Nice looking Mav!
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Lane's Dark Soul XL Build (lowered w/ Silver's, 19" wheels, Zep BAP, audio...)
Outstanding thread! While I’m not as big of a fan of the lowered trucks, this is a great build to see and read about. Thanks for all of the detail and links. Can’t wait to see what is next!
OP
OP
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- #19
Bumper End Cap - Rear, Ford Part #: NZ6Z17F000AB. Got mine from my local dealer, was $33.
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OP
OP
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- Lane
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- #21
I don't like the chrome badge, it has to go.
Saw @groovesocket 's thread where he did it in black vinyl instead and really loved the look. Took a close-up photo of the badge, cropped the image, used an online converter to turn it into a vector format. Took it to a buddy that has a vinyl business and cut a few different sized decals in satin black vinyl to give a try. Cost? I just need to lend a hand when it's needed. It's great to have friends like that.
I've read about others who have used dental floss to slide behind emblems to cut their adhesive mounting foam so I tried that for the first time. Floss kept breaking, that adhesive was tough. I've used a very thin wire when I've done this at the salvage yard, but for paint safety on the Mav, I used some tough braided cord this time that I had in a junk drawer in my workshop which I'd bought from Goodwill for a quarter. Give it some handles (sockets in this case), pull it behind the emblem, and off it comes. Still takes some effort though.
Picked a size that was a hair larger than the chrome emblem. A vinyl decal this size goes on easy.
Sure, it's a very subtle difference, and to most people, probably not worth their effort. But it adds to the package as far as appearance goes. One less bright shiny part on the vehicle.
Similar decals are available on Etsy and eBay for those who also want to get rid of the badge.
Saw @groovesocket 's thread where he did it in black vinyl instead and really loved the look. Took a close-up photo of the badge, cropped the image, used an online converter to turn it into a vector format. Took it to a buddy that has a vinyl business and cut a few different sized decals in satin black vinyl to give a try. Cost? I just need to lend a hand when it's needed. It's great to have friends like that.
I've read about others who have used dental floss to slide behind emblems to cut their adhesive mounting foam so I tried that for the first time. Floss kept breaking, that adhesive was tough. I've used a very thin wire when I've done this at the salvage yard, but for paint safety on the Mav, I used some tough braided cord this time that I had in a junk drawer in my workshop which I'd bought from Goodwill for a quarter. Give it some handles (sockets in this case), pull it behind the emblem, and off it comes. Still takes some effort though.
Picked a size that was a hair larger than the chrome emblem. A vinyl decal this size goes on easy.
Sure, it's a very subtle difference, and to most people, probably not worth their effort. But it adds to the package as far as appearance goes. One less bright shiny part on the vehicle.
Similar decals are available on Etsy and eBay for those who also want to get rid of the badge.
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OP
OP
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- #22
Next up on the appearance improvement list - probably the dumbest thing I may do to the vehicle.
When the driver's visor is down, which is most of the time, I hate seeing those darn decals from the outside.
On a prior vehicle, I was able to find some decal vinyl in a color that perfectly matched the dark gray visor itself. Was really easy to just stick the new vinyl in place right over the top of the decals. I stopped by a buddy's shop who does vinyl decal work, but the Mav's visor color didn't appear to be a common vinyl color. So locally finding matching decal vinyl didn't look good.
I then considered spray paint/dye. I've used SEM interior paint on a prior car's interior and had a color chart which would help match the paint to the Mav's visor color. But I ultimately decided against it since the SEM stuff needs to be ordered, and it's close to $30 shipped for a spray can. Nope, let's think more low-tech.
Did some searching here and found this thread where @Caper was able to confirm that the decals were able to be peeled off without harming the visor's vinyl (thanks!). I've seen these types of decals in the past that are heat bonded at the factory and unable to be removed so this was an unexpected surprise. A hair dryer is needed to soften the adhesive under the decals. It softens the decal vinyl as well making it less likely to break as you pull it. And you're going to pull, and pull, and pull. For me, the decal vinyl tore and broke again and again. A very small needlenose pliers helps get a grip on remnants if the decal breaks. The vinyl of the visor surface itself feels like it's stretching as the decal is being pulled off. It takes way too much effort and way too much time. It's clear that the factory doesn't want them to be removed.
