What is everyone's take on the Ford F-150?

[Steamfitter]

I get the itch for a new vehicle every so often, and I'm interested in the Ford F150 (platinum specifically).

Yeah I know, toyotas are the best. But I haven't heard great things about the Tundra, however I have heard the F-150 is a pretty good truck. What do people here think or know first hand?

 

[KF4R2011]

Be Careful

All I can say is, BE CAREFUL which year/engine/build code you decide on. Got a 4R for this very reason... not worth the minefield of issues... and avoid 2004 and 2012 all together. V6 Ecoboost is probably a safe bet on later years.

 

[SnowLizard]

do yourself a favor... follow 'roughly' what I would do if I were in your shoes...

compare by driving... and physically checking out either truck. (you mentioned toyota, so I'll assume tundra)

Make note of the following for all types of vehicles:
1) driving (does it feel big? what size you you feel like it is, this is a personal perspective you get from driving them)
2) buttons (to me, this is big, does it feel 'cheap' or does it feel like they will last, open windows/play radio/everything you can push, push!, touch screen 'responsiveness' is more important than clarity to me)
3) Drivers Seat (you'll be sitting there so, how does it feel? support you well?)
4) human conveniences (radar cruise is nice, blind spots and alarms/sensors are nice, but does this help you be a better driver?)
5) personal perspective (this varies, you'll know when you test multiple different makes/models)

Now: start away from desired truck, see other manufactures.. ... (f150)
go to toyota/ram/gmc/chevy, ask for top model (price range) with ALL bells and whistles to test drive. you may need to call around. make sure it has moon roof and all. Ask for the MSRP, and take a picture of the sticker price (should list all features)

middle: repeat to any other make/model...

finally: go to ford (at the end!)
ask for top of line platinum... do the same on this truck as the competition, 2 more just like it.. 'ish'... IF they don't have the truck you want, don't buy it without test driving it.

I say keep Ford LAST because you want to experience all you can in the other vehicles 1st. I wanted a F150 also, even had a dream on a green superduty F250. I wanted to be prepared so my wife picked some others and we visited all she wanted to see, keeping mine last (thinking we were going to purchase at end of day).


spoiler... my experience.
After driving them all (ram/toyota/GMC/ford) I knew that i wasn't going to get a Ford, we drove 3 ford models, and ALL felt like they were not what i expected for a 'new' vehicle. honestly I felt betrayed by Ford... I REALLY wanted that F150, but after experiencing the others, I knew I wasn't getting one.

 

[Steamfitter]

Good advice. I have test driven a 2019 tacoma limited, which I didn't like (too small for me, and the wind noise were the main 2 reasons). I've sat inside the new Tundra platinum. Loved the interior and looks, but it felt a little excessive, and the bad mileage reputation threw me off (OTOH, I drive a T4R and I don't find it too hard on fuel). I've been in my friend's 2019 F350 platinum, and honestly the interior is the nicest part. Hard to say if it's better than the tundra platinum, they are pretty close.

The new Ram limited are very nice inside, but I work too hard for my money to put it into a brand with such a poor reputation for quality (ditto for GM). Maybe I'll take another look at the Tundra.

 

[SnowLizard]

definitely go for a test drive in all trucks... they handle differently, feel different.

some more food for thought...

2019 Tundra (minus the towing, I'd probably be 15mpg+)
Snowlizard Tundra (Toyota Tundra) | Fuelly

1999 4Runner
Snowlizard 4runner (Toyota 4Runner) | Fuelly

same driver... main difference is tundra will tow the trailer, the 4runner offroads. YMMV

 

[Charlievee]

I would drop 1500 on a 96. Pull the body off the frame, rebuild the drive train and motor and drive away happy.

 

[Veinz]

Seems like my co-workers who own these are constantly bringing them in for a recall or some other kind of problem. They're the best truck you can get on paper but I personally would rather have the Tundra even though it's dated af.

