TheBlackPearl: My 2024 F-250 King Ranch Build

[TheBlackPearl]

Finally got my Yaesu FTM-500 and Cobra All-Road 75 installed and working. Went with the method of another member here (don't recall his handle) with the fuse sub-panel on the BuiltRight Industries rear seat molle panel. Ran 8/2 marine wire to the battery and 22/6 control wire to the upfitter panel (low gauge because relay control input draw is only 40mA tops), and two shielded CAT5e to the dash for the Yaesu head unit and mic locations. Bulletpoint dash mount kit is solid, barely wiggles at all. The Bullet Proof Diesel 3rd Brake Light Dual Antenna Mount is so sweet (yet expensive..). Yaesu is powered direct from the panel as I can turn on and off from the head unit on the dash. Cobra is Bluetooth (which is pretty cool actually) but I don't trust that the base unit is not drawing any power when off, so I decided to switch it from the upfitters. The second relay is for a future Starlink Mini.

I love this configuration because the radios look 100% integrated and almost OEM. Clean... I love that I am able to do this sort of thing myself. It's arduous, but fulfilling when complete.

My only question is regarding the 22/6 for the relay control inputs. The relay specs say max draw is 3-30VDC at 40mA. The fuses for Upfitters 5 and 6 are 40A. Do I need to swap those fuses for like 1A fuses? If so, do they make those block style fuses in 1 or 2A in the same larger form factor as the 40A? All they are doing is triggering the relays. When switched, they send DC positive power from the fused sub-panel to the devices, not ACTUALLY sending any power from that control input.

 

[HelmPilot]

Your mods are awesome keep posting new ones as I’m jealous! Lots of talk about the new for 2024 “Darkened Bronze Metallic “ color. My 2024 (pictured) was the first 2024 in that color that one of the largest Ford dealers here in Florida had seen. I’m obviously biased but after 18 months of ownership I still love the color and I get tired of things fast! Depending on lighting it goes from various shades of metallic brown to almost Black.! Just wanted to hijack your thread and pitch my pride with my Tremor!

 

[TheBlackPearl]

Your mods are awesome keep posting new ones as I’m jealous! Lots of talk about the new for 2024 “Darkened Bronze Metallic “ color. My 2024 (pictured) was the first 2024 in that color that one of the largest Ford dealers here in Florida had seen. I’m obviously biased but after 18 months of ownership I still love the color and I get tired of things fast! Depending on lighting it goes from various shades of metallic brown to almost Black.! Just wanted to hijack your thread and pitch my pride with my Tremor!

Thanks man!! I did see one in that color on Car Gurus when I was looking for my truck. It was in the running but ended up with this one. I wanted a KR all black but definitely didn’t want chrome bumpers to get it. Is yours a KR as well?

 

[HelmPilot]

Yep a fully loaded (Can’t think of an option I didn’t order) King Ranch!

I ran into some health issues right after I picked it up, that has slowed my mod program down quite a bit, so I have the following items sitting in my garage ready to install:

From Ford Accessories Website:
Front and Rear Fender Flares
Bed Side Storage Boxes
Hood Air Deflector

Aftermarket Add On’s:
12K Warn Winch w/ Forum identified OEM location Mount Brit
BMC Hitch Light System with SS2 LED’s
Heavy Duty “Aux Power” Relay to operate Winch, Onboard
Front/Rear Quick Connect 12v Hidden Jumper or Power Receptacles
ARB “Brushless” Twin Onboard Air Compressor w/ Dirt Church above Spare Tire Mount Kit
Wicked Warning’s Emergency Strobe Light Kit for Front and Rear
FMI “30 inch” Front Bumper Shaped Light Bar Mount w/ Low Profile LED Flood Bar
Numerous Rhino Winch/Tow/Extraction Accessories
Insane Diesel Bypass Oil Filter Kit

Already Installed:
RealTruck “Armorflex” Hard Folding Bed Cover
Line-X Bed Spray
Bed Mat
WeighSafe 8’,Drop Hitch

Guess you can tell I love my “Bucket List” truck!

 

[TheBlackPearl]

Yep a fully loaded (Can’t think of an option I didn’t order) King Ranch!

