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Naaaa, not even close.


The first mod I did was to elmininate the factory radio whip and replace it with a 17-inch model that won't get hung up on the garage door every time I pull in or out.  Can't provide a link, unfortunately.  I found it at an O'Reilly's Auto parts Store.  Not expensive at all, no degradation in RF signal to the radio, and better looking to my eye than the Craven stubby.


Next were the mud flaps.  The width of the tires guarantees that you'll have road or trail crap sprayed all over the side of the truck.  I found some cool slotted ones at O'Reilly's for 50% off.  They're very effective.


Then I took the factory tail pipes off, primered them with high-temp primer, and then finished them with two coats of high-temp black matte.  Cured them in the oven per the instructions (a three-step process), and they look terrific.  See photo.


Next came fog lights.  I was pretty disappointed in Ford that the 2011 model can't be had with fog lights - not even as an option.  (For Pete's sake, you can get fog lights on anything now!)  I found a pair at Auto Zone that I thought looked cool.  For a lens they have a 1-inch diameter round glass rod.  They're a fair fog light, and not expensive in the slightest.  I use them for bright marker lights every morning when there isn't enough light to run without lights on but it's too bright to run headlights.  Photo attached.  The inboard ones are the ones I've described above.  The outboard fog lights are Pilot fog lights special ordered with some difficulty from Advance Auto.


One time I was under the hood immediately after having driven the truck and I noticed that the intake tube from the airbox to the throttle body was hot to the touch.  Well, go figure - it's right on top of the engine!  So I insulated it.  You can get silvered high-temp wrap from Auto Zone for around $25.  It's not for exhaust use and perfect for this application.  One package does the job.  Photo.


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