Considering buying 2025 Lariat any advice?

[Chris Burton]

If it is a “build” I’d go with the 5.0.

thats what i am trading in. i wanted the hybrid

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[Lefty665]

Your build looks like what I bought off the lot last year. Mine's been perfect. I love it.

I came up from a '12 EB and the difference in trucks is amazing. Your difference won't be as dramatic, but I believe you'll still be surprised (pleasantly). The truck is really engine and wheels wrapped around an app. That's a feature, not a bug, Ford's done a good job on software, and with OTA updates it just gets better.

The antimatter blue and blackout has grown on me. It often looks black, then the sun hits it and the metallic blue shines through, pretty neat. It has also made me think chrome is highly over rated. The pro power has been great, it's run my house during power outages. It's good enough that I gave my generator to my kid with no regrets. Adaptive cruise with lane centering has made me a better driver, and it makes driving easier. Didn't think I'd like it, but now use it regularly. Speed sign recognition is a dog, I leave it turned off. Early issues with 12v batteries have pretty much gone away after the charging algorithm was updated a couple of years ago. I've not had a single occurrence even with occasional multiple weeks of non use.

Go for it!

I added a rear sway bar to the '12 and it handled better. Thought about doing it to my new one too. It has not been an issue worth addressing, and is not PB unique. Pickups have softened up. They ain't what they used to be.

 

[Chris Burton]

Your build looks like what I bought off the lot last year. Mine's been perfect. I love it.

I came up from a '12 EB and the difference in trucks is amazing. Your difference won't be as dramatic, but I believe you'll still be surprised (pleasantly). The truck is really engine and wheels wrapped around an app. That's a feature, not a bug, Ford's done a good job on software, and with OTA updates it just gets better.

The antimatter blue and blackout has grown on me. It often looks black, then the sun hits it and the metallic blue shines through, pretty neat. It has also made me think chrome is highly over rated. The pro power has been great, it's run my house during power outages. It's good enough that I gave my generator to my kid with no regrets. Adaptive cruise with lane centering has made me a better driver, and it makes driving easier. Didn't think I'd like it, but now use it regularly. Speed sign recognition is a dog, I leave it turned off. Early issues with 12v batteries have pretty much gone away after the charging algorithm was updated a couple of years ago. I've not had a single occurrence even with occasional multiple weeks of non use.

Go for it!

I added a rear sway bar to the '12 and it handled better. Thought about doing it to my new one too. It has not been an issue worth addressing, and is not PB unique. Pickups have softened up. They ain't what they used to be.

Thank you! I am excited

 

[Lefty665]

I'd suggest you remove your street address. That's pretty specific personal information. The web's a big place. While it's a good crowd around here, it's not all nice people everywhere with an internet connection.

 

[cujet]

I own a 2018 XLT with the 5.0 in it. Any advice?

I purchased a 2024 5.0 Lariat. Absolutely love it. I'd do it again without any reservations. Mine has the FX4 package, which is unnecessary. The truck has been flawless. It did take a few miles to break in, where it picked up some MPG and power. So if you purchase one, expect it to perform a bit better over time.

I don't have the unleashed audio system and wish I did. The 'stereo' is not horrible or anything like that, but it could be better, with more watts.

I'll probably purchase a tune for it, not because the engine needs it, as it doesn't. But the top speed limiter annoys me.

 

[flixden]

My father in-law liked mine so much that he went and bought a '25 PB platinum and the only thing that he's had come up in the past 6 months was it going into deep sleep mode after a few days of not driving it. I updated the battery state of charge to 98% from the default 80% and it's been flawless since.

@Porpoise Hork : if you don't mind, how do you update the battery SOC?
Thanks much in advance!

 

[Chris Burton]

UPDATE:

Scheduled build date of 10/20/25 just was sent to me. Can you guys/gals give me some insight on what this actually may mean in real time of me having the truck?

Oder confirm date: 8/28/25
Build Date rec'd: 9/4/25 for a build date of 10/20/25

Thanks for your patience with my ignorance but at 56 yr old i have never ordered a new vehicle

 

[Porpoise Hork]

@Porpoise Hork : if you don't mind, how do you update the battery SOC?
Thanks much in advance!

You would need access to Forscan (free for two months than inexpensive annual renewal) via a windows laptop and a OBD Link EX cable. Then use Forscan to connect to the truck and can go into the BCM module "easy mode" not the As-Built and scroll down or search for Battery and look for the setting named Battery State of charge. Modify the setting from the default 80% to 95-100% then save changes and follow the prompts it gives.

If you have never messed with Forscan there's a bunch of videos on Youtube about it, or you can post up in the regional forums for your area if someone with Forscan could help you out. Chances are pretty high that someone out your way can make the changes you want done and just toss them 20-30 bucks for the "trouble."

 

[SeanV313]

Your build looks like what I bought off the lot last year. Mine's been perfect. I love it.

