NEW RIG: 2012 F-150 FX4

[Art Vandalay]

I was digging around under the hood tonight, realizing how dirty my air filter got in 5,000 miles...........and found something


Behind this rubber splash guard

I found this small black box

The box is marked "MOTO" and "MORIMOTO".........seems like a ballast box


Is this a FOMOCO part or an aftermarket HID box?


http://www.morimotohid.com/

This looks exactly like the relay that came on the wiring harness to retrofit OEM HIDs to my 2014 F150 that was originally equipped with the halogen headlights. You can find an install video at www.raptorretrofit.com. This might also solve the mystery you raised about the HIDs not being available in 2012 -- although I think you also mentioned this was a leased vehicle by the prior owner and it's hard to imagine they would have upgraded a leased vehicle with the HIDs and left them in, as it's not a cheap upgrade.

 

[kmcoop7]

miss dodge?

That payload capacity is impressive for a half ton!

How do you like the 150 compared to your old dodge? Any regrets on stepping down to a half ton? Does it handle the trails you ran your old dodge on just a well? Probably quite a bit faster than the cummins!

Enjoy it!

 

[D45]

This looks exactly like the relay that came on the wiring harness to retrofit OEM HIDs to my 2014 F150 that was originally equipped with the halogen headlights. You can find an install video at www.raptorretrofit.com. This might also solve the mystery you raised about the HIDs not being available in 2012 -- although I think you also mentioned this was a leased vehicle by the prior owner and it's hard to imagine they would have upgraded a leased vehicle with the HIDs and left them in, as it's not a cheap upgrade.

Interesting............then again, the person who leased the truck also left on a $2,000 top of the line ARE cap and WeatherTech floor liners

 

[D45]

That payload capacity is impressive for a half ton!

How do you like the 150 compared to your old dodge? Any regrets on stepping down to a half ton? Does it handle the trails you ran your old dodge on just a well? Probably quite a bit faster than the cummins!

Enjoy it!

Depending on cab style and options, the F-150 has upto a 3,100 pound payload.............mine has a 2,600 pound rating. Still great for a half ton

With the Max Tow option my truck has, I can haul up to 11,300 pounds.............again, damn good for a half ton

The Max Tow option not only has more tow rating, but also includes:

Factory tow mirrors
Trailer brake controller
Bigger radiator
More payload
Different leaf spring in back as well

The regular tow packages give you 3.73 rear, upgraded radiator, transmission oil cooler (sits right in front of the upgraded radiator), hitch in the back with the trailer plug ins next to the hitch ( which ford did a good job hiding the hitch all you see is the square receiver).

With the Max Tow, you also get a different steering ratio..........20:1 for the Max Tow vs 17:1 without

 

[D45]

How do you like the 150 compared to your old dodge? Any regrets on stepping down to a half ton? Does it handle the trails you ran your old dodge on just a well? Probably quite a bit faster than the cummins!

I like this truck, a lot

While I am still getting used to NOT having an 8 foot bed, the 6.5 is still nice.........I would never be able to live with anything smaller

The F150 rides so nice compared to the straight axle 3500, not rattles or crappy steering either

Now and then, I do miss the 37" tires, the winch, and the overall look of my old truck...........I like this F150 a lot

The old lady and will drive is, and its much easier getting my daughter out of the car seat

THE BACK SEAT IS HUGE!!!! I love the flat rear floors, the sunroof, backup camera, navigation, leather seats, power sliding rear slider......the entire truck is fancy

Hopefully the rear electric locker and 4WD is good, because my Dodge could get through some seriously deep snow, with little effort

 

[D45]

Ecoboost:
3.5L V6 213 cid
365 HP @ 5,000
420 TQ @2,500

While I still think my old truck had better MPG, diesel was more expensive, both for fuel and oil

I like the fact that you can still get a huge gas tank in a half ton truck, as most are in the 20-25 gallon range. I think the F150 has a 36 gallon tank

Comparing the 04 Ram 3500 to the 12 F150, they are both very close in size:
My 2012 F-150 has a 156.5" wheelbase and is 243.9" long

My old 2004 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Long Bed 3500 4x4 had a 154.7" wheelbase and was 244.1" long

Pretty damn close, I'd call the F1-50 a big truck for a half ton

 

[D45]

Dielectric grease for the coil plugs and antisieze for the plug threads

I'll get pics how each old plug looks too......22,000 miles

 

[D45]

Plug change went smooth......all of the stock plugs were tight in the heads, but nothing crazy

Antisieze will hopefully help next time around

The stockers were all at .035......I went with .030 on all the new plugs

Kudos to Ford for not blocking any of the coil pack bolts or making me remove a bunch of crap to get to each plug

The only thing that I had to remove was the PVC line on the driver side front plug ( cylinder 4) which ran over the top of the coil pack

I will see how it runs and performs this week

I'll change the oil and filter next weekend......

I'd estimate total time was 45 min, taking my time, using compressed air to blow crud away from each plug area, applying plug terminal grease, antisieze, etc

 

[Mooneywa]

Those plugs look pretty decent for an ecoboost. If you have any rough idle, misfires, or especially if you decide to run a tune, gap them down to .028.

Looks like you're doing all the good things for that motor!

 

[D45]

Absolutely switch to synthetic oil

I bought Mobil 1 5W-30 from WalMart, who had the best prices

I bought the Motorcraft filter online, Rock Auto for only $4

 

[D45]

I have been reading a lot about the Ford 9.75 rear axle and how hot it gets

I am definitely going to swap in a MH cover, to add more fluid and added cooling

I have the 3.73 gears........


Ford #12-9.75 [Ford #12-9.75] - $265.00 : mag-hytec


Overall height 3 1/2"
F150 (Heavy Duty) 5.4L
Eco-Boost Engines
Will not fit Ford 12 bolt 8.8 differential
Includes: Bolt kit, Drain Plug and Dip Stick.
Capacity: 5 Quarts

According to Amsoil, the fluid capacity on the stock 9.75 diff:

75W-140

Differential, With 9.75 RingGear Std Rear..........5.5 pints
Differential, With 9.75 Trac-Lo Rear..........5.1 pints
Differential, With 9.75 ELD Rear..........5.9 pints

Two pints in a quart, so basically 3 quarts

 

[D45]

Left the battery cables off for 30 minutes and also pressed the factory "reset" feature also on the dash

Drove the truck for 40 today to work, and I gained over 2 mpg from the readings before I swapped the plugs

Good deal, hopefully it keeps improving

 

[D45]

I drove the truck for 40 minutes this morning, in 45 degree weather

Lots of info online how hot the Ford 9.75 rear diff gets................I used my temp gun and shot the diff cover, which showed only 115 degrees

I am still going to swap out the stock thick diff fluid and throw on a MH cover

I have used MH trans and diff covers in the past, all with great results

 

[D45]

Icon or Fox shocks?

Which and why?

 

[Mooneywa]

Icon or Fox shocks?

Which and why?

I have ICONs in the back and I felt they were drastic overkill for what I was trying to accomplish and really didn't see much of a benefit for what I paid. I think FOX is probably also overkill, but not to the same degree or cost as Icon. I would not hesitate to put FOX stuff on my truck Look into F150lifts.com . They have their own proprietary stuff that has received great reviews, but they also sell FOX and Icon as well. They have great customer service and the owner is who answers the phone and is happy to talk for quite some time about what you need.

If your truck sees mostly road with some fire-road or dirt to a hunting spot, you'd be fine and probably happier with Bilstein 5100s. That would be using your stock springs. If you go to coil-overs you're limited to Icon, F150lifts.com, or Fox. The spring stiffness is in that order from stiffest to more plush.