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Ah, the only thing better than collecting fresh hardware is tearing into a new project.
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Simply plug the programmer into the OBDII port and tune to your specific needs.
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With the front blown apart, we mounted the Iron Bull bumper to factory mounts.
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A much meaner design is backed up with ruggedness that matches its looks.
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The rear was a much easier install.
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With both flood and spot beams, the Pro Comp Explorers allow nothing to hide in the darkness.
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Peel, click, stick, done!
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We’ve always been big fans of dry cell Optima batteries, and the deep cycle will allow Tom to run the increased volts without worry.
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As you can see, the old intake doesn’t flow nearly as well as the Trick Flow.
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Fit in place, the segregated chamber protects against heat sink from the engine.
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Words and photos by Bryan Irons
Something happened to us once we started looking deeper into our good friend Tom’s new pride and joy, a 2009 F-150, we started to feel sorry for the little used truck. It would seem that an abusive relationship in the trucks short life left some deep scars that even Dr. Phil couldn’t hug out. Yup, a classic case of domestic violence, err, is that violence against a domestic? Anyway, between the beat up gravel truck-esq bed, a broken ring gear, re-sprayed front end, and a high water mark hovering at forehead level, as a survivor of such atrocities we knew this rig deserved more in life. It was also decided to take a stand and prove that the coin you can save in the initial purchase of a POS (Previous Owner Sabotaged) victim can be used to make it as good as new, or better.
The goal was to create a useful daily driver and weekend toy hauler/fun machine, while adding a few bits of “bling” for Tom in the process. Don’t worry; we’re trying to eradicate that word from his vocabulary. So, after the dealership repaired the big-ticket items under warranty it was time to go to work. With a pocket full of Sir Robert L. Borden’s to spend, we carefully picked and chose quality parts to enhance where the factory left off, or the POS carnage lay, in an effort to try and mend the past.
The better part of two Sundays was spent installing the large collection of boxes, which had accumulated in the corner of the shop. Armed with simple hand tools, this installment of our transformation includes a set of bumpers from Iron Bull outfitted with Explorer Pro Comp HID lights, and an AVS hood deflector. Under hood goodies include ditching the factory battery for an Optima Yellow Top, plus a new cold air intake from Trick Flow. A Superchips Cortex programmer was summoned to make use of the modifications made so far, and future alterations we are making in the next installment. Check out the next issue of 4WDrive to see what else we have in store for our survivor and what it looks like now.
Iron Bull Bumpers
What is it?
Front and rear heavy-duty bumpers
Why these ones?
As soon as we saw the fit and finish on these units and how they perfectly met the bodylines, it was love at first sight. Features like built in winch mounts front and rear are well thought out for protection of the winch(s) and ease of access to the controls. The removal of the front lower grille valance on our F-150 meant the bumper doesn’t hang down nearly as low as others on the market, yet looks right at home. We ordered ours up with the optional front “Defender 4” brush guard and welded on rear hitch, but many other options are available on all of their bumpers such as a six-post brush guard, light bars and Pre-Runner bars. Standard are the heavy duty, multi layer shackle mounts and light cutouts. The units are cut from 3/16th-in plate steel and welded inside and out before being ground smooth.
Having a Canadian distributor in Alberta who understands what it takes for a pair of bumpers to survive in Canucksville was really important to us. They know that paint and powder coating doesn’t last more then a year without chipping or fading, and we’re not about building a pavement princess. In fact, if the Black Shield coating they used does manage to scrape off, it’s easily touched up with a rattle can. The bedliner like finish easily dismisses trail rash like water off a ducks back anyway, so we’re not concerned.
A few hours were spent removing the rusty scrap metal that adorned the front of the truck. Some of the mounting hardware is reused and allows for easy alignment of the assemblies just like the factory. Additional braces are included with the kit, and after some head scratching, we got everything all assembled. The rear was faster to blow apart even with the poorly attached aftermarket hitch we got to get rid of. Cutouts for license plate lamps are already there, and backup sensor mounts can be reinstalled too if your truck came so equipped.
Front and rear units for our rig carry an MSRP of $2,050 and $1,830 respectively. When you think about the durability, functionality and versatility that comes with a quality set of bumpers like this, there’s just no way the factory scrap metal can compete. Now, where’s that winch?
Who makes it?
Iron Bull Bumpers
403-519-1581
Pro Comp Explorer
What is it?
4-in diameter HID spot and floodlights
Why this one?
Pro Comp’s Explorer line of 4-in 35w HID lights piqued our interest with the availability of both a spot and flood beam pattern in the same size housing. The slightly blueish 6000K light works well for most road conditions we run into. Between the two beam patterns we selected, we can light up a trail from ditch to ditch, or roast marshmallows at 500 metres. Included is a complete wiring harness and two protective lenses; one clear, the other yellow for fog and they just snap onto the front of the fixture. The tight fit into the Iron Bull bumper made aligning them a bit of a chore, but the sturdy mounts are not going to fall apart on us anytime soon.
Who makes it?
Pro Comp
AVS Hood Shield
What is it?
AVS Chrome Hood Shield
Why this one?
All our rigs get an AVS shield to protect the hood from rock chips and other road debris. We have yet to have one of these North American made units chip, crack or fade. Installation was so easy, Tom’s only words were “You gotta be fricken kidding me, you’re done already?”
Who makes it?
Lund International
Optima Battery
What is it?
AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) Deep Cycle Battery
Why this one?
With a large video and sound system already installed with HID lighting and a winch planned in the future, it was in the trucks best interest that we invest now or wait for a jump-start later. The Yellow Top being both a starting and deep cycle means that even if we do drain it, it can be brought back to life. Beyond that, the trucks intended destinations for days of the week that start with an “S” involve bumpy dirt roads that rattle normal lead acid batteries to death. We are always glad we spent the money on a quality power source like an Optima. This will be no different.
Who makes it?
Optima Batteries
Trick Flow Intake
What is it?
Trick Flow TFX Cold Air Intake.
Why this one?
Summit Racing had a huge assortment of CIA units for us to select from, so choosing one for us came down to more than just filter colour and sticker size for the back window. Trick Flow is probably best known for high performance cylinder heads, so knowing how to maximize airflow into an engine is a no-brainer for their engineers. That’s one point for the TFX. Adding one of the most recognizable name brands of filter elements to their setup, K&N, is another smart move. The ease finding K&N filter cleaning kits at the local parts store is just icing on the cake. That’s two points. The final and winning point goes to the quality of construction in the unit. Brass inserts are used for threaded fittings, not just machined plastic. Quality band clamps and hose ends are also in the box. Tom’s wife Joanne doesn’t really care for our taste in CIA kits, as it seems that Tom can’t keep his foot out of the throttle just to hear the V-8 roar now. Sorry Joanne, my fault.
Who makes it?
Trick Flow
Superchips Programmer
What is it?
Superchips Coretex Programmer
Why this one?
It’s nice to see a company that stands behind a product like Superchips does with a two-year powertrain warranty on whatever vehicle you use a Coretex programmer on. As an added bonus, if you have another vehicle in the fleet of the same make, you can use it on that vehicle as well without having to buy another complete unit. Standard tunes were available for our F-150 ranging from fuelmeiser setups (we gained 1.5L/100km), towing, and tunes to utilize performance upgrades like an exhaust systems and/or our Trick Flow cold air intake. Custom tunes can also be had as well as the ability to alter parameters like tire size, gear ratios and the ever-annoying Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Plugging the unit into the trucks scan-port and performing the automotive equivalent of the “hokey pokey” only took a few minutes. Realizing the benefits of the Coretex took even less time behind the wheel.
Who makes it?
Superchips