Hot Rod Work Truck: Everything I Love & Hate About My 2016 F-150
After a year and a half with my Coyote-powered regular cab, longbed 2016 F-150, I’ve formed quite a few opinions about what I love – and what I don’t.
If you were anything like me, you grew up with posters of exotic sports cars plastered on your wall. I just knew that someday, I’d be driving an aluminum-bodied two-seater with an exotic DOHC V8 engine. That’s why, back in December of 2022, I scored myself a nice birthday gift in the form of the 2016 F-150 XLT FX4 you see here.
Here’s the thing – since the age of 14, I’ve owned my share of project cars. Now comfortably in my 30s, I’d wager that the single greatest tool any car enthusiast can own is a tow rig. I still own my 1991 F-150, but at this point, it needs – no, deserves – a full restoration. It was high time for me to own a responsible daily driver that could haul cars, parts, and help out with house projects.
After about a year and a half, I’ve had enough time with my truck to form some real opinions about it. My editor here at Ford Truck Enthusiasts has asked me to share my experience, so here’s a list of thing I love – and hate – about my 2016 F-150.
Love: Utility
I’m pretty old school when it comes to my trucks. I simply have to have an eight foot bed, and since I actually have to park this thing occasionally, that means a regular cab is more or less a requirement. Still, there’s a surprising amount of space behind the seats, and I’ve fit everything from a bare Ford Model A frame to a pair of kayaks in the bed with no problems. If I did need to tow a trailer, my truck is optioned out to tow nearly 10,000 pounds and has an integrated trailer brake controller. Nice!
Hate: No Options
If you’re a truck traditionalist like me, that also means no goodies inside, apparently. If you prefer your truck with a small cab and a big bed, like grandpa had, you can wave goodbye to the 21st century altogether. When my 2016 F-150 was built, XLT was the highest trim level allowed, which meant no leather, no heated seats or steering wheel, and no Sync 3. If I want that stuff, I’ll have to add it in myself. It’s only gotten worse, too – the 2024 F-150 regular cab is only available as an XL. At least they get the big screen and LED headlights standard. I’d at least like the option of ordering a regular cab, longbed Lariat.
Love: Steering Feel
The steering feel in this truck, especially compared to other half tons, is wonderful. It’s light as a feather, which makes low-speed maneuvering easy as pie. However, on the highway, it’s not excessively floaty or numb. Ford struck a great balance with the steering feel on these trucks, and it’s simply a joy to drive.
Hate: Ride Quality
This one’s on me. I wanted an FX4 with all of the extra-rugged off-road goodies, and that’s what I got. There’s nothing that can stop this truck. However, the flipside of that is an incredibly rough ride on anything but fresh pavement. Since I live in the rust belt, potholes are common, and even a quick ride to the store rattles fillings I don’t remember having. It’s not the truck’s fault, but worth noting if you’re deciding between a truck with the FX4 package and one without.
Love: Ease of Maintenance
With how popular these trucks are, there’s no shortage of parts, and they’re all relatively cheap. Maintenance, at least with the 5.0 liter Coyote V8, is super simple and everything is well within reach. I actually enjoy working on this truck. That’s a good thing, since I just hit 110,000 miles, and it’s going to start needing stuff here and there. I’ve already replaced some cooling system parts, and I have to replace a windshield washer pump soon. I’ll also be replacing the spark plugs and adjusting the stiff tailgate handle soon. Altogether, I’ll be in for under $200 in parts. Not bad at all!
Dislike: Cooling System
I’ve owned my share of Ford V8s, staring with an early ’50s Flathead to the Coyote in my truck. If there’s one constant in Ford’s V8 lineup through the years, it’s cooling system issues. At 110k miles, like clockwork, my truck started leaking from the water outlet, Y-connector, or upper radiator hose O-ring – I’m not sure which, since I replaced all three in one go. As stated above, the parts were cheap and I could fix it in my driveway in an afternoon. However, when I was done, I was then treated to another Ford V8 trademark – a long and arcane coolant bleeding procedure.
Love: Fuel Economy
I don’t need to tell you that the Coyote V8 in this truck is powerful, smooth, and sounds terrific. What you may be surprised is that it’s surprisingly thrifty, too. I’ve been seeing around 18 MPG in mixed driving, and between 20-22 MPG on extended highway trips. In my book, that’s pretty good for a full-size V8 pickup truck. Keep in mind that I don’t have the 10-speed auto, either. Some of my friends with those trucks are doing even better. Regardless, I’ve got a 36 gallon tank in mine, and I can make it from Akron, Ohio to Charlotte, North Carolina in one tank.
Love: Longevity
Living in the rust belt, I’ve seen far too many nice trucks fall by the wayside well before their time has come. Cabs and beds rot out up here well before the engine and transmission have given up the ghost. However, that’s no longer a concern thanks to the aluminum body (although I still religiously coat the frame in Fluid Film at the start of every winter). With several documented cases of these Coyote V8s lasting well over a quarter of a million miles, it’s safe to assume I could be buried in this truck if I wanted to. Also, thanks to Ford’s evolutionary, understated approach to styling updates, my truck still looks somewhat “current” despite being eight years old.
Hate: The Rake
This one is so minor that I almost feel silly including it. That’s why I saved it for last. I can’t stand the rake of my truck. With my truck being a short cab and a longbed with the FX4 package, I feel like the rake is more exaggerated from a visual standpoint. The back end is hiked up for a good reason, of course – when the bed is loaded down or you’re towing, the truck levels out and doesn’t sag. That said, I get just a bit jealous when I see other brand trucks that look level from the factory. Expect to see a leveling kit install here very soon.
So, there you have it. There are more likes than dislikes, and my dislikes are, overall, pretty minor and nitpicky. I love my truck and I plan on holding onto it for a long time, so get used to seeing it on the homepage!
Photos: Cam VanDerHorst
Join the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forums now!
