Ford F150

[suicideking]

Starting to get discouraged. I found some great trucks and drove them around and parked them and came to the realization that the F150 is "not" downsizing for me, it's the same width as my Superduty and only a couple feet shorter, and a better turning radius, but it just doesn't make a good daily driver for me. I'd just be trading one big truck for another and the one I have now is perfectly fine.

So I have to ask myself, do I "really" need a full size truck at this point in my life? I've always had one but my needs have diminished greatly. I likely won't ever need to camp in one again since we have the motor home now, and I'm retired except for some rental maintenance that I could do with a small truck, plus I have a small trailer.

Since the main goal is daily driver and highway comfort I'm going to look at a Ranger which is quite a bit smaller than the F150. If I fit OK in one then I'll need to start the engine/transmission research on those next.

Being tall and long torsoed finding a comfortable vehicle has always been a challenge and the side curtain airbags don't help.

Also checkout the Chevy Colorado (or GMC version) if you're not dead set on a Ford. A good friend of mine bought one for a work truck and has had it for a few years. They are available with a larger bed, which makes the bed similar in size to an F150. Though he had to go about 8 hours away to find one.

 

[DEValken]

Might want to take a look at a Dodge Dakota. I've put over (combined) 500,000 miles on two of them without any issues. Alternator, water pump, etc. but nothing abnormal. I wrapped my last one (2005) around a hunk of granite on a snowy road in 2020, bought a 14 F150 5.0 Scab after that. No idea what the Dakotas are like now, but it's bigger than Tacos, smaller than a full size.

 

[JustDandee]

I had a super charged Tacoma, my wife the F150 econboost 3.5. Her truck got better mpg, hauled more people, towed heavier crap.
My truck was ALOT easier to park, jump, and wash.

 

[suicideking]

Might want to take a look at a Dodge Dakota. I've put over (combined) 500,000 miles on two of them without any issues. Alternator, water pump, etc. but nothing abnormal. I wrapped my last one (2005) around a hunk of granite on a snowy road in 2020, bought a 14 F150 5.0 Scab after that. No idea what the Dakotas are like now, but it's bigger than Tacos, smaller than a full size.

The Dakota was discontinued in 2011.

 

[DirtDawg]

I purchased my 2014 F150 (post 12) as an overkill TV for travel trailers. Agreed with any fullsize truck being too large (IMO) for primary use as a daily driver. I'm admittedly anal about avoiding door dings, so the only places I would take mine was Walmart or Home Depot parking lots where I could park way out and walk. Walking is the healthier thing to do, regardless!

The F150 replaced my former 2006 Nissan Frontier Nismo 6-spd manual (subsequently renamed Pro 4X), which was a very good size and fun to drive too. No problems whatsoever in the 8 years I owned it, other than the revvy 4L VQ series V6 not having sufficient low end torque suitable for the towing duties I needed then. With such low miles on my 2014 F150, it'll outlast this old man. Primary use now is occasional towing of my 2020 Can-Am Maverick Sport Xrc side by side on a 14' tandem axle utility trailer. With combo of 6.2L and MaxTow Pkg, the truck hardly knows that trailer is "trailing" behind...

 

[B1Toad]

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at the Colorado and it is only available with a 5 foot bed as of 2023, same as the Ranger, unless you go to an older one with a short cab. I drove a Ranger 2.7 today and I really liked it a lot. I may have to buy new, there aren't many used ones around. They also make a Raptor Ranger now and there was one in the showroom, awesome looking truck but not worth the extra cash for me, my Jeep works fine.

 

[Apparition]

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at the Colorado and it is only available with a 5 foot bed as of 2023, same as the Ranger, unless you go to an older one with a short cab. I drove a Ranger 2.7 today and I really liked it a lot. I may have to buy new, there aren't many used ones around. They also make a Raptor Ranger now and there was one in the showroom, awesome looking truck but not worth the extra cash for me, my Jeep works fine.

That factory horsepower and torque bump though

 

[ColoJeep]

I factory ordered this 2014 F150 S-Cab FX4 with 6.5' bedbox (last of steel-bodied, made in Dearborn) as my own version of a "More Practical Raptor", being one of very few equipped with Boss 6.2L (same 411 hp/434 torque). Subsequently scored fresh OEM Raptor catback (which bolts directly) as well as cast aluminum Raptor sideboards (desert racer takeoffs), followed by more sleeper mods. Absolutely no OEM badging indicating what's under the hood. Today, 11 yrs later, only has 22k trouble free miles (never a daily driver). With OEM 3.73 eLocker gearing and OEM-size 32" tires, has quite the punch requiring a light throttle foot on takeoff, yet typically returns high teens or better mpg. Attaching very old pic, however remains in the same pristine condition today. No EcoBoost Coolaid for this old boy - then or now...

View attachment 634099

Nice Ford ! I'd drive it , and I'm a Chevy guy. ( or a least was ) . Now we daily TJ's and Toyota's with the newest being 2004 . We don't care for the kool-aid much either .

 

[DirtDawg]

Nice Ford ! I'd drive it , and I'm a Chevy guy. ( or a least was ) . Now we daily TJ's and Toyota's with the newest being 2004 . We don't care for the kool-aid much either .

My "daily" is a from new 2017 JK Rubicon 6-spd I fitted with OME springs, T-flex Falcon shocks, F&R bumpers and lots of skids. Prepped for moderate off-roading but at 12k total miles and without blems, I still can't convince myself to do much more than Level 3 forest roads, which are about as mild as they get, thus it serves as my primary grocery-getter. The TJ will augment my Can-Am SxS, depending on forecasted weather and planned ride destination (buddy and I avoid trailering to staging points).

