Oh Hell Yeah, RaptorSteve's Build Thread!

[RaptorSteve]

Sorry, shoulda used more smileys. The gist if my comment was, who cares where the thread lives?

 

[E63]

Hey Steve,

congrats on the '13 Raptor. In regards to your Bakflip, bac-box, check out extensive posts on my build. I had many issues until I figured out fixes. By far the most effective has been strapping the unit straight down to a couple Mac rings so it doesn't get a chance to bounce up.

Keep your build going and post up what works well and what doesn't.

 

[RaptorSteve]

Wilco Tango Foxtrot

Is this a common occurrence on the Raptors?



I hit a pretty big whoop that I failed to see and did a nice donkey kick but then tonight I was pulling in to a parking space and saw this? The front wheel well liner got tore out and is just hanging there.

 

[Bluoval1118]

I have had that happen to the front of my liners. FYI, those things aren't cheap!! $180

 

[RaptorSteve]

Is it difficult to replace? What's the process for removal and installation?

 

[MotuMute]

Is this a common occurrence on the Raptors?



I hit a pretty big whoop that I failed to see and did a nice donkey kick... The front wheel well liner got tore out and is just hanging there.

Yes very common Steve. And it will happen again. I just shoved mine up and realigned it - then drilled some holes and reattached it using low profile head screws that won't grab the tire.

Looks like you had some fun de-virginizing that truck haha. I'm really glad that you were able to get the frame kit and mid-perch done. If this was the worst of your damage, then you are in great shape compared to many who don't prepare better. We are definitely gonna need to see some pics and video along with a nice little performance report

 

[MotuMute]

Yeah, the reception is not good with them. I was about 40 miles north of San Diego and couldn't get a single FM channel. I listen to Sirius and my music on USB stick mostly so it doesn't concern me, except that when the zombies come and I'm heading for the Sierras, I'll want to find out which direction the zombies are coming from and might not be able to do so.

So here's what ya do. Keep the larger antenna under your rear floor mat, and replace the Stubby with it on road trips - when you care less about looking cool, and more about getting better long-range reception.

 

[RaptorSteve]

Yes very common Steve. And it will happen again. I just shoved mine up and realigned it - then drilled some holes and reattached it using low profile head screws that won't grab the tire.

Looks like you had some fun de-virginizing that truck haha. I'm really glad that you were able to get the frame kit and mid-perch done. If this was the worst of your damage, then you are in great shape compared to many who don't prepare better. We are definitely gonna need to see some pics and video along with a nice little performance report

Yeah, I had a blast. Nothing better than flying down the washes in the Raptor. I'm so glad I had the Stage 3 in there or my donkey kick event would have been a frame bending event.

Unfortunately, we were very busy this trip and I didn't get to take a lot of pics or video. I also was unable to get the Baja Designs OnX LED bar wired up. My plan was to do the wiring out in the desert. Problem was, I installed the mode switch that came with it before leaving for the desert. The switch had two little screws in the bottom that you use to tighten the wire in. Well when I got there I went offroading fairly quickly and the two little screws vibrated out and are now lost somewhere deep in teh center console. So big FAIL on that one. I'm going out again for Thanksgiving weekend and I will make it a point to take more pics and video.

 

[RaptorSteve]

Oh, and I was kind of partying a lot (read drunk) so I didn't think about the cameras too much.

 

[MotuMute]

Haha. Had a great time then. Loctite Blue is your friend. For your next trip buy a GoPro and just stick it somewhere low with a good view. Set it and forget it. Except remember to turn it on and off haha. You can get amazing HD screenshot pics with it, so when you want pics of something or are back at base camp - just remove it from its housing and shoot some video, then pop it back in and good to go. The suction mount never moves from your truck. Then later go through your video and pull out some awesome stills. Very easy and non-time consuming while you are on your run. Or even better TWO Go pros... Or three or four haha