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!

Flowmaster FlowFX Review 2017 Ford Raptor

One more thing - right?  Well, I was able to get a great deal on this part and so far very happy with it!  The  Flowmaster 717776 Exhaust Muffler is a mid-muffler replacement for the OEM part.  It keeps the OEM resonator and the existing tailpipes - which I'm fine with.  I like the matte finished black tips and just wanted a little more sound from the exhaust, and NO drone!  Love it!

Here's a quick video of the sound!

  

and a longer video of the review!

Flowmaster FlowFX is their new design where it's not just a muffler that you weld in - it's a slip-fit system that makes things a LOT easier for installation.

 

Features

Designed as a direct-fit replacement muffler for the 2017-2018 Ford Raptor trucks with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine. This easy to install direct-fit muffler delivers a moderate to aggressive interior and exterior sound level that will appeal to anyone looking for a deep powerful exhaust note. Features include all 3.00 inch mandrel-bent bright stainless steel tubing mated to a specially designed dual 3.00 inch inlet/outlet "straight-through" FlowFX muffler for great sound and maximum performance. Utilizes the factory hangers and connections without any cutting or welding and installs in about 20 minutes. Includes all necessary parts and hardware. Proud to Say Made in the USA.

• Bright 409s Stainless Steel Construction
• Moderate to Aggressive Exhaust Tone
• Quick and Easy Installation
• Direct-fit System

2017 Raptor Part 1 802a Stereo Upgrade - Pioneer TS-A878 center channel

FINALLY getting around to upgrading my speaker(s) - did a quick video on the process for the center dash speaker - yes it's just one. The Sony system isn't terrible in the Raptor, but it needs more help for sure - the range of the OEM speakers is pretty stale... From lots of reviews on the forums, these Pioneer A-series are an inexpensive addition to really make the audio 'sing' 😎

Parts needed for this task:

Next will be the doors!

TopCoat F11 on the Raptor - wow, nice shine!

OK - you've probably seen the ads online and on Facebook - TopCoat F11 - never wash your car again!  LOL right?  Wouldn't that be nice!?

Well, I bit the bullet during the holidays to try it out - and I'm pretty impressed to be honest!  They send you a bottle of TopCoat spray, 1 small sealer, and 2 lint free polishing cloths. 

    

At first, I was like - what is this bottle?  Seriously?  It smells funky to be honest - but then I realized I could apply it on EVERYTHING!  Doesn't matter if it's paint, glass, bumpers, etc.  It puts a great shine on everything!  

First I washed the truck with ONR wash n wax - that itself is amazing.  I used a 5-gallon bucket with ONR, a Grit Guard insert, and about 2 gallons of water with some microfiber cloths...

once you've tried ONR, you'll never go back!

After everything is washed and dried - it's time for the TopCoat...  honestly I wasn't expecting much, reviews say it streaked, etc...  so I started one panel at a time.

As you can see from the results - the truck looks BRAND NEW!  I'm seriously impressed!  It's odd, but I can't wait for rain! :)  LOL

Give it a try, you'll be amazed!

My Forscan favorite tweaks to the 2017 Ford Raptor

From my previous blog about Forscan it's a free tool that lets you monitor, modify the computers in your vehicle.  The 2017 Ford Raptor is able to take advantage of this tool as well!

Please do some research. After doing that - you'll need the following setup to repeat what I've done with my truck:

1. Windows Laptop with Bluetooth
2. http://www.forscan.org/ software, and follow the process from my previous blog.
3. A modern OBDII device, I chose the ScanTool 426101 OBDLink MX Bluetooth - yes it's pricey, but it's seriously one of the best devices as you can leave it installed and it has auto power on/off.

      

The Forscan tutorial is continually updated, I highly suggest reading through it since it will simplify your understanding for your vehicle and what risks/benefits you'll find.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-8dKaS_Spu4Zw4hV_CrKC4tLoP9G8yejqegF1wxIqxY/edit 

There are tweaks for multiple vehicles, but for the Raptor you'll want to use the F-150 Forscan spreadsheet... https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uDSQ1Z5a2Wt8-kjrSiVSlDFGFHnfeuhb3RTMVz95730/edit#gid=815852466 and example is shown below:

The changes I wanted to apply are the following:

Autofold Mirrors

and the result:

Double Horn Honk disable - basically if you leave your cars in the truck and get out and close the door, you don't get that annoying double honk sound!

Engine temp & Transmission temp shows above gauges (8" Clusters only)

this is nice because you can see when things are actually warmed up!

Fake engine noise disable (TBD - I kinda like it!)

Heated & Cooled Seat Icons AND Heated Steering Wheel on home & climate screen
This is my favorite, really fills in the screen and is super usable on cold days!

Hope this has been helpful - post comments and questions if you need help!

SPD Exhaust Adapters for the 3.5L Ecoboost F-150 Ford Raptor

Engines are air-pumps - plainly said, more air in = more air out.  In general, if you can move more air/fuel - you make more power...

This is why SPD Performance created these SPD Exhaust Adapters - see below...

So you wonder - what the heck is this?

If you see below, the SPD adapter is on the left and the OEM adapter is on the right...

These larger adapters will maximize flow, greatly reduce exhaust back-pressure and help to lower Exhaust Gas Temperatures (EGTs). 

The outlet is 2.3125" ID compared to the stock outlet which is 2.0625" ID.

This is a 25% increase in area for the exhaust to leave the turbo...

You'll need a stud puller - well worth the $20 to save your knuckles!

The guys at the garage had all the right tools to install these puppies... thank God!

They seem to be doing the job - the exhaust sounds a little deeper too!

F-150 Ford Raptor VTA (Vent to Air) MOD - so simple!

OK - gosh I feel like I should be 17 again...  you know, that cool WHOOSH sound that a turbo car makes, well dammit - mine can do it too! LOL

There's a simple VTA (Vent to Air) MOD that takes the hose off the blowoff/bypass valve that vents the excess turbo pressure and you plug the return hose - instant PSSSHHH!

First - buy a really nice billet plug http://www.stage3motorsports.com/S3M-VTAMOD-2013-2014-F150-3-5L-EcoBoost-S3M-VTA-MOD-Plug.html - I got mine used for $20 shipped.

Some guys use this (honestly you can!)

Simply remove the plate under the front driver skid plate, you know - the one you take off to change the oil filter... 6 bolts, super easy.  You reach up and simply untwist the hose connecting to the BOV off the intercooler.  You can see the hose disconnected below.

Next, you take your fancy plug and stick it in the hose you just removed.

Now, just so I can be cool - I ziptied the hose to the BOV so it won't be jangling around by the fans

And here's the sound result!  Amplified of course thanks to the open air element from Whipple :)

Incredibly simple to do, and if you like the PSSSSH!  then do it!  if not, plug it back in!

See ya!