My 2018 F150

[BobbyB]

Long story short, my Jeep died, and I replaced it with a 2018 F150 with the 2.7 EcoBoost. I'll be updating with photos and the minor projects I've done already. Stay tuned.

The Jeep on it's send off:



My truck a few months later:

[stlaser]

I loved my 2017 3.5l one of the nicest riding trucks I’ve ever owned.

[BobbyB]

I loved my 2017 3.5l one of the nicest riding trucks I’ve ever owned.

It is a nice truck. My jeep decided to basically die in October of last year, I have/want to upgrade the wheels/tires/suspension and small things here and there since it's at about 85,xxx miles.

[BobbyB]

So to make this thread official, I have done a small project on the truck. I added an Oil/Water separator. I'll post the link to the one I bought, not to try and shill it, but because it's easier for me. Took me approximately 30 minutes to do, mostly due to the battery dying on my drill. Also, I did it when it was still snowy and cold, so no photos were taken.

I should say this any mods/projects I do to the truck, I'm going to be trying to do on a budget and as my time permits. So this won't be a really super in-depth and exciting "oil change". Anyway on to the stuff:


The Separator:

https://www.americantrucks.com/jlt-v3-oil-separator-ps-black-1116.html


And installed:


There's much debate on the interwebs about whether you need one or not on the 2018 model F150s as opposed to the earlier EcoBoosts. I opted to do it because why not have a little extra bit of protection. I ran it for about 2,500 -5,000(ish) miles and cracked it open and cleaned it out.

The result:




To my eye it's doing it's job so I can call this project complete.

[BobbyB]

So after the J&L separator was installed in November-January timeframe, I decided to replaced the PCV valve. No reason, other than the truck was at 7x,xxx(ish) miles and figured why not. Well none of the dealerships had the thing for a couple months. I finally got one and dropped it in.

This time I took photos.

Tools Required:



1st Step - Removing the engine cover, 3x 10mm nuts. Front two aren't bad, the side one isn't made for people with big fingers..




Once the cover is off, lift the tab on the connector holding the hose to the PCV



Once you disconnect the hose, take your pliers/channel locks, or whatever you grab and turn the old valve and remove it. Complete steps in reverse with the new one:



Once the new PCV is installed, the hose is reconnected, then reattach the engine cover.

Total mission time from popping hood to dropping hood was maybe 20 minutes with a phone call and Spotify playlist change.

[BobbyB]

This truck is my daily driver so there won't be anything crazy done to it. My wife and our friends all like camping and hiking so this truck will be set up for that and mild exploring or overlanding type stuff. I'm currently sitting on stock 275/65R18s, but I bent our own El Tate's ear about 2.5" suspension set ups, again budget style. I've been flipping between just using a leveling spacer or saving up and getting an actual lift kit, such as this:

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/bil6112s3-15-20-f150-4wd-bilstein-6112-stage-3-package.html

Do I NEED to go that route, No. However I only want to drop money on things once if I can help it. Tate said it looked good, so I'm saving up to get it, however if there's better options let me know and I'll take a look.

If I go the above route, I'm thinking about going to and staying with 33s, either in my favorite tire the good year Duratrac or the new Falken Wild Peak AT3W. Similar tires but I have no experience with the Falkens which are a bit cheaper, however my last two jeeps have all ran Duratracs and I like them.

[TexasRedNeck]

Nice truck. Thanks for sharing.

Just keep in mind any suspension/tire mods affects ride quality (right Don?)


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[BobbyB]

Nice truck. Thanks for sharing.

Just keep in mind any suspension/tire mods affects ride quality (right Don?)

Well I can't and won't get crazy with it. My wife still uses the steps to get in and with a baby on the way I don't want to try and hoist a car seat and diaper bags up too high. Figure 2.5" is perfect for me, my family and the intended use. So I'm hoping I'll be in the minority of a nice ride while doing slight changes.. hey I can dream.

