Considering a 2012 Ford F350

[Ruby & Fred]

We're looking at a 2012 F350 to pull our new 331RL. Here's my concern. The truck is a beauty, Lariat. Has 37,000K miles and the engine and idle hours are in acceptable range. It's a 2x4, so we think it was used for perhaps towing a horse trailer. The brakes are worn at an uneven ratio. The back ones are good. The front driver's side is 20% worn while the passenger front is 50% worn. Test driving showed some shudder and the dealer ground the rotors. Says it's great now. I would have preferred they replaced the rotors. Is this a deal breaker?

[JandC]

Depends on the price. I had a 2012 F350 4x4 that was bullet proof. Put just over 40,000 miles on it, most of which was pulling two different Montanas full time.

[Dave W]

The dealer 'cheaped' out by turning the rotors. My '06 at 35K had a problem, the rear rotors were turned but within a month back to a shudder. I put (at my expense) all new rotors, rebuilt calipers and Hawk LTS pads on and at just under 100K, they still worked well and passed NY State inspection. Jump ahead to my '11. At 50K it needed new brakes. I put a Power Stop Z36 kit (everything) on it. I'm at 110K with probably 75% pulling a 12K+ 5er and they are still great.

Ford, as probably every other manufacturer uses a fairly soft rotor and pads so you have a great brake when new. This is well known and discussed on the Ford truck forums. Even if you can't convince the dealer to replace the rotors(~$200 list price), this is a great year as the new engine/transmission bugs have been worked out. A full brake job is not cheap though if you are a DIYer, it can be done at reasonable cost.

[Ruby & Fred]

Thank you David W.
We agree about the dealer doing the minimum. We truly want to "like" this truck. We're heading out to CarMax today to make the decision between the 2012 and a 2016 F350 with 17K and still under warranty. The difference is the 2012 has a long bed and it's a 2x4. The 2016 is a short bed and a 4x4, which we really don't think we need.And of course, the 2012 is less money. Thank you for your input.

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by Ruby & Fred

Thank you David W.
We agree about the dealer doing the minimum. We truly want to "like" this truck. We're heading out to CarMax today to make the decision between the 2012 and a 2016 F350 with 17K and still under warranty. The difference is the 2012 has a long bed and it's a 2x4. The 2016 is a short bed and a 4x4, which we really don't think we need.And of course, the 2012 is less money. Thank you for your input.

That warranty is nice but you can also add a Ford Protect (ESP) to the '12 for not too much money - I'll have it on my '11 to 136K miles. That long bed sure makes life more comfortable hauling a long 5er though 4x4 is also nice. I've had long and short beds as well as 4x2 trucks. I do have to say that my current '11 with LB and 4x4 is nice, I would give up the 4x4 but never the long bed with a big 5th wheel. If you end up with the '12 4x2, an Equalock differential will be welcome too, especially in a CG with wet grass/sand/uphill sites

[The Bone]

I would go with the 16. Short bed isnt a problem if your hitch is set up correctly. You may not think that a 4x4 is what you need but I have had to use mine a few times that I didn't think of. The newer 6.7 is a better motor than the previous 11/12 M/Y trucks. And you don't even want to consider a Extended warranty. They are another way for the dealer to suck more money out of your pocket. Sure it makes you feel good but it has a deductible and half the time it doesn't cover the repair. It's NOT like bumper to bumper coverage. I had it on my 12 Taurus SHO and it didnt cover the stuff I had to repair like chrome pealing from my taillights. About $500 But I had the EXP from Ford yet I paid for new lights and the warranty didn't cover squat. It's only $3 or 4 grand for the EXP save the money and that way you can cover the cost of a repair that isn't covered under the EXP.
Sorry for the rant but people need to know that these warranty's are a scam.
Get the 16 and you will be happy.

[Troutn]

I have a 2013 and it has 173,000 miles on it. I love it-much better than the 2003 6.0 I had before.

[JABURKHOLDER]

Plusses and minuses for both. With the limited information provided, here is what I see;


2012...
+ long bed
+ Lariat Package
- halfa--ed brake job
- no warranty
- 2wd


2016...
+ only 17,000 miles
+ factory warranty
+ 4wd
+ better tow/cargo ratings
- short bed


Personally, I would go with the 2016
Just my two cents

[BuilderBob]

Get the long box more room for all you stuff! not a big fan of 2x4 trucks but if it works for you then go for it.

