2014 Raptor "Swamplander"

[Supercracker]

Checking in From NorthEast Florida here. A couple of weeks ago I picked up a, new to me, 2014 Raptor.

Prior to this I had an 07 Tundra that I massaged a bit. I use it for work everyday and hunting and fishing. It's getting a bit up there in mileage and I can tell it's getting ready to have some issues so I figured it was maybe time to get something a little newer. I was all for something practical, but the girlfriend (who's way more into cars than I am) pushed me towards the raptor. I initially resisted but one test drive that was that.

Being in Florida and doing most of my running around here and in SE Georgia I have no real need for the full blown, never coming back to civilization, level rigs you guys have. The whole state is only like 150 miles across and I'm pretty sure it's not possible to get more than about 30 miles from a Publix. We also, as a state, collectively opted out of Rocks and a 50' high hill is a mountain to us. So my goal is more a daily driver/work truck that I can comfortably and easily spend a night or two in while chasing birds or pigs. But also a significant step up from "fire up the thermacells and flop down in the bed of the truck on a foam pad". That said, I'd really like to start doing a couple of week long trip out West for Elk every year. But, I'll prep for that when I get to it.

This probably won't be one of the super focused, really informative build threads. I doubt I'll do anything you guys will be impressed with. I'm looking more for a way to remotely share the experience and get relevant advice and feedback along the way. This site appears to be an ENORMOUS repository of knowledge when it comes to prepping a vehicle like this. So I hope to be able to draw on that to avoid some costly mistakes. Maybe there'll even be the rare situation where I have something to add. I've never really done a build up like this, but I did spend a lot of time, a long time ago, racing and spent much of my formative years helping out with my uncles dirt late model. So I picked up fairly decent fab skills, have equipment, and I really like to problem solve and make stuff.


As of now, the menu definitely includes.

• Topper ( just picked up a Leer)
• Better bumper and Winch (I'm almost always out by myself and all of my friends live hundreds of miles away. So I'm genuinely on my own. Self recovery capability is a big deal to me)
• More lights
• Cargo rack (Have a cheap one off of CL that I plan to reinforce and modify)
• Lights in topper
• Dual battery to run bed accessories
• Removable tool rack for bed. (Must be able to pull it out and swap for camping storage quickly)
• Removable Camping storage for bed. (Must be able to pull it out and swap for tool rack quickly)
• SUV tent. (not sure really. Need to figure out something light and quick to keep bugs out since I can't close the bed up when I'm sleeping)
  
• White's not my favorite color, so I may try to wrap it. Who knows
• ?????????

Not sure where it will lead exactly. Can't wait to get started though.

Here she is, in all her near stock glory.

 

[Raul B]

Welcome aboard. Nice to see another f150 on here.

 

[Supercracker]

Step one. Add camper shell. lol

I love the look with the topper.

 

[Supercracker]

Finishing up the bumper and winch install tomorrow. Probably get started on the shell this weekend.

Here's the plan.

Pull it off, bring it in the garage to work on:
I have padded sawhorses. I was just going to flip it upside down on these. Should make it orders of magnitude easier to attach things to the inside.

LED strip on each side for lighting inside:
I have a big roll of the LED strips leftover from making boat lighting. My plan was to put them inside clear tubing sealed up on either end with silicone to help keep them out of the elements, then epoxy zip tie mounts in place to attach them to the ceiling. I want them to draw power from an eventual second battery. So I plan to mount a switch in the back next to the window.

Install 1" aluminum angle on either side of ceiling:
I plan to Epoxy and bolt a 4 - 5' strip of aluminum angle on each side alinged with the rack mounts. 1. should add strength to top where roof rack mounts, will give me something to attach other things to. Fans, rod holders, more lights, tiny disco balls, etc. while adding close to zero weight.

I'm thinking, I can drill a 1/2" hole every 8" or so on the side of the angle that will be protruding down, 90 degrees to the ceiling. That will give me something to work with for anything I might want to add in the future that I can't think of now. If nothing else I can zip tie virtually anything up there, hang lantern, clip on fans for sleeping (I don't stop hunting when it gets stupid hot, fans are nice and they help blow bugs off of you when you're asleep), etc. etc.

Fab mounts to mount roof rack directly to top of shell:
This is the rack I have. I know, it's not fancy high end. But I got it for very cheap virtually unused, I can reinforce it to whatever degree I need to, and I like the looks of it.

So. I plan to extend it to the nearly the full length of the shell by welding 18" of tubing in the middle instead of bolting it together and putting some expanded metal for a base on it. That plate in the middle hides the bolt together junction for the tubing. Should be no problem to lose that plate and weld in the same diameter tubing as an extension. I'll probably also preemptively weld on some tabs for side and rear lighting to be added later.

For mounting, I haven't been able to figure out a reason that 6-8 brackets with 1"w x 4-6" long bases on them, welded to the rack and bolted down to the shell, through the aluminum angle on the inside wouldn't work. If you guys know a reason please tell me.

TBH, I don't really need a rack for my plans. 95% of what it will be doing is holding up a canoe or small boat. But, I have it already, and it looks way better than a rail and cross bar. Plus, I can attach lighting to it.

Mosquito Net Mounting:
Epoxy sheet metal discs to roof in various spots so I can use magnets to hang up a mosquito net quickly. Will probably take the easy route and buy a pack of the little metal discs for magnetic cell phone holders then clean the sticky tape off and use a good epoxy to mount them.

Plan to use a 4 or 5 pin marine electrical connector of some sort to connect shell mounted things to power source in bed:
Actually it will probably be more than one. I'll need power for fans, lights, USB port in front, lights on roof rack side and rear and maybe a plug to power up lights on a canopy attached to the side of the rack. Don't know yet. But, while I've got it in the garage and it's easy to work on, I'd rather have too much expansion capability than not enough.