man oh man when I look at these 50K + barges I start to think I got a great deal on my F-150 reg cab XL 4X4 Ecco-Boost 8' bed work truck, I have the very same truck, with even more work cappabilities and without all the lipstick on a pig so to speak, sure I can only fit 3 people in my cab, but I can put 2 Harleys' in back and all our gear for a week in total comfort, and with the $$$ I saved, I bought 1 new Harley and 1 used Harley, and had $$$ saved over for the trip, and gave up very little in doing so.

How more utterly useless can 20"+ wheels be on a truck combined with a street tire. I bet in two wheel drive that thing wouldn't go as far or as fast as a 4 door accord when the traction became limited. It rides rougher, looks worse and is much more expensive to replace. Not to mention most tires in that catagory have a lower wear rating, fail on all points IMO. Pretty sure there are going to be some platinum type truck owners that are going to have something to say about my statement but it is true. About the only thing that tire does better is turn, not enough good tradeoff though...

On another subject, I didn't even know they made a Limited trim level. Where is does this fall compared the Platinum/Harley/Lariat trims?

A gorgeous truck! Things like this are what keeps Ford Trucks #1.

@Sandman, that's why Ford offers everything for everyone.

@FORDTRUCKS1

Exactly, why wouldnt Ford make this truck?

Theres obviously a large market for the high end trucks and they sure do make alot better profit on the higher trims than the xl's.

I would like to see how many xl's are sold to customers (not fleets) vs a platnium/limited trim

Nice truck!

@Tyler - I'd have to agree for the most part. All of the truck companies offer 20 inch wheels, even on the HD's. Ride quality is all a trade off. If you drive on smooth paved roads most of the time, a 20' wheel probably is your best bet. Less sidewall flex will improve handling. 17's are your best wheel for anything else. My truck came with 18's. They ride okay. I did notice there isn't the same choice of tires in that size or a 20. To get winters for a 20 wheel, it would be cheeper to actually by 17" rims and winter tires.
The "Limited" is a higher level of Lariet trim (IIRC). This one has the standard Ford painted bumpers. The past Limited's have run the Harley bumper. This is supposed to be a step above the Lariet but fall below the Platinum and Harley.
2012 Limited
http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e20133f2388a48970b-800wi
2012 Harley
http://image.truckinweb.com/f/editorial/1206tr_factory_fresh_2012_ford_harley_davidson_f150/40865049+w615+h420+cr1+re0+ar0/1206tr-02+factory-fresh-2012-ford-harley-davidson-f150+22-inch-wheels.jpg
2012 Platinum
http://2-photos.ebizautos.com/new-2012-ford-f~150-platinum-7120-8684919-2-640.jpg

@Sandman 4x4 - it all depends on what you want. My brother bought a full dresser Harley with all the bells and whistles. He paid almost as much as I did for my XLT SuperCrew.

I wonder if this truck will have the grill shutters like the 2013 Dodge?

FordTrucks 1: no they don't, you can't get a 6' bed reg cab HD 1/2 ton!! I know I tried, thats why I had to get the 8' bed, if it wasn't for the EB engine, I would have bought a Chevy, with the Chevy you can get the short bed reg cab HD 1/2 and tow 9,800lbs. and haul 1,900 lbs, and get the plow package! after I get tired of driving around in this bigger truck, and when the newnes wears off, I will take a good close look at he new Chevy's and Ram's, I allready have a 2011 Z-71 ext cab that I like a lot, but it hasn't the power of the EB, it has the same mpg though, and rides nicer and handles better IMHO. I will admit the F-150 I have does a great job loaded down 2,800 lbs cap!, and tows my trailers like the raod is flat and straight, but it is not as comfy as the Chevy, the Chevy does a fine job towing the trailers too, but not the weight. Wahen I went and looked at the new F-150's I wanted a short bed, but I woulda had to get the 5.0 V-8, (not bad) but no HD package, and NO plow pakage, you have to get the 8' bed with the reg cab!

This is not a post for regular cab XL. Stay on topic. We want to hear your opinions and thoughts, but please only comment about the specified topic in the blog post.

Nothing big here, some new wheels, and a differant grill insert.

@ sandman4X4

Chevy doesn't offer an HD 1/2 ton regular cab/6' bed.