I came up from a '12 EB and the difference in trucks is amazing. Your difference won't be as dramatic, but I believe you'll still be surprised (pleasantly). The truck is really engine and wheels wrapped around an app. That's a feature, not a bug, Ford's done a good job on software, and with OTA updates it just gets better.

The antimatter blue and blackout has grown on me. It often looks black, then the sun hits it and the metallic blue shines through, pretty neat. It has also made me think chrome is highly over rated. The pro power has been great, it's run my house during power outages. It's good enough that I gave my generator to my kid with no regrets. Adaptive cruise with lane centering has made me a better driver, and it makes driving easier. Didn't think I'd like it, but now use it regularly. Speed sign recognition is a dog, I leave it turned off. Early issues with 12v batteries have pretty much gone away after the charging algorithm was updated a couple of years ago. I've not had a single occurrence even with occasional multiple weeks of non use.

Go for it!

I added a rear sway bar to the '12 and it handled better. Thought about doing it to my new one too. It has not been an issue worth addressing, and is not PB unique. Pickups have softened up. They ain't what they used to be.

Can you tell me more about the rear sway bar? What are the benefits, etc.?

 

[Kodiak]

Scheduled build date of 10/20/25 just was sent to me. Can you guys/gals give me some insight on what this actually may mean in real time of me having the truck?

Oder confirm date: 8/28/25
Build Date rec'd: 9/4/25 for a build date of 10/20/25

Thanks for your patience with my ignorance but at 56 yr old i have never ordered a new vehicle

You are probably looking at a middle of November delivery if that 10/20 build date holds.

I would be surprised if it did not hold as that will probably be close to the final days of the 2025 model year builds.

 

[Red Devil]

Congratulations! Awesome truck. Not sure if you are considering a Powerboost lariat, but if so the following might be helpful.

I routinely get about 22.5 mpg driving around SoCal in mixed freeway and secondary road driving (2024 Powerboost Lariat, Oxford White, FX4, 7.2 kw outlets). With intercity highway driving i get 23 - 26 mpg with adaptive cruise depending on my speed, winds, weather, terrain, gas octane. Drove truck East to Balt/DC area and computer said I was getting 28 - 31 mpg going back and forth between the suburbs of those cities in 50 - 60 mph steady traffic ! Super cheap gas out there so was running on 89 and 91 from Costco. The Powerboost is super efficient at 35 - 60 mph without stops.

My mods:

1. Added Talens Garage cat and tranny shield
2. Added fumoto oil drain valve
3. Ceramic coat wax (Chem Guys carbon force)
4. BackFlip G2 tonneau cover with pull cord blocker that i added to help prevent coat hanger theft attempts
5. Driver seat extension attachment cushion because I have 35" inseam and on long trips I like more thigh support

You might also consider disabling the backup speaker if the 2025s has the same obnoxious audio as the 2024s.

 

[Kodiak]

UPDATE:

Scheduled build date of 10/20/25 just was sent to me. Can you guys/gals give me some insight on what this actually may mean in real time of me having the truck?

Oder confirm date: 8/28/25
Build Date rec'd: 9/4/25 for a build date of 10/20/25

Thanks for your patience with my ignorance but at 56 yr old i have never ordered a new vehicle

Also, if you are getting a PB (Powerboost) get the 7.2kw generator and do not skip this option. This is what the truck was made to use and selling/getting a PB without this 7.2kw is criminal.

IMO Ford should not even sell a PB without it.

 

[Chris Burton]

Also, if you are getting a PB (Powerboost) get the 7.2kw generator and do not skip this option. This is what the truck was made to use and selling/getting a PB without this 7.2kw is criminal.

IMO Ford should not even sell a PB without it.

the 7.2 is one main reason i wanted the powerboost thanks.

 

[Lefty665]

Can you tell me more about the rear sway bar? What are the benefits, etc.?

Pretty straight up, it reduces body roll/sway and generally tightens up the suspension. I do not understand why Ford does not make them standard.

I got one originally because I came from a Silverado with a rear sway bar to an F150 EB without one. The Chevrolet towed a small travel trailer beautifully although it didn't have enough power to pull well. The F150EB had plenty of power but was scary all over the road with the same trailer.

I ended up getting a heavier front sway bar too to balance the increased roll/sway resistance back to front and eventually helper rear springs that together with the sway bar tamed the trailer. In retrospect I suspect stiffer sidewall tires might have fixed some of the towing issues.

My current 2024 PB replaced that 2012 EB. I was surprised at how much softer the ride was and how much more body roll the 2024 had than the older truck. I've not been fond of the Cadillac ride or the several inch rake that Ford uses to maintain payload with softer springs. The pickup market has changed. These days it seems we have to get a 250 to get an actual truck, the country boys around here have been doing that for decades..

Plus, I am not towing any more and have gotten used to the handling. It has not been worth the effort to crawl underneath and add a sway bar, or the expense. The cost has about doubled. But, I miss the better handling.

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