I haven't run into a time where i could not make the 5'5" bed do what i needed, this includes the 10 years my grandfather had a 04 f-150 with a 5'5" bed and he hauled all kinds of crap. Keep a few ratchet straps with you and it's all good.

Of course i'm bias to the '11 Lariat Limited, I had to have one after I first saw one in late 2010.

 

Alright, I've had a bit more time to research this today. Here's my specs off-hand:

2011-2014 (new engine options that are much better)
White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic (rules out XL, XLT, STX, FX2/4/Tremor, and Raptor)
4x4 (I live in a place that gets snow and will take this thing wherever I need to)
Supercrew (I have a wife and 2 kids already)
5.5' box (I don't like the look of the 6.5' bed and won't really need it that much)
No tan interior and no Harley (hate tan, rules out King Ranch and I don't ride Harley bikes)

So, this leaves me with a Lariat, Platinum, Lariat Limited, and Limited. I'm going to probably just rule out the Lariat because it has no heated rear seats and no power running boards, plus it's hard to find in White Tri-Coat Metallic and without tan interior.

Now I just need to compare the model year differences between the Platinum and Limited.

 

So, 2011 to 2012 differences in Platinum trim only included mechanical differences, cosmetically the same:

Upgraded rear brakes
New 2-speed automatic transfer case and neutral tow capability
Hill start assist standard
36 gallon fuel tank for Ecoboost 4x4 trucks

2012 to 2013 differences in Platinum trim were mainly cosmetic with infotainment change:

MyFord Touch added with center console change
HID headlamps
New grille
Wheel well liners
Folding outboard rear headrests
Black and pecan seats added

2013 to 2014 Platinum:

Looks to be the exact same truck

2011 vs 2013 Limited:

Limited only has 6.2 V8 and 2WD/AWD/4HI only transfer case (2011)
Limited only has Ecoboost and now shares same transfer case as Platinum (2013, now includes hill start assist, neutral tow, and 4LO)
2013 Limited now shares the same upgrades from 2012 that the Platinum had
Cosmetically they're completely different trucks interior and exterior wise, too much stuff to list

2013 vs 2014 Limited:

Only change is red to blue interior, besides that it looks to be the exact same truck


So, with all that in mind, I'm going to rule out 2014 trucks simply because there were no changes from 2013 and I dislike the blue interior of the Limited anyways. It seems like your big changes were the 2-speed transfer case and rear brake upgrade in 12 and then the change to MyFord Touch in 13. The cosmetic changes were pretty minor stuff in the Platinum, but the Limited got a complete re-vamp.

 

Went and looked at a 2014 Platinum at a dealer lot tonight when they were closed so I could get a good in-person look.


I'm digging the 13-14 grille MUCH more than the 11-12 grille. It actually looks like it belongs on the truck, but I think I still prefer the 11 Lariat Limited white grille. I'm not a huge fan of the chrome belt mouldings, but they can be removed if needed. The projector headlights are much nicer than the standard headlights, but I would really like if they were black like the FX4 ones, same with the tail lights. The one thing I do like is the Platinum has the tailgate applique and it's one of my favorite features about my Flex. I don't hate the factory wheels, but they would definitely need changed. I dislike the chrome mirror caps and would want to paint them black or white. Also, I like the 2011 Lariat Limited bumper much more than the standard tow hook bumper all the trucks have. It wouldn't be all that hard to change to the exact exterior I want and it wouldn't be that expensive either.

The one HUGE bonus the Platinum has over the Limited (in my book anyways) is the brushed aluminum interior trim. I think it looks way better than the painted gray the Limited has. The downside to this though is that you have dark woodgrain to go with it whereas the Limited has the gloss black in the 13-14 or the silver in the 11. Also, the Platinum with the black interior looks better than the 11 Lariat Limited which is mostly gray. I'm not a big fan of the brown interior in the Platinum and feel the black goes better with it. The red interior in the 13 Limited is eye catching, but to me it just feels a little out of place. I could easily see myself just taking the woodgrain pieces in the Platinum and vinyl wrapping them gloss black or something. IMO you'd end up with a better interior than the Limited then since the Limited doesn't have the brushed aluminum.

So, I think that covers all the cosmetic things. It seems like at this point I would be better off just getting a 13 Platinum or Limited and cosmetically doing what I want. I agree the 11 Lariat Limited is the better looking truck, but the 13 comes with the upgraded rear brakes, MyFord Touch, upgraded center console, and upgraded transfer case. Those are things you can't just put on the 11 Lariat Limited, but you could easily put the cosmetic stuff from the Lariat Limited on the 13 Platinum and Limited.

 

Plus, as long as you are happy with the price on this end, whenever it comes time to sell, the 2014 Platinum or Limited is worth a lot more than a 2011 Lariat Limited. That's useful if you end up taking an insurance payout down the road too.

No matter what you end up with, it sounds like this will be one beautiful truck.

 

Have you seen the blue in person or just in pics? For some reason, it looks much more blue in pictures. Hard to explain. I actually saw it in person first because I was never even considering the Limited until I saw it on the lot. I actually liked the blue the second I saw it, and only realized how much more blue it looked in pictures after I took my own. I'm not a fan of the red though. Just my preference like you don't like the tan. A Lariat+ in white/tan was my first color choice.

 

I've not seen it in person no, but like I said, the 2014 is the same is the 2013 minus the color. I'd rather just get a MY older to save money. I honestly think at this point my best bet is gonna be a Platinum.

 

I really find it dumb and very annoying that certain colors are not available with certain packages, for example I wanted flame blue but they wouldn't put it in a Lariat. I mean really, how stupid is that and for what purpose? If I shell out 60 grand for a truck, why can't I choose any color I want from the current model year choices? Anybody else feel this way???

 

"Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black."

- Henry Ford

 

I'm kind of eyeing Platinums with the Max Tow option. Even though I feel the mirrors don't fit the stock truck well with a lift and some tires it looks like a baby F-250.

 

I've decided at this point it's worth it to just get a 2013. From what I can see 11's and 12's are still going for high 20's and the 13's are going for mid 30's. 11's and 12's most likely won't be CPO vehicles either. I figure the upgraded transfer case, upgraded rear brakes, MyFord Touch, HID's, and the new grille would be worth it. Also, if you go with a 2013 Platinum it's got the black interior instead of the gray. The 11's and 12's are cheaper but from what I can tell it's worth the extra 5k to get those upgrades along with most likely a CPO truck. If I get a Platinum I'll probably spring for one with the Max Tow, that way I can get the 3.73 e-locker instead of the 3.31 or 3.55's. The upside is that the Limited comes with the 3.73 standard. From what I can tell the only reason the Limited doesn't have the same payload as the Platinum is because of the shocks and the wheels. Realistically if you put a lift kit on the Platinum or the Limited and the same aftermarket wheels and tires you technically would end up with the same payload and GVWR, correct?

 

Mechanically, yes, but not legally. I'm about to level my Limited and put some different wheels & tires on it just for a different look. From what you said you'll be doing, any of them will do the job, so find one you like and make the right deal.

 

i have a 2011 king ranch with the max tow and it tows 11 000. does everything i need no complaints