Check Out A.R.E.’s SEMA Custom F-150 Platinum!
SEMA is a great place for aftermarket companies to show off their latest wares. But when a new vehicle model comes out, sometimes it’s hard to have products ready at the time of launch. For the 2015 F-150, Ford allowed companies to apply to purchase a 2015 F-150 for $1 ahead of the official debut. A.R.E. out of Akron, Ohio, was awarded one of the trucks and made something quite special. We recently had the opportunity to check it out.
A.R.E. got its start in making truck caps and utility caps. They have two facilities that still produce those accessories, and they are regarded as the best-selling utility caps in the country. If you’re a contractor and need on-truck storage for your tools and accessories, A.R.E. is one of the companies to go to.
With the help of some other aftermarket companies, A.R.E. put this beauty of a truck together. It started as a 2015 F-150 Platinum, and received a completely custom paint scheme. The truck is obviously lifted and set on different different set of wheels and tires.
The interior leather has been re-worked to match the paint scheme of the vehicle, and there are a series of buttons on the center console arm rest to control the Rigid Industries lights on the front.
Out back, an A.R.E. custom cap keeps everything secure, and there’s ample storage for bikes, boards, and other athletic equipment. I’m particularly fond of the 6 GoPro charging ports to keep everything charged and ready-to-g0.
Here’s a complete list of mods to this truck:
- A.R.E. ToolMaster HD Fiberglass Truck Cap
- Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Springs
- ARB Fridge & Air Compressor
- Axalta Automotive Paint
- BOLT Hitch Lock
- Bushwacker Fender Flares
- Corsa Exhaust
- DUB Wheels
- Fab Four Bumpers
- GoPro Cameras and Mounts
- Hellwig Load and Sway Control
- K2 extreme coolers
- Kicker Speaker System
- King Shocks
- Lynch Concepts custom paint
- Monster Hook Hitch Hooks
- PickupVault lockable bed storage
- Plain and Simple Headlights and Taillights
- Reikken Performance Battery
- Rigid Industries LED Lighting
- Skyjacker Suspension
- Surco roof racks and accessories
- Toyo Tires
- Trent’s Trick Upholstery interior
In addition to being parked out front of A.R.E.’s manufacturing facilities in Akron, the truck will also tour the country going to various events. During the SEMA show, the truck actually appeared in Ford’s own booth for added exposure. After the year-long tour is over, then the truck is officially A.R.E.’s to do with as they please.
The truck is fully-functional, and even started up for us not knowing how long it has sat out front. While you might not want or need something this extreme everyday, I respect companies that make fully-functional showcases.
The $1 truck program is just one of the ways Ford helps support the aftermarket business. Interested in details for the 2015 program, click here!
Stay tuned as we will have more coverage from our visit to A.R.E., including behind-the-scenes access to how they make their products and the testing procedures they undergo before they are sold to you.
What do you think? Let us know in the forums!
