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If I were the OP I'd look at the XLT 302A and add Katskin leather after the fact. A 502A Lariat is never going to have the payload or towing capacity he is looking for.
I want the Lariat minimum because I need memory settings for the seat. My wife will end up driving the truck often too (because it's cooler than her van) and it's a pain to get everything set back to the right position. She's 5'4" and I'm 6'4". Memory is a must. Her Sienna van has memory and my current Yukon Denali has memory. I don't think XLT 302A gives you memory.
Lowest gear ratio is a must also. 3.73s would be ideal, but I don't know if that's possible in a loaded Lariat with the 3.5, so likely it will have 3.55s. The reason for this is it will be getting 35s on it right away. My last F150, an 05 I bought new, had 35s with a level kit, and I regeared it to 4.56s. But that truck had the old wimpy Triton 5.4, old 4 speed trans, etc. I think these new F150s with the 6 speed trans, 3.5 turbo with tons of low-end torque, will be able to handle 35s without regearing, even for towing. That's my theory anyway.
So, I found another truck, a 2017 Lariat that has 3.5/10speed, extendable tow mirrors, max tow hitch (identified from the pictures), all of the towing features (integrated brake controller, backup assist). The ad also claims it has 3.73 gears but says the GVWR is 6350. Does that even make sense? I would bet this truck is pushing 6K pounds empty, given all of the options and the fact that it's a Crew/longbed. This is why it's so frustrating looking at these ads.
So, I found another truck, a 2017 Lariat that has 3.5/10speed, extendable tow mirrors, max tow hitch (identified from the pictures), all of the towing features (integrated brake controller, backup assist). The ad also claims it has 3.73 gears but says the GVWR is 6350. Does that even make sense? I would bet this truck is pushing 6K pounds empty, given all of the options and the fact that it's a Crew/longbed. This is why it's so frustrating looking at these ads.
That GVWR doesn't make sense. I'd ask for both doorjamb stickers. Can lookup axle code and can calculate curb weight from GVWR - Payload.
But that truck had the old wimpy Triton 5.4, old 4 speed trans, etc.
Going from the 4-speed to the 6-speed was a night and day difference in towing performance even with that old "wimpy" 5.4L engine. Going up to the EcoBoost engine is another "night and day" difference in terms of ease of towing. I've had em all at this point.
My truck has a 3.5 EB/6 speed and 3.55s. It’s leveled with 34.4” tires (most 35s spec at 34.5). Tows great and will easily spin the tires. I’ve driven it as high as 9,000 feet with no issues whatsoever.
Make sure that you recalibrate the speedometer when you change your tire size. It will throw the shift points off and will make you think that you are getting far worse MPGs than you actually are.
2017 was the first year for the 10 speed. Make sure that all of the recalls and TSBs have been done on it. Some people reported quirky shifting with them and there was a TSB to reprogram it.
My truck has a 3.5 EB/6 speed and 3.55s. It’s leveled with 34.4” tires (most 35s spec at 34.5). Tows great and will easily spin the tires. I’ve driven it as high as 9,000 feet with no issues whatsoever.
Make sure that you recalibrate the speedometer when you change your tire size. It will throw the shift points off and will make you think that you are getting far worse MPGs than you actually are.
2017 was the first year for the 10 speed. Make sure that all of the recalls and TSBs have been done on it. Some people reported quirky shifting with them and there was a TSB to reprogram it.
What's the best way to recalibrate the speedo on these trucks? I used an Edge programmer back in the day on my 05, but I don't want to tune the Ecoboost, stock power is plenty for me, I just want it to last. Can you use ForScan? I already have one of those.
You can use FORScan but I thought there was a limitation on diameter it can adjust to... Maybe that's incorrect.
Few videos on youtube how to accomplish
I was under the impression that Forscan could only choose between OEM sizes. JKBrad used a programmer for his speedometer. I don't remember the name. I run a tune on my 5.0 and adjusted mine that way.
The stock Raptor size is essentially a 35” tire, so that may be an option in Forscan. The 2017 Raptor wasn’t out yet when I did mine.
I used this. I set it for 33.25”, as that is the height of the tire with the weight of the truck on them at 35 PSI. The speedometer was checked using a GPS phone app called Speedbox. My speedometer is more accurate now that from the factory. It read 3 MPH fast at highway speeds before.
From my understanding the MaxTow was one specific combination. crewcab 6.5' bed 3.5EB, 3.55 and 2wd 18,400lb GCWR. From Ford online charts it shows 13,200lbs tow rating. When you deviate from that platform, the tow rating drops(If you drop to 3.73 gears the tow rating drops to 11,800 tow rating and 17,100 GCWR