I ran into some health issues right after I picked it up, that has slowed my mod program down quite a bit, so I have the following items sitting in my garage ready to install:

From Ford Accessories Website:
Front and Rear Fender Flares
Bed Side Storage Boxes
Hood Air Deflector

Aftermarket Add On’s:
12K Warn Winch w/ Forum identified OEM location Mount Brit
BMC Hitch Light System with SS2 LED’s
Heavy Duty “Aux Power” Relay to operate Winch, Onboard
Front/Rear Quick Connect 12v Hidden Jumper or Power Receptacles
ARB “Brushless” Twin Onboard Air Compressor w/ Dirt Church above Spare Tire Mount Kit
Wicked Warning’s Emergency Strobe Light Kit for Front and Rear
FMI “30 inch” Front Bumper Shaped Light Bar Mount w/ Low Profile LED Flood Bar
Numerous Rhino Winch/Tow/Extraction Accessories
Insane Diesel Bypass Oil Filter Kit

Already Installed:
RealTruck “Armorflex” Hard Folding Bed Cover
Line-X Bed Spray
Bed Mat
WeighSafe 8’,Drop Hitch

Guess you can tell I love my “Bucket List” truck!

Sounds like you're 9 weekend projects away from the dream! lol! How much was the winch and ARB? I'd like to add those eventually as well.

 

[TheBlackPearl]

"I got it one piece at a time!" - Johnny Cash

 

[HelmPilot]

To the best of my recollection I’ve got about $2500 into the winch and bracket kit. I ordered the winch and ford bracket kit online from Levittown Ford. Then ordered the one special fairlead bracket from Warn Parts directly.

As for the ARB compressor I ordered that directly from them and Dirt Church Industries just recently posted availability on this forum for the above spare tire mounting kit. A little pricey but very well engineered and complete so it was worth it. I’m putting two permanent mount ARB air outlets one on each side of the vehicle in the bed step cutouts right behind the cab. Think this will be a killer mod!

 

[Raven1]

Deleted the chrome on the window trim and step rails, and got some pics with the Diamondback HD with the CrossBin 13 at The Height of Land looking out over Mooselookmeguntic Lake in western Maine. She was clean for once

How do you like the crossbin 13? I’m torn between the 13 and the 8. I do think the 4T is pretty slick too.

 

[TheBlackPearl]

How do you like the crossbin 13? I’m torn between the 13 and the 8. I do think the 4T is pretty slick too.

It’s great because a box of DEF fits in perfectly. There’s still about 8” of space underneath the bin to the bed so you can still use the bed for whatever fits in that gap.

 

[TheBlackPearl]

FINALLY! 3.5 Level-Height Carli Pathfinder kit installed! Everything but the radius arms. I went with the Arena Wheel Co Hustle in 20x9 -0 and Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T in 37x12.50. Wheels were ceramic coated and shocks were wrapped in PPF. Long Travel Airbags to supplement the full progressive leaf springs softness, with a LogIQ compressor.

I went from MA to west of Philly to Dirty Diesels in Birdsboro, PA for this work. Yes, it was far, but it was worth it! These guys were the nearest reputable Carli dealer I could find (and CJC told me they were awesome), but aside from that they were amazing to work with. Just a great bunch of guys who banged it out in just two days, knowing I made the trip just to see them.

I took all my factory parts home (not sure if anyone needs the 350 leaf springs, front coils, track bar, or shocks? This had the upgraded leafs, which I heard are the same as the stock 350, along with the plow prep package so the front coils are stiffer as well) so we had to load the wheels onto the Diamondback HD with their new cargo net, which works quite well. I haven't gotten to play with the new suspension yet aside from the 6 hour highway trip home, loaded, but so far it feels so much better. There's a lot to get used to, with the added height, larger wheels, and so many suspension upgrades, but clearly it's ALL so much better. I'm glad I got to drive my truck a while on stock config to truly appreciate what I have now. Lot's of high-beam flashes and angry honks for just existing, but when I get the light bar I'll have some real ammo, lol!

Special thanks to Dirty Diesels, CJC Offroad, Carli Suspension (@BLACKCHERRY ) and everyone on here for the conversations leading up to this! Lots more to come, but this is a huge upgrade!

 

[Terryw123]

Gorgeous!! Congratulations!

