2010 F150 FX4 - Kraken

[tttomasi]

Hey everyone!

I've had my 2010 F150 FX4 (named Kraken) for just over a year, and have been working on the build up of it. Better late than never for starting the build thread! I'll start with the first thing I did, which was get rid of the tool box and the drop in plastic liner, and get a Line-X liner sprayed in. This was in prep for the rack and tonneau cover that were being researched for what combination I wanted to go with.

 

[tttomasi]

after many months of researching what rack I wanted for Kraken, looking at everything from how it mounts to its height, on, off and static weight capabilities to many other little things that I wanted to make sure would be correct. Like making sure that with the different RTTs I was looking at, I would pass my roof line by more than about an inch so not to mess with fuel economy for daily driving/long trips and that I would still be able to pull the truck into the garage. This research was done in tandem with my RTT research to make sure that all pieces would work just like I wanted.

I settled on the RCI Metalworks 12 inch rack for its height, strength and mounting points for accessories. Rack went together pretty easily, and I liked how sturdy but sleek it looks over the bed of the truck.

I ordered the RTT at the same time, but it took longer to arrive, so I installed the rack while waiting.

 

[tttomasi]

The RTT came in!

I went with the Thule Tepui Explorer Kukenam 3 Tent. I would have went straight through Tepui, but REI dividends and gift cards helped sway me to getting the Thule branded Tepui tent. Overall, been happy with the tent, easy assembly and mounting to the RCI rack.

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[tttomasi]

The sun roof broke. So I guess this can be "build thread" related since it needs to not be stuck open so I can use the truck.

After trying to deal with the local Ford dealership, I decided to tackle the project myself. A long day later, I got the new track pieces in place! Took longer than excepted (but don't most projects?) This has made me rethink how I want to run wires for lights and other accessories down the road of this build haha. Was definitely more involved than I had originally planned for.

 

[eriefisher]

Looks like there were existing issues with it seeing the traces of 100mph tape.

 

[tttomasi]

Back to research!

Many hours were put into trying to figure out which tonneau cover was going to work with the RCI rack the best and still allow for rolling. I had looked at retractable covers, and while I would have liked one, I couldn't justify the price when I knew I was going to cut the rails to fit around the rack feet. Especially with it being an unknown if it would work. I found a thread over on the Tacoma3G forum. Credit where credit is due -- Taco_primo did a nice thread on the Access Vanish tonneau and the RCI 12 inch rack on his taco. After reading this multiple times, and looking at other options, I endued up deciding on the Access Vanish and went to work, measuring, checking, checking again, and then checking my checking to make sure I was going to cut the correct spots.

All in all, it turned out really well, rolling the tonneau is process since the corners of the cover hit the rack uprights. I have sealed the areas around the rack feet and am still going through the process of checking after it rains to find spots I missed.

Happy to have the added lockable storage in the bed!

 

[tttomasi]

Looks like there were existing issues with it seeing the traces of 100mph tape.

Weather was calling for rain not long after the sun roof broke in the open down position. Duck tape for the save!