They do come off, and the underlying visor vinyl slowly returns to its normal shape.
I did this without removing the visor from the vehicle, but it was as much fun as holding your arms over your head for a half hour. I rarely have a passenger and the passenger visor never remains down, so I decided to skip it for that side.
I love not seeing those stupid decals. Only do this if you have superhuman patience and no anger issues.
When the driver's visor is down, which is most of the time, I hate seeing those darn decals from the outside.
On a prior vehicle, I was able to find some decal vinyl in a color that perfectly matched the dark gray visor itself. Was really easy to just stick the new vinyl in place right over the top of the decals. I stopped by a buddy's shop who does vinyl decal work, but the Mav's visor color didn't appear to be a common vinyl color. So locally finding matching decal vinyl didn't look good.
I then considered spray paint/dye. I've used SEM interior paint on a prior car's interior and had a color chart which would help match the paint to the Mav's visor color. But I ultimately decided against it since the SEM stuff needs to be ordered, and it's close to $30 shipped for a spray can. Nope, let's think more low-tech.
Did some searching here and found this thread where @Caper was able to confirm that the decals were able to be peeled off without harming the visor's vinyl (thanks!). I've seen these types of decals in the past that are heat bonded at the factory and unable to be removed so this was an unexpected surprise. A hair dryer is needed to soften the adhesive under the decals. It softens the decal vinyl as well making it less likely to break as you pull it. And you're going to pull, and pull, and pull. For me, the decal vinyl tore and broke again and again. A very small needlenose pliers helps get a grip on remnants if the decal breaks. The vinyl of the visor surface itself feels like it's stretching as the decal is being pulled off. It takes way too much effort and way too much time. It's clear that the factory doesn't want them to be removed.
They do come off, and the underlying visor vinyl slowly returns to its normal shape.
I did this without removing the visor from the vehicle, but it was as much fun as holding your arms over your head for a half hour. I rarely have a passenger and the passenger visor never remains down, so I decided to skip it for that side.
I love not seeing those stupid decals. Only do this if you have superhuman patience and no anger issues.
Last edited:
Sick build; looks great! Looking forward to everything else you do with your Maverick.
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OP
OP
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- Thread starter
- #26
Even though Ford labels it a "bumper end cap", what I posted above is correct. It's the flat plastic piece that covers the hitch opening. #2 in this diagram:
Lots of other forum threads reference it.
Thanks for clarifying-gonna go order oneEven though Ford labels it a "bumper end cap", what I posted above is correct. It's the flat plastic piece that covers the hitch opening. #2 in this diagram:
Lots of other forum threads reference it.
JORL
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I did the very same thing: https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/chrome-delete-project-part-4-hybrid-badge.37004/I don't like the chrome badge, it has to go.
Took a close-up photo of the badge, cropped the image, used an online converter to turn it into a vector format. Took it to a buddy that has a vinyl business and cut a few different sized decals in satin black vinyl to give a try. Cost? I just need to lend a hand when it's needed. It's great to have friends like that.
I've read about others who have used dental floss to slide behind emblems to cut their adhesive mounting foam so I tried that for the first time. Floss kept breaking, that adhesive was tough. I've used a very thin wire when I've done this at the salvage yard, but for paint safety on the Mav, I used some tough braided cord this time that I had in a junk drawer in my workshop which I'd bought from Goodwill for a quarter. Give it some handles (sockets in this case), pull it behind the emblem, and off it comes. Still takes some effort though.
Picked a size that was a hair larger than the chrome emblem. A vinyl decal this size goes on easy.
Sure, it's a very subtle difference, and to most people, probably not worth their effort. But it adds to the package as far as appearance goes. One less bright shiny part on the vehicle.
Similar decals are available on Etsy and eBay for those who also want to get rid of the badge.
Wow.
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Fantastic build and even better write-ups. Clear, concise, and creative. Thanks.
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