Ford F-150 Scoops, Louvers, & Vents

• Reduced cab temperatures
• Reduce sun glare
• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection
• Customized look
• Improved privacy

The large rear window of the Ford F150 lets in a lot of light, which will turn the cabin into an oven with enough time. Rear window louvers have proved their worth by not only reducing cab temperatures, but also protecting your interior against UV radiation. 

The sun’s damaging rays can deteriorate the inside of your cab over time—especially if you live somewhere that receives harsh sunlight—leading to expensive repairs or a lower resale value. Considering that most louvers cost around $100, it’s a cheap investment.

Looking for a retro appearance? Window louvers were highly popular in the muscle car scene, and will give your F150 the same high-performance look while increasing privacy. Some manufacturers offer louvers that boost the rugged, beefy look of the Ford F-150, and also offer improved protection of the rear window from unstable loads.

The market has several rear window louvers designed for the F150, so it’s important to take inconsideration the following when choosing one:

• Preferred appearance
• Color
• OEM window construction (Sliding or non-sliding window)
• Application
• Your budget
• Material

The appearance and application between different brand rear window louvers vary considerably, so choose one that fits your needs and preferences. Some louvers simply offer performance styling and privacy, while others are designed to add protection to the rear window for the heavy-hauling F150 drivers.

Pros

• Very inexpensive
• Effortless installation 
• Provides a small amount of protection for rear window
• Paintable to match your truck’s color
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not as rugged as aluminum

If you’re a guy looking to add some sporty styling to your F150, an ABS rear window louver is exactly what you want. The low profile, finned designs will pump a retro look into your truck. Don’t like the stock color? ABS window louvers can easily be painted to match your truck’s body color. 

Pros

• Sturdy construction
• More protective than ABS pieces
• Rust resistant

Cons

• Higher price tag
• Heavier
• More intensive installation

Trucks are meant to be bulletproof, handling all the hauling you desire. Sure, they are a bit pricier than ABS units, but adding an aluminum rear window louver to your F150 means adding protection and reducing the risk of damaging the glass with whatever you may be hauling. An ABS louver might not hold up to harsh impacts.

Installing rear window louvers to your F150 can be done quickly, and often times without tools. Some of the popular, styling-oriented louvers are installed by sticking on to the rear window using 3M tape.

The only catch is a dirty window can affect the bond between the tape and window, so be sure to give it a cleaning with soap and water before installation.

More rugged louvers, which are designed to protect the rear window of unstable loads, tend to require a more involved installation. These louvers are often mounted to the bed via clamps—no drilling necessary—providing a sturdy structure.

Now that we’ve got the rear window of your F150 covered with a louver, let’s talk about the front windshield. Unless you manage to park away from the sun every time, or you somehow always manage to find a shady spot, there’s going to be harsh sunlight making it through your front windshield. 

We can’t lie; there’s a cheap sun shield available almost anywhere you go. Investing in a high-quality sun shield is beneficial in more ways than one. First, the premium materials will better deflect the sun’s rays, helping keep your truck cooler on a summer day. 

Second, there are several companies offering F150 custom-fitted sun shields that fit perfectly inside of your windshield, blocking every last bit of light trying to make it through. Cold out? Some sun shields feature two-sided designs, with one side being a dark film coating that absorbs sunlight to help fight winter frost.