Vecman's Build - Boyhood Dreams Realized!

[Vecman]

Where did you find the star white, I have same. Do you have part number on paint handy?

@Lunch Box, I got it from here:

Automotive Touch Up Paint from PaintScratch - Exact Color Match

Easily find your color and order the same automotive touch up paint used by industry professionals. Match to factory color guaranteed. Get started now.

www.paintscratch.com

Star White is paint code AZ

They have several options. I bought a spray can package with primer and adhesion etc.

 

[Supreme1]

So, I will preface this build first by saying that I have no need of this truck, its capabilities, or the Tremor package itself. I WANTED this truck, so that's why I have it. It's as if I'm living a boyhood dream of having some big monster truck and I just wanted to finally have it come to life. No rhyme or reason other than that. I have, however, started looking into things I can now do with this truck and its capabilities, but time will tell.
I picked up the truck last night, and man, was I blown away! I have never seen or test driven a super duty truck, let alone a Tremor. I was driving a 2019 F-150 FX4, and wanted to get a new vehicle (I purchase through my business, so it was just time to upgrade the write-offs). I was considering the hybrid, and built one online. Curiosity got the better of me, and I then built out an F-250, and, of course, then an F-350. Decided to order the F-350 diesel tremor.
Here is the original build:
2022 F-350 6.7L Platinum Tremor - Star White
Moonroof
397 Amp Alternator
Upfitter Switches
Supplemental Cab Heater
5th Wheel Prep
PTO Option
Vinyl Flooring

Original order was placed 6/8. As an experiment, ordered again on 9/4. The second order got a VIN 9/16, was built 11/8, and I took delivery on 11/29.

I had no intentions of any after-market modification at all - zero, zilch, nada. And then I found this wonderful Ford Tremor Forum, and now, I hate you all! HAHA! I have plans to do some cosmetic things, some engine upgrades (all emission compliant, mostly quality and airflow stuff), some suspension items, and then some random utility stuff I have never needed, but now, for some reason, feel I must have! Pretty much all the upgrades I document on here have been taken from this forum, with maybe a few personal tweaks. I won't be documenting any "how-to" type posts, only because I learned it all on here anyway. No need to rehash the info. Part numbers/links if applicable will be at the end of my posts.

Here she is!! Her first sunrise!

View attachment 40226

Personally, I like a bit of chrome. I am not a fan of the blacked out or sport package looks, at least, in their entirety. I will be doing a mix of some black, some color matching, and leaving some chrome.

My 13yr old son and I worked till about 10:30pm last night, headlamps and all, to install some new mirror caps and side lights. Taking off these covers is a pain in the ass honestly. I'm glad I got it done right off the bat. The caps are from an XLT model. I wanted the black plastic to be seamless, and not be different like they are on the blackout models. So it's just plain old black plastic and matches the rest of the mirror body perfectly. I purchased some smoked lense mirror lights from Boost Auto Parts, again, so they would just kind of blend into the mirror. I love how it turned out. The running lights on them are very cool!

View attachment 40229

@DIY10-85RAY shared a module you could buy and made the front of the light blink when signaling. I bought the smoked lens package, as I wanted the cool white running lights. It has the module built in that allows for signaling, and changes to amber when signaling (switchback it's called on their site). It also has the front spotlight as well. Thanks Ray for that product recommendation!

The other thing we did (not pictured) is installed Bull Ring tie down anchors in all 4 bed stake pockets. They lay flush, but can be pulled up when needed. I had them on my F-150, and loved having them. Installed them last night in about 5 minutes total.

Also installed the 12 volt solutions high idle kit. It took all of 60 seconds to install in the passenger fuse area. It's a one setting module. I didn't want the BD Diesel selectable one and have to install the dial. I set it at 1400rpm and it works perfectly.

Today, she's getting a premium Line-X bedliner sprayed. Tomorrow, XPEL Ceramic XR Plus windows tinting - still deciding on the % of tint. I'll take pics tomorrow once it's done.

Appreciate everyone's help and feedback on this site. It's been a lot of fun.


