LaytonW’s ‘13 screw

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LaytonW12

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Hello all

This won’t be MUCH of a build thread, but at the very least gives me a place to keep updating the truck as it progresses. I bought the truck bone stock in October of ‘19 with exceptional of quite literally BRAND NEW hankook Dynapro MT’s. I can’t stand the road noise of MT’s so I immediately drove it to a local fire shop and put on a set of Dynapro AT2’s. Much better. I don’t have a direct picture of that swap but those tires will be in subsequent photos. From what I could tell, the factory suspension had not been rebuilt or replaced, and were on the verge of being blown out. A couple yards of topsoil in the bed later (in two trips, don’t flame) and I took care of them for good lol.

After much debate between upgrading to 3.0’s, rebuilding factory, or buying new factory, and much talking with some people I trust, I dove into the pit and ordered 3.0s for the front and rear. I also purchased a set of Allied Offroad (formerly WSI) HD leaf springs, and front and rear bumpers.
Currently the bumpers are being built and will not be pictured, but the 3.0’s and Leafs are installed. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures directly of the leaf springs but I do have a couple pictures that give a decent idea how much weight they can hold and maintain a level ride. I will keep this thread updated as the build progresses.

In the photos with the trailer and old suspension in the bed, the trailer is loaded down with 60lb paver stones. The truck sits ever so slightly nose high with the trailer loaded and old suspension in the rear. No trailer attached and no suspension in the rear and it has about a 2” rake to it. Ride is super soft and I only see it getting better when I get some miles on it. I’m at about 300 miles on the new suspension thus far

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CoronaRaptor

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Looking good so far. The rear springs were my best money spent, especially for around the house work.
 
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LaytonW12

LaytonW12

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Looking good so far. The rear springs were my best money spent, especially for around the house work.
Absolutely agree. I swapped in springs and shocks at the same time so I felt a pretty dramatic difference. The biggest thing I’ve noticed is the truck no longer skips along the ground when hitting bumps mid turn. It’s much more stable and overall just feels more planted throughout
 
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LaytonW12

LaytonW12

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Sorry for the delay on updating the thread.... a few changes have happened since my last update. A few people may have noticed my bumper(s) and wheels on the “what did you do to your raptor today”, but I will repost them here for the sake of conversation and continuing the build.

About a month ago I changed out the factory wheels to icon compressions. C18ADEDA-2394-4050-98D6-17233FEA552E.jpeg
Around that same time I also received the parts for my DIY bumper (front) from AlliedOffroad.. 1EDDC5EA-6E7B-4792-9C14-F715D4211367.jpeg
Within a couple of days i began cutting into the frame and tacking the pieces together 4D1B667A-3311-492E-9CEF-A9BEC29B916F.jpeg
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LaytonW12

LaytonW12

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Later that night I got it finished up, minus paint, and reinstalled on the truck once I fully welded it up. After about 4 days of it being on the truck and waiting for my Steel-It to come in, I pulled it off and gave it 3 solid coats. This picture is prior to paint... C9F68F4B-D13D-4CC3-914C-62F2E30857AA.jpeg
Fast forward to about a week ago and the parts for my rear bumper were ready for me to pickup. Again, a DIY kit through AlliedOffroad. I don’t have pictures of it going together, but I do have a finished product installed on the truck. I can take or get pictures from Jimmy of the bumper itself for those interested. Today was a good day, got the third coat of Steel-It laid on early this morning, cut the dove-tails on the bed, and installed the bumper. I couldn’t be happier with the progress of the truck thus far.CAC603E8-9E4F-4414-90FA-43395400BDDD.jpeg
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For those wondering about the next step, well, I’m not sure honestly lol. I know I will be installing my DSS-pro sideshooters onto the A-pillars, and also BD s2 pros into the pockets of the front bumper. I also plan to install a BD s8 20” into the front bumper in the semi-near future (if anyone is selling one let me know)... outside of those things, my hi-mount stoplight is going out. One of the 3 led’s is burned out, and one of the white bed lights is also out... so I’m thinking I may get the GJ motor sports light with an s2 sport. I hope you all enjoy the progress as much as I do! Thanks to this forum and it’s fantastic ideas I need a few more hours overtime to continue lol
 

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