Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

10 Things Every Truck Owner Needs!

Forget the usual gift guides full of junk. We asked real truck owners what they use to operate & maintain their beloved trucks, and here’s what they suggested.

By Michael S. Palmer - November 24, 2025
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Owner Tested & Recommended
1 / 15
1. The Basics
2 / 15
2. Portable Tools
3 / 15
3. Exterior Enhancements
4 / 15
BONUS: Fabtech Suspensions Savings
5 / 15
4. Interior Upgrades
6 / 15
BONUS: Red Tiger Dashcam Savings
7 / 15
5. Diesel Must-Haves
8 / 15
6. Emergency Essentials
9 / 15
BONUS: Clore Jump N Carry JNC345
10 / 15
7. Bed/Box Upgrades
11 / 15
8. Hauling Helpers
12 / 15
9. Off-Road Upgrades
13 / 15
BONUS: Wolfbox G900TriPro 3-Camera Rearview Mirror
14 / 15
10. Garage Upgrades
15 / 15

Owner Tested & Recommended

It's prime holiday gift-giving season, friends, and we're here to help you find the perfect truck-guy (or gal) gift. But instead of boring you with a bunch of useless junk, we asked actual truck owners and enthusiasts about must-have tools, favorite gear, and essential upgrades that they use all the time. The result is a list of 10 Things Every Truck Owner Needs that you could use as the perfect gift guide for the truck owner in your life. (Or yourself, because you and your truck deserve it!)

Some will apply to the Ford brand specifically, but GM, RAM, or Toyota truck owners should also find a lot of must-have suggestions listed throughout. 

If YOU have any suggestions for must-have truck gear, please let us know HERE in the forums! Also, please exercise extreme caution when working on and/or modifying your own vehicle. 

1. The Basics

Many truck owners take pride in servicing, upgrading, and repairing their trucks at home. It's why they pick up OEM or third-party shop manuals as well as computer software to gain access to more complicated modern trucks, not to mention a good set of jack stands, a floor jack, and all the basic tools.

2. Portable Tools

While it's nice to have a kit in the garage, since trucks are always on the go, and often far from home, it's also a good idea to have some extra tools and gear to help with any problems that might pop up while you're traveling.

FYI: If you skip a tool kit for your truck, make sure that you, at the very least, have a socket to fit your lug nuts plus a 6" extension to clear the wheel's hub.

Also, the Rollup Tool Kits from Ford are pricey. We listed them because people can purchase them with leftover Ford points. You can save money making an equally good kit by buying a standard roll-up bag and filling it with the tools of your choice.

3. Exterior Enhancements

Everyone likes to personalize their truck. Maybe you've got an older base model with dim lights and foggy lenses. Or you want to enhance to cooling and ease-of-maintenance on key drivetrain components. Here are some terrific ways to enhance your truck's exterior!

OR you could chance the entire look and performance of your truck buy upgrading your shocks and suspension components like the systems on the next page...

BONUS: Fabtech Suspensions Savings

NOTE: This is a sponsored product.

Here's the truth. Fabtech is a Ford Truck Enthusiasts sponsor. BUT even if it wasn't, we'd be featuring its products on a guide like this. And right now, Fabtech is offering up to $700 in cashback rebates on Fabtech suspension components and Dirt Logic shocks. Here are some killer products that we'd love to install on our rigs --

Check out Fabtech's store right HERE, as well as their Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok!

4. Interior Upgrades

Truck interiors have come a long way over the years. More tech. Improved comfort. And lots of smart ergnomics. Still, there are a few simple ways to protect your interior, add a little more storage, and add a few upgrades along the way.

BONUS: Red Tiger Dashcam Savings

NOTE: This is a sponsored product.

At Redtiger, we’re passionate about advancing dash cam technology to help drivers feel more confident and secure on the road. Our flagship model, the F17 Elite, is a 4K 3-channel dash cam equipped with dual STARVIS 2 sensors (IMX678 & IMX675), delivering sharp, detailed footage with dual HDR imaging.

The interior camera records in full color at night, capturing clear and accurate footage even in low-light conditions. You can also choose to turn off the interior camera whenever you prefer.

The F17 Elite also supports two parking monitoring modes — Collision Detection and Infinite Loop Recording — keeping your vehicle protected even when parked.

If you frequently drive on busy roads or in low-light environments, a 4K dash cam with powerful night vision — like the Redtiger F17 Elite — could be the perfect fit.

