If it was your money... Gen 1 or Gen 2?

[TannerK17]

Afternoon all,

As the question in the title says; If it was your money in this day and age what would you spend it on? A 2013/2014 Gen 1 with 60K-ish miles or less or a clean Gen 2 with low miles, maybe even brand new? Read below for the back story. I’ve had a 3.5L EB F-150 already and loved it mostly; but I have a special yearning for a mostly modern, N/A V8. Especially in the Raptor platform! I know the payment will be a bit more on the new truck and some of the technology is fantastic, but in all honesty the quality doesn’t seem to hold true like the Pre-Aluminum trucks of the past after owning a 2015. Hence my interest in the 6.2L. Persuade me either way, I’m definitely open to ideas and different point of views. It’s worth mentioning that whatever comes next (Gen 1 or Gen 2) will be long term of 10-15 years and will most likely be retired to my parents and in-laws properties in Northern Nevada as a hunting truck and weekend rig. I’m also about 6-9 months out on my purchase!


The Back Story -

A couple months ago, I made my first post and made mention that a Gen 1 was in the works. Well, life changes and things always get a different perspective. I searched a little and couldn’t find a Gen 1 that would work for me financially to get out of my F-350 in a smart way at my age. I decided maybe to move on and see where it would go.

I then started looking at F-150’s again after having my 2015 3.5 Ecoboost previously and it being a great truck that was ran for 100K miles or so. Truly, From 125 degrees down to -52 degrees with the windchill, it was an unreal truck from the desert to the mountains. Needless to say, I was settled and decided this was going to be it for now. Kings or Icon’s, tires and wheels and the Raptor idea was shelved for the time being... Then a few things happened with the deal and it fell through. I’m a believer things happen for a reason.

So, here we are today! My 2011 6.7 F-350 sits in the drive way with 165K miles and the Raptor idea is at the forefront again. I’ll keep my 6.7 for a few more months and make sure it’s 100% and detailed. It’ll then be up for outright sale in the Spring/Summer and I’ll begin my search for the Raptor!


P.S.-
In the meantime I test drove a mostly stock Tundra and also rode in a TRD Pro Tundra on the street after being told “It’ll beat a Raptor!”... that’s certainly no where near the case. Lol. Just from the street drive alone, I could tell. So that’s a no and I’m glad I passed on it.

Thanks all!

 

[zombiekiller]

is the plan to keep it mostly stock?

Because all other things considered, if you're going to keeo it for 10-15 years ( legitimately), I'd go gen1. In 5 years the gen2s electronics that make it so much better will be outdated, annoying to repair and will continue to make modifications much more difficult ( and expensive).

Hell, Ford is already preparing EV drivetrain "crate motor" packages for hotrods and the like. I fear the days of dino power are closer to the end than gearheads would prefer.

So yeah, gen 1 all the way from my perspective.

 

[Matt Delro]

You said you wanted a bullet proof V8 engine - you already know which truck is right for you! Go out there and track it down, you won’t be disappointed

 

[FordTechOne]

Gen 2 all day, no question.

It's not just about the evolution of the style and design or the increased capability. When the Gen 1 debuted, it was the first of it's kind. Ford took everything learned on the Gen 1 and applied it to the Gen 2 to make an even better, more capable, more durable truck. The 6.2 is a great engine, but the 3.5 is more powerful, more efficient, and has more potential. The 10R is an amazing transmission and surpasses the 6R80 in every aspect; it's always in the right gear with no compromise. The Gen 2 frame is strengthened for the Raptor and is unique when compared to any other F-150. The aluminum body saves about 500lbs over a Gen I Raptor and is impervious to rust. If you can swing it, I would recommend a Gen 2 all day.

 

[allinon72]

This is always a hard decision because they are very different trucks.

If you want a more truck-like truck with a more raw feeling, rock solid V8 powertrain, along with the heritage and exclusivity of the first model of a legendary series, its the gen 1.

If you want a more refined truck that's lightning quick, with the latest tech and creature comforts, with more modern and aggressive looks, you go with a gen 2.

 

[TannerK17]

is the plan to keep it mostly stock?

Because all other things considered, if you're going to keeo it for 10-15 years ( legitimately), I'd go gen1. In 5 years the gen2s electronics that make it so much better will be outdated, annoying to repair and will continue to make modifications much more difficult ( and expensive).

Hell, Ford is already preparing EV drivetrain "crate motor" packages for hotrods and the like. I fear the days of dino power are closer to the end than gearheads would prefer.

So yeah, gen 1 all the way from my perspective.

Somewhat stock! It will be mixed between the highway and Offroad with some city driving mixed in so it doesn’t have to be linked or have long travel, or really anything crazy done to it motor wise.

A Gen 1 would probably get a very mild tune with headers to open it up a little bit. A Gen 2 would probably get some similar mods to keep it breathing right (Down pipes, Intercooler, thermostat) and reliable for the long run. Suspension work on either would come down the line after I work the kinks out and find out what works best for what I need Offroad and On-Road.

I have to agree on the electronics aspect. While I like the tech and having the new and updated stuff, Sync 3 makes me content for the interior. The amount of sensors and small electronic items doesn’t make me comfortable on the Gen 2 when hunting in the middle of no where.

 

[TannerK17]

Thank you guys for the reply’s. Keep ‘me coming. It’s helping me think a lot!

 

[Sernas]

You said you wanted reliability so my vote goes for the gen 1.

 

[Ruger]

You said you wanted reliability so my vote goes for the gen 1.

This is the crux of it. I have 85K on my GEN1 and it doesn't leak oil, doesn't leak transmission fluid, doesn't have wastegate problems, doesn't have cam phaser problems, and doesn't have hard start and no start problems like the GEN2 models. The only real problem I've had with my truck is that the transfer case failed. The dealership service desk informed me that the shift fork is plastic, and that's why it failed. They also informed me that the replacement was a more robust design because it had less plastic. I don't know if that's true, and I don't know if GEN2 models have the benefit of the more robust design.

 

[Frank N]

When I was looking, I went with a new Gen2 because it would also be my daily.

If it was for a mostly off road stuff, fun to screw around, weekend trips, I would have went Gen1.