I have a 2002 5.4 2wd crew cab. It has been a great truck, but have 206,0000 on it and starting to rust and the minor mechanical issues.


Looking to upgrade to a 4wd truck in a newer year class also with the crew cab. I tow a boat at times and small trailers with an ATV etc.


Wondering what people think of the 2009 and newer trucks, which engines are better, design changes throughout etc.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

Id go with a 11-14 just cause of of the newer engines.. These engines are kick *** compared to the 5.4 and 4.6 in the 09-10 models.

Go test drive a 5.0 truck then a 3.5 Eb and see which one you like.

My 2013 Eb has 50k on it and i have enjoyed putting every mile on it. It does everything so effortlessly. Gets good fuel mileage, Tows like its the king of the road. Haven't had any problems what so ever except for a clunky slip yoke and a door speaker that went out the 2nd day i owned it, both problems i have had are pretty common on these trucks.

 

I wouldn't get anything earlier than a 2011, and you would probably be happiest with a 5.0. The 5.4 3 valve in the 04-10 has its share of issues, and the 4.6 2 valve is underpowered in that heavy a truck, especially a 4wd Screw.

 

The ONLY thing I miss with my 2014 Ecoboost is the throaty exhaust sound of a V8. Other than that it dances circles around the 2006 5.4L Supercab it replaced and I even ordered the 06 specially equipped just the way I wanted it. 9 model years made a night and day difference in the way they drive, ride and tow. I didn't even consider the 5.0L when I bought this one.

 

Thx for the input- keep it coming!

 

The newer you go, the more time they've had to work out the bugs in the 6 speed trannys. I would suggest looking at a leftover new 14. My 5.0 has been trouble free so far for 66,000+ miles. I tow fairly frequently and it does a fine job. Any of the new line up of engines is going to make the 5.4 feel like a slug. The non turbo V6 should even spank it empty.

 

You can't get the NA V-6 in a 4wd Screw.

 

Good catch. My point remains that the entire newer line up of engines offer more performance and better fuel mileage than the 5.4.

 

When I was looking to buy a truck, I was almost sold on a 2013 Lariat 4x4 with the 3.5 ecoboost. I test drove two identical trucks, one with the 3.5 and the other with the 5.0. The power difference was very noticeable. The 3.5 was the winner. I wound up finding my 02 SuperCrew with under 100k on it and was able to scrap together the cash to buy it. That prevented me from having a $700/month truck note. If I was buying a new truck and the 5.0 and 3.5 were priced about the same, I'd go with the 3.5 without thinking twice.
That's my opinion though. If I were you, I would test drive a bunch of new trucks and see which one I liked the best. Many dealers are currently trying to get rid of new '14 models they still have on hand and are offering deep discounts and 0% financing - there's another decision for you to make. If I could get a great deal on a 14 model with a 5.0 and not a similar deal on a 3.5, I'd go with the 5.0.

 

As others have said, 2011+. Don't even mess with the Triton engines. I myself will go for a 2012+ FX4 5.0 Supercrew when upgrade time comes. I pick that year as a minimum because 2011 FX4 did not have cooled leather seats but 2012 did. Then 2013 and 2014s have a more attractive look ( not with the Sport pkg though ) with the factory HID headlamps and grill designs. But as far as a Lariat I strongly prefer the 2009 - 2012 style exterior, with the 2012 woodgrain. 2011 was a blond color, 2009/2010 were more orange than the 2004/2008. But don't even look at 2009/2010s.

Happy truck searching!

 

As others have said stay with 2011-2014's. If HID headlights and leather seats are important to you, but you want an XLT, look at a 14. They were both optional on the XLT's in the last year of the body style. Also every engine except the 6.2 could be had in an XLT.

 

Thanks for ll the input. I also read where 2010 and newer was mandatory if you wanted four wheel drive. Don't need a lot of the interior creature comforts, since we drive the wife's escape or rent a car on long trips/vacations.


Just looking for reliability and gas mileage!

 

Reliability and gas mileage? A 2011+ with a 5.0. The base 3.7 V-6 would also be reliable and get good mileage, but it isn't that great for towing and you won't find very many of them with 4wd and you can't even get it in a crew cab 4wd. The 3.5 Ecoboost has tons of power and gets decent mileage, but the jury is still out on long-term reliability. People who have them either love them or hate them.

Let's not start another Ecoboost vs. 5.0 pissing contest, okay?

 

Drive a 3.7, EB and 5.0 and see which ones you like and will do what you want. That should narrow down your search quite a bit. I would limit it to the 2011-2014s as they have better engines and interior options than the 2009-2010s. All of the engines are fairly new but are proving to be dependable.