Cranbery's Build - "Homelander"

[tremorado]

Pretty simple as long as you are good with a measuring tape and an angle grinder. The way it mounts normally is to the truck bed with the stock mounting holes. I simply measured the distance between my builtright panels, which is shorter than the intended mount, and cut the long bar. Then I mounted the ends to the builtright panels. I cut it too long twice before I got the right measurement, but that was on purpose mostly because if you cut it too short then you're fked...

Is it still pretty solid?

 

[Cranbery]

Is it still pretty solid?

Yeah it's sturdy, I have my hilift on it and it doesn't budge, doesn't sag. I had considered mounting an aluminum block between the rail and the retrax in the center and screwing into that but it ended up not being necessary. Have had it on for about a year no problems. The rail itself is pretty sturdy and if I remember correctly even the stock mounting doesn't include anchoring it in the center, so the original design intent is the same, it's just a few inches shorter. I guess if anything it would be sturdier because the bar is shorter. My panels are also mounted well, so make sure if you're attaching to your panels that those are on good. And the attachment to the panels as well.

 

[TremorLucky]

Took to my local shop and had them spread the crash bars. Basically put a hydraulic spreader between them and go out. It gives you about 1/2". I needed a bit more, so I asked them to loosen the bolts and torch the crash bar, which softened it enough to get some more out of it. They slapped a little black paint on it, looks like no one ever touched it - good for resale and insurance in case of an accident, and of course my legs.

Also had them cut part of the mudflap that was rubbing in full rotation in reverse.

I was only getting a rub at full rotation, but this completely got rid of it. Cost an hour of shop time. Way better than cutting them. Turns like butter now.

Normally it would be flush with the plastic fender liner, for reference.

@Cranbery, how much of the Rek Gens did you need to trim? I really like the look of those flaps.

 

[Cranbery]

Alright!

Finally got some parts installed. Got the stage 4 icons with leafpack, honestly they drive great. Significant upgrade over my RC fronts and vertex rears. Will be able to report better after the trip on Saturday.

Icon fixed the light bracket pretty sure because it went on with no issues. The passenger side redervoir mount and hose location might need to be adjusted, looks like it might rub at full articulation and full turn if you do both.

Im getting no wheel hop with the leaf springs now. The truck stance is perfect for me, almost level with 1/4-1/2" of rake.

Also got on the SPD downpipes and KN inlet pipe. Truck sounds great.... can hear the downshifts, significantly more responsive. It did throw a CEL even though they said it wouldnt, im seeing now if i can trick the o2 sensor with a spacer so it doesnt flag the CEL.

As a side note, there was a tragedy for my other car... had flash floods in SFL. Got caught in the flash flood coming to pick up my truck in Hialeah last night. I'm telling my wife the whole time the cars in front of us need to just not stop. Of course, a car stops in deep ass water (there was water in every direction, legit surrounded by 10-20" of water and you can't see the depth). I try to go around and car stalls. Get to start pushing, can see the intake sucking in water. Check engine light. Had to push it 4 blocks. Won't start. Very likely totalled.....

Then I drove away in the truck with zero issues because it's a beast. The irony.... no more sports cars in SFL for me. Looking for a wildtrak bronco for my wife.

 

[Rabidtastic]

Sports car...SFL...Tavarish has entered the chat. Sucks, what was it?

Might have to drive down and take a look. I keep eyeballing that kit but I don't want to go much higher (likely fine with the front adjustments) how much of a lift if any did the leafpack add?

 

[Cranbery]

Sports car...SFL...Tavarish has entered the chat. Sucks, what was it?

Might have to drive down and take a look. I keep eyeballing that kit but I don't want to go much higher (likely fine with the front adjustments) how much of a lift if any did the leafpack add?

Maybe half inch add? The arch is much higher than stock, but also because it's more rigid when it seats.

It was a 20th anniversary golf R, 6MT.

 

[Cblaxx19]

Sports car...SFL...Tavarish has entered the chat. Sucks, what was it?

Might have to drive down and take a look. I keep eyeballing that kit but I don't want to go much higher (likely fine with the front adjustments) how much of a lift if any did the leafpack add?

let's all meet up!

 

[Rabidtastic]

let's all meet up!

I feel like I need a TotM tag first.

Maybe half inch add? The arch is much higher than stock, but also because it's more rigid when it seats.

It was a 20th anniversary golf R, 6MT.

I could prob get away with that. Sucks about the R

 

[Cranbery]

Here's the stance with maybe 50 lbs in the bed.

 

[Escape Hatch]

Alright!

Finally got some parts installed. Got the stage 4 icons with leafpack, honestly they drive great. Significant upgrade over my RC fronts and vertex rears. Will be able to report better after the trip on Saturday.

