2021 Ford F150 -> XTF pre runner build log

[kabacj]

I'm in!



When I saw the factory five XTF at SEMA I knew it was in my future.




My experience building the GTM into a super unlimited race car that I documented here https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...+modifications


gave me a huge respect for Factory Five engineering. In the GTM kit, I was delivered an incredibly capable platform that I and others were able to build into a winning race car AND an insane street car. It was my first ever car build, my first ever race car build, and many more first ever things. The fact that I was successful was all about the foundation I started with and the community here that encouraged me and helped me along.



I have been waiting for years for a V8 raptor like the Raptor R. For me, a V8 is mandatory.

I wanted a truck that was more about the well-rounded experience vs just the bragging rights stat sheet. TRX… its cool and fast, but it’s not what I want.

I wanted a truck with all the nice infotainment features that come in a new vehicle AND next level capability on and off road. For me , cars and trucks are just as much about the total user experience as the numbers on the spec sheet. The user experience is especially important as a daily driver. Ford has invested millions and millions of dollars making the F150 into the best selling truck in America so it’s a great place to start.

Considering what I want , what are my choices? Pay a stupid premium for a raptor R. Wait and hope the Raptor R some day sells at its 109k sticker price which is still kinda high considering what you can buy for $109,000 dollars … or build exactly what I want using the Factory Five XTF… and here we are.





This will be a daily driver toy not just a weekend toy.

Its gotta jump high.





Jumping things is really fun, and having a full size pickup that can fly is unique.

Power needs to be respectable but its not going to be a drag truck. 37 inch tires really ruin your strip times so ill focus on optimizing performance as a pre runner.

Although I'm really far from the desert, the desert is one of my favorite places. Ill move west soon enough so I might as well build the truck ill want when I get there.





Step 1

Find a good F150 to base my build on. Unfortunately Ford does not make it easy to know exactly what you get on a truck, but after doing lots of research I landed on the below.



Requirements

V8- even a stock motor can be boosted to very impressive levels and sounds great

Lariat trim- I think this is the sweet spot for features that will carry over to the XTF

FX4- drive modes and drive train that are helpful in an off road truck

9.75 inch rear end 3.73 gear ratio

Max Tow package – so I get bigger rear brakes, more cooling capacity in the engine and transmission and the heavy duty 9.75 axle

360 camara- this tech is so cool and actually not common on new cars. Ford has a great system.

Sync 4 – I like the giant screen

Pro Power onboard – its handy to have a decent generator built into the truck





I was looking for a low mile truck and something that is corrosion free. I want this thing to fly apart without any difficult rusted nuts and bolts.

I cast a wide net 250 miles around my house and found 5 trucks.

I landed on this one.



10,000 miles on the clock. Got an oil change every 3000 miles according to CarFAX.

It had the panorama roof and nice sound system as a plus.

it has the tow package , but the hitch is pristine... It never towed anything.

It barely had anything in the bed

And the body is absolutely perfect.



I drove it home. 22.6 MPG on the 120 mile drive home. pretty good!