The 2024 Raptor project is coming along! We are eight episodes deep into this build, and we've finally gotten to the highly-anticipated lighting phase. Our plan is to bring this truck out to as many events and trails as possible, and our North star is bringing it to King of the Hammers 2025!
This means we're cranking away at modifications and getting our Raptor prepped for off-road and daily life. Being able to use a fun and fast off-roader as a practical, overland-capable daily driver is our ultimate vision. The ability to haul supplies needed to build a deck at home and have the ability to run trails or send it through the whoops is appealing to us for many reasons. In addition to securing your gear, one of the first essential steps of getting off road safely is having the power to control auxiliary lighting, radios and other necessary equipment. That's why this past week we installed sPOD's HD BantamX power management system.
We plan on running a boatload of Baja Designs lights and some badass essentials in this truck. After getting a feel for Baja Designs' Amber Wide Squadron Sports on SDHQ's A-Pillar mounts with our 2023 Raptor Build, we decided to start a step up from there with the 2024 Raptor. Our first lighting addition will be Baja Designs XL Racer Edition lights on SDHQ's mounts, then we will move down to their Fog Pocket SAE Squadron Kit, OnX6+ Behind the Grille Dual Light Bar Kit, Squadron/S2 chase lights/dust lights, an S2 Reverse Light Kit and a secret project we can't even share with you yet! (and if you don't want to deal with adding a bunch of items to your cart, check out their Stage 2 Bundle for 2021+ Ford F-150/Raptor here).
We will be installing a Go Fast Camper V2 setup on this truck in the near future, so being able to power some creature comforts and control lighting in the back will be essential. This controller gives us 8 additional programmable and linkable buttons, in addition to the 6 OEM auxiliary upfitter switches already in the roof console. We're looking at a lot of options when it comes to powering everything we'll be installing in this rig. What do you power with an sPOD or similar power distribution unit? Let us know in a comment below or reach out through our Instagram!
Then again, we might follow in the footsteps of our friend @tacodust who has a dual sPOD setup in his SuperCab Gen2 Raptor. He's working with an sPOD unit in the cab mounted on the dash AND one in the bed secured to an articulating Mountech arm on our Bedside Rack. We love how his layout came out, and we have some unique ideas of our own when it comes to bed-mounting sPOD controllers - check back soon to learn more!
sPOD's HD BantamX Kit is extremely thorough - they provide everything from extra wiring pins and connectors to zip ties and even offer text/icon button stickers that say "Ejecto Seat Cuz"... The wiring harnesses are all measured to length perfectly, making this kit as plug-and-play as possible, and even their 3D printed production parts ended up looking a lot more OEM than we expected after being installed!
While we installed sPOD's 2021+ Ford F-150/Raptor specific HD BantamX Kit in our 2024 Raptor of course, they make these kits for a bunch of vehicles, side-by-sides and off-roaders. They also offer HD BantamX Universal Kits so you can install an sPOD unit wherever it's needed. From agriculture to military applications and racing, they are one of the most tried and true options for a reason - an sPOD system is well worth the money, and the folks there will always go above and beyond to help you find a solution and control your power.
We were very impressed with how smoothly the install process went overall. It was a painless experience removing OEM parts and trim (no clips were harmed), and sPOD's awesome customer service came in handy when we had a couple questions before powering up. See more about sPOD by clicking here, and to learn more or shop sPOD systems click here!
Watch the full 2024 Raptor sPOD BantamX HD install video below!
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