Spec'ing out a new F150 for the wife
 

Howdy folks,

I am in the process of spec'ing out a new truck for the wife and am looking for recommendations from the collective.

I am able to use X plan pricing, through my employer, so I was configuring a Platinum series on the X plan web page.

The question I have is regarding rear axle ratio... one of the few choices when you start with a Platinum.

The choices for rear axle are either electronic locking or not and then a few ratios (3.15, 3.31, 3.55).

I am planning on the 5.0 V8 and the truck will, maybe, pull a small travel trailer if we ever get one, but other than that we are looking for a comfortable road trip vehicle and the best MPG possible.

Given the above, what ratio would be best (I have already decided to get the electronic locking option regardless)?

Thanks,

-Brian

Are you looking at 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive?

2 wheel drive Platinums with the 5.0 are available with 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73.

4 wheel drive Platinums with the 5.0 are available with 3.55 and 3.73.

3.55 is the best compromise either way as long as the TT isn't much over 5000#.

Engine selection dictates some choices. I think EcoBoost only has two choices etc.. Most do a 3.55 for best combo of towing capacity and fuel economy. If you really seek MPG go as low numerically as possible. My FX4 has the locker, the limited slip is about disappeared these days. If you ever have snow or slippery boat ramps you may want the locker.

As for best price I would get one off a lot. Let the dealer know you are X plan and he will likely still beat that. X plan is a no negotiation allowed flat rate agreement. It is usually a couple hundred bucks over invoice. These days most dealers do invoice and half the hold back which is another 5-600 less... Plus rebates and incentives etc. Just an option. I have had X plan PINs from my employer for the last 15 years but my local dealer always does me a better deal doing it his way.

I have a 2013 Platinum 4x4 with the 5.0 and 3.55 Electronic Locking RR Axle and the 7350# GVWR Package. Truck drives great with good acceleration. Mileage isn't the best, but it would be considerably better if I would adjust my driving style...also have the extended range 36 gal fuel tank and that's a hit to the wallet filling it up!! Lasts a long time though LOL...GREAT truck by the way!!

big question is how heavy and what type of travel trailer it will be. if its a 1000 # pop up, get the lowest ratio possible. if its a 8000 brick thats another story. also how far will you pull it, in the mountains, etc

If it's a 8000# brick you would be better off with the Ecoboost and you should get the max tow package and possibly the HD payload package too. That requires 3.73's.

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.

We went and picked up a 2013 F150 Platinum tonight.

Sterling gray metallic, 3.55 electronic locker, 5.0, moon roof, tailgate step, 2 wheel drive, more stuff on it than I can think of. It is quite a step up from the '99 GT convertible she has been driving.

We paid well under X-plan pricing.

Cheers,
Brian

Congrats Brian. We bought our Platinum 5.0L w/3.31 gears in January, and have been very happy with the truck. We call it our F-150 Limo. We took ours to Orlando from North Carolina last week. A little over 1600 miles with driving around Orlando for a week it averaged 20.3 mpg's overall, with a high of (hard to believe) of 25.2 mpg's while drafting a tractor/trailer for over 100 miles at 65 mph on I-95. Dale Earnhardt was right, drafting works. Enjoy the truck.

Here is a picture the wife took with her phone.

http://imageshack.us/a/img441/6451/2013f150.th.jpg

I need to get some wheel well liners and a bed cover for it, guess I need to start researching that.

There were several dealer adds on it (Tinted windows, wheel locks, spray in bed liner, door edge guards, etc) I got them to just throw those in and still got it for under invoice.

Any thoughts on the bed cover?

There is a Ford dealer that is a vendor on a SVT site that I am on that gives members a discount, so I will probably pick up the wheel well liners there.

Thanks for all the help.

-Brian

Check ebay for the wheel well liners. Under a $100 with free ship. May be a bit cheaper. The truck looks good, enjoy.

Beautiful truck...congrat's!

Thanks Wanted.

It is indeed a beautiful machine, the wife loves it

I found some rugged brand on eBay, they are $89.99, with free shipping, an on-line Ford dealer wants $103 + shipping for the OEM parts.

Any reason to spend the extra $ for the Ford parts?

Thanks,

-Brian