Shopping For a new Lariat. Advice on options

[Aenemia]

I am looking to get myself a truck and am 90% set that I am getting a new Lariat. The other 10% is wanting to wait and see what Toyota is doing with the '22 Tundra. This would be the first truck I have owned.

That being said, I am looking at the Lariat short bed on the Ford side. My for sure options are:

1. 4x4
2. sport appearance package
3. 502a
4. 360 camera
5. copilot 2.0 active
6. Trailer tow package (I don't currently tow obviously, but would like at least the hookups there in case I get a trailer down the road)
7. 36 gallon fuel tank (if I go with V8)

Where I am unsure of, is other options. Mainly, the engine choice... I went in thinking I want an old school V8, but the powerboost with the 7.2kw power in the bed seems really tempting.

Other options I am unsure of are:

1. FX4
2. B&O sound system upgrade
3. Power tailgate
4. work surface
5. twin-panel moonroof (I have only opened the moonroof in my current car a handful of times)

I plan on owning this vehicle until the wheels fall off if that makes any difference.

Basically I wanted to ask the hive mind what their thoughts were on these options. Did you get any of them and wish you hadn't? Were there any options you didn't get and wish you had? There's not a lot of inventory out there to compare options side by side. I also live in Minnesota so I would want to get some sort of under body rust protection if you have any recommendations on that (I've heard certain types can cause more issues by blocking drains holes in the body)

Note: I did not include options like spray in bed-liner or tonneau cover because those can be acquired aftermarket (feel free to drop recommendations on those as well)

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[Lippy]

I have a lariat 502a with all of the options you mentioned except the work surface. I’m glad I have them all.

 

[Blueshound]

I have a 302a with most of your must-haves. I suggest front and rear parking sensors. They coordinate with the 360 camera really well for maneuvers in tight spaces.

 

[Merccat]

502A already has the upgraded B&O, possibly the power tailgate. I added the work surface.

Looks like your option strategy is to add everything. Only thing missing I saw was the pro power.

My strategy was more selective in that I had the goal of Lariat under 50k. I failed. But after x-plan and other discounts I actually might make it… before tax and license…. Still failed.

 

[Aenemia]

I have a 302a with most of your must-haves. I suggest front and rear parking sensors. They coordinate with the 360 camera really well for maneuvers in tight spaces.

As I understand it, all that should be included with the copilot 2.0 active. It's the package where it will park for you and will receive an update down the road for semi-autonomous driving.

 

[Aenemia]

502A already has the upgraded B&O, possibly the power tailgate. I added the work surface.

Looks like your option strategy is to add everything. Only thing missing I saw was the pro power.

My strategy was more selective in that I had the goal of Lariat under 50k. I failed. But after x-plan and other discounts I actually might make it… before tax and license…. Still failed.

It has the standard B&O upgrade, but there's a further upgrade to one with like 19 speakers (including in the headrest). It's like $700 more and I've heard mixed reviews on whether it was worth it or that the regular B&O upgrade was worth it.

EDIT: It's called the B&O "Unleashed" system.

 

[xXChartmanXx]

I am looking to get myself a truck and am 90% set that I am getting a new Lariat. The other 10% is wanting to wait and see what Toyota is doing with the '22 Tundra. This would be the first truck I have owned.

That being said, I am looking at the Lariat short bed on the Ford side. My for sure options are:

1. 4x4
2. sport appearance package
3. 502a
4. 360 camera
5. copilot 2.0 active
6. Trailer tow package (I don't currently tow obviously, but would like at least the hookups there in case I get a trailer down the road)
7. 36 gallon fuel tank (if I go with V8)

Where I am unsure of, is other options. Mainly, the engine choice... I went in thinking I want an old school V8, but the powerboost with the 7.2kw power in the bed seems really tempting.

Other options I am unsure of are:

1. FX4
2. B&O sound system upgrade
3. Power tailgate
4. work surface
5. twin-panel moonroof (I have only opened the moonroof in my current car a handful of times)

I plan on owning this vehicle until the wheels fall off if that makes any difference.

