2011 Ford F-150 FX4

[Jake]

The Denali absolutely destroyed my wallet last year, and already was set to do the same thing. I looked at how much I was throwing out in maintenance over the past year and realized "hey, I could be driving something newer, with way less mileage on the odometer, that needs no crazy maintenance, that has more gears in the transmission."

Did some looking, figured out my budget, and decided half-ton pickup or bust. Pre-Denali, I was lusting after a newish Grand Cherokee, but I grew to appreciate the size and abilities of the Yukon's half-ton chassis. After the Denali experience, I was all sorts of "fuck GM" and honestly, I haaaate the 07-13 GM pickups. Awful styling, both inside and out.

Looked at some Ram 1500s (thanks for the tips/info Jeff!) and Ford F150s. The Ram interiors were kind of blah vs. the Ford, and I couldn't afford an EcoDiesel. So, set my search on the 2011-2014 F150. My "must haves" included 4x4, tow package with integrated brake controller, and front buckets (the Ford bench seat that folds to be an "armrest" is just sad). I didn't care about cab vs. bed length, was fine with most colors, cloth vs. leather, etc.

Found this FX4 and it was priced way high at Fairfax Honda. Got home from work yesterday and they had dropped the price significantly, bringing it to the low side of market value. Jumped on it and so far I really like it.

2011 F-150 FX4

• Sterling Gray over black cloth
  
• Coyote 5.0L V8 with 47k miles
  
• 4WD
  
• Crew cab, 5.5' bed with spray-in liner
  
• Max Tow package, rated at 9300 lb towing
  
• Electronically locking rear diff
  
• Factory skid plates protecting front diff, transfer case and gas tank
  
• "Extended Range" 36 gallon fuel tank (stock is 26)
  
• Factory optional 20" rimzz because 18's are for plebes

It's fairly simple inside - manual HVAC, no navigation or backup cam, no sliding rear window, no sunroof - but I kind of like that aspect of it. Less to fail as it ages. And I don't daily drive it, so who cares if I have air-conditioned leather seats. It's still a nice interior to spend time in. I may look at adding a backup camera in some capacity, but it's not a super-pressing need.

[CaptainHenreh]

I approve!

[*insertusernamehere*]

I like the color. A lot. It's not a diesel, that is definitely not an 8 foot bed, but you go the big cab so i guess that's a plus haha jk

Looking forward to seeing it in person, oh and get an exhaust

[youtube]Ov1QHFtGV2Y[/youtube]

and this looks fun

[youtube]_1-EobuLZxs[/youtube]

not trying to give you ideas or anything... :lol: 8)

[Jake]

I've already talked to FlimFlam about burnouts and tunes and exhausts.

They actually offered three bed lengths on these trucks. I have the shorty at 5.5', there was a bigger 6.5' and finally an 8'. The 8' is massive and only suitable for DJ. I would have probably preferred an extended cab (with the suicide doors) and the 6.5' bed, but asking for that on top of a 5.0 FX4 in a color I liked with low miles that I could afford was getting to be tough. Really, the back seats flip up against the back of the cab so you end up with this cavernous load space for stuff in the back of the cab. I should be fine between that and the bed. I'll shoot a pic when I leave work tonight so you can see how much room there is.

The driver's seat can be set for my height, and I can sit behind myself and almost not touch the front seat at all. It's that big.

[JPolen01]

I've already talked to FlimFlam about burnouts and tunes and exhausts.

I would have probably preferred an extended cab (with the suicide doors)

Your passengers will be happy you did not choose this option. You will be too. Having to get out and open a door for someone in the back or wait until they shut their door so you can shut yours gets annoying.

[Senor_Taylor]

Yeah, I really like what GM did with the new extended cab. 4 regular doors. The seating is still abysmal for anyone with legs and a straight back. I've never experience seats that uncomfortable. Crew cab or bust for a full size. It doesn't really make it that much longer, if at all.

You'll find a 5.5 bed is just fine for what you need. Mine is 6 1/4 and the only issues I have is the bed sides are too low, which won't be a problem for you. If you need to haul anything bigger, just pull the trailer. If I was you, I would look into a bed-tent for the track.

Great buy, btw. I hope it treats you well. We'll make a redneck out of you yet.

[Jake]

Yeah, I really like what GM did with the new extended cab. 4 regular doors. The seating is still abysmal for anyone with legs and a straight back. I've never experience seats that uncomfortable. Crew cab or bust for a full size. It doesn't really make it that much longer, if at all.