 

[patkelly4370]

Not an F150, but an F100. I've been happy with it the last 30 years. My Grandpa drove it for 20 years before that. He was the original owner.
Straight six engine, four speed manual low transmission, manual steering, manual drum brakes.
It always works. Always.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[spartacus]

Not an F150, but an F100. I've been happy with it the last 30 years. My Grandpa drove it for 20 years before that. He was the original owner.
Straight six engine, four speed manual low transmission, manual steering, manual drum brakes.
It always works. Always.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Wow that's in really good shape.

 

[patkelly4370]

Wow that's in really good shape.

That why I don't take pics of the driver side. There's a giant dent in the bed (Grandpa did it)

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[ggunn9]

Same here

I get the itch for a new vehicle every so often, and I'm interested in the Ford F150 (platinum specifically).

Yeah I know, toyotas are the best. But I haven't heard great things about the Tundra, however I have heard the F-150 is a pretty good truck. What do people here think or know first hand?

This is a great subject. I have been very interested in the Ford F-150 Platinum (only).

I drove my sisters boyfriend's truck. He has a 2010 F-150. The tech in he was better than my 2013 4runner.

I have test driven 3-5 F-150's and I really like the 3.5 ecoboost.

The F-150 technology is so much more advanced than Toyota. My wife drives a Lexus and it has a ton of tech in it.

I feel like Toyota is missing the Tech and power in there vehicles. I wish I could be my 2013 4runner with a 3.5 ecoboost and Ford technology. That would be perfect.

The F-150 just seems perfect for me.

I see people saying be careful of buying a Ford. I have been a member of the F-150 forum for 3-4 months now. I a watching what current owners say about them.

Each car maker will have their own issues. The 2nd gen of the ecoboost has great reviews and the problems of the gen 1 are gone.

I am also looking forward to being able to put a tune on the truck. Changing parts out to make it faster.

Did anyone come to the 4runner from an F-150?

 

[Bumbo]

I have a Silverado and my brother has an F-150. For anything 1/2 ton and larger I still really like American trucks and will continue to own / buy them.

I would have no problem owning a Ford F-150, especially the newer ones.

 

[thennen]

I can't figure out the headlights on later model Ford pickups. There's a top section and an almost-mirrored bottom section. Everyone seems to drive with both of them lit. They're too bright most of the time. Are they high/low beams, are the bottom ones fogs? They confuse my simple brain.

To the question posted by the OP, I've been assimilated into the Toyota collective for many years, and really am only happy with Toyotas. So I personally would see things I didn't like in a Ford due to my personal bias. That said, I say buy what you like. Life is too short to only buy what you SHOULD buy. If it'll make you happy to buy an F150, by all means do so. If you have regrets down the road, trade it on something else. Life is to be lived. Toyotas are the best-built vehicles in my experience, but they're not the only vehicles out there. Have fun!

 

[Bumbo]

I can't figure out the headlights on later model Ford pickups. There's a top section and an almost-mirrored bottom section. Everyone seems to drive with both of them lit. They're too bright most of the time. Are they high/low beams, are the bottom ones fogs? They confuse my simple brain.

To the question posted by the OP, I've been assimilated into the Toyota collective for many years, and really am only happy with Toyotas. So I personally would see things I didn't like in a Ford due to my personal bias. That said, I say buy what you like. Life is too short to only buy what you SHOULD buy. If it'll make you happy to buy an F150, by all means do so. If you have regrets down the road, trade it on something else. Life is to be lived. Toyotas are the best-built vehicles in my experience, but they're not the only vehicles out there. Have fun!

Personal bias can play a large roll. My mom’s last 3-4 cars were Hondas because of her personal bias and her unwillingness to learn something else. She was quite content with the headlight/steering wheel controls being in the exact same place on every car she got.

I’ll admit my Toyotas has not been without some problems. They have less problems than most, but they are not infallible. I think we tend to overlook any quality issues because of the same personal bias.

Yes these trucks are solid, but I also have a massive maintenance log of spending to show that I actually maintain my 4Runner very well. My Silverado gets the bare minimum required from me to stay safe on that road.

