A truck and trailer thread.

[McMXi]

@McMXi what brand is your tool box for the bed of your Ruby Red?

By the way, the color is Rapid Red and not Ruby Red. This is part of the window sticker. The color is listed under standard equipment and under options and it has really grown on me over the year to the point that I have no plans to add to it or change it. I see a lot of Super Duty trucks in other colors but relatively few in Rapid Red or any red for that matter. It changes color depending on viewing angle due to the metal flake in the paint, and although I would most likely not order a red truck (although I did order a red Toyota pickup many years ago), I do like this color.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

By the way, the color is Rapid Red and not Ruby Red. This is part of the window sticker. The color is listed under standard equipment and under options and it has really grown on me over the year to the point that I have no plans to add to it or change it. I see a lot of Super Duty trucks in other colors but relatively few in Rapid Red or any red for that matter. It changes color depending on viewing angle due to the metal flake in the paint, and although I would most likely not order a red truck (although I did order a red Toyota pickup many years ago), I do like this color.

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That’s interesting. Mine is very clearly Ruby Red. Both the 14’ I just sold and the ‘26 I just took delivery on. Here is crop from my build sheet (I ordered the previous and this one both). Anyway the build sheet and system for mine say Ruby. It’s a tinted clear coat…maybe that is the difference.

Ruby is not that common, unfortunately my dealer after seeing how we ordered built it, he liked it so much he ordered several more so not there are multiple in the area. Previously I had not seen a Ruby near me. Oh well.

in my case I did not want the last one or this one, but spousal unit and s the color coordinated…I allowed write checks and burn fuel….color selection was not worth legal intervention. For what it’s worth i would have chosen the new blue metallic. It’s sort of a candy apply blue with a little purple tint to it. Its sharp.

According. To this site (I am not sure they are actually affiliated with ford but they claim its recently brought back?)

https://fordauthority.com/2025/11/2026-ford-f-150-adds-ruby-red-metallic-color-first-look/

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

By the way, the color is Rapid Red and not Ruby Red. This is part of the window sticker. The color is listed under standard equipment and under options and it has really grown on me over the year to the point that I have no plans to add to it or change it. I see a lot of Super Duty trucks in other colors but relatively few in Rapid Red or any red for that matter. It changes color depending on viewing angle due to the metal flake in the paint, and although I would most likely not order a red truck (although I did order a red Toyota pickup many years ago), I do like this color.

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I really like that package you have there…some nice features I did not add to mine.

from your pics your color sure looks similar to my previous and new truck regardless of color name. Looks sharp in the sun…the color really pops.

 

[McMXi]

I really like that package you have there…some nice features I did not add to mine.

from your pics your color sure looks similar to my previous and new truck regardless of color name. Looks sharp in the sun…the color really pops.

It was a year old and came that way, but as you say, it has a lot of very nice features, and knowing what I know now would probably order most if not all of the same options. It was quite a shock when I started driving the F-250 again. I had become used to the incredible 12" center console display in the F-450 over the summer, and the Alpine iLX-207 head unit that I installed in the F-250 in 2018 seemed ridiculous. I'm used to the Alpine again though, but no doubt will go through feature shock again next year.

The 14 speaker B&O audio system that comes with the Lariat Ultimate package is a winner. Frankly, everything about that truck is kind of awesome.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Honestly I am not a tech or a audio aficionado…I like devils water(bourbon) and nectar of the gods (coffee) and a fine cigar. …other than that it’s utility for me…just like my MX!

that being said it came with a couple features I would not have ordered or paid for if had the choice, but now I would not buy again without:
1. The camera angles FnA right! I can’t wait to pull the trailer just to keep an eye on her. The cameras are awesome and worth it IMO.

2. Exterior zone lighting…I travel to my other place at night mostly and it sure will be nice to have the spotlights off the mirrors and back of truck lighting up the ground for me to fiddle with the gate and/or trailer. Same for in the bed…it’s got zone lights gating in the bed and even a switch by the gate. So much even with my tonneau cover latched I can turn nights on and see what I am looking for.

3. The rear seat folds up flat to the back of cab and the structure under it folds down…heck I sleep back there or just use my t for gear when I head west into the sunset for a hunting trip. That’s really function al usable space. I did like that my ‘14 had a lockable box under the seat, but I think this has more utility. I don’t need the lock box as I travel with my private security team. . If someone wants to get into my gear or rifle case, I’d tape a $100 bill to the barrel to watch them try to take it. I do think a vault in the console would be a nice option…I thought they used to have that but I did not see it when I ordered. I see you got one though?