Basically I wanted to ask the hive mind what their thoughts were on these options. Did you get any of them and wish you hadn't? Were there any options you didn't get and wish you had? There's not a lot of inventory out there to compare options side by side. I also live in Minnesota so I would want to get some sort of under body rust protection if you have any recommendations on that (I've heard certain types can cause more issues by blocking drains holes in the body)

Note: I did not include options like spray in bed-liner or tonneau cover because those can be acquired aftermarket (feel free to drop recommendations on those as well)

Had my 502a for almost 3 months now. Have loved every minute of it. As for options I have almost everything listed above so:

Powerboost vs. 5.0 - One gets you a louder engine that can be modified, one gets you more power, more torque, better gas mileage, and the chance to have a 7.2kw generator in the bed. I have a Powerboost and its been amazing and has some serious balls.

FX4 - Did not get it since I was lifting my truck, the only thing left would have been the skid plates. If not lifting it can give you a bit more off-road capability.

B&O - I have the 18 speaker Unleashed. It is good (Great actually for an OEM system). That being said the low end underwhelms and I will definitely be modifying and adding to it in the future.

Power Tailgate - The ultimate in lazy excess... And yes I have it and love it.

Work Surface - Awesome, love it, use it, you should get it.

Twin-Panel Moonroof - I have it and its amazing. I have had regular moonroofs in many of my cars before and other than some road trips it never got opened let alone even pulled back the sunshade from it. In my F150 I'm actually irritated when its too hot and sunny that I have to pull the shade. The feeling of openness it provides is amazing.

 

[LocStar320]

I got the 500A with 3.5 eco and no sport or chrome etc. I couldn't justify the extras of the 502, especially the adaptive headlights (7 extra computer modules). I didn't want to add to the possible wait considering the chip shortage (goes for the active copilot as well). I think that strategy worked as I got mine about 2.5 months after I ordered (March 25-Jun9)

I didn't go with FX4 because I don't off road. I got 4x4 strictly for boat ramps. Being in my 50s, the tailgate step was mandatory so I had to get the power tailgate. I use the step all the time. I have the base B&O and I think it sounds great. I'm not an audiophile and I don't want to shake the county, so it has plenty of power for me. I did get the max tow package with tow mirrors. I haven't towed yet, but the mirrors are sooooo much better than the standard mirrors I had on my 2017. I passed on the moonroof because of how hot it is in Florida.

This is my first Lariat and I couldn't be happier! I was really happy with the 3 XLTs I've owned as well, and nearly ordered a 302A. I think the Lariat is the perfect balance between a work truck and luxury truck. No matter how you outfit it, you're going to love your F150!!

 

[Aenemia]

Had my 502a for almost 3 months now. Have loved every minute of it. As for options I have almost everything listed above so:

Powerboost vs. 5.0 - One gets you a louder engine that can be modified, one gets you more power, more torque, better gas mileage, and the chance to have a 7.2kw generator in the bed. I have a Powerboost and its been amazing and has some serious balls.

FX4 - Did not get it since I was lifting my truck, the only thing left would have been the skid plates. If not lifting it can give you a bit more off-road capability.

B&O - I have the 18 speaker Unleashed. It is good (Great actually for an OEM system). That being said the low end underwhelms and I will definitely be modifying and adding to it in the future.

Power Tailgate - The ultimate in lazy excess... And yes I have it and love it.

Work Surface - Awesome, love it, use it, you should get it.

Twin-Panel Moonroof - I have it and its amazing. I have had regular moonroofs in many of my cars before and other than some road trips it never got opened let alone even pulled back the sunshade from it. In my F150 I'm actually irritated when its too hot and sunny that I have to pull the shade. The feeling of openness it provides is amazing.

The only lifting I plan on doing is a leveling kit with maybe 34's... but that will likely be down the road as we are also house shopping. I also don't plan on doing any heavy off-roading... but will be dealing with heavy snowfalls and if you hit any banks that have iced over, that can cause damage to cars, so I kind of wanted the skid plate... but that can also be gotten without the FX4 (even if aftermarket).

