GEN 3 Cost-effective mods for happier off-road

[Raptor2022]

Even though I'm still waiting for my Gen 3 I have lots of experience with JK, Gen 1 & PW so my intention is to cover as much little offroad-focused cost-effective mods for new Gen 3 owners as possible and explain why one might need it.
Idea is to keep close to stock and don't mess up with what's working good like all those bumpers that force you to relocate your front radar which in turn makes your adaptive cruise to go nuts.
Or all those air intake mods that slightly increase your performance but decrease filtration effectiveness slowly ruining your engine.

Let's keep it all under same roof!
Please add any little mods/setups you love, and I'll keep this updated.

Exterior / Suspension:​

"Ford F-150 2021+ Mud Flaps" by RokBlokz

• Minimizes gravel spray.

"GEN3 FORD RAPTOR/ RAPTOR R SHOCK GUARD FOR REAR SHOCK" by Foutz Motorsports

• Rear shock protection from gravel spray, let's your plastic shock guards live longer than first 1000 gravel miles.

"2017- 2021 RAPTOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL SKID PLATE KIT" by Foutz Motorsports

• Helps protect your pumpkin from hitting rocks.

"Ford Performance Rear Differential Cover (9.75" Rear Ends)" by Ford, part M-4033-F975

• Promotes better diff cooling and allows for quicker fluid change, worth going for since you have to remove stock cover anyway to install diff skid plate.
• Goes nicely with "LubeLocker For 9.75" Differential Cover Gasket" part FBA_LLR-F975.
• Made by Spicer and can be obtained cheaper if you don't want "Ford Performance" sticker.
• Spicer part: 10023539.
• Some folks go for aFe cover but guys from Banks power proved it to be inferior even to standard cover as they impede normal fluid flow inside your diff. check their youtube videos.
• Still undecided what to put up front for easier fluid change as sucking it out is not convenient and won't remove all shavings.

"21+ Gen3 Raptor Rock Shock Guards" by SwarfWorks

• Protects bottom shock mounts.
• Combines with Foutz guards.

"ACTIVE OFF-ROAD BUMPSTOPS FOR 2017-2021 FORD SVT RAPTOR - REAR KIT" by Timbren

• Natural ruber progressive bump stops for bottom-out protection.
• Allow full articulation.
• I have yet to find something similar for the front just in case.

"2017 - 2021 FORD RAPTOR SKID PLATE KIT" by Foutz Motorsports

• Much better than stock.
• Better coverage than RCI offroad.
• Protects your underbody from rocks, gravel showers, etc.

"Wheel Well Liners for Ford Raptor 2021+" by Husky Liners

• They promised to release them by end of Apr 2022.
• Less dust/road salt to destroy your underbelly.

"Shatterproof in-Channel Window Deflectors" by Goodyear part GY003407LP

• Less dust entering your cab if you have to crack a window.

"2015-2021 Ford F150/F250 Pillar Protector Kit by theOCDplug - thanks to @Grayson

• protects your pillar from scratches, covers existing scratches

Bed (dustproofing/cover/storage) setups:​

cost-effective setup I'm planning to go for:

• "Decked Toolbox" by Decked.
• "Access Toolbox Bed Roll-Up Cover" by Agri-Cover part no 61369.
• "ELEMENT SEAL Gasket" & "ACCESS TRAILSEAL Tailgate Gasket" by Agri-Cover.
• "GE II" black AL-safe silicone around my bed seams except front drain hole.
• "Dual Liner"
• "SwingCase" 2x by UnderCover.

@Keshka's setup:

• Peragon bed cover.
• Proved to be super dry in the rain.
• https://www.fordraptorforum.com/thr...our-raptor-today.25089/page-2452#post-1756587

What proved bad in the dust:

• BAK Revolver MX4 - lets dust in along the rails, no clear way to fix.
• Retrax - have to clean cover before operating or it will break very soon.

