I bought an Aero X truck topper for my Ford Lightning

[@JohnSmith-lw2bm]

Thanks for validating most beliefs about the fun of charging an ev.

[@MindofMatter]

Happy to help! Just being real

[@moonshiner258]

Nice. Looks good. New technology. Great documentation for future.

[@MindofMatter]

Thanks! We will see how I can get it to fit. I think it's only for 2015-2020 f150s

[@carefulcarpenter]

@@MindofMatter So--- are you planning to be a paint and body man? I restored a Chevy van when I was 26. My neighbor taught me how to do a proper valve job. I went from an A- student in college where I first studied Engineering(Computer Science) to a craftsman by age 26. ☺ Our son is now a technician for an online parts and service company. He was tearing apart the 79 Volvo Sedan I gave him when he was 14. At 24 he told me he did not know what I gave him. We have always fixed our own cars and trucks. Passion is worth more than most will understand. I can hear passion in your voice!

[@MindofMatter]

@@carefulcarpenter not really my skill, body work that is. Wish I was good at it. Check out my Camaro Z28 to see my horrible paint work! However, filling and wrapping this truck topper should be a good "20-20" job (looks good at 20mph from 20ft away)

[@carefulcarpenter]

@@MindofMatter ☺ Patience and focus. You can do it! You can always take a quick video and show me where you are at. I have painted numerous things--- from that '67 Chevy Van, to the hood of a customer's BMW that got a chip in the center from a smal stone. Then I repaired and hand-finished his family's antique chest that went through two World Wars before being shipped to California. In SF we had access to a spray booth--- where I finished, what we referred to as "pianos". These were highly polished black laquered cabinets for an Interior designer's job. The prep is always the important part, and an engineer-type has the eye. You just need someone to ask, sometimes.

[@nydieselinfl]

I have one of these toppers on my black Raptor, just to be different, and it certainly gets a lot of looks.

[@MindofMatter]

I bet that looks amazing. Lots of haters here and other social posts I've made but if you get it, you get it. It's not for everyone but I love those

[@dillonrobinson5858]

The trucks do have preconditioning. You need to use the in board navigation though to trigger it.

[@MindofMatter]

@@dillonrobinson5858 right you are

[@Tnga]

Nice find. I cant wait for more aftermarket solutions like this as the ram and Silverado come out. My guess is this improves hwy range by 15% at 80mph and stabilizes the ride, roughly the same effect that the Lightning’s added flat underbody panels provide. I’m not sure about the torsional stiffness benefits the X will add. I do know that the triangles on the back of the cybertruck improve torsional stiffness by 25 without adding much weight, though that may depend on how the X is attached or the difference of Lightning’s body of frame. Since I use a bakflip tonneau, I‘ll eventually add a spoiler to the cab (sort of like your comment about the switchgear spoiler) and tailgate spoiler to improve the range by maybe 5%, but since I do mostly city driving, I’m holding off on that. Since the bakflip is low, stiff, and flat, it pretty much offers no fuel/range benefits. Most current accessories aren’t yet optimized for this new EV powertrain.

[@MindofMatter]

I'm thinking a roof wing and tonneau cover may even do 80 percent of this slant back style Aero X cover which is pretty good. Makes me wonder if this is worth it. According to the Airshaper channel on KZbin, he thinks air resistance savings is around 15 percent for the slant back cover. This results, from what I heard, is about a 7 percent benefit in range (about half the resistance change 15/2=7.5). So you are about right according that that info.

[@joshgworks]

Neat, keyance checkout, I knew that had to be coming eventually. Almost 200kw is pretty hot, I'm currently getting 5.5kw on the 2002 in the garage and feeling happy about the results. Really a bummer to see charging isn't as reliable as it should be. Good deal on the top, good stuff.

[@MindofMatter]

Yeah DC fast charging for road trips is pretty bad but it's only about probably 2% of my charge is so it's unusual that it's a problem. Once Tesla charging becomes available for Fords in a month or two things will get better

[@dangerdoberman]

That looks healthy AF!

[@AMCguy]

Love to see the cap get wrapped

[@GregoryBamber]

Australia had these types of ute topper in the 80s for Holden utes. They were produced by Xatal.

[@MindofMatter]

I'll have to Google those. I bet they looked rad

[@MindofMatter]

Just looked into these. Yeah they are very similar ideas. They look so cool. I see some from the 80s like a coupe but even one from the 2000s that makes the ute look like a station wagon/estate

[@LarryRichelli]

Use sport mode and fold your mirrors on road trips. Way better range in my experience. Also, if you navigate to the actual charger the truck will precondition.

