Was the GEN13 a better looking exterior?

[Buyer2021]

This is all personal taste, so it’s pretty moot imho.

Some people love a fox body Mustang, some think they’re uglier than sin.

yepper, but sharing thoughts on aesthetics is good clean fun

Me, I think trucks should have chrome bumpers and some chrome in the grill, so I'm happy that's what I got with the 500A sans any 'appearance packages'. I'll admit I'd find paying for an 'appearance package' just to get a 'look' I could live with more than a bit off putting.

Blacked-out grills and body-colored bumpers just don't do it for me on a truck; fine on a car but not on a truck.

I could have been a tad happier if the non-projector LED headlights were a bit less 'busy' from the outside, but I'm liking them from the driver's seat.

All-and-all it's a nice balance IMO, it looks 'substantial' but not 'overbearing'.

Old school I guess, just no accounting for taste, eh?

I'll admit the OE 'black maw' of my 2005 XLT elicited a bit of a 'meh', but the early installation of the aftermarket Hella Grill with driving lights helped break it up a a bit and is most definitely functional in those days (er, nights) of halogen (they're wired with the high-beams).

The '05 does look a bit 'meek' when next to the '22, IMO, overall I like the modern aesthetic better

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[Big Dog Daddy]

My Gen13 and Gen14 KingRanch's

The 14 is handsome enough, in my opinion, but definitely needs to have that silver grill portion addressed. I've been pondering for a while.

I love the look on your 2022, especially with the amber grill lights. It looks very mean, bullish, I wouldn't change a thing. When someone sees that in there rear view, they'll move aside!

 

[Big Cam]

No, if for no other reason than those led running lights on the Gen 13. Having each led visible like it's a 2010 audi. Yuck.

If anything the gen12 look better than gen13. Then gen14 looks better than both.

 

[Zengineer]

No, if for no other reason than those led running lights on the Gen 13. Having each led visible like it's a 2010 audi. Yuck.

If anything the gen12 look better than gen13. Then gen14 looks better than both.

Fair point. Early on it was tough for LED to not look like LED. Then for a while people kept the look because LED was "premium"". I never found the 2020 LEDs unsightly. As this thread winds down, I think for me it all just comes down to the lackluster effort Ford put into most of the grilles. I'll do something in the spring to spice it up.

The LED thing reminds me of the evolution of carbon fiber in cars. 20+ years in some people just won't let go of the idea that CF needs to have that exposed weave pattern. It's a weight savings thing, not a fashion accessory...paint it already.

 

[Scoop]

This is all personal taste, so it’s pretty moot imho.

That depends on how you intend the word 'moot' to be interpreted (as a noun, verb, or an adjective). Most often, moot is used as an adjective to describe something that lacks practical value because there is no definitive answer.

While there obviously is no single, correct answer to "What is your opinion?", the point of this thread isn't to arrive at one "right" answer. It's to elicit input from others on what their subjective opinions are and to create a enjoyable conversation here on these discussion forums. After all, this is a social environment (and, yes, a valuable resource for information), it is not a textbook or reference manual.

Was just trying to start some interesting conversation and as far as I could tell that was happening.

Exactly!

 

[Scoop]

Me, I think trucks should have chrome bumpers and some chrome in the grill...

I do like the look of chrome bumpers and limited chrome trim. I just don't like the way it rusts.

 

[780]

I think 2021+ with STX grille is the best looking variant

This shot shows my one gripe with the 14's design, the grille. (on all models)

To me it looks like they grabbed random grille off the shelf and threw it on.

The curve of the lower opening don't line up (where it drops down) with the curve of the facia between the grille and bumper meaning the grille doesn't flow into the headlights.

I wish the bottom of the grille was flat to line up with the bottom of the headlights and the sides flush with the headlamps instead of being indented an inch or so.

 

[Zengineer]

I will admit that while I find the Lariat Sport Grille lackluster it does have the advantage of not screaming to nosey people at work that I just spent $70k on a new truck two years after the previous new truck...since my truck could pass for an XL county road crew fleet truck from the outside.

I saved this grille photo shop pic from a previous thread. I have the silver wrap material and will likely do something like this when I get time.

 

[GenXeration]

To each his own but I wouldn’t have seriously considered an F-150 until 21. Even then, I was turned off a little by all the chrome on the Limited and Platinum. To me, the BAP offered on the Platinum in 22 was the turning point that pulled me away from Ram. I’ve never owned a Ford truck so I’m giving it a go.

 

[Buyer2021]

I do like the look of chrome bumpers and limited chrome trim. I just don't like the way it rusts.

Interesting, I've never had the chrome on any bumper rust, including my 1-owner 2005 F150. Maybe a benefit of living in central TX as opposed to SE Michigan?

 

[Chilidog]

I added a flat black, low profile, stick on bug deflector to the hood. It makes the front end of the Lariat sport look more substantial, IMO.

 

[Scoop]

Interesting, I've never had the chrome on any bumper rust, including my 1-owner 2005 F150. Maybe a benefit of living in central TX as opposed to SE Michigan?

Sure is! No salt on your roads.

~7 years in Texas myself back in the 70's and early 80's.

 

[Bobbert]

Hey David, What specific 3M tape did you use for

I hate the 18-20, the 15-17 is the second best looking behind the 21+, IMO. The best looking 18-20 was the STX.

what really changed the exterior appearance on the sport pack for me was putting the copper 3M stripe across the center bar on the grille. The only thing I don’t like about the 21+ is the wheels that you and I both have

I hate the 18-20, the 15-17 is the second best looking behind the 21+, IMO. The best looking 18-20 was the STX.

what really changed the exterior appearance on the sport pack for me was putting the copper 3M stripe across the center bar on the grille. The only thing I don’t like about the 21+ is the wheels that you and I both have

Hey David, Grill looks great. What specific 3M tape did you use? I’d like to do something similar, but maybe a different color for my Lariat grill.

 

[dolsen]

Hey David, What specific 3M tape did you use for

Hey David, Grill looks great. What specific 3M tape did you use? I’d like to do something similar, but maybe a different color for my Lariat grill.

This is the stuff I used and was recommended by another member on here. It’s almost a perfect match for the center orange lights in the headlamp. I’ve been trying to find other places to use it on the truck, but I want it to be minimal and tasteful. I have to agree with the OP that the lariat sport grille is REALLY boring, but that one simply change made world of difference

 

[Bobbert]

Agreed! Thanks for the response.

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