Some nice changes for 2012
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
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From: South Jersey
Some nice changes for 2012
Reading in Truck Trend referencing Ford at the Texas State Fair there are some welcome changes to the 2012 F150 that answers some of our wants. There are many, and to just list a few is an Electronic Locker available for 2WD trucks, Automatic 4WD with low and high range, along with Neutral Tow Mode allowing for flat towing of the truck (Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum have automatic 4WD), optional Hill Start Assist , and 36 gallon fuel tanks on EcoBoost 4x4's (except Reg. Cab Short Beds). I didn't even get to the Raptor yet, and there are many more appearance and other changes too, but these are some changes more of us can live with.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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I did not know that the neutral tow mode only came in the upper trims, and that the hill start assist requires the locker. Not good news ....
Update: Below is a window sticker of an XLT with limited slip axle and Hill Start Assist:
http://www.inventory.ford.com/servic...modelid=268%22
Update 2: Neutral tow mode is standard for all 4x4's.
Quote from 2012 Ford F-150 Adds New FX Appearance Package, More Capabilities and Technologies to Fuel-Efficient Powertrains | Ford Motor Company Newsroom:
efx4, you kinda scared me here, as with your restrictions, the truck I have on order would not have either one of these, while they are both important to me. Thanks goodness I think you were not 100% right, I think. 
Update: Below is a window sticker of an XLT with limited slip axle and Hill Start Assist:
http://www.inventory.ford.com/servic...modelid=268%22
Update 2: Neutral tow mode is standard for all 4x4's.
Quote from 2012 Ford F-150 Adds New FX Appearance Package, More Capabilities and Technologies to Fuel-Efficient Powertrains | Ford Motor Company Newsroom:
The addition of neutral tow capability on all 4x4 trucks means customers can now flat-tow their F-150, making the truck even more usable.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
To me, the 36 gallon tank is great but I especially like the e-locker on 4x2 models which would likely mean that the e-locker can be used in 2wd on a 4x4 models like the superduties.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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This drives me nuts. I really wish my 2011 had this capability.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Detroit 'burbs
While I have the 36gal tank, I have to agree with this statment. Im all for change and upgrades, but I cant help but feel annoyed that all these changes happen AFTER I bought my truck (I.E. LED productivity screen, 5 bar grille for the FX4, e-locker for 2WD, new FX apperance package, etc..)
I feel like my 2010 is outdated already, and when I bought it, I wished there was something to set it apart from the STX on the outside other then the badging (not that theres anything wrong with the STX).
I wanted the 5bar grille, the 2011+ FX4 grey rims, LED productivity screen and the blackened head and taillights and all the other goodies that came out AFTER I bought it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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Just curious: what would you use the locker in 2WD on a 4x4 truck? I mean, why not switch into 4WD as you can't turn on pavement with the locker anyway and you can't go fast (well, not supposed to anyway ...)?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 537
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While I have the 36gal tank, I have to agree with this statment. Im all for change and upgrades, but I cant help but feel annoyed that all these changes happen AFTER I bought my truck (I.E. LED productivity screen, 5 bar grille for the FX4, e-locker for 2WD, new FX apperance package, etc..)
I feel like my 2010 is outdated already, and when I bought it, I wished there was something to set it apart from the STX on the outside other then the badging (not that theres anything wrong with the STX).
I wanted the 5bar grille, the 2011+ FX4 grey rims, LED productivity screen and the blackened head and taillights and all the other goodies that came out AFTER I bought it.
I feel like my 2010 is outdated already, and when I bought it, I wished there was something to set it apart from the STX on the outside other then the badging (not that theres anything wrong with the STX).
I wanted the 5bar grille, the 2011+ FX4 grey rims, LED productivity screen and the blackened head and taillights and all the other goodies that came out AFTER I bought it.
But really, look at it from a practical viewpoint. There is absolutely NO way that Ford can introduce and redesign a whole truck with all new features every year, or even every other year.
They have to pick and choose say a dozen new features, 3 engines, and redesign a finite number of components a year. There simply isn't the time or manpower available for that.
So, new features get dribbled in as time and money allow. That's just the way the car business works.
Don't forget, most of this stuff has to get certified by the NTSB and whatever other agencies too...so there is a HUGE time lag due to bureaucratic inneficiencies.
That's just the way the world works.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
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You think you feel bad? I'm wondering if the MY2012 buyers will feel even worse. Ford is already announcing all of their 2013 updates on most of their other products, but no announcement yet on the F150. If the 2013 F150 will be available (for sale) in the middle of 2012 like Ford's other 2013 products, then 2012 buyers will likely feel slighted for not waiting.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
That is the 64 thousand dollar question. To me, it's about all the versatility and capability that can be had in one package.