[@MindofMatter]

I do fold the mirrors if I am in rural areas or 2 lane roads. Who knows how much it helps but the AirShaper video here says 5% resistance decrease for ~2-3% range increase As for Sport mode is the idea that the 1pedal driving is disables helps with range? I have seen this theory before and I happen to disagree with what was presented on various forum posts and KZbin channels. If a driver sees a reason to slow down in normal mode (1PD-on) and just completely lets off the accelerator, yes, this may cause unnecessary slow down and wasted energy. However, I have adjusted to 1PD enough that I, instead, would slightly let off SOME of the accelerator, merely FEATHER the throttle a little to stay either in slight acceleration mode, coasting or some slight regenerative braking to slow down; I dont just let off the throttle all the way all the time. Doing this, to me, negates the benefits of 1PD-off and therefore Sport mode but maybe I am missing something.

[@MindofMatter]

This is the AirShaper video I mean btw: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2HEpKaVdt2fpa8si=vkJwTtIxxzQG3xVQ

[@carefulcarpenter]

You are at an age with almost unlimited funds. My cars--- that I dreamed of restoring are gone. I am down to one '88 Volvo 740 Turbo. No funds to even buy a new battery. 😁

[@Ishkatan]

So how is this topper working out MPG wise? Looking forward to a follow up on this and explanation of fitment as well.

[@MindofMatter]

As for the efficiency, I saw some anecdotal improvements on that one drive. However, this is hardly scientific. Instead, I would direct you to this fantastic article from Motor Trend on the topper and their Lightning. They have a whole series on this and the aero improvements are, at best, mixed. At worst this topper actually hurts efficiency in some cases. "Our computed efficiency was 1.89 miles/kWh southbound and 1.93 mi/kWh heading north, yielding an overall trip average of 1.91. Comparing an aggregate of 1,329 miles of 70-mph highway trips taken with just the tonneau cover in place-with a fully functional air dam and in slightly warmer ambient temperatures-the truck averaged 1.98 miles/kWh." www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-ford-f-150-lightning-xlt-yearlong-review-update-9-aerodynamics/ As for my own topper: I could not get it to fit on my truck while also closing the tailgate. First obstacle: some structural fiberglass adjacent to where the hatch-lid latches attach interfered with the tailgate. I did some trimming and that solved that interference. THEN, the tailgate would close more but would still his the latches themselves. I thought about a) Removing the latches and replacing them with some other system b) trimming down the latches with my grinder or c) having the topper ride around with its hatch partially raised and not close completely. Ultimately, none of these options were appealing so I ended up selling the topper.

[@carefulcarpenter]

One day in the future, when you happen to be in Chicago, you could thrill an old man by filming around the zBlue Bottle Coffee at 313 Wolf Point Plaza. I believe the three skyscrapers are complete: Wold Point West; Salesfore Tower; and Wold Point East. No one has adequately filmed the Blue Bottle--- et al.

[@MindofMatter]

Happy to do so! I'll get some footage.

[@WeirdSeagul]

the charging situation was a bit of a joke. looked like brand new chargers and so many issues

[@michaelt.9372]

Did you look for the charger under “chargers” on the nav? They do have preconditioning when you route to a charger under the “chargers” list.

[@MindofMatter]

I did look for the charger and I believe this is where it routed me. However I think this is just as fast as the charger was willing to go at all

[@nicoquattro3950]

I dont know how I came across this video, but it was nice to watch. That Aero looks pretty cool. But, you should keep the spoiler. You need a, well, google translates it as ''tear-off edge''. So that the wind does not envelope the vehicle and create a suction behind the rear. You want a nice sharp that stays a little bit proud of the rear and cuts off the airflow. Google ''Audi A2''. Thats a small Audi built from 99 to 04 or 05, it never made it to the states, but it was way ahead of its time. It has a small spoiler on the rear. Or look at the Toyota Prius. The side profile is kinda similar to that of your truck, and they all have a spoiler.

[@MindofMatter]

I am so glad you commented here. You have a very information full post! Thanks for bringing up the A2...I love those cars. I never thought of the comparison between the amazing A2 and this truck topper but I am so glad you did. Great point about the spoiler... Maybe it is not so bad for aerodynamics but I think it would bother me knowing it might be better without it. It does look better with the spoiler for sure though.

[@nicoquattro3950]

@@MindofMatter If Im honest, I dont think it makes a noticeable difference whether the spoiler is on or off. Its not like your pickup truck has a round rear. There are sharp 90 degree angles in every direction. I would still leave the spoiler on so you don't have to close the holes. Yes, the Audi A2. Way ahead of its time. Body made entirely of aluminum, strange shape, no big engines, no luxury, but incredibly expensive. Unfortunately, it sold poorly because of this, so there was no second generation. I found it strange at first, but the A2 is incredibly practical. And you have a lot of space. Here in Germany it almost has cult status. An Audi A2 is still on my list. Ideally Imola yellow, then install a 1.8T, then with stage 1 setup you have 190-210HP on 1070kg. Would be a great sleeper. Im exited for your next video on the Aero X. Ive never seen anything like that. Looks really fresh. It reminds me of an Rallye Dakar Raid Truck.