Bob & Carol
Washington St
2017 HC 352RL 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW CC LB 4x4

Happy Trails

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by The Bone

I would go with the 16. Short bed isnt a problem if your hitch is set up correctly. You may not think that a 4x4 is what you need but I have had to use mine a few times that I didn't think of. The newer 6.7 is a better motor than the previous 11/12 M/Y trucks. And you don't even want to consider a Extended warranty. They are another way for the dealer to suck more money out of your pocket. Sure it makes you feel good but it has a deductible and half the time it doesn't cover the repair. It's NOT like bumper to bumper coverage. I had it on my 12 Taurus SHO and it didnt cover the stuff I had to repair like chrome pealing from my taillights. About $500 But I had the EXP from Ford yet I paid for new lights and the warranty didn't cover squat. It's only $3 or 4 grand for the EXP save the money and that way you can cover the cost of a repair that isn't covered under the EXP.
Sorry for the rant but people need to know that these warranty's are a scam.
Get the 16 and you will be happy.

Agree and adding in... if you take the money you pay for the warranty and bank it or better yet, invest it... you'll have the money when you need it, and if you don't need it, you still have it. A well funded emergency fund is good planning. If you are on tight budget or a major failure will break your bank, then maybe an ESP will work for you, but there is always a way to pay for a repair now and then pay it off later, one simply has to make adjustments. Don't really want to say it, but I will anyway... if a major repair will put one in the poor house, then maybe one should rethink the whole situation before getting backed into a corner.

JMHO.

[scottz]

The question asked was if marginal rotors is a deal killer. It should not be, if you like the truck. Rotors are cheap, I think I put a set on my 2014 for about $150 each. That is for parts, I did the work myself; easy job.

Advice on the truck; if a 2012 is what fits your budget, sounds like a good truck if you do not want 4x4. Please don't start a discussion on whether you should get a 4x4 or not! Gets a lot of guys on the soap box and you can find plenty of material already posted. As for the 2016, personally I have no use for a short bed.

[Slufoot733]

If you like the deal on the '16 take it. Short bed is not an issue when properly set up. And the 4x4 is nice, when you need it like I do. However, if the '12 is a MUCH better deal then tell the dealer to do the right thing on the brakes. Last resort, do the deal and then dedo the brakes yourself. It's not that hard to do. You can get new rotors starting at around $50 each. Check :
http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/F...0A6A670A1.aspx as an example.

[mtlakejim]

Perhaps being willing to search outside your immediate area is better advice!! My recommendation is start a nationwide or at least a regional search for exactly what you want.

You can get these trucks serviced anywhere don’t let dealer service factor into your buying decision!!!

Considering how popular F350 4x4 long beds are there should be several to choose from!!! Once you have multiple units at different dealers you have the power to work them against each other and get a better price. NEVER EVER TRUST A DEALER PERIOD!!! Never ever simply accept their first price!! Since your buying used don’t let the pretty colored one sway you. Make sure your making a logical choice not an emotional one. Dealers love it when you fall in love with a truck!! Don’t give them that advantage. If anything you want them to think their truck is your third or fourth choice and only a better price will change your mind!!

[Golfmedik]

The 2016 truck will have the better turbo, no waste gate, more power and better warranty. Smaller fuel tank on the short bed at 26 gallons. Better turning radius with the short bed.

The 2012 trucks have the old style turbo in the questionable years(I just had to have my '13 turbo replaced at 29K miles), Already a problem with the brakes, out mfr warranty, and 2WD. Long beds have a 37 gallon fuel tank.

Funny, I hear the argument all the time about not needing 4WD, but to me, it comes in handy a LOT! I realize some are pavement princesses, and that's fine, but I use mine in 4WD not to tear up my own yard moving trailers around. It is nice to have when needed.
The newer style turbos are more reliable, and much smoother in acceleration. The warranty to me is worth the difference.
By the way, the slide pins on the brake calipers is probably what stuck. A common problem with Ford trucks. A solution is to grease them once a year.

[Ruby & Fred]

I want to thank those of you who responded yesterday. We came home with the 2016! Now to get the hitch installed, pick up the Mighty Montana and get the heck outta here for a while

[The Bone]

Great choice post some photos of your truck.

[pyoung47]

Good choice on the 16. I have one and like it a lot. Down the road, a 2 x 4 is very difficult to unload (sell).

[Recumbent]

You will like that new ride. Last year we traded for a 2017 F350 4X4 Short Bed SRW, and purchased a Demco Hijacker auto sliding hitch.

[CaptnJohn]

I have a 2016 F350 4x4 SRW short bed. A 20 gallon auxiliary fuel tank and B&W Patriot slider ~~ perfect! That tiny fuel tank is my only complaint about the truck in 56,000 miles. What the h3ll was Ford thinking? The extra 20 gallons gets me a full day unless I want to stop for fuel and not a ton of extra weight to suck up payload.

[The Bone]

Captn John must be one of those young whipper snappers than can drive all day LOL