 

[TheBlackPearl]

Gorgeous!! Congratulations!

Thank you, Sir!

 

[BLACKCHERRY]

FINALLY! 3.5 Level-Height Carli Pathfinder kit installed! Everything but the radius arms. I went with the Arena Wheel Co Hustle in 20x9 -0 and Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T in 37x12.50. Wheels were ceramic coated and shocks were wrapped in PPF. Long Travel Airbags to supplement the full progressive leaf springs softness, with a LogIQ compressor.

I went from MA to west of Philly to Dirty Diesels in Birdsboro, PA for this work. Yes, it was far, but it was worth it! These guys were the nearest reputable Carli dealer I could find (and CJC told me they were awesome), but aside from that they were amazing to work with. Just a great bunch of guys who banged it out in just two days, knowing I made the trip just to see them.

I took all my factory parts home (not sure if anyone needs the 350 leaf springs, front coils, track bar, or shocks? This had the upgraded leafs, which I heard are the same as the stock 350, along with the plow prep package so the front coils are stiffer as well) so we had to load the wheels onto the Diamondback HD with their new cargo net, which works quite well. I haven't gotten to play with the new suspension yet aside from the 6 hour highway trip home, loaded, but so far it feels so much better. There's a lot to get used to, with the added height, larger wheels, and so many suspension upgrades, but clearly it's ALL so much better. I'm glad I got to drive my truck a while on stock config to truly appreciate what I have now. Lot's of high-beam flashes and angry honks for just existing, but when I get the light bar I'll have some real ammo, lol!

Special thanks to Dirty Diesels, CJC Offroad, Carli Suspension (@BLACKCHERRY ) and everyone on here for the conversations leading up to this! Lots more to come, but this is a huge upgrade!

Nice to see a shop take such care. Everything i look at is correct - torque paint, brake lines routed proper, reservoir decals perfect, etc. They did an awesome job. I LOVE that two-tone.

 

[TheBlackPearl]

Nice to see a shop take such care. Everything i look at is correct - torque paint, brake lines routed proper, reservoir decals perfect, etc. They did an awesome job. I LOVE that two-tone.

Oh shit!! Got the official seal of approval!! I'm gonna share with them. Thanks so much, Dan!

 

[Prod1911]

Looks great! Josh is a great guy too. They put together some badass semi trucks!

 

[JNCDD1]

Nice to see a shop take such care. Everything i look at is correct - torque paint, brake lines routed proper, reservoir decals perfect, etc. They did an awesome job. I LOVE that two-tone.

Can't wait to share this with my tech. These jobs are his favorite thing! Feels good seeing this post from you, Dan. We really do take a lot of pride in what we do, and thoroughly enjoy the "Carli Experience" from selling the systems to our clients, to then seeing them enjoy them. It is hands down the best job to sell, because it comes with such a rewarding result, and a very happy client.

Oh shit!! Got the official seal of approval!! I'm gonna share with them. Thanks so much, Dan!

Thanks for sharing with me! I have been meaning to join this forum for a minute, but this gave me good enough reason to finally. Bring back the good internet forums!

- Josh @ DirtyDiesels

 

[JNCDD1]

Looks great! Josh is a great guy too. They put together some badass semi trucks!

If only we could just do the cool work! Having PSA flashbacks....

 

[Prod1911]

If only we could just do the cool work! Having PSA flashbacks....

Man oh man...the good old days...

Suspension, wheels and tires are still PRETTY cool on a pickup...not as cool as a hood stack on a green king ranch was, back before every nerd with a tune only truck was doing it

 

[tchur1]

Truck looks awesome. My truck is almost identical (although a tremor) and this is going to make me pull the trigger on the pathfinder (but 5.5 height). Eager to hear more feedback as you have more miles on the new system.

 

[JNCDD1]

Truck looks awesome. My truck is almost identical (although a tremor) and this is going to make me pull the trigger on the pathfinder (but 5.5 height). Eager to hear more feedback as you have more miles on the new system.

FWIW, this was our first Pathfinder install, and I was thoroughly impressed with how the truck felt just in the handful of miles I put on it dialing in the stabilizers and test driving. I think this kit is a really solid option that appeals to a nice range of users.