Leveling Kit, Tires, Wheels, Smoked Lights and More on my Lightning Platinum

[chuck27p]

It's been about a month since I've had my Lightning and I wanted to share my modifications. I researched for months before I got it and was looking at everything I could, so I'm putting my info up for those who are researching options and looking around for ideas. Here's what I did:

• Fuel Flux 20” Wheels
• 285/60r20 Nitto Ridge Grappler Tires
• Retrax One MX Tonneau Cover
• Level / lift / alignment
• Black out all emblems
• Smoke front LED power bar
• Smoke rear tail lights and tailgate molding
• Window tint complete dark
• Tint front windshield 55%

I have a 2023 Platinum. I have not noticed any issues with the hands-free blue cruise driving or lane assist. The truck rides so smooth, and putting it in sport mode is incredible. Barely any tire noise, not noticeable to me, but maybe to some if you've never had bigger tires before. These are super smooth and quiet IMO.

I have noticed less range. It's hard for me to get a handle on how much, as I drive a combination of streets/local and freeway daily. There's also a lot of hills by me, so that affects my range. I *think* I'm roughly in the 1.7 range on average. Based on what I've read, leveling the front end was likely what hurt the range the most.

The leveling kit is from readylift and I think it's a 2 1/4" so it sits exactly level. It's made for F150s so it was easy to add. No rubbing on the tires.

I had the emblems taken off and painted. They look like they came this way. I love them.

At the last minute, I had them "smoke" the lights on the back and front light bar. I love the back, with the red, at night it looks almost normal. The front light bar looks black during the day, which I love, but it's a bit "yellow" at night when turned on b/c there's black paint inside. Overall, I think I like it, but it's the one piece of the entire job that I am still a little unsure about (only at night, during the day with the black, I love it -- I feel the light bar is a great design but the quality of the light looks too cheap and plastic to me, especially on the higher models).

If you have questions, I'm happy to answer them.

 

[Oneand0]

Have you been able to work the bluecruise with the level, with no problems? Looks awesome!!

 

[eRockBoon]

I have not noticed any issues with the hands-free blue cruise driving or lane assist. The truck rides so smooth, and putting it in

 

[RI fisherman]

what did you use to black out light bar and tint rear?

 

[F150ROD]

Nice! I was looking at these wheels also!

 

[chuck27p]

Have you been able to work the bluecruise with the level, with no problems? Looks awesome!!

Yes, I have not noticed any issues with bluecruise or handsfree driving.

 

[chuck27p]

what did you use to black out light bar and tint rear?

The shop I went to said they have been painting the inside of the lights, they called it "smoked." They took the lights off, including the light bar, and they spray a few layers of special black paint that allows the light to show through when the lights are on.

A few others I know have tinted the light bar and they said it's not that great, and the tint keeps coming off b/c they had to force it in the little areas between the hood and stuff.

The method my shop used is to paint the inside so it's just part of the truck. I absolutely love the red lights in the back, and at night, they look bright red. The light bar doesn't look as good at night IMO b/c you can see the black paint inside and it looks a little dirty or yellow. But during the day, all black, for me, it's amazing. So I guess it's a trade off.

 

[Simpso57]

The shop I went to said they have been painting the inside of the lights, they called it "smoked." They took the lights off, including the light bar, and they spray a few layers of special black paint that allows the light to show through when the lights are on.

A few others I know have tinted the light bar and they said it's not that great, and the tint keeps coming off b/c they had to force it in the little areas between the hood and stuff.

The method my shop used is to paint the inside so it's just part of the truck. I absolutely love the red lights in the back, and at night, they look bright red. The light bar doesn't look as good at night IMO b/c you can see the black paint inside and it looks a little dirty or yellow. But during the day, all black, for me, it's amazing. So I guess it's a trade off.

Thanks for the explanation. Mind letting us know the cost to get the front light bar done? I have been trying to get this done but my local body shops are too intimidated.

 

[chuck27p]

Thanks for the explanation. Mind letting us know the cost to get the front light bar done? I have been trying to get this done but my local body shops are too intimidated.

It cost $400 for the lightbar and $400 for the taillights and bar in back, $800 total

 

[Stuff]

Looks great!

The more I see the smoked out front lightbar the more I want to get it done too.

 

[Fast4U]

Have you been able to work the bluecruise with the level, with no problems? Looks awesome!!

Mint my thread but I’ll add on I have lariat 511a with blue cruise and my 2.3 level and 34 inch tires didn’t affect bluecruise at all

 

[dippinMike]

what shop? i’m in southern ca as well, might want to get my front light bar done too

 

[dippinMike]

Mint my thread but I’ll add on I have lariat 511a with blue cruise and my 2.3 level and 34 inch tires didn’t affect bluecruise at all

nice, did you do the stage3motorsports leveling kit?

 

[FordTough98198]

The shop I went to said they have been painting the inside of the lights, they called it "smoked." They took the lights off, including the light bar, and they spray a few layers of special black paint that allows the light to show through when the lights are on.

A few others I know have tinted the light bar and they said it's not that great, and the tint keeps coming off b/c they had to force it in the little areas between the hood and stuff.

The method my shop used is to paint the inside so it's just part of the truck. I absolutely love the red lights in the back, and at night, they look bright red. The light bar doesn't look as good at night IMO b/c you can see the black paint inside and it looks a little dirty or yellow. But during the day, all black, for me, it's amazing. So I guess it's a trade off.

I love the rear on mine but couldn’t live with the front so had them do some tint different in the front. I agree in the day it looked awesome but with the lights on it didn’t look even on the white light bar. The red seems to hide it better.