Maximum towing for a regular cab/6' bed 2wd Chevy is 9100lbs (8900 for 4wd) with the 5.3L V8. No plow package on regular cab/6' bed 1/2 tons either. Only on Regular cab/8ft bed trucks.

They may have offered it in the past, but no longer.

I wonder if they are going to use active grill shutters?

It's ok, but I don't care for this type of truck with the lo-pro tires. I'm glad they offer it though, for other peoplr who like the urban look. I'll be disappointed if they don't offer these projector lights in the FX and Lariat trims. Those old style lights are really showing their age. these spy shots are tough to judge since we don't know if the grills will be black, PTM, or chrome.

Those look to be bigger then 20" looks to be 22" and i would say no way fo anything larger then 20" The choices in the 20" is not to bad as i have a Platinum and had to replace the stock tires and there is a much larger choice of tires then you may think! One other thing some prople do not rember the 20" have a 6+" side wall so the ride is not all to bad, Well the stock pirelli's rode like crap but the replacement Michelin ms2's made a BIG difference in ride.

Not enough to beat the 2013 ram. The furd just a grill and headlight change and its all new lmao!!!
GUTS
GLORY
RAM!!!

What's wrong with these drivers - driving on a bright, shiny day with lights plus fog lights plus imagine that's a specially masked car (irony)? Isn't that forbidden even in blind Canada?

I have began to dislike RAM since all the fan boi trolls post stuff like the above.

Get a life!!!!

Hey RamGuy, do you get all teary-eyed when you hear that Dodge Slogan on a commercial?

FORD will never give 5 yr. 100.000 mile warrenty why??? They JUST don't last that long!!!!!

Limited models for 2011 were exactly the same as the Harley truck, just different paint on the rims and exterior and different interior colours and badges. This is the top line truck available along with the Harley.

Also, the Limited model was only available in 2008 and 2011, and is not offered for 2012.

@Frank,

Read it and weap.

New grilles from Furd and Mike Levine aint going to cut it against the new 2013 Ram!

More Guts, Glory, Ram!!!!!!!!!!

Ram is taking out Ford in 2013.

Lame people!

How is the truck above any different from this http://www.autoblog.com/photos/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-ford-f-150-platinum-4x4-1/1330205/?

Tundra taking out the Ranger and Dakota in 2013.

@Ram guy,Ram,Ram dude or who ever you are, you better talk about taking over chebby before you even think about taking over FORD because you are light yrs away from taking over FORD. Consider yourselves lucky to even be able to read something on here about F150 because ram will always shine the shoes of a Ford truck. let it be written, let it be said.

Ram take out Ford in 2013? Keep dreaming idiots.

I can actually see Ram surpassing GM in the forseeable future if GM doesn't get their act together by the next redesign. However, Ford isn't going to happen...Fords ontop of things and plans to keep it that way...They won't let Ram surpass them without a serious fight.

FWIW, the Ram 4500 and 5500 are clobbering the Super Duty 450 and 550.

Ah shucks, Frank. You're just mad cause Ford hasn't come up with much new for 2013. Just like the story that was on here and was pulled off said. No big changes.

Just flipping you some grief. Nice looking truck!

Ford doeesn't need "big" changes, whatever that means, because they have been constantly updating since 2009. New lighting, grilles, shutters, power fold tow mirrors, wheels, MFT, center stack, etc is more than I thought there would be this year and is more than is needed. When you are the truck leader, you update as you go along.

ford need to fix trany,front wheel bearing,,frame,not the front grill...

Yeah Ram isn't going to topple Ford in US sales. Ram doesn't have a strong work truck selection, you can get a basic Ram 1500 with coil springs, for a low towing and hauling capacity even with a big v8, and then you can get a 2500 badged as a 1500 for a 2500 price. And now they want to throw in an 8 spd from a car, I sure hope they made that strong enough! Ford on the other hand has the highest towing and hauling rating with the low cost base XL and that's with the fuel efficient Ecoboost v6 on top of that. All that Ford is doing now is keeping the Ram luxury models in check. Until someone else comes out with a true 1500 that is much better what Ford has now pretty much dominates the competition. Too bad they gave up on the compact/midsize truck market completely.