 

[Doyouevenboost]

If you’re dead set on the 36 gal tank with a 5.0 and the trailer tow, I personally believe it would be a better decision just getting the max tow, which will include the 36gal tank and a locking rear diff, which is a VERY nice feature living in Minnesnowta.

The 5.0 is a very modern reliable engine, but hardly old school. It sounds good, but still underperforms the Ecoboost and powerboost.

In another life I was a Ford tech, so from a technicians standpoint, I swore to myself I would never own a sunroof, although they are super nice!

 

[spud_41]

If you think you'll be doing some small off-roading, camping on logging trails etc the Fx4 has skid plates which will give you some peace of mind if you come across rocks. If you like quality sound and don't want the hassle of installing a system I'd recommend the Unleashed, it doesn't have a lot of power but it's pretty high quality sound. I have pretty much all the options other than work surface, power running boards, and the lockable rear storage. The moonroof is pretty nice, I only use it when it's cooler because it lets in a lot of sun and most places won't tint them darker because it can break the glass (except apparently in Texas, jealous of those guys). Like @xXChartmanXx said the power tailgate is lazy and incredibly nice, the step even makes sitting on the tailgate nicer by providing a footrest.

 

[Aenemia]

If you’re dead set on the 36 gal tank with a 5.0 and the trailer tow, I personally believe it would be a better decision just getting the max tow, which will include the 36gal tank and a locking rear diff, which is a VERY nice feature living in Minnesnowta.

The 5.0 is a very modern reliable engine, but hardly old school. It sounds good, but still underperforms the Ecoboost and powerboost.

In another life I was a Ford tech, so from a technicians standpoint, I swore to myself I would never own a sunroof, although they are super nice!

That makes sense with the max tow. As I said, I was just looking for the hookups now because I'm a car owner and obviously don't tow now... but figured once I get a truck and that option is there... you never know. I just figured the regular tow package would be worth it, but those things included seem to be worth the price difference, especially since you can just nix the 36 gallon fuel tank cost.

 

[Aenemia]

If you think you'll be doing some small off-roading, camping on logging trails etc the Fx4 has skid plates which will give you some peace of mind if you come across rocks. If you like quality sound and don't want the hassle of installing a system I'd recommend the Unleashed, it doesn't have a lot of power but it's pretty high quality sound. I have pretty much all the options other than work surface, power running boards, and the lockable rear storage. The moonroof is pretty nice, I only use it when it's cooler because it lets in a lot of sun and most places won't tint them darker because it can break the glass (except apparently in Texas, jealous of those guys). Like @xXChartmanXx said the power tailgate is lazy and incredibly nice, the step even makes sitting on the tailgate nicer by providing a footrest.

The most offroading I'd probably do would be to a camp site, rough gravel roads, or stuff like that. It's pretty much gonna be a yuppie truck. I mainly want a truck for my woodworking hobby and doing work around the house. Like I built a fire pit this past year and the bricks about bottomed out my wife's odyssey

 

[Merccat]

The most offroading I'd probably do would be to a camp site, rough gravel roads, or stuff like that. It's pretty much gonna be a yuppie truck. I mainly want a truck for my woodworking hobby and doing work around the house. Like I built a fire pit this past year and the bricks about bottomed out my wife's odyssey

Same here. For myself I have never had an issue with gravel roads in any rwd car so figured I would just add the e-locking rear axel and call it good. If you’re more adventurous and want to camp in bad weather 4x4 is the way to go…. I’m more about comfort these days and would prefer to stay home then myself lol.

 

[Merccat]

It has the standard B&O upgrade, but there's a further upgrade to one with like 19 speakers (including in the headrest). It's like $700 more

Well how about that… I could have sworn when I was obsessing with the build tool at the beginning of this year 502a included the unleashed. Maybe they deleted it from the package as a cost savings, or maybe my memory is faulty… both equally viable options.

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