Blue Mini Build Log

[RussCantrell]

I'm starting to put things together. Thought I'd stick all the pics in one place, rather than scattering them around. Just making note of the little changes I'm making to my little truck.

First, though, the boring "first day home" pic to show it stock. Need to have a "Before" picture, right?

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[RussCantrell]

First change - tint job. (Actually, my shop did this before I took delivery. Though I went back and forth a couple of times because of the eyebrow.)

Didn't want any Imperial entanglements, so I stuck with the 35% VLT on the front row. Clear ceramic elsewhere to fight off the oppressive Alabama heat. Some clear reflective on the sunroof, so I can keep the top open and still bounce off most of the rays.

Happy with my guy overall. The one thing I'm iffy about is the eyebrow stripe. It's straight, if you're standing at the driver's door and looking across the glass. From the front or from behind the wheel, it looks almost triangular?

I might end up removing this - the original thought would be that the stripe would run roughly from the bottom of the camera assembly to the AS-1 line. But the curve of the glass makes it appear arched.

 

[RussCantrell]

Next up - Maxina water barrier clips. Started with something easy, as I'm not the best DIY'er. (And, amusingly, I had trouble even here. Was trying to put these in backwards, until Maxina's support kindly showed me what I was doing wrong without making me feel like an idiot. Thanks, guys!)

 

[RussCantrell]

Couple of other quick and easy ones while it's still a touch too cold to stay outside and play.

Hardest part was waiting for the inventory at Maverick Innovations to restock.

Snaps into place. Looks good. No notes. 10/10.

 

[RussCantrell]

Next up, Mabett fender hole covers.

Messed up here thinking the trim snaps were one piece, rather than two. Almost impossible to pull loose if you pry them off that way. (Note the minor scratches around each one as I struggled in vain.) But the Ford ones are pretty simple to remove if you pull the inner core first.

The Mabett ones are much harder. I like how snug and secure they are. The part I didn't like is, if you did need to redo something...they're snug and secure.

In hindsight, I wish I had put the fender flares on first. Would have made things much easier.

 

[RussCantrell]

As far as total cost, this was the cheapest mod that gave me the most pleasure per dollar spent. Less than $5 total, but the stock start button unreasonably annoyed me.

I couldn't find a color match for Maverick Interior Blue, so one that was close to the exterior was close enough. And it's a bit shadowy here, so it's less likely anyone would notice.

(That said, I'd gladly have paid twice the price for one that did match, if any of the vendors out there have the right color material and need something to do with the leftovers...)

 

[RussCantrell]

On to the fender flares. This was the one I was most looking forward to. Strangely enough, I was a little uncertain about the results?

Don't get me wrong - I love Mabett. Their flares look the best that I've seen, and I've done a lot of research here. Every picture I see looks better with them than without them. Plus, personally, I don't like that "cut" Ford stamps in to make it look like the Mav has faux flares.

I suppose I was a little surprised at the difference. I love my nice blue truck. It was a little surprising how much of that blue was now covered up by the gray.

(Of course, that was the whole point. I wanted at least one piece to make sure it didn't look stock. And they did exactly that, with this one part making an immediate and noticeable change.)

I think this was half the results of it being late in the day, and half my perspective from three feet above the ground, looking up. At six feet and looking down, it's not bad at all. The more I see it, the more I'm coming to like them. And the more boring that original "before" picture now looks in hindsight.

Actual install was pretty easy, though I had to debate which order to do these and the hole covers. Redid a couple of steps, and broke a few of the plastic trim fasteners in the process.

Also had some trouble with the one hole the two parts share in common. Luckily, there were a few of the longer fasteners from the front wheels I repurposed. Used those for the bottom holes, and then used the Mabett fasteners for the rest.

 

[RussCantrell]

Easily my favorite upgrade - the "MAVERICK" lettering.

Custom ordered these through TuffSkinz. The set I received are matte black by day, and reflective at night.

The black isn't super blackout black, but it's on par with the trim around the top of the bed. And the dark gray actually seems to fit more than if it were high gloss black.

At night, though? Looks like an entirely different truck.

 

[RussCantrell]

Before-and-after shot of the reflection effect:

 

[RussCantrell]

Last piece for today - Maxina window vents.

This was the piece I was most "iffy" about. I almost never unroll my windows, and when I do, it's all the way down. I wouldn't let them down in the rain. I wouldn't leave it unattended like that in a parking lot, in the hopes it'd vent some of the built-up heat.

But they look cool. And I got a pair on the cheap during Amazon Prime Day.

Went with Maxina because they looked the most "low profile." And, if you're looking dead-on along the side of the window, they're barely noticeable at all.

Install was simpler than I had thought. No trouble so far. I learned that the metal clips aren't to hold the piece in place, as much as they're to keep them out of the way of the glass when it comes up or down.

I think I put mine too high into the corners...I'll order a replacement pack of just the clips, if those are available, and add some right at the very bottom-edge where the window would have to transition over the side visor.

 

[Backin15]

Well done! I love the color of your truck. Do I see a utility rail in the bed?

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Endless mods!
Looking sharp

 

[RussCantrell]

Well done! I love the color of your truck. Do I see a utility rail in the bed?

Good eyes. That you do! I was focusing more on the aftermarket parts here. But I do also have a set of the Ford OEM rails.

 

[RussCantrell]

“Finished” product, at least for now.

I’ve still got the Mabett underbody shield to install, but don’t feel like jacking it up and crawling underneath while the ground’s still cold.

(Plenty more on my wishlist there. The only reason Mabett didn’t get my entire paycheck is because I had to save a few things for Santa Claus.)

I also still have my Ford points to spend. Probably using those to pick up the Air Designs tailgate spoiler. Thoughts there?

 

[RussCantrell]

Looks great, but what's the reading on that volt meter?

pretty sure it was 13.0. The lights flicker subtly - can’t really see it with the naked eye, but a camera’s likely to catch it with a segment or two missing.

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