Upgrading the Platinum Edition Ford F150 - Top-Notch Blue Oval

BEFORE

Buying a new truck can get expensive quick, but despite the cost, no one wants to drive around in a stock truck. Luckily, there are options out there to let you customize a truck without having to spend an extra arm and a leg. Daystar makes some of these products, offering several lift options with polyurethane lift spacers that are inexpensive and quiet. For this install, we are going to use Ford’s new F-150 Platinum edition and Daystar’s 2-inch leveling kit to help fit bigger wheels and tires without trimming or rubbing.

Ford F150 Platinum Edition Daystar Leveling Kit Web Photo

AFTER

Along with the Daystar leveling kit, we installed RBP’s newest RX-III black mesh grille with chrome accent, RBP 94R 20-inch black powdercoated wheels, and BFGoodrich’s brand-new Rugged Terrain tire in size P275/60R20 (equivalent to a 33-inch standard tire). We chose the RBP wheels because they match the grille and help achieve the rugged look we were going for, and the Rugged Terrains are new and we wanted to be able to provide a good review of them. Follow along as the team at J Star Motors, in Anaheim, California, made quick work of this install.

Highs:

Simple Install
Inexpensive
Clears 33s with no rubbing
Better Capabilities

Lows:

Needs to cut strut mounting studs
New BFGs are very narrow
Grille cannot be returned to factory

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1. After getting the truck on J Star Motor’s lift in Anaheim, California, we removed the wheels and tires and started disassembling the front suspension. The first step was to disconnect the sway bar.
1. After getting the truck on J Star Motor’s lift in Anaheim, California, we removed the w
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2. With the sway bar disconnected, the next step was to unbolt the brake lines from the spindle to make strut removal easier. Then the upper ball joint could be unbolted. With the help of a sledgehammer, the ball joint came free from the top of the spindle.
2. With the sway bar disconnected, the next step was to unbolt the brake lines from the sp
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3. Next, the three bolts retaining the strut could be unbolted from the strut bucket and the bottom bolt was removed.
3. Next, the three bolts retaining the strut could be unbolted from the strut bucket and t
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4. The strut was then removed from the truck and readied for some trimming.
5. As you can see, the leveling kit is very simple. Just a pair of polyurethane spacers, six stud spacers, and new mounting hardware. A nice feature was a small tube of Loctite that was included.
5. As you can see, the leveling kit is very simple. Just a pair of polyurethane spacers, s

6. The kit stated that it might be necessary to trim the upper strut mounting studs in order for the stud spacers to properly seat. We checked and this was indeed the case for this truck. After measuring the lengths, our capable technician, Jeff Gonzales, trimmed the studs perfectly.
6. The kit stated that it might be necessary to trim the upper strut mounting studs in ord
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7. After trimming the studs, the stud spacers were screwed onto the strut and the polyurethane lift spacer slipped on top of the strut. Then the strut was bolted back into the truck. The upper control arm was bolted back to the spindle, the brake lines were bolted back to the spindle as well, and the sway bar was reconnected.
7. After trimming the studs, the stud spacers were screwed onto the strut and the polyuret
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8. Here you can see the difference between the factory tires and the new BFG Rugged Terrains. There isn’t much size difference, but without the lift, the larger tires would have rubbed in turns and on bumps.
8. Here you can see the difference between the factory tires and the new BFG Rugged Terrai

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9. The RBP grille was next. The instructions show you where to cut the factory grille so it could be removed from the grille shell. J Star technician Gerardo Aceves took care of this. Then the grille shell was centered over the RBP grille and bolted on. For more pictures of the grille install, go to truckinweb.com.
9. The RBP grille was next. The instructions show you where to cut the factory grille so i
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From The Driver Seat

After taking the truck for a quick shakedown, we noticed that the ride did not change at all. The tires did not rub, even when turning on off-road terrain. Even though the tires are more aggressive than the factory tires, they did not drone on the freeway and worked great in loose sand. Of course, the grille increased the looks immensely.

Your Questions Answered
Time Spent Working:	2 Hours
Degree of Difficulty:	Beginner
Tools Needed: Assorted sockets and wrenches, sledgehammer, Loctite
Parts Used (prices from manufacturers and do not include tax, shipping, or installation):
Daystar 2-inch Leveling kit PN# KF09124BK:	$129.99
RBP RX-III Black and Chrome grille:	$1,490.00
RBP 94R black wheels 20x9:	$442.00 each
BFGoodrich Rugged Terrain 275/60R20:	$290.36 each
Total:	$4,549.43

SOURCE
BFGoodrich Tires P.O. Box 19001 Greenville SC 29602 877-788-8899 www.bfgoodrichtires.com	RBP 2380 Railroad Street #101 Corona CA 92880 951-272-9090 www.rollingbigpower.com
Daystar 841 S. 71st Avenue Phoenix AZ 85043 800-595-7659 www.daystarweb.com	J Star Motors Anaheim CA 1-866-906-0586 http://www.jstarmotors.com