Ford F-150 mods and upgrades come in different sizes and configurations, depending on what you’re looking to upgrade. You’ll be glad to know that there are so many F-150 upgrades out there. This article shares the best and only Ford F-150 upgrades you’ll ever need.
The Ford F-150 is among the most timeless pickup trucks. It’s reliable, efficient, and it’s powerful. And most importantly, the Ford F-150 is the truck that gets the job done, whether it’s to take you from point A to B or haul a heavy trailer. It takes on the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and the Chevrolet Silverado. While the Ford F-150 comes well-equipped straight from the factory, there are some of us who always a little bit of extra horsepower, speed, performance, or hauling power. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get into the Ford F-150 mods and upgrades. We’ve discussed everything from intakes to Grille Guards.
These are the best mods and upgrades for the F150.
1. Exhaust Systems
A new exhaust system is one of the best upgrades you can get for your Ford F-150 pickup truck. Besides giving your truck that fantastic growl sound, a new exhaust system for your F-150 can help increase torque and horsepower. And it does this while giving you optimal exhaust flow.
If you’re going to add an exhaust system to your F-150 truck, pick a stainless steel exhaust system. It will help maintain optimal exhaust flow. Also, stainless steel systems are designed to withstand rust and corrosion. This means the stainless steel exhaust system lasts longer. For an added touch, I recommend getting black chrome tips, which are available with some systems. Besides looking cool, they also allow you to customize the exhaust sound, or note, if you will.
These are the top exhaust systems to pick for your Ford F-150:
- Rough Country Dual Cat-Back Exhaust for 2009-2014 F-150 2WD/4WD | V8-96010 – $549
- Flowmaster 717864 FlowFX Cat-Back Exhaust System – $480
- 4 inches Round Muffler Rolled Tip Catback Exhaust System Compatible with Ford F150 Lincoln Mark LT 4.6L 5.4L 04-08, Stainless Steel – $288
2. Rims
When it comes to updating your truck’s appeal, Rims are the best some of the best Ford F-150 mods and upgrades. We all desire to drive something that looks a little different from everything we see on the road. I mean, if we had the money, I’m sure we’d all opt for a custom pickup truck altogether, with our dog’s name lettered on the tailgate. But, we can still give our truck a unique look with new upgrades. For the F-150, it’s a fresh set of rims.
The best part here is that there are so many Ford F-150 rims on the market right now. Some come with a black powder finish. Others have sleek chrome and polished aluminum.
We’ve rounded up the best rims you can get for your F-150:
- New 20×8.5″ 20 Inch PVD Chrome Aluminum Alloy Wheel Rim for Ford F150 2015 2016 2017 | ALY10003U95N | Direct Fit – OE Stock Specs
- New 17×7.5″” 17 Inch Aluminum Alloy Wheel Rim for Ford F-150 2002-2003 | ALY03466U20N | Direct Fit – OE Stock Specs, Machined and Silver
- Partsynergy Replacement For New 20 Inch Aluminum Wheel Rim Fits 2021-2021 Ford F-150 6 Lug 135mm 6 Spokes 20×8.5 inch
3. Air Intakes
Air intakes are excellent Ford F-150 mods and upgrades that you can add. These are perfect if you want to increase your F-150’s torque, horsepower, or fuel efficiency.
How does an air intake upgrade work? New cold air intake systems allow your F-150’s engine to burn fuel more efficiently when on those multi-day trips.
Here are the top cold air intake favorites for the F-150:
- RedRock Cold Air Intake; Black Wrinkle (11-14 5.0L F-150) – $235
- Rough Country Cold Air Intake for 2015-2020 Ford F-150 | V8/5.0L – 10555 – $129.95
- K&N Cold Air Intake Kit: Increase Acceleration & Towing Power, Guaranteed to Increase Horsepower up to 11HP: Compatible with 3.5L, V6, 2011-2014 Ford F150,57-2583 – $286.49
4. Performance Programmers and Tuners
A Ford F-150 tuner or programmer is a perfect buy if you want to upgrade your F-150 but you aren’t where to start.
The Tuners help in determining the type of Ford F-150 moda and upgrades that your truck needs. The system tells you everything from boosting horsepower to increasing torque, or even gas mileage. A tuner will help you keep your F-150 truck’s performance on top of the game if you love tweaking now and then.
And if you are, get a pen and paper because these are the best F-150 Tuners and programmers:
- Throttle Response Controller 9 Drive Modes Smart Electronic Racing Accelerator (861-Upgrade) – $65.99
- PEDAL COMMANDER – $299.99
- FT for Ford F-150 Raptor (2011-2021) – $279.99
5. Lift Kits
If you want to increase the height of your Ford F-150, then consider buying a lift kit. With an increased height, you get extra off-road prowess as these help smooth out the ride when navigating bumpy terrains. As an off-road truck, the F-150 can handle lots of territories. But with the lift kit, you can go beyond the threshold.
