Almost purchased RCSB 5.0 but got a Supercab 5.0 instead…

[JCsTruck]

I had my heart set on purchasing a RCSB with 5.0 in Antimater Blue and found one which was very hard to find. I currently drive a 2014 RCLB with the 3.7 workhorse with 220k miles so I had this to compare it to. My work truck has a 3.7 NA V6 which has been a rock solid reliable combination. I loved the sound and power of the 5.0 V8 in the RCSB truck however, I was disappointed that Ford reduced the amount of space behind the seats in the regular cab compared to my 2014 model. I can’t even fit my bag behind the seats because they reduced the space to 9 inches from 13 inches. My impression was that it was a more snug fit and felt like less space overall, so it’s basically like driving a two-door sports car. I need to keep the seat all the way back because I’m 6‘4“ and have long legs. Here are some pictures of the RCSB truck I test drove. The truck was beautiful and drove like I expected it to although the ride was a little bit more choppy than I imagined compared to my longer wheelbase 2014 regular cab. After taking some measurements compared to my 2014, I realized Ford made the 2024 regular cab smaller so I had second thoughts and didn’t want to make a $37,000 decision that I might regret later.

So then, the dealership let me look at and test drive a Ford F-150 supercab XL as seen in the attached pictures below this paragraph. This truck had the 2.7 L eco-boost V6. I really liked the extra space behind the seats and it reminded me of my extended cab 2001 Toyota tundra that I once owned and loved. My driving impression of that truck was that it was significantly quieter and refined and the power of the 2.7 seemed relaxed, but it wasn’t slow. I will note that this test drive was a short drive and I didn’t push it because it was a brand new truck. The dealer offered me a great deal on that truck but it was more than I wanted to spend and because I live in Taxachsetts, I knew I was going to get screwed on taxes and that $2,000 transportation fee sucks. Given that I am old-school and had very fond memories of my once great Toyota DOHC i-force v8 (modified) that I had in my Toyota tundra, I really wanted to experience driving another DOHC V8 one last time because I know the days for V8 engines are numbered and Ford is the only manufacturer that still offers a DOHC V8 in a pickup truck. Here are some pictures of that supercab with the 2.7 that I test drove and was agate black..

So now I had my heart set on the super cab because I know I actually needed the extra space. I still have two kids living at home and we like to go on long drives to places like Kennebunkport Maine for example so having that extra space would be beneficial. We do own a 2022 Kia Telluride which we currently use for family trips but having a second option that can tow the boat better is nice. I also like that the supercab is quieter and rides nicer because of the longer wheelbase, so after some quick searching I realize that there were tons of nice low mileage trucks on the market with affordable pricing. I guess things have changed in the last few years and my options were quite good.

I ended up purchasing a 2024 XL Supercab that was a dealer loaner vehicle and only had 4100 miles on it for less than $40,000 with the 5.0 L V8 and 4x4 in Agate Black. It doesn’t have the privacy glass or aluminum wheels but that’s not a big deal for me and I can easily upgrade those items later if I feel the need to. This truck should also tow my bass boat quite easily and I am super excited that it’s also a 4x4 and not just 4x2. I have owned many 4x2 veicles over my lifetime and have never had a 4x4. I really wanted a 2024 model even though I probably could have gotten a better deal on a 2022 or 2023 low mileage used truck in XLT trim. Just the fact that the truck would be one or two years newer and it has all the latest tech, including that 12 inch screen, made it worth it for me. I tend to keep my vehicles 10 years or more depending on how reliable they are. I also like the newer 2024 front grill over the 2023 in XL trim.

