How to spend $5k on new Raptor

[SSWIM]

Wrap it in XPEL. You said yourself that you will be "pissed" when you see a scratch or chip. People saying just repaint?? Sure that's an option but your black truck will look like crap until you do it. Why not have peace of mind while driving it. Of course this is all dictated by how **** you are regarding the appearance of your truck. Some really don't mind a "little" road rash on their vehicles. Adds character, its a truck they say.

Sam

 

[Raptorrunner2019]

I started with Bedliner ($500) only, thinking that was going to be only mod. Then I decided to get a tune and intake ($900). With the tune I saw the charge air temp on my gauges, and realized the intercooler should have been purchased first CVF ($650) and BOV ($315), though thinking I could have done without BOV purchase. JLT catch can setup ($175). I bought BD fog light kit and light bar on Black Friday sale ($1700). Thinking I would best served for Deavers but that would surpass 5k mark at that point.

But it is like smurf said, just got to pick what would best suit your fancy. Might be best to drive first and see what to do, but after seeing the charge temps and I live in FL, intercooler would be definite

 

[SuthJL]

Just got mine (Avalanche Grey) 2 weeks ago:

- 2 stage paint correction and ceramic coating (did myself): $250ish in product
-ADD Front bumper: $1500ish
-Eibach front springs: $225
-AWE Exhaust 0FG: $1600ish
-Titan7 forged wheels: $2Kish
-Cobb Stage 1+ w/ TCM: $1400ish
-Retrax Pro MX
-Baja design lights

Apollo Optics was super helpful if you decide to start modding - I ended up just getting what I wanted from the get go, now to install it all.

I'm with you on the pinstriping etc.. but Av. Grey hides it better than black, and no way I'd pay $5K for PPF, just repaint it later if it gets that bad, you can always paint correct to drastically improve anyways. It is a truck and in my case will be taken off road and on family excursions.. so I didn't want to get too attached to perfect paint on it (although very hard for me).

How long did it take you to do the paint correction and ceramic? Also, what products did you use? I've been kicking this around.

 

[jondle]

As far as paint protection, I'd say use the stock paint until you are unhappy with it, then wrap it.

I may have a slightly less popular opinion, but the first $5k is probably best spent on accessories for your truck, but not apart of your truck.

- Off road GPS (Lowrance or iPad or whatever you decide)
- VHF Radio
- Recovery straps
- Air solution (CO2 or on-board compressor w/ tank)


Actual parts of your truck:
- Bump stops
- Bumper that requires a frame cut
- Steel braided break lines
- Bed rack to hold spares not under the bed

First mods is a topic that is heavily covered. I think this one is good: https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/top-ten-mods.71668

 

[NHDude4]

So I have been pricing a PPF with ceramic coating for my new 2019 Raptor in black. Pricing has come back very high for what most say is not worth it. Still trying to talk myself out of it, knowing as soon as I get door scratches or rock chips on the black paint I’m going to be pissed, how else could the first $5000 be spent on accessories/modifications on my new Raptor?

being serious here I almost headed this title $5000 on PPF or New Brakes. Well, the answer would be obvious once you get over the scratches compared to being able to stop 50 feet faster and considering the safety upgrade, so taking the question out phrased that way.

How would you all spend the first $5000 modifying your new Raptor? Maybe modifying is not the best phrase either. I do not want to void warranty.

so would it be something like this -

Stowaway ramps (which I did get) $600
Leveling kit ($300)
Winch (?)
Rigid Fog light kit ($1000)
Etc.
etc.
etc.

what would you all do if you could do it again in my situation?

thank you,

Exhaust ($460). I did the Corsa resonator delete which gives it more throat without making it raspy.

Tune ($1000). Different people like different stuff. I like COBB's ECM and TCM tunes because it's an easy off-the-shelf way to go from a well established company. Other solutions may give you more power but COBB's solution is a bit safer IMO.

Swing Case for the bed ($200). If you're into neat storage solutions, I love my swing case.

I echo the sentiment that I'd drive it a bit and get used to it first before you do anything other than storage/cosmetic.