So the extended cab/6.5' bed and crew cab/5.5' are the same overall length, the foot of length is just shifted from the cab to the bed. I don't know if I could do a crew cab/6.5' as this thing is already Very Large. That's why I said EC/6.5' if I found one. But yeah, I'm with you - I think what I have will do fine.

[HAULN-SS]

suicide doors are terrible..be glad you didn't get them. We had them on a silverado, and I have them on my f250..hate them every time I need to get somethiing in the back

[WRXtranceformed]

Nice purchase! Much approve. Like the v8 vs the ecoboost too for longevity

[Scott]

. I would have probably preferred an extended cab (with the suicide doors) and the 6.5' bed, but asking for that on top of a 5.0 FX4 in a color I liked with low miles that I could afford was getting to be tough.

I went from a "real" 4 door truck to an extended cab (with suicide doors) and now back to a 4 door. You made the right decision, I'll never go back to the extended........

[Jake]

. I would have probably preferred an extended cab (with the suicide doors) and the 6.5' bed, but asking for that on top of a 5.0 FX4 in a color I liked with low miles that I could afford was getting to be tough.

I went from a "real" 4 door truck to an extended cab (with suicide doors) and now back to a 4 door. You made the right decision, I'll never go back to the extended........

It's definitely easier to get stuff in and out of the backseat (work bag, etc) so I see the appeal... definitely like the setup as-is.

[davej]

Nice buy! The 4 door cab will make everything so much easier. I'm a little sad though since there probably (hopefully) won't be any more 'this weekend I replaced something stupid' posts.

[Jake]

Nice buy! The 4 door cab will make everything so much easier. I'm a little sad though since there probably (hopefully) won't be any more 'this weekend I replaced something stupid' posts.

Hah, I own two old BMWs, you'll see plenty of those posts :roll:

I'm starting to compile a list of things I want to do on the truck, although there is no budget or timeframe around any of it. Jus thoughts for now.

• Replacement bed cover with Bakflip or similar locking tonneau
  
• Add backup camera, using either replacement tailgate handle or tailgate Ford logo and some sort of screen (in rearview mirror or mounted elsewhere)
  
• Better door speakers

I got the truck set up on the "My Ford" website yesterday and it told me there was an update to Sync. I've got it downloaded on a flash drive and will be updating the system on my drive home from work this evening.

[*insertusernamehere*]

There's no way the speakers in that thing suck

[ScottyB]

i guess i'm the oddball...i always liked extended cab rear seat entry/egress without the B-pillar in the way. same reason i love the RX8 door setup.

[D_Eclipse9916]

There's no way the speakers in that thing suck

In a ford? I didn't think sound systems could get any worse than BMWs but even the "upgraded" packages in them suck...terribly.

[Jake]

Yeah, mine has the base 4-speaker system. It's... fine. A bit muddy. I think 4 upgraded speakers would do a lot of good.

Even the expensive Sony "premium" audio in my FoST sucked suuuuper hard if you pushed it beyond 1/3 volume.

[WRXtranceformed]

The tailgate handle would be sweet. There's one integrated into the handle on the Canyons and there are two pegs you can wrap the tailgate cables around. It allows the tailgate to hold at a 45* angle and the backup camera points directly down at the hitch so you can line it up with a trailer. Pretty cool, would be neat if you could do something similar!

[Senor_Taylor]

i guess i'm the oddball...i always liked extended cab rear seat entry/egress without the B-pillar in the way. same reason i love the RX8 door setup.

You wouldn't happen to be a hobbit, would you?

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

[Jake]

The tailgate handle would be sweet. There's one integrated into the handle on the Canyons and there are two pegs you can wrap the tailgate cables around. It allows the tailgate to hold at a 45* angle and the backup camera points directly down at the hitch so you can line it up with a trailer. Pretty cool, would be neat if you could do something similar!

So the thing about the tailgate handle solution is that while it's cheaper, I'd have to have the handle painted as the FX4 has painted door/tailgate handles and I don't want a chintzy black plastic one sitting there :lol:

The other option is to do what Ford did if you ordered a backup camera. They made the Ford logo on the tailgate thicker, and installed a camera on the underside:



More expensive but a far slicker install. I think it'd line up perfectly to see the hitch, based on forum reports and photos I've seen. That's a cool trick with the Canyonrados though!