The Ford F-150 is America’s favorite truck and as such, it’s well-supported on the aftermarket with tons of upgrades and mods to make a great truck even better. Upgrades for the F-150 range from performance-enhancing to aesthetic-improving with everything in between.
Trucks are already incredibly versatile vehicles, but you can add an endless number of accessories and upgrades to make them even better.
Let’s take a look at 10 must-have upgrades for the best-selling Ford F-150.
Rough Country Hydraulic Tailgate Assist
If you own an older F-150 between the 2004 and 2014 model years, the Rough Country Hydraulic Tailgate Assist is a great way to avoid accidentally slammed drops of your tailgate, which can damage cables or the tailgate itself.
Essentially, this accessory is a shock absorber that attaches to your tailgate and truck bed where the stock tailgate cable is located. It’s simple to install and makes your tailgate much easier to use.
Plasticolor Seat Covers
Even if you like the stock upholstery in your Ford F-150, it’s simply practical to add seat covers like these sideless seat covers with the Ford emblem. It features a faux leather look that goes with any interior, but best of all, it protects your stock upholstery from wear and tear from everyday use.
These covers are easy to install and easy to remove if you need to clean them or want to reveal your stock upholstery. In a similar vein, you might opt for floor mats from the same brand. Your carpet is likely to take even more abuse than your upholstery.
Ford F-150 Rear Backup Camera
All Ford F-150 trim levels since 2018 include backup cameras as standard equipment. However, if you have an older F-150, it’s easy enough to add a rear backup camera that you can source online or from your local Ford dealer.
These camera systems have gone way down in price as they’ve become ubiquitous in new cars. Installation isn’t much more difficult than installing an aftermarket stereo. Many units also come with Bluetooth wireless connectivity, which makes installation even easier.
Barricade Ford F-150 Running Boards
Trucks just keep getting bigger and even 2WD models sit higher above traffic than you might expect. However, if you add a lift or taller tires to your Ford F-150, you might find climbing into your truck truly a tall task. Barricade running boards can solve this with rugged steel construction and 6.5 inches of width to ensure reliable footing.
These running boards are designed to mount to the factory locations, which means you won’t have to drill or make extra modifications when you install them. Barricade Rattler running boards fit models from 2015 to 2024.
MBRP F-150 XP Series Dual-Exit Cat-Back Exhaust
Upgrade your 2021-2024 Ford F-150 with a 2.7-liter, 3.5-liter, or 5.0-liter engine with the MBRP cat-back exhaust system. This type of exhaust upgrade is for both performance and aesthetics. It delivers a classic sound with a deep yet mellow note.
Compared to stock systems that have a higher-pitched or nasally sound, the MBRP system sounds much better. However, it’s not just about cool sounds, it also enhances performance by minimizing restriction for better flow. In trucks with the 5.0-liter engine, this can result in up to 11 more horsepower and eight more pound-feet of torque.
S&B Cold Air Intake
A cold air intake is a classic upgrade for any truck where you want to increase horsepower and improve fuel economy. The S&B F150 cold air intake is constructed with heavy-duty silicone seals and offers a choice of replaceable filters or 8-layer, washable, oiled cotton filters.
The airbox is oversized and fully-enclosed and there’s a clear inspection lid to check the filter’s condition. Cold air intakes work by drawing on cooler air away from the hot core of the engine, which leads to better combustion, and thus more power and efficiency.
Ranch Hand Legend Series Grille Guard
Protect the front of your F-150 with the Ranch Hand Legend Series grille guard. This is a heavy-duty, ranch-style grille guard that provides full coverage for the grille and surrounding areas like the headlights. Installation is simple with bolt-on mounts.
The tubular design features a black powder-coat finish for rugged good looks. It’s the ideal combination of sturdy protection and aggressive off-road aesthetics.
Dometic Console Fridge
Dometic makes console refrigerators for the Ford F-150 with two different models available for years between 2015 and 2020 and 2021 and the current model.
This innovative accessory smoothly integrates into your F-150’s center console to give you a place to store food and drinks wherever you go. Even if you have another fridge set up for camping or overlanding, the Domatic fridge can be kept in your truck for everyday use and impromptu trips.
Husky Liners Rear Wheel Well Liners
Rear wheel well liners are a must-have for any Ford F-150. Not only does it look rather uninspiring to see the bed through the wheel wells, but it also sets up a situation where debris kicked up from the road can cause chips, which are likely to rust. Wheel well guards protect the frame, bed, and wheelbase from road debris and rock chips. Husky Liners is one of the most popular brands for this type of accessory and its liners are easy to install and easy to clean.
DualLiner Bed Liner
Last but definitely not least is the only bedliner that really works to protect your truck’s bed. Available for the Ford F-150, the DualLiner bed liner installs easily in 30 minutes and is custom-made for the F-150.
Unlike spray-on liners, the DualLiner won’t grind off your paint finish and it won’t trap water or block the factory drains. It also doesn’t shift like a regular drop-in bedliner. Industry experts agree–this is the best bed liner you can get.
Start customizing your Ford F-150 today with this handy list of performance upgrades and accessories!