@Tom with a ranger, Ram will use air susp. Like the big rigs if that tells you something

ford just needs a new body, the square high walled bed has been vertually the same since 04. No I don't call changes to the grill and headlights big changes.

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A great truck to own if you like returning to the dealer time and time again to address the recalls.

@RamGuy,
I'm glad you came.

The stupid trolls have ruined this website.

@Greg
Why don't you do a review of the recalls on Ford and GM products over the last 2 years that have been posted on this site.
Ford has had:
1. Passenger airbag sensor software problem (minor)
2. Transmission range sensor not turning on reverse lights (minor)
3. Shift out of park without brake applied (minor)
4. Fuel tank straps on 97 - 04 trucks. {8 - 15 year old trucks} (major)
5. Airbag wiring (major)
6. Continental tire recall {not really Ford's fault} (major)
7. Protective cover over fuel line (minor)
8. Body control module faulty soldering discovered at factory (minor)
9. Door handle housing (minor).
6 minor and 3 major issues. 9 IN TOTAL

GMC over same time frame:
1. Steering linkage Pittman arm failure (major)
2.Seatbelt warning malfunction (minor)
3. Indicator showing wrong transmission gear (minor)
4. Windshield wipers not working (major)
5.Rear axle crosspin bolt failure (major)
6. Child seat anchor not up to standards (major).
7. Winshield washer heater short (major)
2 minor and 5 major issues. 7 IN TOTAL.

One could debate the degree of seriousness of each recall. Which company had recalls that were potentially more serious?

Go troll a Chevy news thread....................
Oops.........Sorry...............not a single thing to report.

@Ram guy

Yep, more expensive, possibly troublesome down the road, and all to match what GM, Ford and Toyota have already done with leaf springs. They are just there to help those wrangler springs. Now if they were to use leafs and air bags then they would have had something. But no they seem to be pretty bent on using those wrangler springs in the truck. I guess they seem to think truck buyers value ride comfort over towing and hauling.

@mechanic, boy do you ever need to get a life or a Doctors appointment because what you just did was just plain STUPID. Glad you are with the ram guys cause you make them look STUPID TOO. Wow some people just amaze me with their IGNORANCE. @miath, you have no clue either do you? Must be on the same stuff greg and tom are smoking, only you are getting the real good stuff. You are brainless.

@Tom in a Ranger: I take it you haven't been down a rough road in those leaf spring trucks, have you? Ram trying to do what the others have? Ram will EXCEED the mileage of the others, while still having a better ride, lower it down for loading stuff, raise it clearance (I don't guess you looked at how low Tundra frames are, Ford and Tundra crossmembers, that silly cover under the Ecoboost, the airdam on F-150 non Raptor, low sitting stuff. And lets see if we can get some Ford powertrains (Ecoboost and 6 speed) to last? You talk about the Ram 8 speed, been alot of issues with 6 speeds. My old 545 RFE 2010 may not have the Ford proferred drag race ratios, but they have alot less issues cause it's sorted out, it's alot smoother. Car transmission (8 speed) you say? It can be used in a car or truck, main thing it's the torque that it's rated at. You ever think about the fact an Ecoboost can pull good, how about slow it all down going down a hill? The turbo doesn't help there, and a v-8 of higher or just as high of more cubic inchs will keep it in check. If we wanted 2000 pounds, ah, I'd get a 2500! Or 250. Maybe not a 250, they look like low riders. Anyway, I looked at some F-150s and the payload was only 1270-1400. Unless you get the RATTLE THE HELL OUGHTA YOU suspension. I even drove two Ecoboosts, they didn't want me on a rough road, they rode with me telling me "turn here, go there" Wow! Perfectly figured to showcase a stiffer spring! If the air bag Ram hits 1600 pounds payload plus in a crew cab, it'll be a winner. And still maintain a good ride. You know, not everybody drives a 1500/150 loaded everywhere they go. That and the coils plus the fact they will be on the same sheet of music as Ford and have a modern day V-6, will actually have people that won't need as much payload, but still want/need something big.

@Tom: Ford had a 100,000 powertrain coverage in 2005. I looked into buying one. Not anymore tho.

