To make this custom F-150 we focused on some essential performance upgrades and style mods. The whole exterior finish of this truck was altered with blackout emblems and a satin vinyl wrap. These changes along with other valuable add-ons such as custom leather upholstery make for one sleek custom build. Let’s take a look at each of the accessories on this lifted Ford F-150 and how they benefit the vehicle.
3-Inch Lift Kit
This 2022 Ford F-150 was getting a Rough Country 3-Inch lift kit so we hoisted it up to remove the tires and get to work on the install. Adding this F-150 lift kit provides more space under the vehicle to swap out tires and wheels for larger sizes and new designs.
If you’re driving in rugged environments a lift kit increases the ground clearance to overcome obstacles in your path. The Rough Country lift we chose is compatible with the Vertex coil overs, N3 shocks, and V2 struts that create a smoother driving experience on those rougher routes. A good set of shocks will be constructed with stainless steel that remains durable, corrosion resistant, and delivers superior ride quality.
If you are buying an aftermarket lift, be sure that it’s compatible with your vehicle! Certain trim levels won’t be suited for every lift. Some shops like ours will source the parts for you to help make sure you get the right fit.
2-Inch Wheel Spacers
After adding the lift, we attached a set of wheel spacers before securing the tires back on. Since we were keeping the factory stock wheels, we wanted to improve the handling with some Rough Country 2-inch wheel spacers. Wheel spacers are metal discs that can be installed on the factory wheels that extend them out from the body of the truck.
Extending the wheels creates a nice and powerful look to the truck, but it’s also practical. The wider distance from wheel to wheel, called the track, alters the geometry of the vehicle’s suspension. It makes it to where the weight transfer of the suspension is reduced to improve the handling.
Painted Calipers
The last thing we did while the tires were still off was paint the calipers. Painted calipers are an easy way to add a subtle layer of personalization to your vehicle. The calipers on this custom F-150 got a coat of gloss red high-quality paint to guard from the wear and tear of the road.
Your calipers are a part that gets really hot from friction, so it’s necessary to go with a paint that can handle that. The heat, debris, road grime, and other factors should be considered, so look for paints that offer chemical and physical protection of the calipers. So, the kind of stuff you won’t find with a normal rattle can. Above all else painting the calipers helps to prevent corrosion which keeps them looking good for the road ahead.
Satin White Vinyl Wrap
Every inch of this white F-150 was converted to a satin finish using a vinyl wrap. The original gloss white color had more reflection whereas the new satin white has a flatter suede like surface. Satin finishes are usually associated with more expensive vehicles and provides a unique look. Using a wrap to change the finish is much cheaper than painting the whole car. Not to mention specialty paint jobs can be more difficult and pricier to care for.
Vinyl wraps can be used to creates effects like color flips, satin finishes, and even metallic options. What’s really great is they are easily customizable and aren’t as permanent as specialty paint jobs are.
Most vinyl wraps last around 5 years, but if you take good care of your wrap it can last up to 8 years. If you neglect your wrap or don’t let someone with experience install it, then it won’t last as long. For more information on vinyl wraps and the best tips on caring for them ask whoever helped you wrap it or visit 3M vinyl.
Another way you can change your vehicles finish and protect its paint without wrapping it in vinyl is by using a satin paint protection film. PPF does come in a satin finish and is great for protecting your car from minor road rash, but it can be more expensive than a vinyl wrap.
Spray-In Bedliner
We think it’s fair to say that every truck needs a bedliner. Each kind of liner helps to extend the life of the bed with their own drawbacks. Spray in bedliners, like the one on this truck, help decrease wear and tear on your bed by perfectly forming to its shape. The durable coating is resistant to all kinds of chips, scrapes, and dents.
Since spray in bedliners adhere to your truck’s paint, there’s no opportunity for moisture to get trapped under. In addition, wind and movement in the bed won’t cause noise unlike certain plastic molded bedliners. However, drop in bedliners are constantly being improved and can still be a great option in other aspects such as their typical longer life span and ease of replacement.
