Repeat Gainesville Client Gets Numerous Ford F-250 Upgrades

A client from here in Gainesville, Florida, brought his 2007 Ford F-250 Super Duty to Sound Depot and Performance in search of some upgrades. Every month or so, the client has made an addition or two to the truck in improve its functionality and usability. We helped arrange financing for the client to allow him to make the upgrades he wanted. Follow along as we explore the path these Ford F-250 upgrades have taken.

Better Vision through Better Lighting

The front lighting drastically improves night time driving safety.

Our lighting upgrades are not only safer, they look great!

The client has requested numerous lighting upgrades for his truck. We started by installing a set of factory headlight bulb upgrades. We also installed a Rigid Industries e2 series 10” light bar in the center of the bumper. The 17861 has a driving light pattern and can produce 9,000 lumens of output for the capability of illuminating the road almost a mile ahead. We flanked the driving light with a pair of Rigid 20211 D-Series fog lights to illuminate the area in front of the truck.

A Putco tailgate light bar serves as additional brake lights and turn signals. The tailgate light bar installs just under the tailgate hinge area. The bar lights up in white when the truck is in reverse to make it easier for the driver to see obstacles.

Audio System and Interior Upgrades

Backing up is much easier thanks to the addition of the backup camera and screen.

The new Kenwood radio gives the client hands-free control of his smartphone.

The client uses his smartphone all the time, so we demonstrated the Kenwood DDX9903 CarPlay and Android Auto Monitor Receiver. With the DDX9903 in the dash, he can connect his smartphone and make phone calls, choose his music, and listen to and dictate text messages, all without having to take his eyes off the road. A set of Kenwood speakers in the front doors offers a dramatic improvement in performance over the factory paper cone speakers. We installed an Echo Master VM-10l license plate frame with an integrated camera to make backing up much safer. Combining this with the Putco light bar means the client can see everything behind the truck, even in pitch black, for much greater safety.

The client wanted a radar detector, so we suggested the new Escort 9500iX. The 9500iX includes a high-sensitivity receiver with its built-in IVT filter. The IVT filter works to recognize and ignore technologies like collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems. We mounted the 9500iX to the rearview mirror using a BlendMount bracket. The BlendMount bracket holds the detector close to the mirror and eliminates the need for unsightly suction cups.

Cosmetic and Functional Exterior Upgrades

The window tint on this F-250 is designed to not interfere with vehicle electronics.

The unique locking mechanism on the truck box is very secure.

The addition of the power steps will make entry and exit from the truck much easier.

The truck box adds quite a bit of additional storage.

The inside of the truck box is lined, to protect anything the client might want to store in it.

The client wanted to keep the interior of the truck cool, so we tinted the windows with 3M FXP film. The FX Premium series of films provides 99% UV rejection and up to 45% total solar-energy blocking. FX Premium films are not metallized, so cellphone, GPS and satellite radio system performance is not affected.

The client asked us about a way to make it easier for his wife to climb in and out of the big truck. We suggested the Amp Research Powerstep. The Powerstep is a motorized side step that is controlled by the truck door. When the doors are closed, the step retracts up close to the body. This location maintains ground clearance and vehicle aerodynamics. As soon as someone opens a door, the steps motorize down to make it easy to climb into or out of the truck. Because the steps retract, they can extend out farther from the side of the truck and lower to the ground to be more beneficial than conventional fixed-location steps.

The final external addition was a toolbox from Cam-Locker. This aluminum toolbox features a cam-actuated locking mechanism that is virtually unbreakable. The box itself is welded together from heavy-duty diamond-plate aluminum with a chrome finish. The felt-lined interior protects the contents from damage.

No End in Sight for Ford F-250 Upgrades

The client has been thrilled with each upgrade we have performed over the past few months. He drops by the shop often to talk about what else he can do to the truck. We think a subwoofer system may be in his future.

If you are looking for accessories for your car or truck, drop by Sound Depot and Performance. You can also contact us for more information by using our web-based e-mail FORM.