We got our hands on this 2021 Ford F-150 XLT from our friends over at Marshall Ford, and we gave this puppy the works. From the leveling kit to the roof wrap, this F-150 can have you exploring the wild in style!
This vehicle is listed for sale at Marshall Ford. Click here to check pricing and availability.
Rough Country 2-Inch Leveling Kit
For starters, we tossed on a 2-inch leveling kit from Rough Country to give this F-150 a level stance. As an added bonus, we also gained a bit of ground clearance too!
Leveling kits do exactly what the name implies, they level the vehicle suspension. Most trucks (like the F-150) come from the factory with some positive rake. Rake is basically when the front or rear of a vehicle sits slightly higher than the opposing end.
Positive rake (meaning the rear sits higher than the front) is usually added so the truck bed doesn’t squat too much when towing / hauling.
Wheel & Tire Package
Attached to our new leveling kit is a set of stock F-150 wheels wrapped in Dick Cepek Trail Country 305/55R 20 rubber. You might be asking “why didn’t they replace the wheels?” The answer – these stock wheels look too good!
Ford has really stepped up their game in the wheel department, and everyone in our shop was impressed with the blade six spoke wheel design. Once wrapped in some off road capable rubber, you wouldn’t even know these wheels are stock unless you looked twice!
Rough Country 2-Inch Wheel Spacers
Since we kept the wheels in stock form, we opted for one of Rough Country’s 2-inch wheel spacer kits. We did this to give this 21’ F-150 an aggressive stance. Wheel spacers don’t just make your ride look good though, they also have some hefty handling benefits.
The basic idea is wheel spacers alter the geometry of the vehicle’s suspension by widening the track (distance from wheel to wheel). This increases the load transfer off of the suspension a bit, and ideally, improves handling!
Painted Brake Calipers
With this F-150 engulfed in silver / graphite, we decided to add a coat of gloss red brake caliper paint to this beast. Painted calipers are an easy and cheap way to give your ride some additional flare. When done incorrectly however, it will not last.
Many people believe painting calipers can be done with long term success using rattle cans. Although rattle cans can work for a short-term solution, the longevity is just not there. Unlike other shops, we only use a hand-painted, high-quality, heat resistant paint blend that’s guaranteed to last.
Blackout Badges
To keep this F-150’s monochromatic appearance going, we decided to add some black Ford badges. This addition is relatively simple, but small details like this can really make or break a build!
Tailgate Letter Inserts
Like many other trucks today, the 2021 F-150 comes with stamped tailgate letters in body color paint. We’ve got the cure for a boring tailgate though!
With no alternatives out there, we took it upon ourselves to get some tailgate inlays on the market for 21+ F-150 owners. Our letter inserts are made of high-quality vinyl and designed to lay perfectly on your tailgate. The matte black we opted for here also complements the painted exhaust tip perfectly!
3M FX Premium Tint
To protect the interior of this F-150 we added some 3M FX Premium Window Tint. Many believe that tint is purely a cosmetic upgrade, but that is simply not the case. Tint can help protect your interior from harsh UV rays that damage plastic over time along with several other benefits!
Roof Wrap
Heading back up top on this F-150 and you’ll notice that the roof is wrapped in matte black. We chose matte black to match our tailgate inlays, as well as the painted exhaust tip. It’s somewhat uncommon to see roof wraps on trucks, but the addition on this F-150 stands out!
Similar to tint, roof wraps have the perception that they are entirely cosmetic which is again untrue. Vinyl wraps are a great way to protect paint from debris, road grime, and harsh UV rays. It’s important to ensure the job is done right to get all the benefits though!
When installed properly vinyl wraps can last up to 10 years! That’s longer than most people will even own their car. If installed incorrectly though, you can expect a lot less than 10 years. If you’re in the St. Louis or surrounding areas, get in touch with us and we can answer any vinyl related questions!
Ceramic Coating
To give this F-150 complete exterior protection, we gave it a treatment of ceramic coating. Our Ceramic Solutions formula forms a chemical bond with the factory paint. This helps keep dirt, grime, and acidic rain from damaging paint.
The best part about ceramic coating is you just have to wash your car as normal! Ceramic Solutions allows you to spend less time cleaning and maintaining your ride, and more time enjoying it on the road!
Potential Add-Ons
With this 2021 F-150 looking spicy as is, there’s not a ton we would change. For some additional function and form you could add a tonneau cover for the bed. Tonneau covers can add security to your truck as well as looking pretty stylish!
