RCSB Experience

[JCsTruck]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to this forum so hi everyone. I‘m considering ordering a regular cab 2wd short bed F-150 with the 5.0 liter V8 so I joined this forum hoping to get some feedback from those with experience with Ford trucks and the RCSB truck specifically which I think is well equipped for a base model truck.

As a brief history I have driven many Chevys starting with a 1983 GMC RCLB 2wd with the 350 V8. Plowed with a 1987 Chevy RCLB 4X4 with 4-speed stick, drove a couple different Chevy W/T 2wd trucks with the 4.3-liter V6 for many years, drove an early 90’s Dodge Ram 4x4 with the 5.9 V8, and owned a 2001 Toyota Tundra for 10 years with the 4.7 liter DOHC V8 which I loved driving until the frame rotted out. Then life got complicated (got married, house, kids, big bills) and I basically couldn’t afford to buy another pickup truck for a long time. I have been driving a company 2014 RCLB work truck with the 3.7 liter v6 for 207,000 miles now since 2015 but its time to retire that truck for something newer and I may have to buy my own truck instead. I used to love the way my Tundra V8 sounded and that thing had tons of low end torque to the point that it could shame some so called sports cars in its day. To be fair though I added headers and a Spintech muffler which really woke up that motor up. It went from doing 0-60 in 7.9 seconds to 6.8 seconds ? and put down more RWTQ than all my friends trucks did with their larger pushrod V8 engines did. I used to put together truck meets and dyno runs at my local shop with a dynamometer. For a 2001 truck with 4-speed transmission it was impressive for its day. Only my friends 2wd Dodge Ram with a HEMI was quicker at the time. My 2014 Ford F-150 work truck has been a very reliable vehicle so I’m willing to try a Ford for my own use.

Anyway I am considering a RCSB Ford F-150 with the 103A package and a few other basic add ons like folding tonneau cover and spray in bed liner. I like that it comes with a 400 HP DOHC V8 and locking axle with 3.73 gears which should make for what I like to call a sleeper ? . 4wd is nice but not necessary for 98% of my driving needs. I’ll either get it in Antimatter Blue Metallic or Carbonized Gray Metallic but haven’t decided yet.

My question to you people is how do you like your RCSB truck? what are the pros and cons of that short bed. Is there a big difference in stability and ride between the long bed and short bed for those that have had both. How do you like the 5.0 V8? Would you buy the same truck again and if not what would you change. BTW my 2014 rides horribly so hopefully a 2024 rides better than my 2014 does. ?

Thanks everyone,

John

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[MattV]

Do it! I’m about 6 months and 3500 miles in on mine. V8 is great. It’s just a fun truck. If one row is enough; it is perfect. Would do again.

 

[Bossharp]

Early April I ordered a two wheel drive XL Regular Cab short bed from Granger..It's the best bargain in any new truck..4% back of invoice for the 101 package privacy glass and black Platform running boards is around 36k.. Rare variation and will hold it's value well 12" digital dash and center screen now standard be sure you check with Granger! This year's RCSB will ALWAYS be desirable.

 

[Rinn69]

Do it. Period.
You will love the power this thing has. I just crossed 500 miles doing the break-in and decided that I would finally give 'er the full throttle for the first time tonight...... I was going about 25 mph on an on ramp and punched it. HOLY !!!! This thing is QUICK and has a VERY ANGRY growl to it !! I had an 04 Lightning and that would pin/push you back into the seat all the way to 100 mph, but I know this trucks 0-60 time is quicker than my old Lightning (I do miss the supercharger whine). I had a 2019 Ranger Lariat SCrew, and it was a nimble little truck and pretty spunky for a 4 banger Ecoboost, and I thought about getting a 2nd car/something more sporty, but decided the 24 RCSB covered both bases and was a steal, especially since I bought it through Granger Ford. As built price, ~$44.5K, Granger sale price $41,007, plus $1500 hail damage (got "lucky" with this) +$500 Mil/Vet discount, I was at $39K +TTL. You can get the same folding tonneau cover (Bakflip G2) on Amazon for $974 + Tax with free delivery. No cons for me about the "short" bed....coming from the Rangers tiny 5' bed, this one is HUGE !!

Build specs in sig below. I'm going to do the Ford Performance lowering kit and 20" wheels after I get back from a trip to see my son, DIL, and granddaughter.

 

[Jmet8]

Love mine. Love the 5.0. go for it.

 

[JCsTruck]

Early April I ordered a two wheel drive XL Regular Cab short bed from Granger..It's the best bargain in any new truck..4% back of invoice for the 101 package privacy glass and black Platform running boards is around 36k.. Rare variation and will hold it's value well 12" digital dash and center screen now standard be sure you check with Granger! This year's RCSB will ALWAYS be desirable.

I would but from my web search the located in Iowa and I am located in Massachusetts. I didnt realize dealers were willing to take money off MSRP from custom ordered trucks ?.

 

[Mailman]

Go for it!! I love mine. I find myself taking it out on nice sunny days instead of my 5spd. Mustang convertible.

 

[Mailman]

It's so pretty, I posted the picture twice.