[@MindofMatter]

@@nicoquattro3950 this video was a fun reminder of these cars. I knew about them before but I forgot about them until this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5LNqGqgaJKbrqssi=Z_htfEw0w8wqeG8C

[@nicoquattro3950]

@@MindofMatter They say the most aerodynamic shape is the teardrop. And I think the Audi 2 comes very close to that. Closer than the Prius. Back than everybody said ''uh ugly'' and stuff, but when I see the looks of some cars today.... yeah. And hey, you said the fitment on your Aero is nice. Any clue why theyve said on their website its not for f150s newer than 2020? Just the mounting?

[@MindofMatter]

@@nicoquattro3950 exactly I try to copy this shape

[@bradstephan7886]

I assume your Lightning is 2023? Love that AeroX! Great video, thanks!

[@MindofMatter]

Thanks for watching! It's a 2022, from Canada actually

[@tannermcnabb4836]

Maybe i just cant see it, but did you ever do a comparison of your lightning with and without this fastback? Did you see a measurable improvement in your efficiency readings?

[@MindofMatter]

@@tannermcnabb4836 I didn't end up doing a comparison because this Motor Trend one came out first and it's likely more accurate than mine would have been. Results were disappointing to say the least. www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-ford-f-150-lightning-xlt-yearlong-review-update-9-aerodynamics/

[@keichow]

You still have your old camaro????

[@MindofMatter]

I wish. Older to someone local and she put it into her collection along with a fox buddy Mustang and modern Dodge Challenger. She repainted it properly with a really high quality finish and the car looks fantastic now

[@keichow]

Ohhh okay just curious

[@garywycuff1948]

So did it help with range?

[@MindofMatter]

I think so. Wind was from the east all day. I drive south on the way down, North on the way up so wind should be a non issue. Elevation was in my favor on the way home but only 80ft difference. Temps were also in my favor on way back....27 degrees when I left in morning, 44 degrees when I came home. South trip with no topper was 1.3 mi/kwh. Return was 1.5 mi/kwh. Even if I drop the return efficiency to 1.4 to account for temps and elevation, it's a 7 percent important which is exactly what AirShaper predicted in their video given a 15 percent reduction in resistance (link in description).

[@MindofMatter]

AirShaper video I reference for my aerodynamic improvements. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2HEpKaVdt2fpa8si=vkJwTtIxxzQG3xVQ

[@nomercyinc6783]

fastbacks on trucks looks stupid as it gets. looks stupid on old mustangs too

[@JohnSmith-lw2bm]

Is that a mustang fastback truck?

[@MindofMatter]

Right you are! The manufacturer based this topper on the 1969 mustang fastback

[@thespicemelange.1]

What's the point of buying the truck in the first place if you're just going to put the back end of a car on it?

[@MindofMatter]

Show me an electric car that can tow 10,000 lbs, go off-road, have 110v and 240v outlets and comfortably seat 4 people for less than $60000 and I will buy it. Since this doesn't exist, I bought this truck and am trying to make it even better

[@thespicemelange.1]

@@MindofMatter but how long will it last before you have to buy another one? I've heard a lot of horror stories about the battery is not lasting very long on those. And they are very expensive to fix. But you don't know until you try. Good luck.

[@MindofMatter]

@@thespicemelange.1 I have an 8 year warranty from Ford on the battery so....I am not worried

[@thespicemelange.1]

@@MindofMatter I hope they honor it Good luck

[@RobertWilliams-ox4hz]

I am not sure I could deal with this.

[@MindofMatter]

Definitely not for everyone right now. Will get a little better but I bet gas will always be the fastest way to road trip

[@sullythepankake9663]

If you need this for your truck then just buy a Mach-E lmao

[@MindofMatter]

Find me a stock Mach E for sale that can go offroad, cost less than $54k, do 320 miles, has AWD, can tow, has the same space as my Lightning, that 4 people can sleep/camp in and has 10 110v outlets and 1 240v outlet.....

[@busaman1444]

EV's don't suck, the horrendous infrastructure for them in this country is what sucks

[@MindofMatter]

Definitely a long road to go with infrastructure. However, if this is the worst it is going to be, right now, then I think we are in good shape for the future.

[@kidamere2408]

which in turn makes it an unbearable experience, messing around 45 mins then waiting 30 mins to get 80 percent because filling up is actually bad for the battery insane in itself, just isnt fun

[@MindofMatter]

@@kidamere2408 it's surprising to me, how difficult it is to make reliable chargers apparently

[@Kylewraps]

No most modern EVs still suck The exception is some Teslas and the upcoming RamCharger