Post your inexpensive bed setups and how they fare in the dust!

Interior:​

Phone mounts:​

• BulletPoint Mounting Solutions.
• BuiltRight Industries.
• arms like 67d or RAM.

Sync4 protectors:​

"Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector [GlasTR Slim] designed for F-150(2021/2022) 12 inch Touchscreen - Matte/Anti Fingerprint"

• I've found matte protectors to work better when it's bright outside

"2021 Ford F150 12" Sync 4 Screen Protector Kit" by theOCDplug

• Matte finish, found to be superior to others offered on Amazon - thanks to @Grayson

Post yours!

 

[OEMPlus Raptor]

Good list, depends how hard you are going but I agree on the BakFlip. I'm taking mine off before I go on my next run. My swing case broke however. I was able to repair, but I bought a pelican case that I plan on tying down.

 

[Raptor2022]

Good list, depends how hard you are going but I agree on the BakFlip. I'm taking mine off before I go on my next run. My swing case broke however. I was able to repair, but I bought a pelican case that I plan on tying down.

I like that swing cases easy to take off before you go offroad, however don't see any alternative for small everyday storage in the back where it won't prevent access to Pro Power

 

[OEMPlus Raptor]

I like that swing cases easy to take off before you go offroad, however don't see any alternative for small everyday storage in the back where it won't prevent access to Pro Power

I love the swing case, just sucks I can't keep it or make it work with the rest of my set up.

 

[Grayson]

Take a look at OCDplug for the screen protector and pillar film. I really like the screen protectors a lot better than previous ones I've purchased off of Amazon. Make sure the diff protector will work with the FP cover, I think the cover is not very cost effective or needed.

I wouldn't use the decked toolbox. I would look at Pelican's cargo boxes and mounts. If you were in a total loss situation most insurance companies only cover $2500 (6 bags of groceries and a case of beer) or less counting the cost of a toolbox without an inland marine policy.

Add stickers for improved traction and hp.

 

[Raptor2022]

Take a look at OCDplug for the screen protector and pillar film. I really like the screen protectors a lot better than previous ones I've purchased off of Amazon. Make sure the diff protector will work with the FP cover, I think the cover is not very cost effective or needed.

I wouldn't use the decked toolbox. I would look at Pelican's cargo boxes and mounts. If you were in a total loss situation most insurance companies only cover $2500 (6 bags of groceries and a case of beer) or less counting the cost of a toolbox without an inland marine policy.

Add stickers for improved traction and hp.

Decked toolbox is just $750 - I'm not talking about their drawers which suck IMO - and it allows you to easily access it without unrolling your bed cover while pelicans cost more and harder to deal with, but I hear ya. Post your setup and I'll add it to the header

 

[MRV99]

I see people across all different types of forums who post this…. “What is cost effective”. Are you saying cheap, are you saying bang for the buck, are you say below xxxx thousand??

 

[Raptor2022]

I see people across all different types of forums who post this…. “What is cost effective”. Are you saying cheap, are you saying bang for the buck, are you say below xxxx thousand??

True, that is very ambiguous. And our truck is not exactly cheap, but I find it to be cost-effective after spending big $$$ trying to teach my power wagon do good in the desert So I'm hoping people to post mods they feel to provide a great value along with necessary mods for off-roading. You know you can do well on stock suspension, but God forbids you to run Death Valley without extra shock guards. In the meantime, I'm not a fan of cosmetic bumper changes or all those threads discussing how to run 37s on 35 because it won't do any better off-road and it's not cost-effective IMO.

 

[gxgn]

I would invest in a good set of rock sliders first. Probably not the most cost friendly option but definitely cost effective by saving you from expensive body repairs if you offroad in rocky areas. I had very good experience with the White Knuckle with diamond plate on my old LC. It saved me once in Mengel Pass and a few times in the Telluride area trails (including Black Bear pass).

 

[Blue Monster]

nice list...thank you