2012 Ford F-150 XL Standard Cab Pickup 2-Door 5.0L V8 - The Ultimate Work Truck

2012 Ford F-150 XL Standard Cab Pickup 2-Door Description

This has been a really fun truck. It is in my mind the standard for a classic style two door V8 pickup truck. I purchased this 2012 Ford F150 XL in April of this year to use it a few times a week to pickup items from Lowe's/Home Depot and occasionally tow a trailer. I enjoyed it more than expected and decided to upgrade and add a few things to in May:
Replaced front drivers side plastic bumper protector cover (Ford Part # 17E810)-When I purchased the truck, this part was broken. Easy fix.
The truck came with a U-Haul brand hitch kit with a hack wiring job. For the safest towing setup, I decided to replace the U-Haul hitch with an upgraded Curt brand Class V 10,000 pound hitch. I also added the Ford factory Trailer Brake Controller and required rear wiring harness. I then took the truck to Nalley Ford Sandy Springs and had them re-flash the ECU to enable the integrated trailer brake operation. To ensure a good balance on the rear suspension when towing/hauling, I also installed a Firestone Ride-Rite 2525 rear air suspension kit. This kit allows you to add air to the rear left and right side air springs to balance the load and reduce squatting when hauling. Also included in the sale is a pair of slip-on CIPA towing mirror extensions which work well if you are towing an enclosed trailer. Easy to install and remove. Overall, this truck has a fantastic towing setup on it compared to similar 12th generation F-150s.
When purchased, the basic Ford XL package radio left a lot to be desired - AM/FM radio only and no AUX input. That had to change. I upgraded the head unit to a Sony Digital Media model and replaced the speakers with Polk Audio 5x7s and DEI foam baffles. I also decided that I needed a little bass in my life and installed a Kenwood 10" slim line subwoofer and a Boss 1100W monoblock amp, plus the needed wiring. It won't blow the doors off, but it is a nice setup for a 2-door standard cab truck and is a huge improvement over the stock system. (Stock system included)
The Coyote V8 is a great match in the F-150, but the Ford engineers spent a lot of time and effort designing an intake system that kept the throaty intake sound as muted as possible for the general public. It was time for an air filter change, and I said why not, let's go for a K&N AirCharger Performance Air Intake System (K&N 63-2581). They claim it adds an additional 12.05 HP at 5304rpm. But the amazing transformation is the awesome sound of the unrestricted five liter V8 sucking in air at wide open throttle - it's loud, it's amazing, it's America. (Original stock intake system included for those who do not share my desire for throaty angry growling every time you open it up.)
The Ford XL package wheels and tires that came with the truck had ~50% tread life remaining, but I wanted something that upgraded the overall appearance to the higher option packaged F-150s. I came across a set of new take-off 18" Ford wheels and tires off a new 2015 FX4 package F-150 (Goodyear Wrangler 275/65R18) from a local Ford dealer and installed them. They look stock but transform the overall appearance of the vehicle.
Towards the end of summer, my trailer needs changed and I ended up upgrading to a new F-350 turbodiesel to haul a larger enclosed trailer. As much as I would like to keep this F-150, I do not have the space for it and it would go unused. Time for a new owner.
Now that you have heard about all the good stuff, I'll go into the few issues with the truck:
-In August it began to throw an intermittent check engine light. Reading the codes they seem to be related to the Camshaft position sensor and/or the variable valve timing on the second bank of cylinders. The first code that popped up was P0341 (Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance). I cleared the code and it did not return for ~600 miles. I cleared it again, then a few hundred miles later two codes came up, P0022 (A Camshaft Position Timing Over - Retarded Bank 2) and P0024 (B Camshaft Position Timing Over - Advanced or System Performance Bank 2). Investigation on the Ford forums leads me to believe there could be a need to replace the Camshaft Position Sensor (Parts range from $10.62 to $29.79 on RockAuto.com), variable timing solenoids/phasers (Parts range from $13.37 to $16.34 on RockAuto.com), or check the wiring/connectors. For what it's worth, I do not notice any change in engine performance or fuel economy.
-Before I purchased the truck, it was used as a work truck by a local commercial business. As such, the interior seats have what I believe to be coffee stains on the drivers and passengers seats (see photos). I shampooed them with upholstery cleaner but it did not seem to make a difference. Same thing with the DuraLiner rear bedliner - it was well used and has some stains. (See Photos)
-At intermittent random times when coming to a stop, after stopping the oil pressure gauge will occasionally drop to zero for a few seconds, then return immediately back to normal position. I freaked out the first time it happened, stopped the truck to check the oil only to find it at the normal level. Investigations on the Ford forums lead me to believe the wiring connector to the sensor could need attention/dielectric grease/replacement etc.
-The passenger door lock key hole seems to be jammed and you have to unlock the passenger door from the inside of the truck.
-On five or six occasions over the last few months, I have seen an intermittent anomaly occur with the transmission. They happened in situations where I was in traffic on the highway and going to make a lane change to pass - basically where I'm going from partial throttle at 40-50mph to full or closer to full throttle - the transmission would go to downshift and engagement was abrupt and hard. I would back off of the throttle, the transmission would upshift and then not happen again. Most of my previous Ford truck transmissions lasted well into the 200k mileage range, but this is my first truck with the six speed 6R80 transmission and I am not as familiar.
-The overall appearance of the Oxford White paint is good all over the truck with the exception of the rear tail gate - not sure if the previous owner splashed chemicals on it, never washed it, etc but it looks more worn than the rest of the truck. (See close up photo)
-Brakes have plenty of life left, but I believe the shocks are still the originals. Ride has been acceptable to me, but on a longer timeline I would consider replacement.
-Front white painted portion of bumper has scuffs on the drivers and passengers side. Small/hard to notice but look closer in the photos of the front corners of the truck.
-Dash is missing a small trim plate cover next to the power adapter/under the a/c controls (see photos). Should be an easy replacement/find, but I have not yet looked yet. It is a plastic plate on the XL and I believe is the Ford Sync aux input panel on higher optioned F-150s.
-Top of steering wheel plastic is degrading/breaking down, see photos. Replacement steering wheels are available or you could add a cover if it is preferable.
-The Ford dealer I purchased the new 2015 wheels/tires assured me that they included the TPMS sensors, but I have been unable to get them to communicate with the 2012 F-150. I even purchased Ford's reset tool but am unable to pair the new TPMS sensors, so the tire pressure dash light comes on. Since the original wheels/tires are included you could try swapping out the TPMS sensors, or take it to your local tire shop and see if they can get them to pair/communicate.
-The lowermost front underbody plastic has a little wave/shape to it on the passenger side (see the front view photo) where I assume the previous owner parked over a concrete wheel stop in a parking lot, then backed up and dragged/bent the plastic. Hard to notice so I never replaced it, but I think it is Ford part number 17626 for that model if you want to change it.
I hope this gives you a good overview of the current state of the truck. Please check out the photos, ask any questions you want and I'll be happy to answer. Truck is sold as is with no warranty expressed or implied. Buyer to pay $500 via PayPal within 24 hours of auction close and the remaining balance via cashiers check upon pickup within one week of auction end.