[Bigdave_185]

Good looking f-150

Don’t forget ya need three winches, roof top tent, five fuel can and a shovel lol



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[BobbyB]

Good looking f-150

Don’t forget ya need three winches, roof top tent, five fuel can and a shovel lol



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I had thought about a tent to go over the bed but Jena and I decided against it. Thought about a winch but I don't dabble in mall parking lot mulch beds. I do have a small folding shovel under the rear seat, and did think about a rotopax in the bed.. who knows, I might already be overloading the truck!

[Bigdave_185]

Oh no way your over loaded yet. The f-150 crowd on the highway today says your not even close. Better hook a 36’ camp trailer on it too


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[BobbyB]

Oh no way your over loaded yet. The f-150 crowd on the highway today says your not even close. Better hook a 36’ camp trailer on it too

Well... we have been talking about getting a camper. Nothing super fancy, just big enough to sleep in, get out of the weather if need be.

I guess I'm just continually failing to meet existing expectations. lol

[Flyin6]

Oh no way your over loaded yet. The f-150 crowd on the highway today says your not even close. Better hook a 36’ camp trailer on it too

Well... we have been talking about getting a camper. Nothing super fancy, just big enough to sleep in, get out of the weather if need be.

I guess I'm just continually failing to meet existing expectations. lol

Good initial goal, Bobby.

Minnie Winnie...???

[BobbyB]

The ones we've been looking at or thinking about are similar to what I linked below, however I can't find the one we saw and liked.

https://www.opuscamper.us/op-4/

[Flyin6]

That's Unique/cool/expensive!

[BobbyB]

That's Unique/cool/expensive!

That's the closest I could find. It's a not a teardrop but looks similar to the unit I posted but you pop it up like regular with two sides that extend out and a central dining/meeting area. Then when ready to get out you collapse it all down and put the bikes/equipment on the little platform over the tongue and move out.

[Bigdave_185]

That's Unique/cool/expensive!

That's the closest I could find. It's a not a teardrop but looks similar to the unit I posted but you pop it up like regular with two sides that extend out and a central dining/meeting area. Then when ready to get out you collapse it all down and put the bikes/equipment on the little platform over the tongue and move out.

I’m pretty sure [mention]Flyin6 [/mention] has one rusting away in his basement you could buy.  It’s well built but I think the value might be way low due to dust build up on the exterior


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[BobbyB]

I’m pretty sure [mention]Flyin6 [/mention] has one rusting away in his basement you could buy.  It’s well built but I think the value might be way low due to dust build up on the exterior

Oh I'm sure, but the wife will probably squash that thought. Plus there's soon to be a bed cover on it. I've also been looking at the Decked stuff for inside the bed.

[BobbyB]

Ok new part install. Once again I ordered the part from americantrucks.com. Again not to shill but in some weird case where someone sees this and decides to buy it.

I installed a tailgate lowering assist device. I don't need it however, I figured my wife and son would appreciate it.

The part:
https://www.americantrucks.com/dee-zee-f150-tailgate-assist-dz43204.html


Tools required and included parts:


Step 1:
Take 10mm socket and remove top bolt from tailgate hinge. Loosen, but DO NOT remove lower bolt.

Yes I worked on my truck in flipflops. I wear boots from 0400-1700 so I flipflop it up when I'm home!

Looks like this afterwards:


Step 2:
Slip notched edge behind lower 10mm bolt and washer, install button head bolt with M5 allen key, then tighten lower bolt.


Step 3:
Remove bolt from upper tailgate strap mounting location. Install plate behind bolt/washer and reattach bolt to original location. Mounting knob down.


Step 4:
Optional they included a square of mylar to apply to one of two locations where the assist device MAY contact the painted surface. A quick open and close and I don't have any contact but I applied it anyway.


Step 5:
Slip the upper detent over the knob on the upper attachment point, slide the lower end of the shock down to the lower attachment point, push detent onto knob. Do a last minute bolt tightness check, give the tailgate a couple test open and closes and job is done.


Total time: MAYBE 10 minutes.
Total price: $54.99

[BobbyB]

My running total cost of parts, I'll keep a (mostly) updated list on this post:

J&L Oil/Water Separator : $159.00
PCV Valve:                      $75.00
DeeZee TailGate assist:    $54.99
Short Antenna:                $54.99
Tires:                              $1424.00
Carseat:                          Baby Gift - Free

[Bigdave_185]

Looks like a might fine addition.  All the new dodads on these tailgates make them that much more heavy. 


