TFLtruck has teamed up with AutoAnything.com to get our long-term tester 2014 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor upgraded. The goal of the project is two-fold: make the truck even more off-road capable, and make it more usable as an expedition, road-trip, or chase vehicle. Expect to see popular and affordable additions and modifications on Project Raptor. It will not be an unlimited budget, show truck build. These are the modifications most owner can tackle and include: air compressor, upgraded brakes, tonneau cover, winch, and off-road LED lights.
Expect TFLtruck to put each part through a real-world test and watch it on video.
#1 – VIAIR Air Compressor
The most important part of off-roading (or any driving) is where the rubber meets the road or any surface. Traction is very important. The Raptor is rolling on BFG Goodrich All-Terrain tires, which have very good in all-around performance. They perform well on the snow, in the wet, and in most off-road situations. This tire’s tread is closely packed to also ensure a relatively quiet highway ride. Of course, this tire is not ideal for thick mud or more extreme rock crawling. However, you can improve off-road performance over sand, mud, or rocks by airing down the tires. When you air down, the tire contact patch is increased – thus increasing floatation over loose surfaces, improving traction, and making the off-road ride more smooth.
The first addition to the Project Raptor is the VIAIR 400 Series portable air compressor. You might think that you can squeak by getting a low cost air compressor that you plug in to your cigarette lighter. However, these cheap compressors will take forever to fill a large off-road tire and are prone to breakage. You need something with more power and better overall quality, like this VIAIR unit. This compressor hooks up directly to the battery and provides enough flexible line to reach the tires of a big truck like the Raptor. The end has a built-in pressure gauge and a clever valve to let air out. This way you know the exact pressure when you air down or fill them back up.