Part numbers/Links
Mirror caps: HC3Z17D742AA and HC3Z17D743AA

Boost Auto Parts Smoked switchback tow lights: https://www.boostautoparts.com/products/ford-tow-mirror-lights?variant=14266853490743
(these say 2021, but do fit 2022 without issue, plug and play simplicity)

12 Volt Solutions High Idle Kit: https://www.12volt.solutions/collections/ford/products/ford-super-duty-high-idle-kit

Bull Rings: https://www.bullringusa.com/product/ford-flush-fit-tie-down-anchors-2015-2021/

Good looking truck. I just moved to Queen Creek AZ from IL in July. I ordered my truck from San Tan Ford in September and haven't heard anything. Can I ask who did your lift and tint?

 

[Alpoba]

Build coming along so nicely!

 

[Vermonster]

View attachment 42629Replaced the front blue oval with black. I love how this looks!

That's really really sweet! Nice work!!

 

[Modman]

Did my first upfitter project today. Put in some rear facing lights. I just bought some cheap ones on Amazon ($25) to see how often I use them.

@Vecman I am going down the same path although using a slightly different "trial" rear lighting solution. I'll post it when complete. I might wire it up tomorrow depending on the weather. Curious which side of the truck you used to run the wires from the upfitter? I was originally thinking passenger side but need to look at the driver side for comparison to see if there is any obvious path of least resistance. Any pics by chance?? Thx!

 

[Accuracy International]

@Vecman your truck looks even better in person! Nice seeing you on Val Vista today!

 

[Vecman]

@Vecman your truck looks even better in person! Nice seeing you on Val Vista today!

Heck yeah man!!!! I was just about to try to find out who that was!!! I was laughing so hard! I was trying to get this sticker off. my windshield, but I saw another SD coming along side - then I saw you waving. I saw the tremor on the back and was like "Hell yeah! Tremor Brother!!" Your truck looked good as well! I do like that blackout setup! And our white trucks are the best color - that goes without saying!

 

[Vecman]

Good looking truck. I just moved to Queen Creek AZ from IL in July. I ordered my truck from San Tan Ford in September and haven't heard anything. Can I ask who did your lift and tint?

SDHQ did my lift - I wouldn't recommend anyone else. They are top notch for sure. Tint was done by Dynamic Tint AZ - https://dynamictintaz.com

Tyler does a great job, and pricing is reasonable.

 

[Vecman]

@Vecman I am going down the same path although using a slightly different "trial" rear lighting solution. I'll post it when complete. I might wire it up tomorrow depending on the weather. Curious which side of the truck you used to run the wires from the upfitter? I was originally thinking passenger side but need to look at the driver side for comparison to see if there is any obvious path of least resistance. Any pics by chance?? Thx!

I ran it up the passenger side. Honestly, I couldn't find a nice straight run from the back to the front. I ended up running some of it up over the bed supports? So if the bed ever has to come out, I'm screwed. lol. But oh well. Once I was about half way up the passenger side, I dropped it down along the outer frame rail where there was some existing wires, then I used a fish line from the engine bay to push down on that side, and it popped out right behind the wheel fender. It's not the best job, I'm sure it could be better, but it works.

 

[Modman]

I ran it up the passenger side. Honestly, I couldn't find a nice straight run from the back to the front. I ended up running some of it up over the bed supports? So if the bed ever has to come out, I'm screwed. lol. But oh well. Once I was about half way up the passenger side, I dropped it down along the outer frame rail where there was some existing wires, then I used a fish line from the engine bay to push down on that side, and it popped out right behind the wheel fender. It's not the best job, I'm sure it could be better, but it works.

Thanks!

 

[Vecman]

Thanks!

I'll snag some pics tomorrow in the daylight. It will probably be more of a "what not to do" example than anything else! haha

 

[Vecman]

@Modman - I was gonna snag some pics for you while attempting my onboard air install. The weather didn’t cooperate. This is me trying to stay dry and work. The rental we are in doesn’t have a garage, and it’s killing me! 4 hours solid sitting under the truck. My back is killing me! And I’m scrapping the whole approach and starting fresh tomorrow! Ahh!!! But, it’s supposed to be sunny tomorrow, so I’ll snag some pics for you and hopefully complete the air system.