Dual Exhaust
To enhance this custom F-150’s performance a step further we installed an aftermarket dual exhaust. The new exhaust system allows for better flow to help curb a bit of fuel consumption. Parts like this add to the look a function of the vehicle making it great upgrade to consider.
Custom Leather Seating
Inside of this custom truck’s cab we chose to upgrade the cloth upholstery with leather. Katzkin premium leather seating offers some great options to fit whichever style of vehicle. The type of leather seating we chose for this custom 2022 Ford F-150 was full black with white stitching and hexagonal center pattern. The color scheme and pattern match the truck perfectly and give the vehicle a more high-end feel.
Not many people know this, but the truth is you don’t have to spend more cash for a higher trim level when all you want is leather seating. The XL and XLT trim levels for the F-150 don’t get leather seating and the next trim level after XLT, the Lariat trim, is about a $7,700 difference! Whereas getting custom leather heated seats from Katzkin is way less than half that and can raise the value of your car.
If you decide on getting leather seats, make sure you find a preferred Katzkin installer for a professional installation. We offer factory match, or custom leather seating from Katzkin and Alea, so you’re more than likely to find something to fit your ride at a shop like ours.
Blackout Emblems
Custom emblems are a great simple way to change the look of your Ford F-150 pickup truck. The blackout Ford badges on this F-150 deliver a classy and sophisticated look that fits this lifted truck’s black and white color scheme. Small details like changing the color of custom emblems, calipers, and tow hooks can add captivating design details to your truck’s appearance
F-150 Tailgate Inlay
Another touch of black beside the blackout Ford emblems is black vinyl tailgate inlays. Nearly every new truck features the embossed branded tailgate, so vinyl inlays are a great way to add some customization. They help to cure up an otherwise boring tailgate. The all-new black F-150 inlay really pops because of the strong contrast against the white.
Stubby Antenna
This may seem like a miniscule detail, but the factory antenna is very large and can be nuisance for some. Swapping it out for a stubby antenna helps to free up some more viewing space from any distraction.
Ceramic Window Tint
To aid this white and black trucks color scheme we gave this custom F-150 darkened windows with a tint. Applying window tint film to your windows can benefit your interior, your valuables, and yourself with protection from the sun’s rays. Then there are the enhancements to the exterior since darker windows can also provide privacy and give the vehicle a serious allure looks to it.
Using high quality 3M Premium FX tint film, we applied a 35% tint on the front windows leaving the back windows at their factory shade. Rear windows are usually darker when they leave factory and don’t always require an additional tint.
When you go to select your tint, you need to keep in mind your local laws so that you don’t get ticketed. We always recommend a professional install for this modification. Poor tint jobs will bubble and discolor over time. Make sure your window tint installer has a good warranty to protect your investment!
Ceramic Coating
Last but not least, we gave this F-150 complete exterior protection with a treatment of ceramic coating. Our Ceramic Solutions formula forms a chemical bond with the factory paint or vinyl. This helps keep dirt, grime, and acidic rain from damaging paint.
The best thing about ceramic coating is you just wash your car as normal! The Ceramic Solutions coating allows you to spend less time on your rides cleaning and vehicle maintenance.
Potential Add-Ons
There are some other accessory upgrades we would add to this 2022 F-150 later on. For some additional utility we suggest adding a tonneau cover for the bed. Tonneau covers can add security to your truck as well as a clean look! Considering this truck has a lift adding side steps at some point in the future would also be recommended. Side steps help to enter and exit your vehicle more easily and give the truck a more rugged look.
Consider these additional accessories as you decide how to build your F-150. Remember if you ever need any help to build your ride, we are always happy to help!
Looking to customize your Ford F-150? We offer aftermarket accessories internationally and services across the contiguous U.S. to help you get your car exactly how you want it. Reach out if you’d like a quote for your custom vehicle build!