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[Atkinsmatt]

Great addition.

[BobbyB]

Looks like a might fine addition.  All the new dodads on these tailgates make them that much more heavy. 

Great addition.

Thank you. Luckily this in the XLT so I don't have any of the fanciness. However, my son and wife don't normally open the tailgate of my truck, I don't need them to open it and it drops when they aren't expecting it.

[BobbyB]

New part install:

I didn't like the regular antenna hitting my garage door, and just didn't like it at all honestly. So I replaced it with this:

https://www.americantrucks.com/f150-extended-range-aluminum-antenna-8-inch-black-264antbk.html




Before:


After:


Step 1:
 Take a pair of small channel locks, pliers or whatever you want, loosen the old antenna and remove. I didn't take photos of that as I believe we can all picture what it looks like to loosen a nut.

Old v New:


Step 2:
Look through the included adapters and find the appropriate one and screw into the bottom of the new antenna. Screw new antenna into the antenna mounting hole and you're all done.



Total time: MAYBE 5 minutes.

[JR]

Just found this thread. Sorta on the same road as my Tahoe. little things.

It reminded me I have the tailgate assist for my Max, now to find it while I rebuild the slider.

I like the short antenna.

[BobbyB]

Just found this thread. Sorta on the same road as my Tahoe. little things.

It reminded me I have the tailgate assist for my Max, now to find it while I rebuild the slider.

I like the short antenna.

I like the short antenna, and I haven’t really noticed a loss in signal. However, I also hook my phone up to Apple CarPlay and listen to History That Doesn’t Suck on my drive to and from work.


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[JR]

The Tahoe has the antenna in the right rear window. Dmax sticks way up but use xm most the time in that.

[BobbyB]

The Tahoe has the antenna in the right rear window. Dmax sticks way up but use xm most the time in that.

Yea that's the thing I missed about my jeep is the antenna was a little fin on the back of the roof out of the way.

[BobbyB]

Well added a couple new things to the truck. The first install I didn't do, I had new tires installed.

BFG TA/KO2 in 275/65/18



The second I did install and I feel that it will impact me in a positive way for a long time. Only half was installed in this photo

[JR]

Sure you can handle a little bobby?

[stlaser]

Both great additions 

[BobbyB]

Sure you can handle a little bobby?

Yep, I'm sure. He was born on the 4th at 0144, so we've been hanging out as much as possible with work and work travel.

Both great additions 

Thank you. BOth have been good to go so far.

[BobbyB]

There's going to be a future addition probably within the next couple weeks. I put new tires on, 275/65/18s which are sitting at 32.1" if I believe the manufacturer's specs. So my next upgrade will be:

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/15f1504wd-15-20-f150-4wd-bilstein-5100-complete-shock-kit.html

https://www.stage3motorsports.com/10016-04-20-f150-grimm-offroad-uniball-ucas.html


Again that's a place holder for me/in case someone wants to know.

[JR]

Great on it all. Love bilstiens!

Maybe look at the regular bolt on ball joints. JMHO but hear the uniballs wear quick and are a bare to change.

[BobbyB]

Great on it all. Love bilstiens!

Maybe look at the regular bolt on ball joints. JMHO but hear the uniballs wear quick and are a bare to change.

Thanks for the tip JR.

[TexasRedNeck]

Congrats Bobby. Good times ahead.


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[BobbyB]

Thank you. I've spent most of this month travelling for work, so I haven't had much time for truck stuff, since when I'm home I spend it with my family. But I'm going to try and order the Bilsteins and the UCAs (possibly). So stay tuned for upcoming stuff..

[Flyin6]

Just getting back from a psycho western adventure... Congrats Bobby! Wow, you two move fast!
Nice tires!

[cj7ox]

Congrats on the new mini-you!

[BobbyB]

Just getting back from a psycho western adventure... Congrats Bobby! Wow, you two move fast!
Nice tires!

Thank you. Appreciate it.

Congrats on the new mini-you!

Thank you, Appreciate it.