Build thread: Big Red Beast
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Build thread: Big Red Beast
Hey all, you guys might remember when I bought this truck about 2 months ago. It's a 2012 F-150 XL RC/LB 4x4 with the 3.7 V6. It's a great looking truck, and I'm really starting to like it ALOT! I previously had a 2006 that I had ordered new with the 5-speed. I miss that one but it was also time to move on. The '06 served me very well, and I expect this one will too.
This truck looks great in the bright red, but it needed something. And I just couldn't leave well enough alone! So the first thing I did was to add a set of chrome step bars for both appearance and functionality. My wife complains that the truck is too high and needed help getting in. Thanks again Alex for your help last weekend
!
So I will post pictures of before and after.
There's more upgrades to come. Last Saturday, I bought a tri-fold bed cover for it at the Pittsburgh Parts-a-Rama at the Butler Fairgrounds in Butler, PA. I'll get that clamped down this weekend. I'm also looking at a set of wheels, too.
This truck looks great in the bright red, but it needed something. And I just couldn't leave well enough alone! So the first thing I did was to add a set of chrome step bars for both appearance and functionality. My wife complains that the truck is too high and needed help getting in. Thanks again Alex for your help last weekend
!So I will post pictures of before and after.
There's more upgrades to come. Last Saturday, I bought a tri-fold bed cover for it at the Pittsburgh Parts-a-Rama at the Butler Fairgrounds in Butler, PA. I'll get that clamped down this weekend. I'm also looking at a set of wheels, too.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
Wow...a regular cab, long bed, XL with steel wheels. That's something you don't see much of anymore. Brings back my childhood. My first truck was a 1992 reg cab, long bed, "Custom" which I think was a step below the XL at that time. It had ONE option...A/C.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Yeah I remember the "Custom" series, that was the ultimate stripper work truck! This one here is about the most loaded up truck I've ever owned, it has the power equipment group and a factory installed cd player. My last truck, the 2006 was an XL that I ordered with nothing on it except for AC and cloth seats. The first truck I had as a teenager was my dad's hand-me-down 86 Ranger that only had the extended cab. The extended cab gave it power steering and the 2.3 liter instead of the base 2.0 liter. Besides that it had vinyl seats, no AC, and AM/FM. I swapped out the stereo for a Pioneer with a cassette deck. I was travellin' in style then!
This to me is what a truck should be. I wanted an XLT this time, but really wanted the RC/8' bed body style. To find those used is rare, at least where I live. I have trouble getting excited about the Platinum's and the Lariat's. I need my truck to work like a truck.
Thanks for the comment.
This to me is what a truck should be. I wanted an XLT this time, but really wanted the RC/8' bed body style. To find those used is rare, at least where I live. I have trouble getting excited about the Platinum's and the Lariat's. I need my truck to work like a truck.
Thanks for the comment.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 4
From: Denver, NC
Great work truck, wish my bed was a touch longer (5.5 sucks)
Why is the upper bumper cover not red
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Now to try and post the pics that I tried to post Saturday evening before my browser decided to quit on me.
I got my wife to help me center the tri-fold tonneau cover while I tightened it down. It's a Rugged cover that I bought for $300 at the Pittsburgh Parts-a-Rama last weekend in Butler, PA. Comes with a lifetime warranty and cost a lot less than the Truxedo cover that I wanted, so I went for it. I wanted the tri-fold cover because that was one of the cheapest and most practical covers on the market for my needs. It opens up easily, and if I need to remove it entirely to actually use my truck bed for hauling stuff (I know, imagine the shock and horror!
), it comes off very easily and stores behind the seats. This truck has to be done on a budget, so I don't have the money for a hard cover.
I got my wife to help me center the tri-fold tonneau cover while I tightened it down. It's a Rugged cover that I bought for $300 at the Pittsburgh Parts-a-Rama last weekend in Butler, PA. Comes with a lifetime warranty and cost a lot less than the Truxedo cover that I wanted, so I went for it. I wanted the tri-fold cover because that was one of the cheapest and most practical covers on the market for my needs. It opens up easily, and if I need to remove it entirely to actually use my truck bed for hauling stuff (I know, imagine the shock and horror!), it comes off very easily and stores behind the seats. This truck has to be done on a budget, so I don't have the money for a hard cover.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 39
From: Laramie, WY
Looks nice, I have a similar one on my work truck and it lets me leave test equipment in the bed locked up.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I'd like to get a tailgate seal for it too. That'll help keep water out of the bed when it rains, so if we do take a weekend trip, our luggage doesn't get wet.
There's a Rugged dealer about a mile from where I work, I'll stop in one day and see if I can get one. I'm also going to put a rubber bed mat back there to protect the paint. The previous owner had a drop-in liner, which I asked the dealer to remove for me before I took delivery. I'd love to do another Line-X, but it's not in the budget for this truck.
This build has to be done on a tight budget.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks Alex. It is starting to come together pretty nice. I've decided on a set of wheels for it, the chrome steels that were standard OEM on the 04-08 XLT's. Seen a couple sets on Craigslist, but usually by the time I get to them, they're gone. There's a set on eBay right now I might get.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/282082924874?ul_noapp=trueI'm also trying to think of ideas for the mirrors, too... They're too plain!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/282082924874?ul_noapp=trueI'm also trying to think of ideas for the mirrors, too... They're too plain!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Actually I wouldn't mind having a reflector in there. Mine's not wired for the lights but if I could find a reflector strip to put in there. I would like to paint the upper caps body-color. It needs something to break up all that black. The replacement telescoping mirrors are too expensive at this point.