my vehicles over the years...  they are very well engineered, and haven't had any issues with any phone (or GPS) drops over the years...

Save 10% Sitewide with Code 10HOT

  

quick assembly with a few screws - you buy the right holder for your phone, the long mounting bar has 2 tape strips and it hooks into the dash where the defroster vents are located

simply peel the tape, and hook the back of the mount in the slot

now you mount the front with the tape to the driver side vent

now you see it mounted - almost looks stock!

and here's the final result - perfect placement to see and not TOUCH the phone :)

2017 Ford Raptor rear door 6.5" and Dynamat

Recently I replaced the front door speakers and applied dynamat to the doors - HUGE difference!  I got some time to do the rear doors - just as amazing difference.  Now that all the doors are timbre matched the truck sounds EVEN better!  The Dynamat Sound Dampening really reduces extra noises as well...

Here are some quick tips in case you haven't done this before!

Here are the tools I used: (turn off your ad blocker to see!)

  
 

Welcome to the rear doors - very much like the front but only 6 x 7mm screws

he tools that were used...

flat screwdriver slot at the bottom front to help you pry off the handle...

simply pull outward, keeping in mind the tab at the rear of the handle

use your tool to pop open the panel under the handle...

now you can remove the 4 7mm screws in the handle area

 and 2 7mm underneath the door

I didnt do this on the fronts, but removing the door handle clip is really easy - just pry down on the tab at the bottom of the clip, it pops right out!

remember to unplug the connectors - I had 2 behind the handle and of course, the wire clip going to the speaker itself...  naked door!!!

You will still use your 7mm socket, remove the 3 screws from the speaker - there are 2 pegs in the speaker mount - don't worry the speaker won't fall out :)

ok - NOW the door is really naked :)

look at the stock unit... yikes!  makes you think WHAT ARE THOSE!!!?!?!?

Slowly peel back the sealant on the vapor barrier, use a utility knife carefully - you'll re-use the stuff.

Oops - forgot this tool!  

Also - this is the Dynamat Extreme pack I used, 9 sheets - and I've used 2 sheets per door!
try to get as much inside the door panel as you can...



Here's how I do the speaker holes - start at the center and cut radially to the edges, I usually do 8 slices (like cutting a pizza)

another pic slicing...

next - put each slice behind the door and tuck it in tightly against the back of the panel - this acts as a good seal for the speaker mount and also adds sound deadening right at the speaker

now you can see the finished speaker opening - be sure you use a utility knife to poke the Dynamat where the speaker mount screws are...

keep working on the door panel with dynamat and rolling it out

here you can see the new speaker next to the OEM one...

note that there is no 'hole' in the mouting bracket for the wiring harness so I chose to pinch the wires in between the dynamat and bracket

The dynamat is soft enough to allow some play in the wiring so I'm not worried they'll wear much...

Put it all back together again, and you're done!

The sound of these Pioneer speakers is lightyears better than the stock speakers!

Hope you enjoy!