If you’re going to pick a Ford F-150 lift kit, pick one that’s packed and awesome, like the ones listed below:
- Rough Country 6″ Suspension Lift Kit for 2015-2020 Ford F-150 4WD – 55730 – $1,099.94
- Dynofit 3″F+3″R Full Lift Kits – $109.99
- Rough Country 2″ Leveling Lift Kit w/N3 Shocks for 2009-2020 Ford F-150-52230 – $140.90
6. Cooling Systems
Ford F-150 cooling system upgrades come in the form of fans that pull in outside air via the radiator to keep your engine cool. Those long days of driving under the scorching sun can take a huge toll on your truck’s engine. With all the excitement of the adventure, we can sometimes forget to check the engine and ensure that everything is alright under the hood, temperature-wise. To perform well, your engine needs to remain at an optimal temperature.
A cooling system upgrade is ideal for the Ford F-150 as it keeps the engine temperature properly regulated. You’ll be avoiding issues like overheating, which can damage components of your engine. Also, an F-150 cooling system upgrade means less engine maintenance in the long run.
These are the coolest cooling systems you can get for your Ford F-150:
- TYC 623620 Cooling Fan Assembly Compatible with 2011-2014 Ford F-150 – $131.99
- Lynol Cooling System Complete Aluminum 2 Row Radiator – $112.44
- A-Premium Engine Radiator Cooling Fan Assembly – $179.99
7. Steering Upgrades
If you want to enhance your Ford F-150’s stability and handling, then steering upgrades that you can get for your truck. With that, you’ll be able to take on those unpredictable turns and twists on the roads with ease. On top of that an upgrades steering system for the Ford F-150 can eliminate the unwanted vibrations that are often experienced on vehicles with large wheels.
There are a lot of steering stabilizers that increase your F-150’s handling. Here are a few best options we have selected for you:
- Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel for Ford F150 Raptor 2021-2023 D-shaped Flat-bottom Steering Wheel Perforated Leather Grip Hand-Stitched Compatible with F150&Compatible with Raptor – $339.99
- Ford Genuine Steering Wheel BL3Z-3600-BC – $259.23
- Ford 2021-2024 F-150 Lariat OEM Black Leather Heated Steering Wheel ML3Z-3600-RA – $229.99
8. Nerf Bars & Running Boards
Running boards are a pretty good upgrade for your F-150 pickup truck. I know I’ve said this about every entry in this list, but running boards are a must-have.
Most pickup trucks, the F-150 included, sit higher. The higher your vehicle sits, the more difficult it can be to get in and out of it. For easy entry and exit out of your truck, consider getting extra wide steps for your Ford F-150.
There are so many different types and varieties of Nerf bars or running boards to choose from. The availability of many options means you can easily find one unit that matches your truck’s aesthetic. Here are the options we’ve picked out for you:
- Running Boards SuperCrew Cab Compatible for 2015-2024 Ford F150 & 2017-2024 Ford F250 F350 Super Duty Crew Cab Side Step, Two Stairs Design Side Bars Nerf Bar (Pickup 4-Door) – $289.99
- PZ 6″ Running Boards for 2015-2024 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab 4-Doors 2017-2024 Ford F250 F350 Super Duty Crew Cab Black Aluminum Alloy Side Steps Nerf Bars – $144.99
- YITAMOTOR 6 Inches Running Boards Replacement for 2004-2014 Ford F150 SuperCrew Cab Side Steps Textured Black Nerf Bars – $179.99
9. Tonneau Covers
Whether you pick the hardtop, lockable, or rolling type, Tonneau covers are some of the best Ford F-150 mods and upgrades that help to keep your gear safe on the truck bed. After all, if you’re on an adventure, and I mean a real adventure, this part of your truck is probably loaded with gear and stuff. So, keeping your stuff safe and secure will be a top priority on your travels.
Thankfully, there are so many F-150 Tonneau covers available on the market. These are the best Tonneau covers hand-picked for you:
- Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with Ford F150 F-150 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 5.5 ft Short Box, Soft Roll Up Style – $179.99
- CARMOCAR Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Replacement for 2015-2024 Ford F-150 – $410.99
- oEdRo Upgraded Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover Compatible with 2015-2024 Ford F-150 F150 5.6 Feet Bed – $208.39
10. Grille Guards and Bull Bars
Adding a grille guard or bull bar is an upgrade that protects for Ford F-150 against damage from collisions, whether you are riding on or off-road. They are pretty self-explanatory unless the bull part made you think of driving the truck inside a bull-fighting arena, which isn’t such a bad idea if you are as adventurous as I wish I was.
Most of these F-150 grille guards come with mounting options, allowing you to add more accessories like LED light bars.
Here are the top grille guards for your F-150:
- SUORTO Black Bull Bar with Lighting Bar and License Plate Frame, Front Guard Grille Compatible with 2004-2023 Ford F150 F-150 – $189.99
- Kojem Silver Grille Compatible With 2009-2014 Ford F-150 XL Model Bumper Grille Assembly Cover Guard Chrome Shell w/Black Insert 9L3Z8200D FO1200511 – $132.00
- oEdRo Paintable Bull Bar Fits 2004-2023 Ford F150, Truck Brush Guard, Front Bumper Push Bar w/Grille Skid Plate Light Mount – $159.99