I've had my 04 FX4 for about 10 years now and am finally ready to upgrade to a newer truck. Considering both used and new, 2014 is probably the oldest I would go. I'm looking for some input on what specifics I should watch out for particularly if I go with a used version.

Was the 15 a big step-up over the 14? For the 15+ I see I could get the 2.7, 3.5, or 5.0 motors depending on the year. I use the truck as a daily driver, occasionally towing about 6k lbs. Any motors I should avoid? Any options that are real nice to have or options that are a waste of money? Basically I'm looking for input from those of you with real word experience on what you would buy now that you've owned this version for a while.

Thanks!

 

Any of those 3 engines would tow 6k occasionally (assuming you mean 3.5TT). That would be a bit much for the base 3.7/3.5.

The 2015 was a major upgrade - aluminum body.

 

I jumped to a '15 after 14 months in a '11. MAJOR upgrade. The aluminum body, the new design ... but the biggest thing for me was mileage. Both were equipped the same, 3.5EBoost, max tow etc ... same tires (KO2's), and my mileage went from about 13 to high 15's as a lifetime average.

The '15 is quieter then the '11 was when I bought that at 34K miles.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

glc; yes I was referring to the EB engines when I said 2.7 and 3.5, thanks for the input.

Sounds like I'll limit my search to 2015+. I average about 11mpg in my 04 so getting into the 15 range would be a nice improvement. Are there any major differences in the 15-17 years that I should be aware of?

 

I've got a a 15 xlt and my son in law just picked up a 14 with low miles and mint condition. The difference is quite a lot. The interior is a fairly big redesign for the 15 and his gas mileage for the v8 is like my old silverado was, about 16-18mpg. I get a pretty steady 21mpg with my 15. Yes 21 and that's verified by the onboard computer and my own calculations. I think overall it's better than the ecoboosts. Then there's the aluminum. It has a lot of good things about it. i.e. When I go on a tight off/on ramp on the pike. I don't get that lumbering sway going around the curve like with my older vehicle. Less mass, less sway. You can take it much faster.
And, my opinion only. The 5.0 V8 is a good engine with unexpectedly good gas mileage. It seems that most engine issues seem to be with the eco engines. I know they perform but online and with people I know, they still seem to be somewhat in the experimental stage. I mean that things go wrong and they have a hard time diagnosing the issue sometimes. They become 'mystery engines'.

Oh, stay away from the autonomous cruise control. The one that will detect a vehicle in front of you and slow down. It's been an issue for many. When you look at complaint sites online they often have a lot of complaints about the truck but when you look harder two complaints make up the bulk of them. One is the the type of cruise control I just described and the other is the AC in the leather seats of the higher models. Take those out and the level of complaints is low.

That said. The 14 model seems to be even more reliable on these complaint recording sites.

 

Great info Daniel, thank you very much!

 

Some of the changes since the 2015 all new model:

2016: Sync 3 replaces MyFord Touch

2017: new 2nd Gen 3.5 EcoBoost, new 10 speed transmission on 3.5 EcoBoost

2018: Refresh, exterior changes, all 10 speed lineup except for base engine, 2 new engines

 

My 2014 had been a great truck so far. 2014 5.0 2wd. Lifetime mileage is 19.7 I believe, and I tow with the truck twice a year

 

Go for a 2.7. For a daily driver the mileage and power are impressive. My brother has a 2013 3.5 ecoboost with 3.31 gears and averages 15 mpg. My screw 2.7 4x4 with 3.73's is averaging 20 (hand verified) with mixed driving at only 1,200 miles on the truck. The truck will tow to the max rated limit without issue.