Surfnbike
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Hello everyone, first post here. I previously had a 2018 XLT 2.7L Ecoboost 4x4 short bed, which I can attest to be the best truck that I have ever owned! It had Bilsteins with 35" raptor wheel/tires, regeared with 4.30s, and drove like a dream. The only items I wish it had was the 6 1/2' bed and maybe the 3.5 for a tad more power.
I was thinking about going the used F250 route this time for the ease and availability of getting the larger bed, tow mirrors, e-locker, and its more common to find 6 seats, which I need for the family. I'm looking for this truck to be a good family trip hauler/light overlander, but my old truck with independent front suspension just drove so darn well on 2000+ mile road trips that I'm hesitant to go with that solid front axle and heavier sprung rear end in the F250. Plus better mileage on the Ecoboost vs. the big gas V8.
So that's where I'm at...looking for a used F150 xlt 6-seater, 2020-2023ish, and have a couple of questions:
-What's a good way to find if the truck has an e-locker and shorter gears, aka 3.73s, other than the "FX4" badging? My old F150 had an e-locker but no FX4 package, just a 4x4 badge. For me an e-locker is absolutely necessary as I used my old one often offroad and in the snow. I've been looking at interiors for the "push" icon near the 4H/4L selection on sites like Carvana but sometimes it's hard to tell. Are these typically on all 4x4s? That said, are aftermarket lockers a big PITA and expensive to install if I find a great truck but it doesn't have the locker?
-How hard is it to install tow mirrors and a trailer brake controller with blind spot monitoring? Most used F150s I see don't have this equipment and I am planning on occasionally towing a mid-sized twin axle travel trailer in the future, so it would be nice to have.
-Have there been any changes like the F250 in '23 to enable clearance of larger tires (eg. I read you can throw 37s on the F250 for 2023+) or are we looking at the same dimensions as back in 2018? My bilsteins lifted my truck about 3" and some rear blocks did the rest to clear 35s with ease, even in challenging offroad situations at full droop/lock. I'm not hell bent on bigger tires but it would be nice to know what I can get on there without having to do a lift.
-How can you tell if a truck has Adaptive cruise control? I just discovered that feature and it's amazing, but I imagine like the Bronco they reserve it for a high end trim.
Thanks in advance!
I was thinking about going the used F250 route this time for the ease and availability of getting the larger bed, tow mirrors, e-locker, and its more common to find 6 seats, which I need for the family. I'm looking for this truck to be a good family trip hauler/light overlander, but my old truck with independent front suspension just drove so darn well on 2000+ mile road trips that I'm hesitant to go with that solid front axle and heavier sprung rear end in the F250. Plus better mileage on the Ecoboost vs. the big gas V8.
So that's where I'm at...looking for a used F150 xlt 6-seater, 2020-2023ish, and have a couple of questions:
-What's a good way to find if the truck has an e-locker and shorter gears, aka 3.73s, other than the "FX4" badging? My old F150 had an e-locker but no FX4 package, just a 4x4 badge. For me an e-locker is absolutely necessary as I used my old one often offroad and in the snow. I've been looking at interiors for the "push" icon near the 4H/4L selection on sites like Carvana but sometimes it's hard to tell. Are these typically on all 4x4s? That said, are aftermarket lockers a big PITA and expensive to install if I find a great truck but it doesn't have the locker?
-How hard is it to install tow mirrors and a trailer brake controller with blind spot monitoring? Most used F150s I see don't have this equipment and I am planning on occasionally towing a mid-sized twin axle travel trailer in the future, so it would be nice to have.
-Have there been any changes like the F250 in '23 to enable clearance of larger tires (eg. I read you can throw 37s on the F250 for 2023+) or are we looking at the same dimensions as back in 2018? My bilsteins lifted my truck about 3" and some rear blocks did the rest to clear 35s with ease, even in challenging offroad situations at full droop/lock. I'm not hell bent on bigger tires but it would be nice to know what I can get on there without having to do a lift.
-How can you tell if a truck has Adaptive cruise control? I just discovered that feature and it's amazing, but I imagine like the Bronco they reserve it for a high end trim.
Thanks in advance!
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