4. Would not have paid for the TG step and handle, but I sure like it. I was not expecting the bed up so high and it’s nice to have as I am not 27 anymore. I would get that again. So far I have used it every time I get in the bed….-and that was a bit when I installed the cover…it was appreciated.

those may seem like funny things for me to get excited about but I am here to say they are pretty functional and helpful for my use. Anyway those are the things I was surprised by the utility but I sort of rolled my eyes when sales guy told me about them. I’ve am glad I have them now.

The SOW (secretary of war)and the MOD (minister of defense) are gonna look good riding in Zilla up to their northern place. I hope this one is as good as the last one.

 

[biketopia]

Beautiful trucks, ya'll have. Always jealous of the higher trim level stuff. I look at the order guides for all the Ford trucks yearly, as I run the fleet for the local water utility, so it's my job to spec and order our trucks every year. But all we get is XL, have to be responsible with the rate payers' money!

For MY '25 was the change in reds, they added Ruby Red Metallic and deleted Rapid Red Metallic.

The console Vault was/is also available on the center console Lariat trucks, Order code 21X

 

[McMXi]

that being said it came with a couple features I would not have ordered or paid for if had the choice, but now I would not buy again without:

Before I forget, I have a custom .375 H&H that would go very nicely with your Sitka KUIU jacket.

Throughout my life I've never regretted having more features than I need or want, but it has certainly gone the other way for me at times. One of my strategies when I ordered the MX was to get just about every option available so that I'd have zero regrets. I intend to keep the MX for the rest of my life, the M6060 too, so having them fully featured isn't a dilemma for me, it's a necessity. I didn't order the M but have added features such as an air ride seat, rear wiper, rear defrost, bigger alternator, more rear remotes etc. I've done this knowing that the tractor is a lifelong investment and not something I intend to sell off after a few years. Investing in something that I intend to keep (and I tend to keep things) has never been a problem for me.

Back to truck features and options. As I mentioned, the truck was one year old so I had no say in the options, but I think I'd probably order everything shown above with the exception of the retractable bed side steps. I simply don't have a need for them, and at close to $800 for the pair, I don't see them as being worth it. I don't use the built in tailgate step either, but perhaps I will as I get older. The console vault is something that I would definitely order, or add if the truck didn't come with it already. I don't have any plans to add more to the truck other than an additional rear camera to help with aligning a gooseneck trailer to the ball in the bed. The DECKED toolbox obstructs the view from the OEM camera so another camera will help. I also plan on replacing the rear bumper with one from TDK. The factory bumper is like a soda can and has to go.

I'm in two minds re the automatic power running boards. They come with the Lariat Ultimate package I suppose but I'd be ok if they were fixed in position. I guess I'd prefer more control over them i.e. a button on the remote to deploy them when I want to, but the way they automatically deploy when the truck is unlocked or the door handle touched is somewhat annoying.

I think I'm still in the giddy phase with the F-450. It's parked for the winter but I still get a thrill just looking at it. I've had a lot of nice vehicles over the years, and without a doubt the best car I ever had was a pair of Audi Allroads with 2.7L twin turbo engines. The best truck I've ever had is without a doubt the F-450. I think it's my eighth truck, and if memory serves I've owned three Ford Rangers, an F-150 XLT, an F-350 Super Duty XLT dually, a Toyota SR5, and an F-250 Super Duty Lariat that I still have of course.

 

[McMXi]

So I'm really close to having all of the F-250 issues resolved and am down to a couple of little things such as a rear driver's side door rattle (upgraded door jam catch arriving Saturday) and a troublesome overhead console display which I think is due to the connector that plugs into the display. If I wiggle the connector everything works for a while.

The other day after a heavy rain I had an "open door" light illuminate on the dash despite all four doors being closed. I had to remove the two cabin light bulbs since they'd remain on even when I used the remote to lock the truck. A quick search suggested that spraying WD-40 into the locking/latching mechanism of each door will fix the problem. Yep! It worked! The sensors in the doors must have got water in them somewhere and the WD-40 pushed it out and all is good. I bought a can of "gel" WD-40 and will spray that in with the idea that it'll last longer.

The truck is driving really well and it's ready for a road trip in a little over a week. I'm loving the new Bushwacker fenders and they make the truck look a whole lot better in addition to other functional benefits.

