F-150 Utility Build How-To (Video)

American Trucks Ford gives an easy and comprehensive tutorial on creating a utility build for your truck.

In the latest installment of “The Haul” by American Trucks Ford, host Justin Dugan goes through some easy and helpful mods to transform a Ford F-150 into the ultimate utility build. His goal is to build the “Swiss Army Knife” of F-150s, capable and ready to take on any number of tasks.

Dugan is using a 2016 Super Cab F-150, but everything he highlights in the video will work for most F-150’s and some other Ford models. The first mod is adding Barricade Rattler Steel Running Boards. Wide and extending the length of the cab, this is a sturdy piece of equipment that is useful for any truck, and it looks super cool, too.

Next Dugan installs a Hauler Racks Removable Truck Rack to the bed. The aluminum drill-in bed rack has 1,000 lb capacity, and is very handy for hauling items while keeping the truck bed free. After that he adds a AMP Research Bedstep a very good solution to help you get some height to load up that rack or reach the bed easily.

The guys install a Viair Heavy Duty System, which will make you wonder why you haven’t done this already. Onboard air has many uses from air horns, to air suspension, and re-airing tires. It is a simple idea, and a very helpful tool, and Dugan walks the viewer through the best ways to install this, and offers a lot of options for use. He also installs a Weigh Safe Receiver Drop Hitch that helps with any towing needs.

S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.