CowboyJohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2024
- Threads
- 5
- Messages
- 49
- Reaction score
- 62
- Location
- East Texas
- Vehicles
- 2024 F150 STX Offroad 5.0, 2015 Mustang GT 5.0
- Occupation
- HS Science Teacher, former coach
- Thread starter
- #1
I have owned my 24 STX Off Road 4x4 BAP with the 5.0 for just over a year and 20K and thought I would give a review of my take on it.
To give a little perspective, I upgraded from a 2WD 08 XLT with the 4.6. It was still going strong when I traded it in on the 24 at 230K miles. Overall it was a solid truck. It saved my and my families lives in 2010 when a travel trailer I was towing got caught in strong crosswind and the truck and trailer both rolled onto the drivers side and slid backwards on the interstate. Insurance did not total it and the repairs help up well. I will be forever grateful of the 08. I did have to put a new transmission in at about 170K and a new intake manifold on at about 200K, but no other major repairs.
I chose the STX over the XLT and higher trims because the added features didn't seem worth the extra 5K or so in price.
Now for the 24, it is a GREAT Truck. The 5.0 runs like a scalded dog and sounds great in normal and especially Sport mode.
Interior:
My 08 had a power adjustable drivers seat, and I thought I would miss it in the 24, but I really don't.
The interior is noticeably larger. My medium/large dog rides comfortably in the back seat even when my grandson's car seat is back there. I like that the seat belt buckles lay flush with the back seat cushion.
Even with 4WD and off road tires it is pretty darn quiet inside the cabin. Most of any road noise in my area comes from the shitty roads in East Texas.
The HVAC has a lag between engine start up that is a little annoying and it doesn't seem to move as much air as the 08, but that might be because it has rear AC vents. Overall HVAC is good.
Android Auto works well with my Android phone. I use Google maps and it runs flawlessly.
Interior lighting is bright and distributed well.
Interior storage is plentiful and well planned. I have a column shift and appreciate the extra space in the center console.
The stock stereo is in my opinion pretty good too. I have outgrown the days of amps, subs etc... I'd rather spend that money on my 2 grandsons.
It is also nice that the backs on the backseats will release and flip forward, however getting the latch mechanism to line up to latch them back upright can be a PIA. (Driver's side)
It would be nice if there was a cover for the passenger vanity mirror. When that visor is flipped down, the mirror can shoot light back at all different angles.
Transmission/4WD:
As has been mentioned on here plenty, the transmission is a clunky bastard. If driving like a grandpa, it consistently skips second gear and has a bog. If driving just slightly spirited, it hits seconds and is much smoother. The trouble is that most for most of my driving, I am starting from a stop in town or neighborhoods with kids so I usually have to be gentle on the throttle.
At speeds of about 20-35 it seems like it is hunting for the correct gear. Overall the transmission is Okay/Good. It get around 20 mpg in mostly Normal mode. I could barely get 16 in my 08 and only on long distance trips.
I've only used the 4WD a few times last winter when we had some ice and it drove confidently.
Engine:
So far, the 5.0 hasn't used hardly a drop of oil between oil changes. (Every 5K) Like I mentioned above, the 5.0 really likes the throttle. It'll get from 30-90 in a freaking heartbeat. I really don't gun it from a stand still.
It does take it longer than my old 4.6 to idle down even when already warm, but from what I've read that is the nature of modern engines.
Exterior:
The lighting is very good. The headlights are bright and focused good. I really like the cornering/fog lights. The fog lights seem to be aimed well and are pretty good for factory.
The Black Appearance Package wasn't on the top of my list, but I really like not having to keep up with chrome and I like my grill the best out of all the others.
Suspension:
The ride quality is excellent with the stock off road options.
With all the technology these days there have been a few quirks. For about the first 6 months, the coolant and oil temps on the dash would get up to 214 in moderate outside temps. Even though those aren't really high, I was a bit concerned about how it would run in +100 temps in the Texas summers. I think an OTA adjusted a fan setting or something because ever since about March both temps stay around 190.
It would be nice if they swapped the sensor for low washer fluid for one that recognizes when the tailgate is down so you don't have to turn off the annoying beep.
