It looks like Truck Trend has a project truck. Web producer Melissa Spiering's aunt and uncle bought an EcoBoost-powered F-150 for their landscaping company, and we've basically adopted it. Aunt Xochitl (pronounced "so-chee") is the most excited about the upgrades, and she is eager to make this F-150 an awesome work truck. The first task was the installation of a set of steps from Go Rhino!, and the second was the addition of a spray-on bedliner from Rhino Linings. -Ed.
| Here is the F-150, bone stock.
Part 1: Stepping Up in Style We headed to the Go Rhino! facility in Brea, California, to get the 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost SuperCrew outfitted with Go Rhino!'s 5-inch O.E. Xtreme Bars. We chose these bars because they don't require drilling, as they use the preexisting factory-drilled holes. Bars are sold in 80- and 87-inch lengths and are available in black or chrome finishes. We went with the 87-inch units to match the length of the SuperCrew, and chose the chrome finish to complement the truck's massive chrome grille. The brackets are sold separately and are custom designed to ensure fitment for specific truck and SUV makes and models. Before starting, check your packing list to make sure you have all the hardware and parts. If anything is missing, contact your distributor. And don't forget to always wear safety goggles and gloves.
| Ford F 150 Ecoboost Side
1. You don't need a lift to install the bars. All you need is a flat surface and roughly 30 minutes. But Go Rhino! has a lift on site, and before we knew it our truck was in the air.
| 02 Ford F 150 Ecoboost Lift
2. Once under the truck, locate the front, middle, and rear factory holes under and behind the rocker panels. The F-150's holes came covered with black tape from the factory, which had to
be removed.
| 05 Ford F 150 Ecoboost Locate Factory Holes
3. For the first and third brackets, add a clip nut to the outer edge of the squared cutout behind the rocker panel--the holes from the clip nut and adjacent hole should line up. Mount the L-shaped part of the bracket facing the rear of the truck. Attach to the top hole using a 3/8 x 1-1/4-inch hex head bolt, 3/8-inch flat washer, and lock washer. Leave them loose.
| 04 Ford F 150 Ecoboost First Hole With Nuts Attached 2
4. For the center bracket, insert the 3/8-inch bolt plate in the large opening followed by the gasket vinyl. Slide on the bracket and attach with the 1-3/8-inch flat washer and lock washer and 3/8-inch hex nut. Leave loose. Attach all three brackets to the bottom of the rocker panel with a 3/8 x 1-inch carriage head bolt, 3/8-inch flat washer, lock washer, and 3/8-inch hex nut. Insert bolts upside down from the bottom up. Leave loose while you prep the bars.
| 05 Ford F 150 Ecoboost Center Bolt Plate And Vinyl Gasket Upclose 2
5. Flip the bars upside down to expose the aluminum mounting rails. Insert three 5/16-inch square head bolts in the first and third rails. Slide the bolts to match where the brackets will meet them.
| 06 Ford F 150 Ecoboost Bolts Inserted On Rails 01
6. Flip each board over and attach to brackets with a 5/16-inch flat and lock washer and 5/16-inch hex hut.
| 07 Attaching Bars To Brackets 02
7. Leave loose and adjust boards to line upto the side of the cab.
| 2012 Ford F 150 Ecoboost Tech 08 Adjust To Fit 01
8. Once you're satisfied with the alignment, tighten the bolts to the torque spec provided.
| 2012 Ford F 150 Ecoboost Tech 09 Tighten Bolts 02
9. After you have one of the bars done, repeat the job on the other side.
| 2012 Ford F 150 Ecoboost Tech 10 Bars On The Truck 03
10. As you can see, a quick 30-minute installation has changed the look of this truck. After a few day of driving, it's a good idea to retorque the bolts to make sure they're secure.
| 2012 Ford F 150 Ecoboost Tech 11 After Install
Cost: Our bars cost $450 (Part #680087C), and the brackets cost $118 (Part #6841265). Labor costs were not included.