 

[Modman]

@Modman - I was gonna snag some pics for you while attempting my onboard air install. The weather didn’t cooperate. This is me trying to stay dry and work. The rental we are in doesn’t have a garage, and it’s killing me! 4 hours solid sitting under the truck. My back is killing me! And I’m scrapping the whole approach and starting fresh tomorrow! Ahh!!! But, it’s supposed to be sunny tomorrow, so I’ll snag some pics for you and hopefully complete the air system.

View attachment 42840

No problem! We are due to get 5-6" of snow today so my weather window has been pushed out as well...

 

[gearguywb]

Looks awesome!

Pretty much the same truck that I would like to order.

 

[Vecman]

No problem! We are due to get 5-6" of snow today so my weather window has been pushed out as well...

I have a few pics of the back, just needs to snag a few of the front part. I'll get them soon. Sorry for delaying you!

 

[Modman]

I have a few pics of the back, just needs to snag a few of the front part. I'll get them soon. Sorry for delaying you!

Thanks, appreciate it!

 

[Vecman]

@Modman - finished up my onboard air today, and ran the power a bit different than the reverse lights, but this would work. Here’s a few pics to try and explain..

Cable isn’t secured yet, but this is where I drop it down

This is where it comes out by the wheel well liner, I then push it up above the body mount point there in the picture

From there it can just run along the frame with some other wiring

Right in front of the rear body mount, I take it over the frame

And lay it over the hangars for the exhaust and take it over this brace

This is looking to the front of the truck. The wire is over the exhaust hangar and crosses over to the harness or holder or whatever for whatever that stuff is on the left. I attached it there, then took it above the spare tire plate.

From there, I dropped it on the right side for my airlift wireless one brain and such. But you could easily just go straight back to the reverse lights from there as well.

 

[Vecman]

I finished doing my onboard air setup today. I went with the Viair continuous duty system, which is one compressor, and the Airlift wireless one setup. I purchased a solenoid from Airlift that replaces their compressor. I mounted everything above the spare tire area. It was a bit of a pain, but I got it done. The 2022 models seem to be a bit different back there than other guys that I copied from the forum, so it took some tweaking to make it work. Compressor is on a viair bracket mounted on the driver side of the spare, the 2.5 gallon tank is on the front side of the spare (I had to relocate the plastic bumper for the tire, but it worked out fine). The Airlift brain and solenoid, along with a small power distribution block, is on the passenger side of the spare. I originally had the tank running to a manifold, where I could just detach the tank from the manifold in case I needed to fix it. The manifold I bought leaked like crazy! So, I took it out. I have one tank port running to the airlift system, and one of the other ports will run to my push-to-connect for the air hose. That’s all I plan on using it for anyway, so a manifold seemed overkill. I’ll snag some pics once I’m done with the entire system. As of now, it’s just attached to the airbags

 

[Vecman]

I was at 1124 miles, so went ahead and did my first oil change, and also installed the Amsoil dual bypass system. It was probably the easiest thing I’ve installed so far. It did take some time, and there were a few tricky angles to properly torque a few connections, but all in all, was straightforward. I purchased a vehicle specific mounting bracket from Don Smith (http://donsoil.com/). It allows the system to be mounted against the frame, above the lowest point, and provides a rock guard and sample valve for the system. I’m very happy with how this turned out. I plan on sampling the oil around 7500 miles, and based on that, doing an oil change every 15,000 miles, which is about once per year for me.

 

[Modman]

@Modman - finished up my onboard air today, and ran the power a bit different than the reverse lights, but this would work. Here’s a few pics to try and explain..

Cable isn’t secured yet, but this is where I drop it down

View attachment 43449

This is where it comes out by the wheel well liner, I then push it up above the body mount point there in the picture

View attachment 43450

From there it can just run along the frame with some other wiring

View attachment 43451

Right in front of the rear body mount, I take it over the frame

View attachment 43452

And lay it over the hangars for the exhaust and take it over this brace

View attachment 43453

This is looking to the front of the truck. The wire is over the exhaust hangar and crosses over to the harness or holder or whatever for whatever that stuff is on the left. I attached it there, then took it above the spare tire plate.

View attachment 43454

From there, I dropped it on the right side for my airlift wireless one brain and such. But you could easily just go straight back to the reverse lights from there as well.

Thanks @Vecman great visuals!!