R2D2's 2022 ST - KISS Build

[R2D2]

Keep It Simple & Small Budget build.

The picture taken on the day ST has landed on the dealer lot. I happened to be there for just a test drive. Didn't think I will be taking delivery after a month.

Vehicle Warranty & Service Plans

1. Ford Protect Premium Care
2. Ford Protect Maintenance Plan

Accessories Added:

1. Screen Protector
2. Trailer Hitch Cover
3. Dash Cam Accessories
4. Magnetic Phone Holder
5. Android cables & chargers
6. Husky Cargo + Seat-back Liner
7. ST pedal covers
8. Tux Mat Floor liners
9. Kuat Bike Rack (Review)
10. Madico Ceramic Tint
11. LaminX Tail-Lamp Tint
12. LaminX Fog-Lamp Tint
13. Autostop Eliminator
14. Reverse lamp LEDs
15. Cup Holder Hero

DIY Cosmetic Changes:

1. Black Ford Emblems (Front & Back)
2. Black ST Badging (Front & Back)
3. Glove Box Velcro Clips
4. Android Cable Routing
5. Rear Dashcam Cable Routing

Inherited Accessories from my last vehicle.

1. Faraday Bags for Key Fobs
2. Silicone License Plate Frames (Doesn't work well with ST)
3. Auto Seat Protector for Kids seats
4. Roadside Emergency Kit
5. Headrest Tablet Mount
6. VIOFO A129 Duo Dash Cam
7. Bergmann Tire inflator
8. Front Windshield Shade

ForScan Changes (Working ones):

1. Double Horn Honk on Leaving Cabin
2. Using Front Fog with High Beam
3. Power Point Timeout
4. Remote Global Close
5. Silent Mode Control Function
6. Disable Chimes Seat Belt Minder
7. Disable three start-up chimes
8. Reverse Mirror Tilt
9. Amber DRL with/without White DRL
10. Engine Sound Enhancement Delete
11. Auto Rear Wiper on Reverse

 

[R2D2]

Day ST came home. Final good bye to 2020 CRV Hybrid. I have spent lot of time Plasti dipping every chrome part to black on that.


Inherited Accessories from V.

1. Faraday Bags for Key Fobs
2. Silicone License Plate Frames (Doesn't work well with ST)
3. Auto Seat Protector for Kids seats
4. Roadside Emergency Kit
5. Headrest Tablet Mount
6. VIOFO A129 Duo Dash Cam
7. Bergmann Tire inflator

 

[R2D2]

Installed the dash cam with minimal cable visibility and out of sight from drivers point of view.


But not happy with the way 12V outlet on the Ford still continue to get power after engine shut-off.

Pending works

1. hardwiring (from fuse or mirror)
2. rear cable routing to prevent cable dangling.
3. adding few accessories to dash cam

 

[R2D2]

Had to leave brand new car parked for a month because of a family vacation.
Filled fuel to full tank and over inflated the tiers, in preparation for the 5 weeks storage.
Asked a friend to start the car in-between. (App based Remote start works anywhere in the world )

Came back to find an even coat of dust over ST. Everything else was working fine.
Took it to a touchless wash the very next day.

 

[R2D2]

Added Screen Protector to the (in) famous tablet.
Before (L) and After (R) pictures.

Mixed feelings :
(+) lowest pricing of all the options out there
(+) looks ok and works good.
(-) not fully matching the screen outline
(-) Fixing requires some bit of improvisation, than what the instruction says.

 

[R2D2]

Glove box DIY clip.
Found one plastic clip (inside picture) lying around my house. Trial fitted and it worked.
Saved me some money and a 3D printing machine
May need to screw it down later, if it becomes loose.

 

[R2D2]

Trailer Hitch Cover. Just want to keep the hitch insides clean.

 

[R2D2]

Circular Polarizing Lens CPL Filter for eliminating unwanted reflections in Dash Cam
New Higher capacity High Endurance Memory card for Dash Cam.

 

[R2D2]

Magnetic Car Phone Holder - Took almost 30 mins to find an ideal position that works for me. Working great so far.

Since I have not glued the magnet on my phone (it just stays between the phone and case), have have lot of freedom with mounting options.

 

[R2D2]

Android Auto cables, Music USBs and a tiny Fast charger.

Everything bought specifically to mix & match, and use with ST ports in the front.
The fast charger is so small, the 12V socket can be closed with the device inside it.

Future plans : Wireless android auto is under consideration, but I prefer the wired setup over the wireless one.
I might consider if some new product comes up with end to end integration and added features.

 

[R2D2]

Husky Cargo Liner
Material and design feels good. Should serve the purpose of protecting the cargo carpets from the elements.
But fit and finish could be better. Didn't really like the Velcro strips placement underneath the mat.
The openings for the tether are at wrong positions (I wont be needing it though)
Need to make a cut in the middle, if I need to fold the seats individually.

 

[R2D2]

Plasti-dipping Rear emblem.

Top left - after masking
Top right - after third coat
Bottom left - after it was dry
Bottom right - final look (night photo)

Cost - zero (had the things left from last project)
Time - 20 mins
Super happy with the result, hence next, the front one.

 

[R2D2]

next, the front one.

Not fitting that good, with all the piano black grill surround. But still better than the OEM blue emblem.
I might have to redo this in the future. Or add a gloss finish coat over it.

 

[R2D2]

ST pedal covers.
Photos with and without flash

+ Looks really good
+ Feeling no different in operation
- bit of struggle to put the brake pedal one
- the aesthetic front end can come out of the rear rubber attachment over time (suspect the brake pedal again).

 

[STupidExplorer]

Thought will make a thread for all the additions to my ST. Keep It Simple & Small (budget) build.
View attachment 16900
The picture taken on the day ST has landed on the dealer lot. I happened to be there for just a test drive. Didn't think I will be taking delivery after a month.

Love a budget build

 

[R2D2]

Ford Protect Premium Care added for 48k miles, $0 deductible, 6 years, including rental, key replacement and lights, @ $1840

I called the ford protect directly, when I realized I no longer can get on online, if you are from California.
There was some $200 discount from the person at the phone applied and you get 0% APR for 30 months, with 10% down.

I was quoted $3500 along with the vehicle. (don't remember the exact details of the plan offered)
Other options for people outside of California. Should be cheaper as well.

1. Flood Ford
2. Granger Ford
3. Anderson Ford

 

[R2D2]

Caught between a spring bloom and a huge fog cloud.

 

[R2D2]

I was waiting for TuxMat floor mats to become available, for the last few months. Just ordered it on their website, for all three rows.

Now the wait game starts. Last time it took close to a month to reach me. Let's see how it goes this time.

They are on the expensive side. But I loved it on my previous vehicle and no one else came close when it came to quality and coverage.

 

[R2D2]

Black out ST badging trials.

Sharpie solution, to see if it actually look good or not.
I'm on the fence, or I think I like the red more.
I have time till my ST experience day in July, to decide.

 

[STupidExplorer]

Black out ST badging trials.
View attachment 17388
Sharpie solution, to see if it actually look good or not.
I'm on the fence, or I think I like the red more.
I have time till my ST experience day in July, to decide.

I did mine with a universal black touch up pen/brush going on a year no issues looks good still. The first vinyl insert only lasted a couple months in winter .