@TRX4 Tom
All I know is Tundra has the highest ground clearance http://www.toyota.com/compare/index.html?modelCode=tundra#h_select. I have also been doing a a little series on Tundra's TripleTec frame http://forums.pickuptrucks.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=620453&Main=63045#Post620453 in the forum section and 1 of my segments included the PUTC squat test and those coils springs on Ram 1500 had the most sag while Tundra had the least. So when the other guys say Tundra has a harsh or “Truckish” ride I say yes it does then I ask them does your ½ ton pickup have any truck left in it.

@TRX4 Tom
Yes I have been down lots of very rough roads in my leaf spring ranger, very bumpy and funny. But its alot better when your hauling and towing. Ford did make the leaf springs longer to help with the ride and those new F150's do ride fine. I don't see why you need to make a truck ride like a luxury car. As far as the transmission goes, Ford uses a transmission that was specifically built for truck use, Chrysler has a 8 speed, lots of gears, lots of weight. I doubt they made that beefy for truck use because that would have made it really heavy. They may have just slapped on a big cooler and called it good. See the potential for problem? I wouldn't be surprised to hear about those 8 speeds wearing out early. As far the Ecoboost goes, Ford did torture the crap out of one and dynoed it showing it lost no power and tore it down in front of a live audience and found everything to be okay internally. They proved that the engine can take abuse. The F150 has all big disc brakes all around with TBC. Its got enough to slow down a c-130, I think thats enough stopping power. I'd love to see Ram achieve a better payload with the Ram boxes in the way. The low cross member argument is true though, as the Ram's cross member's are nearly non existent lol.

All of fords trucks are limited, they just can keep up with the ancient GM trucks. Maybe that's why this ford has a Silveraldo front end, ford trying to copy GM again. Fords are recalled twce as much as any other vehicle and they are second only to toyota in hiding their defects from the public. I agree that the ford trolls have ruined this site, when so many rubes who like lou, know little about trucks. Try watching the Indianapolis 500 next week, they won't use ford trucks as rescue vehicles because they are slow, can't carry the equipment and tend to break down during the race. Nothing but Silveraldos at the Indy 500, for the last dozen plus years. Ford has not been the official truck for over 25 yrs, but Dodge has a few times.

Ford never had a 100k warranty in 05. It was 3 yrs or 36k, it is now 5 yrs or 60k. Dodge Ram at that time was 7 yrs or 70k powertrain or 3 yrs 36k basic and it is now 5 years or 100k powertrain so they took away from the years and added to the powertrain.

Rather than a longer warranty, making the vehicle more reliable and less expensive and faster to repair is the best way to go. Long warranties are gimmicks. Ford is building a quality vehicle. Notice who got bailed out and is offering longer warranties. Notice who has the best JD power ratings has the lowest warranty period and who has the worst has the longest. There is a reason for that. Ford and Toyota have the best ratings and are 5 yr/60k. Ram has the worst ratings so they need to go to 100k. It is a gimmick.

I WORK FOR A CHRYSLER DEALER. EVEN WITH THE LIFETIME WARRANTY THE WORK DONE IS HACKED. IF DONE AT ALL. Chrysler's longer warranty is a complete and total fraud anyway. If you have a defect, they will simply refuse to repair it saying the defect, "is the normal operation of the vehicle". TRYING TO GET OUT BUT MY FAMILY BILLS MUST BE PAID. SO I AND EVERYBODY ELSE KEEP HACKING. HAVE TO GET OUT.

Ram is taking out GM in 2012 and Ford in 2013.

Guts - Glory - Ram.

This truck on the exterior has not changed that much. Change the grill, change the trim, and add 20 inch wheels. The Ford guys go on how the Chevy and Tundra look the same. RAM, GM, Tundra, and Ford do not have any radically new body style. Nothing wrong with that but when you Ford guys bash Chevy, GMC, and Tundra for no new changes it seems to be hypocritical. Changes in drivetrains, interior packages, and higher trim levels ok but no new real sheet metal changes.

As for the 20 inch wheels they look nice but they are very impractical. The tires are more expensive, don't last as long, and heat up more at highway speeds on a long trip. I myself would deliberately opt out of the big wheels because of what I mentioned plus if you have a tire failure you might have to wait a while to order this tire if it is not in stock.

The styling on Ford trucks is conservative and for some it is a little boxy, but Ford is number 1 so why change something that works. Thanks Mark for the updates.