People tend to see what they want at times. I think it’s fair to say my Silverado never had to visit a frozen caliper thread or a stuck 4WD actuator thread.

 

[thennen]

Personal bias can play a large roll. My mom’s last 3-4 cars were Hondas because of her personal bias and her unwillingness to learn something else. She was quite content with the headlight/steering wheel controls being in the exact same place on every car she got.

I’ll admit my Toyotas has not been without some problems. They have less problems than most, but they are not infallible. I think we tend to overlook any quality issues because of the same personal bias.

Yes these trucks are solid, but I also have a massive maintenance log of spending to show that I actually maintain my 4Runner very well. My Silverado gets the bare minimum required from me to stay safe on that road.

People tend to see what they want at times. I think it’s fair to say my Silverado never had to visit a frozen caliper thread or a stuck 4WD actuator thread.

Understood. I’ve put over 1.3 million miles on Toyotas, and can say that they handle neglect just fine. My bias is a result of 38 years of ownership, not from simply reading about them.

Back to topic, I say buy what you want and enjoy it. I think every vehicle has its strong points.

 

[ggunn9]

Toyota/Ford

I love my 4runner. It is a solid truck.

However, it misses the mark on Technology and it is under powered.

 

[flyfishin]

This is a great subject. I have been very interested in the Ford F-150 Platinum (only).

I drove my sisters boyfriend's truck. He has a 2010 F-150. The tech in he was better than my 2013 4runner.

I have test driven 3-5 F-150's and I really like the 3.5 ecoboost.

The F-150 technology is so much more advanced than Toyota. My wife drives a Lexus and it has a ton of tech in it.

I feel like Toyota is missing the Tech and power in there vehicles. I wish I could be my 2013 4runner with a 3.5 ecoboost and Ford technology. That would be perfect.

The F-150 just seems perfect for me.

I see people saying be careful of buying a Ford. I have been a member of the F-150 forum for 3-4 months now. I a watching what current owners say about them.

Each car maker will have their own issues. The 2nd gen of the ecoboost has great reviews and the problems of the gen 1 are gone.

I am also looking forward to being able to put a tune on the truck. Changing parts out to make it faster.

Did anyone come to the 4runner from an F-150?

I had a 2009 F-150 Platinum and sold it before buying my 4runner.

My first comment is if you really need a full size truck then you should be looking at the F-150, GM trucks and of course the Tundra. I would get a Tundra if buying full size again. I thought the SYNC system in my F-150 was terrible but I am sure it is much improved now. I had some issues with the brakes and power steering and spent some money there but not crazy. Something I would not expect and have not experienced in a 4runner though. One thing that is common is the trainy tends to have a weird bump when coming to a stop. It's very common and a little scary. I know a couple of other owners with the same issue and it's all over the web.

I sold mine with about 130k because of MPG's, the feeling that I was about to get into some expensive repairs, and first and foremost... I really don't need a full size truck. Getting back in a 4runner has been a breath of fresh air. Way easier to park and a great daily driver. It is also much more nimble off-road and I enjoy having the SUV body with gear contained inside the vehicle. It just feels so solid and put together. I am good for 10 years.

 

[ggunn9]

^^^^
Do you think the 10 speed transmissions are an improvement and what about the 2nd gen of ecoboost engines?

I don't need a full size truck, but I really like the Platinum F-150. lol

 

[flyfishin]

I had the 5.4l v-8 with the 6 speed transmission. Other than the bump that I mentioned it was a good combo. I can't comment on the Eco-boost from my own experience but others I know are happy with them. I have a co-worker with a 2018 Platinum with the Ecoboost. I'll ask his opinion for you. He knows cars and actually raced for while so I would respect what he says. He also has a Tundra with about 350k miles that is still in use. LOL.

The F-150's are really nice trucks. Hard to go wrong there.

 

[flyfishin]

It's actually a 17 with the 3.5 L EB with 10 speed and about 60k miles. He loves it.