I need some help understanding....
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I need some help understanding....
What is all the hype over modifying these trucks?
Let me be clear here, I'm not knocking anyone's choice to do so, in fact I applaud the enthusiasm.
I can see the more useful mods such as air bags, towing gizmos bed covers and other well used functional items.
But things such as tunes, CAI's, cat back exhaust kits, leveling kits and lifts are beyond my understanding.
These trucks are more powerful, fuel efficient and capable then ever before. So, when is enough really enough?
Let me be clear here, I'm not knocking anyone's choice to do so, in fact I applaud the enthusiasm.
I can see the more useful mods such as air bags, towing gizmos bed covers and other well used functional items.
But things such as tunes, CAI's, cat back exhaust kits, leveling kits and lifts are beyond my understanding.
These trucks are more powerful, fuel efficient and capable then ever before. So, when is enough really enough?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
Although I hate to admit it, there was a point in my younger days when having a truck that was different and "badder" than the next guy's was important. As I got older, I realized the more you change a vehicle from the way it was built, the more unreliable you made it. All these mods put additional stresses on different parts of the vehicle and they eventually showed. I'll still do mods that increase specific functionality while minimizing impact to the original design, like air bags and sway bar to increase towing, and additional cargo lights in the rear for hooking up the trailer at night. But now I always add these things in a way to not compromise the original design.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
I completely agree with you Tim.
But I'm not your typical 27-year-old guy either. Aesthetics really don't matter to me, and I learned in my teenage years that someone will always be able to outspend you no matter how much you try. I'm a car nut in every way, but modifying things never has seemed worthwhile to me. My truck is a tool that I use to get to and from work, as well as to tow my trailer. And it does both exceedingly well.
As little as ten years ago people were bragging about what they could pull with their 250 HP diesel pickup truck. The base engine offered in a new F150 exceeds that by 20%. I can't imagine a situation where I wouldn't have enough power to tow twice what my truck is rated for. I don't travel off road, and therefore I have absolutely no use for large tires, a lift, or the handling and efficiency penalties that each of those mods carry. I'll be having a Line-X bedliner installed in the next couple months, and at some point a tonneau cover like I had on my Super Duties. But that's about it.
But I'm not your typical 27-year-old guy either. Aesthetics really don't matter to me, and I learned in my teenage years that someone will always be able to outspend you no matter how much you try. I'm a car nut in every way, but modifying things never has seemed worthwhile to me. My truck is a tool that I use to get to and from work, as well as to tow my trailer. And it does both exceedingly well.
As little as ten years ago people were bragging about what they could pull with their 250 HP diesel pickup truck. The base engine offered in a new F150 exceeds that by 20%. I can't imagine a situation where I wouldn't have enough power to tow twice what my truck is rated for. I don't travel off road, and therefore I have absolutely no use for large tires, a lift, or the handling and efficiency penalties that each of those mods carry. I'll be having a Line-X bedliner installed in the next couple months, and at some point a tonneau cover like I had on my Super Duties. But that's about it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
Those things are best done on two wheels....
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 501
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From: Pacific NW
Well, there are those of us who like to "Fix" things until they're broken... I used to be one of those guys as a teenager. But with all the software, CAE, and other tools at the OEM's disposal, they tend to do a fantastic job integrating and creating fantastic vehicles now a days. It wasn't like that until the mid to late 2000's though. It seems like most car makers have learned to put the bean counters in their place and finally gave the engineers more importance in most companies. The designers are also finally getting to implement some of their wild design ideas as well.
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From: Maine, Virginia
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: NY (not the city!!)
Well for me, its just as fun thinking and researching about what I want to do as actually doing it. There is always something threatening my savings and distracting me at work (truck goodies, guns, army trucks and a bunch of other stuff i dont need). Plus we all have different opinions. I want my truck to be just a little louder, the tires just a little bigger, and it to sit just a little higher. Then it would be perfect for me. And its just human nature to tinker. Think of all the cool things we wouldnt have if people just left things alone.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
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From: Laramie, WY
To me...modifying a truck is equal to choosing what shirt to put on...just a choice. My modifications aren't done to impress others, and I don't dress to impress.
All I have done so far is to add more rear lighting to help when I back up in the dark. Soon I will be adding some more running lights to help the truck be seen in adverse weather. Then if I can ever find a really good pair of fog lights those will be added to help me see in snow storms. None of those mods make the tuck any cooler to me, they just help it fit my specific needs.
All I have done so far is to add more rear lighting to help when I back up in the dark. Soon I will be adding some more running lights to help the truck be seen in adverse weather. Then if I can ever find a really good pair of fog lights those will be added to help me see in snow storms. None of those mods make the tuck any cooler to me, they just help it fit my specific needs.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
I bought an EB truck because it was the only truck out there capable of respectable fuel economy that will tow 11,000+ lbs. I was content with the power provided by my stock V10 Excursion, which pales in comparison to the new F150. I bought and paid for a warranty, and more than driving impressions I need the assurance that when my truck blows up the warranty covers the repair without question. You can't get that tuned.
There are semi trucks on the road right now with less power than a stock EcoBoost.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
for me modifying a truck or car is a extension of myself. i have a vision of what i want it to look like, feel like and drive like. stock is nice but there is always room for improvement IMO. for me it start with painting things to match(i hate black plastic) to intake/exhaust,wheels and tires, lifting, more lighting/custom lighting...the list goes on! my mind starts racing as soon as i think about getting another truck. best part is they are never "done" i'm always changing something or adding something. i could care less what anyone else thinks. if i walk up to it and think "damn thats bad ***" then i've done exactly what i was looking for. made myself happy!
i've been dreaming of a new f-150, wont be able to afford one anytime soon but i already have a mod list! haha
i've been dreaming of a new f-150, wont be able to afford one anytime soon but i already have a mod list! haha
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,392
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From: Dayton, TX
It's all about making it your own. If I had a stock black lariat it would blend in with the rest of them. Mine is different and it stands out. It gets noticed, although not always a good thing, but people like it and the way it looks.
But then again most of my mods do have a reason behind them.
Lift, wheels & tires: I work in a pipeyard and sometimes it gets pretty nasty/muddy. Go to the beach alot during the summer.
Headlights and Taillights: Better vision at night and better visability for other people behind me
Stereo system: for mine and my kids enjoyment
Tuner: Tire size calibration (mainly) and some extra power to move the extra weight.
Other odds and ends like led interior lights, painted grille, etc. are just my personal taste and what I like.
Everyone likes something different and to each there own.
But then again most of my mods do have a reason behind them.
Lift, wheels & tires: I work in a pipeyard and sometimes it gets pretty nasty/muddy. Go to the beach alot during the summer.
Headlights and Taillights: Better vision at night and better visability for other people behind me
Stereo system: for mine and my kids enjoyment
Tuner: Tire size calibration (mainly) and some extra power to move the extra weight.
Other odds and ends like led interior lights, painted grille, etc. are just my personal taste and what I like.
Everyone likes something different and to each there own.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,978
Likes: 911
From: Montana
I like to think that I choose any mods based on an increase in functionality, such as more ground clearance offered by a leveling kit and bigger tires, but not too high that might greatly decrease off road capability by making the center of gravity so high that roll over is likely to occur. I used to believe in intake/exhaust mods for better performance, but I think it has been proven that these newer trucks are so much better designed than their predecessors, that those mods are more for noise, so I choose to save my money or use it elsewhere. Stock, Ford makes a helluva truck, but there is always room for improvement.