I finally pulled the trigger on a truck! I'm so excited! 2015 F-350 XLT FX4, 160,xxx miles. I'm so excited because it has almost all the features I wanted on it!

1. What does this button on the far left do? Some type of hill descent control? How does it function.

2. The PO installed a K&N air filter. Would it be better to go back to the factory version? I'm not wanting a "powerhouse", I just want the longevity and health of the truck.

3 How bad is this exhaust really? How expensive (ballpark) would it be to replace it?

4. I want to upgrade my steering wheel to the nice cushiony one (I think came on the Lariat models). However, if I do so I THINK I will have to change the gauge cluster as well because the buttons on the steering wheel will change (on the left side). Is it even possible to upgrade that gauge cluster (to the factory one with the LCD display). LIke, is the wiring and computer program already there to even do so?

5. How "big" a deal is this tear in the door seal? Is it something I need to replace immediately for fear of water damage?

6. I think I would like to upgrade to the backup camera option. My father has the factory version on his 2017 F-250 with the screen on the dash (SYNC, not SYNC 3). It's kind of small so I have to lean in to view details. On my truck, with the camera being in the reverse mirror, the screen will be much smaller. Is it even worth it? Can you actually see anything on it?

7. Mine came with the four auxiliary switches. Yay! Room for toys! I already know what I'm doing with one switch (KC lights on top of the front bumper with winch) but I need to know what to use the other three four. So give me some ideas! What are other guys putting on their auxiliary switches?

8. I think i'd like to upgrade the center console. RIght now it has the fold down chair but I've seen on the 2008-2010 models they have a "proper" center console, but I haven't seen that in the 2011-2016 models. Will that earlier model directly fit into my truck?

Thank you guys so much for your help! I'm super excited!

 

I see it has downhill assist, built-in trailer brake control, traction anti-slip and upfitter switches as you mentioned.

Body looks nice

What engine does it have?

I would go to an OEM air filter immediately.

 

Looks like my truck !
1.hill descent will brake for you going downhill. It's not very useful if you ask me. I never use it.
2.k&n is known for fouling the mass airflow sensors if you use too much oil. I'd go with stock if you can get the parts cheap. Otherwise go easy on the oil when you clean that filter. (if it is one of those filters you need to oil) The performance difference is minimal to none. Stock setup is quite good.
3.As long as there is no holes in it, it's fine. Give it a good powerwash to get rid of any salt. Rust is normal on it.
4.Do not know this one. Might be pretty involved.
5.no big deal. I'd leave it alone. Seals aren't that expensive.
6.I don't like the camera mirrors, a lot of them are hard to see anything on, especially with bright day light. You can swap out the av unit for the fancy ones where you can hook up an aftermarket camera OR go compelte oem and add the camera in the rear tailgate opener. Gets costly, head unit is $$$
7. anything. One switch to switch on rear camera when not in reverse. One for radar detector. One for additional lights up front... etc etc
8.Don't know about these.

 

Great looking truck. Congrats!

 

Nice looking truck. Looks like a 6.2L? I've always admired F350 single cab long beds or single cab duallys. They look like real work trucks.

 

Thank you guys! It's the V8 gas engine, not diesel.

Is the hill descent control meant for off-road? I thought when you hit the tow/haul button it already has a built in hill descent control.

I definitely will be ordering the oem air filter now that you guys said that. What is a rough estimate on that from the dealership?

One more question, on the 2017+ models you have to buy a whole new tailgate in order to get the step/handle. Is that true on the 2015's as well?

Still looking for answers to the other questions. Thanks so much for your help!

 

For the most part yes.

 

I wouldn't take a truck this size off road. Not sure how it would apply to off road. It's fairly useless if you ask me.
Tow/haul changes the way the transmission shifts and will shift down earlier. When you go downhill and you are in tow/haul it will shift lower earlier and hold it longer. hill descent only applies the brakes as far as I know. I find it pretty useless.


I would look around for a used air intake. Might be able to trade it for free for a stock setup even. Check out craigslist

no idea on the other questions.

 

I'll say this about the hill descent, it works. It works really surprisingly well. My only experience is from a later model (2017 or 18) F-150, but they're presumably the same system. This was a full size F150 Platinum, we were out in the Davis mountains in west Texas. That truck was doing some hills that honestly had me on edge, but it handled it just fine with virtually zero wheel slip on loose gravel. I can't remember the grade it was climbing, but it was STEEP to me. Luckily I wasn't driving.

 

nobody here claims it doesn't work. It works well. I just find it a bit useless and more of a gimmick.

 

It's certainly not useful for probably 99% of truck owners. I'm not sure I'd say gimmick if it works though.

 

how much of your stock intake is left with the K&N? I have an S&B intake on mine, oil free, but it just removes the air duct, part CC3Z-9B659-A, and the upper cover, part AL3Z-9661-B. they are 132 and 32 respectively.

 

I dunno, the K&N really cleans up the engine bay. If it runs fine, I'd keep it.

Hill Descent, I've just never understood. I don't even use it in my '19 Wrangler in Moab or on Colorado passes. Seems like a good way to cook the brakes, even if it is theoretically used at lower speeds. I also just want the control myself.

 

I'm kind of the same way. Why would you go off roading and then let the truck drive you ? Might as well go drive the interstate on cruise control.

 

I know a lot of guys don't like the reusable air elements but like anything I think they have their place. I think its been proven that the paper elements do a better job in very dusty environments. I dont live in an area that is dusty at all and have been running them since I could afford to buy them and never seen any premature engine wear as a result. You do need to be careful though about over oiling them or you will end up cleaning your MAF sensor more often. I have one that is 18 years old in my F-150 and that truck is still running strong.