The Redtiger F17 Elite normally retails for $369.21. But Black Friday Pricing is currently 40% OFF at $219.99. HOWEVER, use the code F17ECAM, to get an extra 10% off the Black Friday price: $209.99.

Click HERE to buy!

Also, feel free to check out Redtiger on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for info about the latest products and deals!

5. Diesel Must-Haves

It's a tough time to be a diesel owner. The engines have never been this powerful. But they've also never been this complex, which makes them extremely expensive to repair if something breaks. So what's the best way to keep your diesel engine running long term?

Clean oil and clean fuel.

An oversimplification, but it's true. If you provide extra oil filtration, you remove abrasive contaminants that can do lasting internal engine damage. And if you can keep your fuel system clean -- free of contaminants and moisture -- and the fuel itself improved with quality additives, you can avoid the pricey disaster of a high-pressure fuel pump failure. Here's what many of our members have installed --

  • Amsoil Diesel Fuel Additive (Amsoil - $14)
  • CP4 Disaster Prevention Kit (S&S Diesel - $400)
  • FASS Drop-In Series Diesel Fuel System Filter (FASS - $432)
  • Amsoil Dual Bypass Oil Filter Kit (Amsoil - $491) -- this kit works in addition to the factory oil filter to constantly clean engine oil.

Some folks also elect to swap out the CP4 pump altogether, going with a CP4 to DCR conversion kit from S&S Diesel, which costs $2,400. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your EGA and CCV oil separator to make sure that they, along with the intake manifold, aren't becoming clogged with recirculated oil and carbon deposits. 



6. Emergency Essentials

It's a harsh reality that, if you spend a lot of time on the road, it's not a question of IF something will go wrong, just when. So it's a good idea to be prepared. We've already got you set up with a nice in-truck toolkit, but here are a few extra items dedicated to keeping you safe when trouble strikes and to help get you out of an emergency --

It's also a good idea to have some sort of portable jump starter box, which brings us to our next slide:

BONUS: Clore Jump N Carry JNC345

NOTE: This is a sponsored product.

Jump-N-Carry jump starters start what doesn’t want to be started. Model JNC345 is a total beast. Delivering 3000A and 550 Start Assist Amps, it starts 12V vehicles of all sizes, including diesel engines up to 10L in displacement. Its 40” cable length allows easy connections, and it features a best-in-class safety package, without sacrificing power. It's even effective on totally dead (0.0V) batteries, and it's rated effective to -23ËšF.

Click HERE to learn more about the JNC345. Pricing varies, but it's currently available on Amazon for $210.

Also, check out other Clore Automotive products and news on their Facebook and Instagram pages.


7. Bed/Box Upgrades

Protect your truck bed while organizing and protecting your gear. When it comes to the bed (or box) of a pickup truck, you can always add various spray-on or physical liners. And one of our members loves his Decked truck bed drawers for keeping his gear safe and locked up.

8. Hauling Helpers

For those who haul a lot of gear or larger, bulky items, here are a few ways to upgrade and optimize the way you secure everything --

9. Off-Road Upgrades

If you're a truck guy (or gal) who likes to hit the open trails and really experience the great outdoors, it's always smart to add gear that can help give you more grip, protect vital drive train components, and assist getting out of a bind if there's any trouble.

If you're off-roading without a spotter, an extra camera comes in handy as well, -->



BONUS: Wolfbox G900TriPro 3-Camera Rearview Mirror

NOTE: This is a sponsored product.

If you own a Ford that doesn't have a built-in 360-degree camera system, the Wolfbox G900TriPro introduces the world's first front bumper camera, helping you effortlessly spot obstacles ahead and conquer every unknown road.

How does it work? The system includes a digital rearview mirror that has a front-facing dash camera. It then adds a rear-facing camera to act as a backup camera, with footage popping up on the digital mirror. And last, but perhaps the best part, there's a front-bumper cam to give off-roaders the perfect view of any obstacle so they can find the perfect line. 

Pricing is currently up to 30% OFF for a limited time. Click HERE to learn more about the G900TriPro! Or check out Wolfbox over on the company's Instagram page or the Wolfbox Facebook community.

10. Garage Upgrades

After a long day on the job or many miles driven across our beautiful country, nothing beats coming back home. Especially if you've got a shop or a garage that's as fun to hang out in as the rest of your house. Here are some fun ways to decorate and enhance your garage and/or Ford mancave!

And don't forget to pick up an extra Ford Truck Enthusiasts T-Shirt while you're at it!

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