Buying a newer SD (11-16)
 

So I’m planning to pick up a newer SD to use as a work truck. I’m looking at the 11-16 years and I’m curious if there are any model year changes that makes any particular year a little more desirable. it’s going to be a 4x4 and makes no difference to me whether it’s reg cab, ext, or quad. My only criteria is 4x4, 6.2, under $20k and 100k miles or less.

After running a diesel for awhile now, I’m just over them so I’m going with the 6.2 as it should handle my daily towing of around 9k just fine. I’m hoping to find one with 4.30 gears but looks like not many out there in that configuration.

thanks guys

Try to avoid 2011 if you can.

The 2011 was an issue with the diesel 6.7, not the gasoline 6.2 like he is seeking.

I would go with 2013 to 2016. The radio/NAV is Sony not the old brick setup for the radio, 4.30 was available with the 6.2 DRW.

The really early '11s needed a couple solenoids in the 6R140. After that the early (but not "really" early) needed a re-flash for harsh shifts. I'm sorry I've since forgotten the date thresholds but mine built in March '11 benefitted from a re-flash.

Otherwise I love my '11 but the radio display has been dead the entire time I've owned it.

I was thrilled to stumble upon an XL with rubber floors, manual t-case, 4.30s and rear locker. Has the better cloth bucket seats and keyless entry (my '08 lacked the keyless entry and it was annoying).

I hate to admit I've actually come to appreciate the "brake hold" feature on inclines but it IS kinda nice.

Anyway it's less likely you'd find an '11 with under 100k mi but if you do I wouldn't necessarily shy away from it.

Thanks guys for the replies. I’ve been looking at them pretty heavily the past few days. I have found a 2012 f250 xl reg cab 4x4 with 34k miles on it in immaculate cond for $15k. Another 2013 reg cab lariat fx4 with 51k for $16. And I’ve found a slew of extended cabs and quad cabs in the 90k mile range for $16k-$20k depending on the features. I know the 6.2 is extremely reliable so 90k miles doesn’t scare me at all.

I don’t have an issue with the reg cab because my wife’s new 4runner handles the bulk of family transport. I actually think reg cabs look sharper than Ex-cabs or Q-cabs. But I do worry that maybe I’ll regret not having that back seat for tools or whatever.

the 2012 reg cab with 34k miles might as well be a new truck and has some very nice add-ons like a $1000 heavy duty front bumper and some nice aftermarket wheels. The car fax shows it as a 1 owner with no wrecks too. It’s very tempting. It’s got the 3.73 gears tho which is a bummer but I suppose I can always swap them.

my 04 f250/ 6.0 QC 4x4 with 120k miles is paid for so it’s tempting to sell it and add that $ to the pot towards a new 2020. But at the same time, it would be nice to have a back up truck. Especially since I’m opening a second business in April and will “eventually” need a 2nd truck. But I like to operate with cash and not loans.

Tough decision!

You might want to review the trailer towing guide for the models you are looking at to see if they will pull the load and be safe.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

FWIW. We recently upgraded to a 16 F350 ccsb w/ 6.2L and 3.73 on 33s stock computer from a ‘12 F150 Cclb (still only 6.5’ on the 150) w/ 3.5L EB and 3.73 on 33s with MPT tow tune.

about 1/4 of our miles are pulling a 13k gvwr (typically 10k with 1 horse) GN horse trailer and a 14k gvwr (typically loaded to 8,500 with hay) BP flatbed

Empty gas mileage about equal, towing mileage actually better on the F350 with the horse trailer in limited trips so far. Will be picking up about 6k of hay plus the 2k trailer this weekend. Haven’t towed in really hilly terrain yet but the 6.2 does need 6th locked out pulling the GN with more than a 15 mph headwind. Probably wouldn’t be an issue with 4.30 gears

Thank you. Where I live it's almost perfectly flat so hills aren't an issue. At one time, I pulled this trailer every day with a F150 4x4 with the 5.4 engine. It sure didn't like it but it did it. The 6.2 will handle it good I think. If I decide on a truck that has the 3.73, there's a very good chance I'll regear it anyways because the truck will end up with 35's if not 37" tires.

If you are thinking about 37s I would say get the best deal you can on a truck with the options you want and re-gear to 4.88 that would give you about the same performance as the 4.30/33” combo.
I would love to get some bigger tires for ours, but already maxed out what I can move/cut off the opening to get ours in the garage. Plus it’s our only vehicle at the moment so going 37s would kill our mileage with the 3.73. Good luck in your search. Be patient to get what you want, I waited 4 months to find ours but glad I did

Try Auto Tempest. I was looking for a Fusion for a daily driver. Reasearching and looking for about a month. Found 4 I was interested in, 3 Platinum and 1 Sport. Picked up a 17 Fusion Platinum with 6500 miles White Gold, exactly what I wanted. Drove 250 miles to pick it up. Couldn't be happier with the condition etc. Was a Ford Certified. My electronic communication with the dealers weeded out several who did not respond to my expectation. Auto Tempest looks at all the different sites and puts them on one page.