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Big Sky's the Limit

Following the aftermarket build-up of an '04 F-150

The Ford F-150 is the world's best selling vehicle with well over 800,000 sales in 2003. As a result, the F-150 accounts for a good part of the profit generated by the world's second largest automaker. When Ford decided to completely redesign and re-engineer the F-150 for the 2004 model year, this all-new full-size pickup truck had to be a winner to continue the success. The '04 F-150 is larger and heavier, with more contemporary styling, and the interior is roomier, more like a luxury sedan.

Quicksilver

To match the larger size, stronger frame, and a more refined suspension, Ford developed a more powerful V-8. The new Triton 5.4-liter engine with variable-cam timing generates over 300 hp and 365 lb.-ft. of torque, and is mated to a new, stronger and smoother 4-speed OD automatic transmission with optional 2-speed electronic transfer case.

The interior of the SuperCrew Lariat is as comfortable and well appointed as that found in a new Lincoln Town Car. Safety features include front airbags, optional side airbags, and 3-point safety belts with pretensioners and load limiters up front. The front passenger airbag system also has a sensor that automatically shuts off the airbag when no weight is detected.

Body Kit

Performance West Group of Vista, CA got a hold of one of the first '04 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat 4x4s to leave the factory and set out to make this all-new pickup something very unique and even more appealing. Their designers added a long list of accessories from some of the most innovative and recognizable names in the aftermarket industry. All of these products are readily available to owners of this impressive new truck who want to add their own personal touch. We followed the build-up of what is now known as "Big Sky."

The list of aftermarket companies involved with this project is long and impressive. The first turn went to Mike Face's Custom Paint shop in San Bernardino, CA. Mike's crew first removed all the body panels and repainted them with Flex Products Spectraflair Holographic Metalflake Fine Grade "Quicksilver" paint, which really accentuates the speed and agility of Big Sky. Mike also painted the custom Xenon 8-piece body kit (front fascia, rear fascia, fender flares, side skirts) in Quicksilver.

Tonneau

When the paint was dry, Big Sky headed northwest to Xenon's headquarters in Anaheim, CA where a team of Xenon technicians custom installed an aggressive-looking body kit to better accentuate the new, wider stance of the F-150. While at Xenon, Webasto Products sent a technician to install their new power operating soft tonneau cover that comes with an interior light and two key fobs to easily open and close the cover. You can also vary the opening at any length. The install took a little less than an hour to complete.

Back at Mike Face's, shop the grille was removed and replaced with a beveled, billet aluminum grille set by B-Cool Billets of Riverside, CA. Mike's technicians then installed Stainless Steel Brake's custom 14-inch slotted brake rotors and Tri-Power aluminum calipers to more quickly and safely stop the heavier F-150 Big Sky. These custom brakes also have the Ford F-150 logo etched on the rotors.

Stopping Power

The new, bolder look was coming together nicely, so it was time to stuff the custom Xenon fender flares with giant, 35.5-inch tall BF Goodrich LT355/55ZR22 G-Force T/A steel belted radial tires. These rugged, high-performance all-terrain tires are wrapped around huge, 22x10-inch "Clamp" model Cyclos Designer Wheels by Oasis Alloy Wheels. Big Sky then headed further east to Riverside, CA for a 2-inch lift at Advantage Performance Center.

Performance West choose a set of Rev Tek's billet aluminum spacers that are affixed to the top of the front coil-over shock absorbers. The 2-inch lift kit increases the F-150's ability to conquer tough off-road trails and gives Big Sky even more handling ability on the hard pavement. After a final road test at Advantage Performance Center to check the drivability of the upgraded suspension, Big Sky headed south to San Diego where a new Sony Xplode audio and video entertainment system was installed. This system includes a powerful Sony in-dash CD/DVD player with a large flip-up front screen plus a large pull-down rear screen that pivots a full 360-degrees for easy viewing from any of the seats.

Exhaust Tips

Once complete, Big Sky returned to Performance West for installation of a bed rug by Wise Industries, a bed extender from Instagate, and four Ford-logo Cruiser Stainless Steel Accessories door entry guards. From there, Big Sky headed southwest to Jim Warner's Muffler Shop in nearby Oceanside, CA where it was fitted with a custom Borla dual, cat-back exhaust system to better exit the hot gases and give Big Sky an unmistakable rumble and growling exhaust note. This would be no usual install since the dual exhaust tips exit on only one side in front of a rear wheel.

Performance West designers instead went for a truly unique "quad" exhaust look with two, 2-inch polished stainless steel Borla exhaust tips exiting a precut opening through the Xenon side skirts on each side of the truck. Warner cut a hole through the frame on each side of Big Sky, boxed the frame, then bent and snaked the exhaust pipe to the cutout on each side. This is truly a one-of-a-kind install, and gives Big Sky a very unique look, indeed.

Seats and Boost

Next on the journey was the home of Katzkin Custom Leather Seats in Los Angeles, CA where Brian Leslie directed the fabrication and installation of the front bucket and rear bench seats. The original seats were removed and replaced with Katzkins' finest custom seats. But Big Sky had to be even more special, so, in this case, Lear Industries custom San Marino leather and suede hides were used to cover the seats. These butter soft seats also sport the Ford logo. The more luxurious interior got the finishing touch with Designer Mat's thick, custom-embroidered floor mats that also sport the Ford logo. When that was done, Big Sky headed south to Johnson Window Film in Carson, CA where the windows were tinted using Johnson's bestselling dark window film. This added a stealthy look and enhanced security, while keeping the interior cooler on hot days.

More stunning and now heavier than factory stock, Big Sky is ready for some additional boost and Kenne Bell Superchargers in Rancho Cucamonga, CA is the place. Kenne Bell's Twin Screw 2.2-liter Blowzilla Supercharger with 9 psi of boost adds 50-percent more power to the Ford Triton 5.4-liter V-8. For logistical reasons, however, Big Sky is yet to receive its install, but Jim Bell did install Blowzilla on another F-150 with the same engine. He also installed a high-performance engine management computer, plus a set of Denso Iridium spark plugs. When tested on the Kenne Bell dyno, horsepower specs were rated at 450 with 495 lb.-ft. of torque.

More modifications are down the road for Big Sky. This is what automotive personalization is all about. The journey is never-ending, and more than half the fun!