What makes a Raptor...

[Primez]

Super cool. Nothing wrong with converting it if that’s the motor you wanted. There’s a single cab in my area that’s fully converted and it looks super cool.

My buddy wants to do that to a newer diesel. I’ve had raptors and he loves how they drive, but he wants the economy of a diesel and he’ll never take the truck in the dirt for what it was made for. He’ll be 98% on the road and 2% on back road trails. The tremor looks cool, but we’ll have to see if it’s more comfortable than a raptor on the streets.

The swap on Gen 1 is incredibly straightforward. Nearly every “non-Raptor specific” piece is compatible with the truck. Nothing fancy required so long as you get all the same OEM components (tie rod, UCA, LCA, shocks, brackets, brake lines). Gen 2 and beyond is a different story as there’s a lot of changes in the frames, like the shock top hat length, locations, etc.

 

[Cthulhu]

What's next on the upgrade list?

 

[melvimbe]

What makes a Raptor is that the vehicle is manufactured with the Raptor badge by Ford. Nothing else. That said, anyone who customizes their truck the way you've done is worth of respect. You could argue that's worthy of more respect than guys like me who own a Raptor and couldn't possible make the sort of changes you've done to your truck. As well, being that you have many Raptor parts, it stands to reason that you can add to conversations about Raptor parts and so forth.

it's just my opinion, but if I was going to do a project like this, perhaps use the Raptor for inspiration, but I wouldn't make it an exact copy, as much as possible. I would use a different hood, bumper, etc where it made sense to come up with a unique truck.

 

[Primez]

What's next on the upgrade list?

I have some new, wider glass coming in for the front fenders and bedsides, which will need some new paint. Still undecided on the final color. The truck is currently white plastidip. The weather cooled off before I could finish up the exterior. The front end needs some extra attention to details, custom fab work on the bumper, and some other minor things.

I’m also in desperate need of some new gears. I’m upgrading to the 4Auto transfer case soon and 4.56 gears front and rear. Thinking a front locker might be a good addition while I’m in there.

from there... who knows! At that point the only thing left would be a proper mid travel.

 

[Primez]

I would use a different hood, bumper, etc where it made sense to come up with a unique truck.

So the front grill is OEM but all of the glass is from Fiberwerx. I am a bit restricted in that regard as I can only really purchase what’s available, since I’m not doing any serious custom fabrication on the panels or molding any fiberglass on my own.

They offer Gen 1 glass that would’ve just bolted straight up without hardly any mods at all... So I would argue I am already VERY different in that regard. Not many 2012s out there that look like this.

The current fenders are already a +2 flare and +2 rise over OEM. The wider glass is going to be about 4” wider per side. I think it would be cool to add some additional vents on the hood, something tasteful and unique.

 

[Primez]

There’s a guy on Instagram that has a sweet build on a 2010 F150
@notafuckinraptor

eventually, this truck might just evolve into a full blown prerunner too... who knows!

#goals

slow and steady progress for me... I can only do so much work from my driveway on the weekends.

this has also been as much a learning experience as it has been a hobby. I don’t have any modification experience prior to this. Everything you see is basically my first attempt at... anything. The first day cutting off random stuff with a grinder is the hardest, but it gets easier with time!

 

[melvimbe]

So the front grill is OEM but all of the glass is from Fiberwerx. I am a bit restricted in that regard as I can only really purchase what’s available, since I’m not doing any serious custom fabrication on the panels or molding any fiberglass on my own.

There aren't any aftermarket hoods available for F150s of your model year?

They offer Gen 1 glass that would’ve just bolted straight up without hardly any mods at all... So I would argue I am already VERY different in that regard. Not many 2012s out there that look like this.

No, there are not many 2012s that look like Gen 2 Raptors. That's my point. You could have modded it to look like a unique vehicle rather than something that looks like a Gen 2. My neighbor might be a good example, as it sometimes gets confused as a Raptor, because of the grille and tailgate applique. However, the bumpers, hood, fenders, headlights, etc are not copies of Raptor. It certainly doesn't look like a typical F150 either.

It's your vehicle, do what you want with it. And I do admire your work. I'm just saying that I'd rather see something that built to look original rather than a copy of some other vehicle.

That probably sounds like I'm knocking your work, that's not my intention, just my opinion.

 

[Jakenbake]

There aren't any aftermarket hoods available for F150s of your model year?




No, there are not many 2012s that look like Gen 2 Raptors. That's my point. You could have modded it to look like a unique vehicle rather than something that looks like a Gen 2. My neighbor might be a good example, as it sometimes gets confused as a Raptor, because of the grille and tailgate applique. However, the bumpers, hood, fenders, headlights, etc are not copies of Raptor. It certainly doesn't look like a typical F150 either.

It's your vehicle, do what you want with it. And I do admire your work. I'm just saying that I'd rather see something that built to look original rather than a copy of some other vehicle.

That probably sounds like I'm knocking your work, that's not my intention, just my opinion.

Most glass looks like raptor stuff, not too many F150 specific glass. Especially one-pieces.

 

[GCATX]

I like it. What are your thoughts on doing the body kit on a 2012'ish extended cab? Nothing crazy with the suspension, other than a small lift, maybe run 33's, would probably want to regear if we did stock size tires. Would have to run wheel spacers I guess, or find some offset wheels. Would be a fun little truck for the kid.

What kit is that.

 

[Jr24]

I think you've built a cool truck. It may not be a "genuine Raptor," but who cares?

I see lots of modified cars and trucks that are not necessarily my personal cup of tea, but I still appreciate the fact that the owner is into cars and trucks and making it his or her own. Obviously you have put a lot of time and effort into your build, and I think any real enthusiast can appreciate that you share similar interests to many of us on here in that you like cool trucks.