I ended up giving my 2014 Mazda CX5 to my 18 year old daughter who is very responsible for 6k and she is super pumped. I could’ve traded that vehicle in and got maybe $10,000 for it, but it is literally in fantastic shape with a completely new suspension, brakes and like new tires, so I just couldn’t give that away to a dealership. I am a former ASE A1-A8 certified technician so I did all the work myself and replaced the following components: (Koni Special Active struts & shocks, Moog end links, new Carquest rear wheel bearings, all 4 calipers are remanufactured, new rotors, new dust shields, and all new Mazda springs front and rear with new rubber isolators). I even removed the rust and painted all of the suspension components with Rustoleum black and then I took the car to Mass Mobile Undercoating to have them treat the undercarriage with a mineral oil based product to keep any salt spray from starting rust on the underbody. The engine only had 82,000 miles on it and last year I decarbonized the valves myself by removing the intake and using a combination of chemicals and non-metallic tools to remove all of the carbon on the intake valves.. That vehicle is literally like a brand new car now. It also has upgraded (but looks stock so not tacky) led lights inside and out and new fake leather seat covers too. I’m going to put an upgraded stereo and speakers in it for her too.

So here are some pictures of my new truck that I took while it was on the dealer lot. I will be taking possession of it next week. As part of the deal I asked them to install a spray on bed liner, and obviously they will detail it and clean it up. I will probably have the windows tinted and eventually I might put nicer wheels on it once these tires wear out. The interior is basic but I kind of like the utilitarian nature of it, especially the easy to clean rubber floor. After all, it is a pickup truck!

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[sporkfed]

Exactly the truck I wish I had if it fit in my garage.

I never knew they stole 4" of space behind the seats in the regular cab. What did we gain for our loss? Is anything larger on the '24?

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

COngrats. Awesome Truck.

 

[National Superbike]

I also went to look at a RC 5.0 fully expecting to drive it home and left for the same reasons as OP. I had previously had 3 different RAM RC Hemis and loved them. Plenty of room behind the seats for a carry on bag or gym bag. The F150 had basically no room for anything and was pretty harsh riding and very loud with lots of road noise. I end up getting the STX SC 2.7 and that was the right choice for me. I love the suicide doors for loading stuff and the extra wheelbase makes it ride nicely. If you find a set of new 20in takeoff wheels/tires, you'll really like the improvement in handling.

 

[NavyChief]

I have a supercab myself albeit a diesel and they are the perfect size to me. I really like the rear opening doors for access vs the Ram double cab I had.

 

[JExpedition07]

I don’t think Ford is going to let the V8 go, it posts very comparable emissions as the 3.5 EcoBoost due to all the evolutionary updates it’s gone through (now on gen 4). If you want to hear something really funny a 5.0 V8 F-150 produces less carbon emissions and NoX fumes than a Toyota Tundra Hybrid. Yes, a Tundra Hybrid V6 is closer to EPA fines and being out of compliance than Fords V8. Me and my cousin were looking at our EPA stickers last week and my 5.0 V8 scored better on all emissions items compared to his Hybrid Tundra. He only won city MPG. It was 3 wins for the V8 and only 1 win for the hybrid when it came to the environment.

The engineers have done a great job at making the V8 increasingly efficient on both fuel and emissions with every update (and they’ve given us more power every time). The nice thing with internal combustion engines is more efficiency and more power often go hand and hand.

Most consumer are pretty uneducated, they see the words “V6” or “Hybrid” and assume it’s better for the environment and then see a larger engine and assume it’s worse. The EPA doesn’t care that it’s a hybrid, they care about results. In the EPA’s eyes a Ford 5.0 V8 is cleaner than a Toyota 3.5 Hybrid. At the end of the day what comes out the tailpipe is what matters, not marketing or anectodes. I think your V8 experience is safe.

 

[JCsTruck]

Exactly the truck I wish I had if it fit in my garage.

I never knew they stole 4" of space behind the seats in the regular cab. What did we gain for our loss? Is anything larger on the '24?

To be fair it was slightly wider inside. The front dash projects into the cabin a little further and the space behind the rear seat was 4” less thus creating the squeezed feeling.