Icon fixed the light bracket pretty sure because it went on with no issues. The passenger side redervoir mount and hose location might need to be adjusted, looks like it might rub at full articulation and full turn if you do both.

Im getting no wheel hop with the leaf springs now. The truck stance is perfect for me, almost level with 1/4-1/2" of rake.

Also got on the SPD downpipes and KN inlet pipe. Truck sounds great.... can hear the downshifts, significantly more responsive. It did throw a CEL even though they said it wouldnt, im seeing now if i can trick the o2 sensor with a spacer so it doesnt flag the CEL.

As a side note, there was a tragedy for my other car... had flash floods in SFL. Got caught in the flash flood coming to pick up my truck in Hialeah last night. I'm telling my wife the whole time the cars in front of us need to just not stop. Of course, a car stops in deep ass water (there was water in every direction, legit surrounded by 10-20" of water and you can't see the depth). I try to go around and car stalls. Get to start pushing, can see the intake sucking in water. Check engine light. Had to push it 4 blocks. Won't start. Very likely totalled.....

Then I drove away in the truck with zero issues because it's a beast. The irony.... no more sports cars in SFL for me. Looking for a wildtrak bronco for my wife.

Your headlight bracket is different than the one myself and Cblaxx got.

 

[Cranbery]

Your headlight bracket is different than the one myself and Cblaxx got.

View attachment 30029

So I'm looking at it now and they didn't even use the part you and cblaxx have - i ordered it but its still in the truck bed unopened. I'm not sure where they got the bracket they used, maybe it comes with the kit now? Is the point of the bracket to separate it from the UCA?

I haven't noticed my lights being out of whack and it doesn't look like the sensor is being damaged.

Not sure what to think about that bracket anymore.

 

[Rabidtastic]

SFL shop/how bad?

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

Looking great!

 

[Yeti]

Looking for a wildtrak bronco for my wife.

We got mine the badlands. She loves it. Wildtrack is definitely more comfortable with that suspension

 

[Cranbery]

SFL shop/how bad?

Actually an awesome shop, the guy lives and breathes fords. Always great builds around the shop too, he's been a godsend of info on building up the ecoboost. MAK Performance, would highly recommend to anyone.

 

[Rabidtastic]

Actually an awesome shop, the guy lives and breathes fords. Always great builds around the shop too, he's been a godsend of info on building up the ecoboost. MAK Performance, would highly recommend to anyone.

Meant more how bad off is your wallet

 

[Truckin]

I need to get further through this forum. Love this build it’s amazing
All of a sudden I know I’m not done with mods!

 

[Escape Hatch]

So I'm looking at it now and they didn't even use the part you and cblaxx have - i ordered it but its still in the truck bed unopened. I'm not sure where they got the bracket they used, maybe it comes with the kit now? Is the point of the bracket to separate it from the UCA?

I haven't noticed my lights being out of whack and it doesn't look like the sensor is being damaged.

Not sure what to think about that bracket anymore.

All great questions. Icon web page stated the bracket needed to be ordered for those of us with auto-leveling headlights. Maybe your shop could give some details as this looks like a good option. Out of curiosity, what is the height, width, and offset of your wheels and same for the tire? There has been speculation of what will fit with the billet UCA and Icon recommends a +6 offset with a 34x12.5 tire. The more I uncover with Icon they seem to not really do research of what is truly compatible and only provide what will put more money in their pocket.

 

[Cranbery]

All great questions. Icon web page stated the bracket needed to be ordered for those of us with auto-leveling headlights. Maybe your shop could give some details as this looks like a good option. Out of curiosity, what is the height, width, and offset of your wheels and same for the tire? There has been speculation of what will fit with the billet UCA and Icon recommends a +6 offset with a 34x12.5 tire. The more I uncover with Icon they seem to not really do research of what is truly compatible and only provide what will put more money in their pocket.

This tire is right under 35x12.5, more like 34.75x12. Off memory rims are +18 offset. Zero issues with that side of it with this setup, from what I can tell so far.

I will add the leafpack bolts were too short and half the nut thread isn't on the bolt - I asked them for longer ones.

Need to go back to the shop after my trip anyways to fix the CEL from the downpipe, I'll ask them about the headlight bracket.

 

[Escape Hatch]

This tire is right under 35x12.5, more like 34.75x12. Off memory rims are +18 offset. Zero issues with that side of it with this setup, from what I can tell so far.

I will add the leafpack bolts were too short and half the nut thread isn't on the bolt - I asked them for longer ones.

Need to go back to the shop after my trip anyways to fix the CEL from the downpipe, I'll ask them about the headlight bracket.

Would love to hear a cold start and acceleration from inside and outside the cab. My next mods will be DP, IC, IC tubing, intake, and custom tune from Boost King. I want to make sure the DP don't drone.