Ohhh, Ok thanks! Like I said earlier, the guy couldnt remember eveything he did to it so I am learning about these things as I go.

 

Some of us old farts like chrome. Back in the 80s we couldn't get chrome because the USA had sanctions against South Africa because of Apartite, and that is where almost all of it comes from. That is when automakers started using plastic on cars and trucks. It just kind of made us want chrome that much more. Before that trucks were all steel and chrome, and we kind of liked it.

 

That is some very interesting information...I guess I do learn something new everyday haha. And I understand about the chrome, it all boils down to personal preference.

 

yea thats it. we both work at capital ford in raleigh. i thought it looked just like his except exhaust

 

04s, thats really cool. If you talk to him any tell him I am enjoying it very much and taking care of it.

 

Lightning third brakelight?HD heads and 02 grille? That previous owner had some GOOOOD taste.

IMO, to ged rid of the "chromey" taste, take off the bed rails, paint the mirror caps (not that hard to do- I painted mine) and if you could deal without them, take off the nerf bars. Sell them, make some $$$, and put it into the engine or something.

You've got the Bugatti Veyron of all F-150 headlights. No longer in production, no spares, easily $500 for all four pieces. Drive careful because if you hit someone and break those headlights I'm going to die a little inside.

 

Raptor, so the grill is stock 02 for what trim levels? and I think I am going to get new caps(one of mine is a little broke/scuffed up) and either paint them or get some already painted. And how much do you think I could make off the steps and rails(I am going to take them off sometime to see how I like it). And about the driving thing...well I cant "promse" anything but as long as I can help it I wont mess up anything on my truck.

 

to the O.P. i think the truck looks great as it is, not THAT much chrome. i would get paint to match mirrors, and that's about it. it really starts to look stupid when people put the chrome on door handles, window trim, fender flairs, gas caps, etc. i don't think yours is too overdone and especially with those wheels, the running boards and even the bed rails look A OK!

 

Thanks SkyBound! I have to agree with you on the "not overdone but you would be ok with a piece or 2 off" insight.

 

are your torsion bars cranked up front?

 

Nope, not yet atleast(and to my knowledge). I do need to measure it to see how far to go up. I will be doing it when I get new tires in a couple months though.

 

they look cranked from that angle. that's next on my list, coupled with a 4 inch block in the rear to bring the truck up about 2 inches all around. if you go with tires, and don't plan on lifting more than an inch or two, the 285/70R17 will look sweet on your truck. i have them on mine in the Toyo Open country.... they're quiet, wear well, work awesome, and no rubbing issues. in my opinion, these trucks should have come with that size from the factory.


off-topic, how's life in NC? i REALLY want to come down to visit and see it.

 

I dont think they are but I will check. And I want either the trail grapplers or terra grapplers but i am not sure yet. I will keep that size in mind.

About NC....well now its raining and they are calling for snow haha. We have had alot of snow and bad weather this year. But this past weekend it was in the 55-60 something range with the sun shining haha. I really do love it here, just not in this town. You would really enjoy visiting, I have some friends who moved from here to Ohio a couple of years ago and now all they want to do is move back here.

 

i am going to be visiting greensboro soon, and i don't think that's too far off from where you're at. it's a great state with fascinating aviation history, and i also know a very special girl there which is a huge factor hah. i'm looking forward to it.

the terra grapplers are sweet tires too, but they were significantly more expensive up here than the open country's. i'd say the toyo tires are the best all around A/T in terms of value, streetability and off-road performance. definitely go bigger than stock though.

 

Thanks for the tire suggestion.

Greensboro is about an hour and a half from where I live. I know a family that lives there and one of the (many) state troopers I know just moved there. The couple of times I have been there it was really nice. JW how did you meet a girl here when you are wayyyy north haha.