I also went to look at a RC 5.0 fully expecting to drive it home and left for the same reasons as OP. I had previously had 3 different RAM RC Hemis and loved them. Plenty of room behind the seats for a carry on bag or gym bag. The F150 had basically no room for anything and was pretty harsh riding and very loud with lots of road noise. I end up getting the STX SC 2.7 and that was the right choice for me. I love the suicide doors for loading stuff and the extra wheelbase makes it ride nicely. If you find a set of new 20in takeoff wheels/tires, you'll really like the improvement in handling.

I love the suicide doors also which my Toyota tundra had back in the day. Thank you for the recommendation on the wheels. I totally agree with you or have the same thoughts.

I don’t think Ford is going to let the V8 go, it posts very comparable emissions as the 3.5 EcoBoost due to all the evolutionary updates it’s gone through (now on gen 4). If you want to hear something really funny a 5.0 V8 F-150 produces less carbon emissions and NoX fumes than a Toyota Tundra Hybrid. Yes, a Tundra Hybrid V6 is closer to EPA fines and being out of compliance than Fords V8. Me and my cousin were looking at our EPA stickers last week and my 5.0 V8 scored better on all emissions items compared to his Hybrid Tundra. He only won city MPG. It was 3 wins for the V8 and only 1 win for the hybrid when it came to the environment.

The engineers have done a great job at making the V8 increasingly efficient on both fuel and emissions with every update (and they’ve given us more power every time). The nice thing with internal combustion engines is more efficiency and more power often go hand and hand.

Most consumer are pretty uneducated, they see the words “V6” or “Hybrid” and assume it’s better for the environment and then see a larger engine and assume it’s worse. The EPA doesn’t care that it’s a hybrid, they care about results. In the EPA’s eyes a Ford 5.0 V8 is cleaner than a Toyota 3.5 Hybrid. At the end of the day what comes out the tailpipe is what matters, not marketing or anectodes. I think your V8 experience is safe.

interesting about the emissions comparison. I remember my 2001 Toyota tundra with the i-force 4.7 liter V8 used to run too rich under full throttle. I think the air ratio was close to 11-1 when it should have been closer to 12-1. Of course the coyote has both direct injection and multi port fuel injection, and it has variable valve intake and exhaust timing, which is a huge upgrade. I the people currently in charge of the EPA having an ideological view and have a vendetta against the ice engine. They purposely make gasoline powered vehicles more expensive and subsidize electric vehicles despite most people not wanting them outside of major cities.

 

[Buyer2021]

Congrats from a long-time SuperCab fan .... you've got yourself a nice truck!

 

[Kodiak]

Congrats! You are going to love that extra interior space and since you already have had one, you will use it more than you think. The suicide doors make the entire interior open up without a pillar in the way.

Good luck with it!

 

[ThumperF150]

Nice truck!

The RCSB works for me just fine BUT..... if Ford offered the SC with the 5-1/2' bed on the same 122' wheelbase, (similar to the older Raptors) I would have ordered that instead.

 

[Buyer2021]

if Ford offered the SC with the 5-1/2' bed on the same 122' wheelbase, (similar to the older Raptors) I would have ordered that instead.

Alas, SuperCab with 5-1/2' box has never been a Gen 14 option, methinks it would require a unique chassis slightly longer than RCSB's 122.5".

 

[Beagleman]

Congrats, nice ride! I really miss my my SuperCabs...

 

[ThumperF150]

Alas, SuperCab with 5-1/2' box has never been a Gen 14 option, methinks it would require a unique chassis slightly longer than RCSB's 122.5".

Probably and the “take rate” is probably not high enough to be profitable. Once again I am odd man out. ?

 

[Buyer2021]

Once again I am odd man out.

Lol, you along with folks who would like the no-longer-offered / low-take-rate Lariat SuperCab.

 

[lurch]

I ordered a supercab xl v8 4wd in antimatter blue. Picked it up in November at Granger's.
Got a really good deal, no regrets, and quite happy with the truck so far...

Great choice. (fits in my garage also!)

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