The only issue I am having now and I think some others on here as well, is that my truck won't connect to the My Ford Pass App. I hope it is a software issue on Ford's end and not a bricked modem on mine.
I plan on keeping this truck another 15+ years like my last one and so far, I think I'll continue to be happy with my choice.
To give a little perspective, I upgraded from a 2WD 08 XLT with the 4.6. It was still going strong when I traded it in on the 24 at 230K miles. Overall it was a solid truck. It saved my and my families lives in 2010 when a travel trailer I was towing got caught in strong crosswind and the truck and trailer both rolled onto the drivers side and slid backwards on the interstate. Insurance did not total it and the repairs help up well. I will be forever grateful of the 08. I did have to put a new transmission in at about 170K and a new intake manifold on at about 200K, but no other major repairs.
I chose the STX over the XLT and higher trims because the added features didn't seem worth the extra 5K or so in price.
Now for the 24, it is a GREAT Truck. The 5.0 runs like a scalded dog and sounds great in normal and especially Sport mode.
Interior:
My 08 had a power adjustable drivers seat, and I thought I would miss it in the 24, but I really don't.
The interior is noticeably larger. My medium/large dog rides comfortably in the back seat even when my grandson's car seat is back there. I like that the seat belt buckles lay flush with the back seat cushion.
Even with 4WD and off road tires it is pretty darn quiet inside the cabin. Most of any road noise in my area comes from the shitty roads in East Texas.
The HVAC has a lag between engine start up that is a little annoying and it doesn't seem to move as much air as the 08, but that might be because it has rear AC vents. Overall HVAC is good.
Android Auto works well with my Android phone. I use Google maps and it runs flawlessly.
Interior lighting is bright and distributed well.
Interior storage is plentiful and well planned. I have a column shift and appreciate the extra space in the center console.
The stock stereo is in my opinion pretty good too. I have outgrown the days of amps, subs etc... I'd rather spend that money on my 2 grandsons.
It is also nice that the backs on the backseats will release and flip forward, however getting the latch mechanism to line up to latch them back upright can be a PIA. (Driver's side)
It would be nice if there was a cover for the passenger vanity mirror. When that visor is flipped down, the mirror can shoot light back at all different angles.
Transmission/4WD:
As has been mentioned on here plenty, the transmission is a clunky bastard. If driving like a grandpa, it consistently skips second gear and has a bog. If driving just slightly spirited, it hits seconds and is much smoother. The trouble is that most for most of my driving, I am starting from a stop in town or neighborhoods with kids so I usually have to be gentle on the throttle.
At speeds of about 20-35 it seems like it is hunting for the correct gear. Overall the transmission is Okay/Good. It get around 20 mpg in mostly Normal mode. I could barely get 16 in my 08 and only on long distance trips.
I've only used the 4WD a few times last winter when we had some ice and it drove confidently.
Engine:
So far, the 5.0 hasn't used hardly a drop of oil between oil changes. (Every 5K) Like I mentioned above, the 5.0 really likes the throttle. It'll get from 30-90 in a freaking heartbeat. I really don't gun it from a stand still.
It does take it longer than my old 4.6 to idle down even when already warm, but from what I've read that is the nature of modern engines.
Exterior:
The lighting is very good. The headlights are bright and focused good. I really like the cornering/fog lights. The fog lights seem to be aimed well and are pretty good for factory.
The Black Appearance Package wasn't on the top of my list, but I really like not having to keep up with chrome and I like my grill the best out of all the others.
Suspension:
The ride quality is excellent with the stock off road options.
With all the technology these days there have been a few quirks. For about the first 6 months, the coolant and oil temps on the dash would get up to 214 in moderate outside temps. Even though those aren't really high, I was a bit concerned about how it would run in +100 temps in the Texas summers. I think an OTA adjusted a fan setting or something because ever since about March both temps stay around 190.
It would be nice if they swapped the sensor for low washer fluid for one that recognizes when the tailgate is down so you don't have to turn off the annoying beep.
The only issue I am having now and I think some others on here as well, is that my truck won't connect to the My Ford Pass App. I hope it is a software issue on Ford's end and not a bricked modem on mine.
I plan on keeping this truck another 15+ years like my last one and so far, I think I'll continue to be happy with my choice.
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