 

[DEValken]

The Dakota was discontinued in 2011.

Shows how much I pay attention...

That's not too old, is it?

 

[Apparition]

Shows how much I pay attention...

That's not too old, is it?

 

[B1Toad]

That factory horsepower and torque bump though

View attachment 634182

The Raptor Ranger comes with a 3.0, can't get it in the regular Ranger, only 2.3 and 2.7. And in order to get the 2.7 you have to choose 4x4. You can get an electric rear locker though in any Ranger.

 

[Apparition]

The Raptor Ranger comes with a 3.0, can't get it in the regular Ranger, only 2.3 and 2.7. And in order to get the 2.7 you have to choose 4x4. You can get an electric rear locker though in any Ranger.

That’s why you just get the Raptor.

 

[jeepguy03]

I needed something that could tow a trailer with my Kubota on it. My TJ has always been a second vehicle and not used for towing, and my daily was a sedan. I looked at trucks but the used market was not great for them, and driving a truck around with an empty bed 90% of the time seemed annoying, especially trying to park it in the city where I work. The solution was a 2019 Grand Cherokee with the 5.7 V8/ZF8 combo. I've been loving it so far. Plenty of power, comfortable, tows great. Just did a 1300 mile road trip in it and got 22 mpg highway with a heavy foot.

 

[DirtDawg]

^^^ I towed my trailered SxS a few times behind my JK (2-door swb), however a major consideration was; if a traffic accident involving another vehicle and with mine likely beyond rated Mopar limits, my own insurance might well be denied. Enough for me to discontinue that with JK/single axle trailer and instead do F150/tandem axle trailer. It's said. "Safety is Paramount". True enough but lawsuits can easily wipe out assets. I chose not to test either aspect...

 

[CreepinDeth]

Bought a 12th gen F150 3.5L FX4 new in 2013
Immediately got the underbody seal coated, paint ceramic protection, and spray in bedliner with fluidfilm inside every door also. Highly recommend a professional ceramic coat, kept the vehicle looking clean and spotless for 10 years

Owned it as a primary DD for only 1 year , as my company DD wasnt available. The other 12 years its been my winter spare vehicle until last year, I drove it over the winter. Always been outdoors, never garaged

Only 65,000 miles since new, very low usage
> chain clatter from Day 1.
> cam phaser repair done at 59K under warranty
> power steering rack fail at 63K,
> power window fail 40K,
> backup camera failed ~45K
> swapped my plugs at 35K due to bad MPG (didnt help)
> front and rear bumper rotted out, replaced
> taillights cracked and moisture leaks , swapped to Morimotos
> running boards rotted after 11 ish years, replaced
> headlight housings cracked and fogged, replaced
Keep in mind I keep my undercarriage and car washed twice a week in winter

Powerful, mostly reliable, but the 3.5L is a thirsty pig with the 3.73 rear. On a 3,000 mile trip only 2 years old I only averaged 16.9mpg to Florida and back on summerblend fuel doing an avg speed of 75mph and completely stock

I put a 4” BDS lift on it last year to scratch the itch, along with a whole new steering and suspenion components plus added some 22x12 Fuel Stroke rims, this made it worse obviously LOL but now I think its getting sold

I think Ive just owned it too long and dont wanna see what else breaks
Id steer clear of the 10 speed. Its a GM/Ford co-op and a total shitshow
The 6 speed iirc was also a co-op but better reputation

 

[Weasellee]

If I was wanting a replacement F series it would be pre-91 because I love the body style and it will be a restomod. Save money over new and beat all the regulations.

For now I keep hauling with my’91 F-250 w/460. Power and reliability.

 

[B1Toad]

I found a 2024 Lariat Ranger 4x4 fully loaded with 12,000 miles about 4 hours North of me, may go check it out.

 

[DuckNut]

As a guy with many vehicles that I don't really have a particular daily and if I am in your shoes there are a couple things I would avoid.

I would not want any engine that has a turbo. Period. If that ever fails your repair bill will have surpassed any lifetime savings in fuel. Just too complicated and too many things to fail.

The newer the vehicle the more electrical issues you will run into. There seems to be a lot of vehicles that are 5 years old for sale. Is that because people are worrying about currentor future electrical issues? Today's cars run the risk of being totaled by the insurance company for electrical issues.

Direct injection is just asking for carbon issues, especially if putzing around town. Port injection does not have these issues. Most makers have shifted to direct knowing the carbon issue but are more intent on reported mpg rather than customer satisfaction. Toyota and Ford have direct and port hybrid systems. Ford hybrid is only available on their 4.6 and 5.0 V8.

Ford cam phaser issue. This is common on the 5.0 and non existent on the 4.6. I have many work trucks with the 4.6 and several are in the 400k area.

Transmissions. 10 speed is such a POS every maker is facing lawsuits as they all used them.

If I was in need of only 1 vehicle I would buy a 2015-2017 F150 super cab. Aluminum body, 5.0 and the 6 speed transmission. Trim package based upon availability.

 

[CreepinDeth]

I would agree with the above ^ assessments
With the exception of buying any of them

Id likely just consider a depreciated low mileage Toyota Tundra, or GMT800 GM. 5.3L Motors are so common and inexpensive ($2600 reman), and transmissions are plentiful and cheap to rebuild