 

[Todd Turbo S]

I’d look @ ORA’s “550” package that includes intake/tune/plugs/intercooler for like $2500 (or if you don’t want/need the “hard parts” just a tune/handheld @ like $650)

I did xpel ppf on partial hood/front fenders, full grill surround/headlights & the piano black plastic A (b?) pillars of the doors b/c they scratch instantly. That was plenty for the front for me- I’d consider doing the actual metal bumper w/ expel since it’s one of the only steel parts on the truck - OR - is Linex it, and the rear too. Tint the windows & possibly sunroof- looking around $1000-$2000 for that depending on how many places you cover. I wouldn’t do a full wrap on the raptor for a lot of reasons not the least of which being a) it’s a truck, and b) it’s made of AL

there’s all kinds of mods for these trucks it really depends how much you care bout looks vs performance on road ability/comfort vs off-road, & do you care about warranty?

seems like the following are consensus great “bang for buck” & overall decent mods:
Front leveling springs- Eibach or Geiser- $250-$550

icon or deaver rear leafs to reduce wheel hop & handle payloads better - $1400

“Custom tune”/handheld device- depending on tuner/device $450-$750- don’t bother w/ a tune if it doesn’t include tranny programming as wells as ECM

intercooler- id prefer stock location like CVF/whipple/mishimoto/Wagner
$500-$1000

shorty antennas $30-$60

You have 6 aux switches- may as well add some lighting (you got no fogs lol) - can spend $300-$3000 way too many options to choose from need to decide for yourself but a set of spots/fogs in front and/or light bar & some rear spots aren’t a bad idea

pro eagle jack if off-roading

coat undercarriage if in a state w/ snow/salted roads

front mud guards- kinda necessary unless you want your doors/cab sprayed w/ crap every time there’s any weather or you take it off-road even a lil bit

tonneau cover or cap

some kinda tool box (I have undercover swing cases they’re completely removable)

I think that’s a good start lol

Great list, well thought out response for those of us getting a Raptor. Quick question, what types of undercarriage coatings are popular? The company I’m having Xpel paint film protection and ceramic coating offers a “spray” application ceramic coating, which I’ve not heard of before.

 

[zombiekiller]

First thing I’m doing is Xpel film paint protection (wrap the entire front, A pillars, lower rocker door panels and wheel flares) and full paint correction with Ceramic coating. The company doing the Ceramic coating said they have a ceramic coating spray for the entire underside. Never heard of that, but going to ask him apply.

might just want to take a peak at shinesupply. classy chassis makes everything look new, regardless of how beat up it gets. If something gets scraped undernearth, hit it with a scour pad, clean the area with brake cleaner, and touch it up with some black steelit.

Usually trucks get rubberized undercoating because it is pliable and will absorb the rock hits. ceramic coating makes the paint "harder" and on impact hits, it may make things chip easier.

 

[BadAss]

Mud flaps for sure.

 

[Turbogoat324]

First things first, it’s your money and your truck and we don’t know how you intend to use it. For all we know, you’re a latte sipping millennial hipster. Or you could be a professional off road racer whose skills outpace even the Raptor off road, and you’re just doing it for the LOLZ. Probably somewhere in between but we don’t know your intended use profile.

My Rap is multi-use and has to be able to commute, put up with my driving style, haul me to remote, sometimes primitive areas and get me home afterwards, haul some cargo, luggage, vacation duty, dog / family hauler. Pretty much a do it all.

I have way more lighting than I need. But not as much as I want.

If you got the ramps, I suppose you want the bed free, but an inexpensive upgrade is to add the D ring hooks to the bed bolts. Under a hundred.

ask yourself this - do you need the leveling kit and what is it going to do for you? I think it was @Turbogoat324 lost a front diff, and warranty coverage denied due to the front suspension mods. You mentioned warranty, that’s why I bring it up.

Extra lighting won’t hurt but if it’s really for off roading, you want lights higher up like Pillar lights or the behind the grill kits like the B/D S8. I have 6 forward facing squadron sports, and just the 2 pillar mount XL80’s make the squadron lights look dim. So if you’re off roading, prioritize lighting for higher up, if mostly road / commuting, address bumper lights first.

To me, the stereo sucks. Depending on your DIY skills and your level of component snobbery (kidding) count on about $1500-2800 for a good sounding stereo.

Some context will help us spend your money more efficiently

Yup that was me. Just make sure you’re willing to deal with worse case scenario should something happen and Ford denies you warranty for modifications. HaHa Had I been expecting that Ford was going to pull some warranty voided BS I wouldn’t have been so upset. I probably still would have done the shocks but I would have been a little less taken back when they denied me haha. I would just decide which mods you’ll actually get use out of and go for those. If you don’t plan to offroad at night much I’d skip the crazy light setup and so on. Good luck! Keep us updated with what you choose.

 

[New recaros]

The ceramic coatings are really nice if you stay on pavement. If you drive any kind of dirt road you will hate it. The coating acts as an insulator so when you dry it or add detailer it will be a dirt magnet. It makes it easier to clean when dirty. I will never ever have it done again as I drive a couple miles of dirt road everyday and have to wash 4-5 times a week. The trick is to air dry it so you don’t create static build up.