 

[JCsTruck]

Do it. Period.
You will love the power this thing has. I just crossed 500 miles doing the break-in and decided that I would finally give 'er the full throttle for the first time tonight...... I was going about 25 mph on an on ramp and punched it. HOLY !!!! This thing is QUICK and has a VERY ANGRY growl to it !! I had an 04 Lightning and that would pin/push you back into the seat all the way to 100 mph, but I know this trucks 0-60 time is quicker than my old Lightning (I do miss the supercharger whine). I had a 2019 Ranger Lariat SCrew, and it was a nimble little truck and pretty spunky for a 4 banger Ecoboost, and I thought about getting a 2nd car/something more sporty, but decided the 24 RCSB covered both bases and was a steal, especially since I bought it through Granger Ford. As built price, ~$44.5K, Granger sale price $41,007, plus $1500 hail damage (got "lucky" with this) +$500 Mil/Vet discount, I was at $39K +TTL. You can get the same folding tonneau cover (Bakflip G2) on Amazon for $974 + Tax with free delivery. No cons for me about the "short" bed....coming from the Rangers tiny 5' bed, this one is HUGE !!

Build specs in sig below. I'm going to do the Ford Performance lowering kit and 20" wheels after I get back from a trip to see my son, DIL, and granddaughter.

Hi Rinn69,

Your truck looks awesome. and thank you for the information (all of you). I looked on Amazon for that G2 Tonneau cover and found this one https://www.amazon.com/BAK-BAKFlip-...over+bakflip+g2+f150+2024,aps,206&sr=8-3&th=1 but its more money. My thoughts are if I can get it from a local small business (like to support them if I can) for a similar price then I will. My other thought is if I get it from the dealer with the truck then I assume I don't have to install it myself and the dealer might be willing to discount the truck somewhat since there might be more room for profit for the dealer. This is just a thought though and I can look into both options and compare them. Installing the cover myself is not a big deal (I was once an ASE A1-A8 tech) but now that I’m getting older it would be nice to have something turn key.

You’re getting me all excited about that V8. My wife and I sometimes talk about getting a Mustang GT some day, but those are very expensive vehicles and this truck sort of satisfies the utility/daily driver needs, and it also checks off that box for the fun throw you in your seat factor. ? When I had my Tundra I loved toying with some so call sports cars back then, especially the 4-pot ones ?. Because it was a 2wd with a limited slip differential it was a beast off the line, and that V8 sound was just awesome. ? I’m actually worried that this could be my last chance to own an affordable V8 powered vehicle before Ford also goes all V6 like Ram just did. I don't mind a turbo V6 but they are missing that glorious sound that you can only get from a modern V8 that fires a cylinder every 90-degrees of crankshaft revolution. ? The sound of a V6 just doesn't do it for me. ?

For me its also very important that this vehicle be comfortable and quiet on the highway when I want it to be. I like a powerful, comfortable, and quiet vehicle. My Tundra did satisfied that requirement when I ran it with the stock muffler (90% of the time). I spend up to 3 hours a day in my vehicle so loud slow vehicles make the driving experience tiring and sometimes frustrating too.

Now I have to convince my work place to trade my company vehicle with increased pay to offset the cost. ?

Love mine. Love the 5.0. go for it.

Wow, that truck looks awesome. I have a feeling though that if I drove a truck that looked like that one that the police would not leave me alpne. ? Great looking truck you have there. I wonder if I could pull off a subdued less noticeable version of that, also known as a sleeper. ?

 

[JCsTruck]

mailman, nothing wrong with that picture. It just looks great. Good to know you also have a Mustang to compare to. ? Keep them pictures coming. Love it!

 

[JCsTruck]

Some pictures of the truck I’m considering.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I would but from my web search the located in Iowa and I am located in Massachusetts. I didnt realize dealers were willing to take money off MSRP from custom ordered trucks ?.

There are some east coast dealers that do discounts. Shop around and you should at least find one that will sell at invoice. Getting below invoice is a nice bonus.

 

[Bossharp]

A very quick primer on Granger in Iowa since you are new..
They will order you a new RCSB for 4% BACK of 'invoice' price. That's unheard of!! Your chances of getting a lower price are zero.. For many of us here we saved well over 5 grand and in some cases over 10. Ford builds the truck and you fly in or have it drop shipped to your door. They have a excellent reputation for not only unbeatable price but a smooth easy no pressure or games Dealership experience. You lock in the price when you send in a deposit, they find all the rebates/incentive you qualify for, and many are out the door on pickup in under a hour or less. Dealer fees are very low compared to ANY in Florida. Plus if you want a Ford extended warranty they will sell you one just over dealer cost and pick you up at the airport. It might seem weird to buy like this but even on Ford's cheapest F-150 you can absolutely save many thousands of dollars. If you don't want/have time to fly you can have it shipped to your door and STILL save a lot of money.

 

[JCsTruck]

Interesting! The truck is $41,820 after the $500 rebate is applied as I have it optioned with the 103A, tonneau cover, and spray in bed liner. A 4% discount would take another $1,673 off making the price $40,127 before taxes are applied. This state will hit me with another 6.25% and then an excise tax of another $1000 a few months later and $25 per thousand every year thereafter . ? Then they blow all that money they steel from the working middle class on socialistic programs and people who don't want to work. ?

• Base MSRPS1
  $36,875
• Options
  + $3,450
• Accessories
  + $0
• Destination Charges
  + $1,995
• Total MSRP
  = $42,320
• Available Incentives
  - $500
• 
  
• Estimated Net Price
  = $41,820

 

[NavyChief]

I’ve had 3 all 4x4 and 2 supercharged. I will say that when you list 98% of the time you don’t use 4x4 then you haven’t done AWD launches before ? You will increase the 2% to 20-30% lol.
I sold my supercharged GT350 to buy the one I have now just because it’s more fun do it all vehicle and it’s easier for an old man like me to work on it

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