RULE 1 AUTOBOARD SPECIAL

2,403 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by dubi
Buck Turgidson
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I recently bought my two 16 year old boys a genuine Autoboard Special: a white F150. This one is a '22 STX with the 3.5 Ecoboost. It already had tint and fitted rubber floor mats. I immediately added PPF for the front end, door handles, door edges and at the wheel wells, along with spray in bed liner, rubber bed mat, splash guards, short antenna (having second thoughts on that one) and plastic wheel well liners for the rear wheels. Still planning to add those security screws on the tail lights, a gas strut for the tailgate and maybe a skid plate for the catalytic converters. I've barely seen one of my boys the last few days as he finds a reason to take off in this thing and be gone most of each day (its Spring Break), whether its fishing or heading out with his buddies.

combat wombat™
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AG
Yeah, the boys are loving this truck.
1agswitchin4lanes
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Looking good!

STX is the best value out there!

What's up with the front air dam by the left front tire?
tamuags08
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AG
Buck Turgidson said:

those security screws on the tail lights


Tell me more. What set are you buying? And how are thieves accessing the tail lights; does the tailgate need to be down?
Buck Turgidson
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Well I bought a set of replacement screws with a specialized tool that fits the head from Amazon for $6 but they don't fit properly. They were really intended for your license plate. I guess I'll still use them when we get the new plates in.

I'm going to try these next: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSXR29Y8 These are just screws that need something other than Philip's head or regular screw drivers. If the thieves have the right tool, they can still steal your tail lights.

To answer your question, thieves are able to pry open a back panel on your tailgate, unlock it and then get access to the screws that hold the tail light in place. I guess for a few thousand bucks, its worth it to them. I hope my tail lights are not as desirable as those on higher trim levels since an STX doesn't have blind spot detectors housed in the tail lights.
Buck Turgidson
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The previous owner must have done something to lose a chunk of the rubber air dam.
Burdizzo
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AG
What is the story with gas struts for the tailgate? I have owned and/or operated Ford pickup trucks as old as 1971 models, and my 2016 tailgate is as light as a feather.

Also, I looked forward to the stories a few years from now when your boys are in college and they are using this vehicle for mailbox skeet. Will this be the F150 From Hell?
Buck Turgidson
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The struts are cheap and they prevent thoughtless kids from letting the tailgate slam down. I hope my boys behave more responsibly than that. Time will tell.
Ag for Life
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AG
Wouldn't this have the standard tail lights, not the LEDs with blind spot sensors? I don't think they bother stealing the standard ones as they are cheap to replace.

Looks like $212.80 for the non-LED, non-blind spot tail lamps OEM replacements. Probably worth the minimal cost of the screws just to make them harder to steal.
1agswitchin4lanes
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Burdizzo said:

What is the story with gas struts for the tailgate? I have owned and/or operated Ford pickup trucks as old as 1971 models, and my 2016 tailgate is as light as a feather.

Also, I looked forward to the stories a few years from now when your boys are in college and they are using this vehicle for mailbox skeet. Will this be the F150 From Hell?



You can retrofit the oem ford roller and strut for 50-60 bucks.
Burdizzo
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To each his own. I think I would rather have the $50-60 for beer.

'Merica and economic choice.
combat wombat™
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Burdizzo said:

To each his own. I think I would rather have the $50-60 for beer.

'Merica and economic choice.


Why not both? /gif
dubi
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Buck Turgidson said:

The struts are cheap and they prevent thoughtless kids from letting the tailgate slam down. I hope my boys behave more responsibly than that. Time will tell.
I thought that is how you open a tailgate? Dammit I have been doing it wrong for 20 years on our Tundra.
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