Being new to the Ford F-250 Line this year, I'm trying to tell the difference when Super Duty's are approaching me on the road. So maybe you can help me figure out how to tell what year is approaching me?

Are 2011-2016's pretty much the same headlights and grills on the XL and XLT models?

Also, what are the differences between the 2017 and 2018's any?

Thanks everyone!

 

You can not tell them apart by the grills or any other exterior features on the 2011-2016 pertaining to the year of the truck. I would suspect similar for the 2017 and when the 2018 comes out.

 

IN GENERAL, the XL trucks will have painted grills and the XLT and up models will have chrome grills, but there are exceptions.

 

They are visibly the same.

























Except for the horizontal detail across the tailgate that showed up in 2013. But hell, tailgates are easy to swap. Just not cheap.

 

I wonder why Ford did that? I mean, I looked at a website that showed the history of the F series trucks, and from 1948 until present, Ford never went that long with the exact same look for 6 years. Strange.

 

I have noticed that the tailgate is different from at least the 2011's. The have a "line", or groove across it that dips below the tailgate handle. Not sure what year they started that, but I definitely do not have it on my '11. Otherwise, I can't tell the difference.

 

Your xl's have a black plastic grill. You could get a chrome appearance package on the xl that gave you chrome bumpers, but it would still have a black grill. In '16, that chrome appearance package got you a chrome surround on the grill.
Then someone like me can throw you a curve and add just a touch more chrome

The platinums got perforated chrome bars.

 

all about saving money for Ford.. or any Car/Truck manufacturer.

unlike many years ago... every year had small things changed... lights, trim, one year colors.

think about it.. many Crashes are front or rear damage...
so a front bumper/grill/lights are the same from 2011 to 2016 .. ONE PART over 6 years...

 

My 2016 came with chrome bumpers and center caps but no chrome grill surround. I tried to find the black grill with chrome surround but ended up buying the full chrome grill.

 

Do you happen to have your window sticker? I would like to know the difference in the packages that get you a chrome surround vs a black surround, both with chrome bumpers. I thought it was a year model thing, but obviously not. If you can post yours, I'll post my window sticker this afternoon so we can compare them.

 

I have it and will post this afternoon.

 

Or mess with a guy even more with a black surround on a platinum grille!

They are the same except different trim packages have a different setup as far as I've seen.

 

If it's perforated it's 2013 or newer, unless they swapped.

 

 

Sorry it took me so long