So I bought the 2017 f150 super crew lariat tow package 36 gal tank tow mirrors and the standard lariat packages and I'm thinking of new king shocks or rancho quick lift and putting on my new 75-65-20 light truck tires from Les shwab....I've been reading about the new raptor and wished I had held out for one....but I'm exploring the possibilities of what I can do to make my truck as raptor like as possible with out to much cost...anyone else have that thought or planning something like that? Any suggestions or recommendations are welcome....I'm also thinking of early pay off as my current payoff is just over $17K....so what do my fellow f150 owners say?....is it worth upgrading my new f150 and enjoy the great fuel economy or trade or sell the 2017 f150 lariat for a 2017 Raptor that has less fuel economy but way more cooler to own and drive?.....I'm thinking, wondering and weighing my options....from the Emerald City in the great Pacific Northwest....many thanks....

 

Well, the easiest and less expensive way to do it is to just buy a Raptor instead of trying to cobble a fake one together out of a bunch of parts. The converted truck will be worth far less modified than if you would have left it alone.

 

Raptor style grille and flares


I like the looks of the Raptor and might have gotten one if I hadn't bought mine already (May '16). But, the Raptor will not tow as much as mine and I get better fuel mileage. Also, the Raptor is not available in Race Red. So, I am making a wanna be (fake) Raptor. Although I will not put the Raptor badge on it. The rear applique will have the badge removed and indentation filled in. I also have the Raptor steering wheel on order. If I had known I was going to do this, I would have bought a XL or XLT Sport without the SE package

For years people have been buying cars/trucks and putting parts from other vehicles on them because they like the way it looks. In December '69 I bought a new Maverick and immediately started making it look like a Grabber except that the Grabber hadn't come out yet. Maybe Ford copied me. Lol!

So, there's really nothing wrong with doing what you want to your truck. I've kept everything I took off so it could go back to stock, but at the moment I'm not worried about how much it'll be worth when I sell it.




Raptor front door sill plates



Raptor rear applique

 

That's funny right there!

 

I'd customize the one you have it'll end up waaaay cooler than the Raptor especially if you spend the difference in cost of the two.

 

Well, it may be way cooler but it will also be way slower. If you buy a Raptor you get, among a lot of other things, 450 horsepower and 4.10's. If you buy a Lariat, you don't.
Don't get me wrong. I bought a 2017 Lariat with the 3.5 EB and 3.55's. It's no slouch. It's also no Raptor and all the tires, shocks and lift kits won't make it one. But if you're mainly interested in looks, go for it. It's way cheaper.
Screw everyone else. Do what makes you happy.

 

Raptors are overated....T-Rex is more awesome....

 

But T-Rex is just a concept that's not going to hit the market.