I recently renewed my Costco membership since a newer and bigger store opened last month and they now have diesel available. A couple of days ago I filled up the JohnDow 58 gallon tank with 52 gallons of diesel along with 26 oz of Opti-Lube XPD All-Season Diesel Fuel Additive. $3.25/gallon is pretty good, and that price might even drop before I fill up the truck's tank for the trip over to Portland.

I figured out a better tie down system for the JohnDow tank as well. Some 500lb ratchet straps and two short sections of fuel hose did the trick. I'm going to get the hi-lift jack from the Jeep and keep it in one of the DECKED drawers rather than rely on a shop floor jack that I currently lug around. I should probably buy another hi-lift jack and call it good.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Before I forget, I have a custom .375 H&H that would go very nicely with your Sitka KUIU jacket.

Throughout my life I've never regretted having more features than I need or want, but it has certainly gone the other way for me at times. One of my strategies when I ordered the MX was to get just about every option available so that I'd have zero regrets. I intend to keep the MX for the rest of my life, the M6060 too, so having them fully featured isn't a dilemma for me, it's a necessity. I didn't order the M but have added features such as an air ride seat, rear wiper, rear defrost, bigger alternator, more rear remotes etc. I've done this knowing that the tractor is a lifelong investment and not something I intend to sell off after a few years. Investing in something that I intend to keep (and I tend to keep things) has never been a problem for me.

Back to truck features and options. As I mentioned, the truck was one year old so I had no say in the options, but I think I'd probably order everything shown above with the exception of the retractable bed side steps. I simply don't have a need for them, and at close to $800 for the pair, I don't see them as being worth it. I don't use the built in tailgate step either, but perhaps I will as I get older. The console vault is something that I would definitely order, or add if the truck didn't come with it already. I don't have any plans to add more to the truck other than an additional rear camera to help with aligning a gooseneck trailer to the ball in the bed. The DECKED toolbox obstructs the view from the OEM camera so another camera will help. I also plan on replacing the rear bumper with one from TDK. The factory bumper is like a soda can and has to go.

I'm in two minds re the automatic power running boards. They come with the Lariat Ultimate package I suppose but I'd be ok if they were fixed in position. I guess I'd prefer more control over them i.e. a button on the remote to deploy them when I want to, but the way they automatically deploy when the truck is unlocked or the door handle touched is somewhat annoying.

I think I'm still in the giddy phase with the F-450. It's parked for the winter but I still get a thrill just looking at it. I've had a lot of nice vehicles over the years, and without a doubt the best car I ever had was a pair of Audi Allroads with 2.7L twin turbo engines. The best truck I've ever had is without a doubt the F-450. I think it's my eighth truck, and if memory serves I've owned three Ford Rangers, an F-150 XLT, an F-350 Super Duty XLT dually, a Toyota SR5, and an F-250 Super Duty Lariat that I still have of course.

Good eye…might actually have been a Yukon rain jacket or down burner (i don’t remember the day and can’t tell from pic). I will say that I have a ruger .375 in a double rifle case that is lonely….so you have my attention. Usually sporting the Burner Down parka when it comes out for a walk. .

 

[The Evil Twin]

Speaking of the F-450, I've had it for a little over 7 months and around 5,000 miles and I'm completely smitten with it. It is a phenomenal truck in every way. So far there's only one small annoyance and that's the DEF warning system. The truck thinks it's DEFCON 2 when the DEF is at 50% and it'll continue to hassle me with constant warnings telling me that all hell is just around the corner and I'm a really bad person if I let the tank volume drop to 30%.

I haven't figured out if I can change the DEF level warning settings but I sure would like to. The only other small thing is that despite providing a boost gauge in the display, as well as an exhaust brake gauge, DPF gauge, DEF gauge, transmission temp gauge, oil temp gauge, oil pressure gauge, water temp gauge etc., there's no EGT gauge and I wish there were. EGTs are handled seamlessly but I'd like to see what's going on.

I have no intentions of trying to get more power out of this truck since it is nothing short of amazing as it is, but I would like to be able to monitor EGTs. There are lots of EGT sensors on the truck from the factory so I'm loathe to drill a hole and add a thermocouple with a gauge. I've done this on two other trucks, but I'm hoping that I can find some electronic device that plugs into the OBD II port and can access this information and display it.

My good friend up here just pulled a trailer back from Texas for his brother. He has a '23 Chevy with the Duramax and Allison combination and was lamenting that not only does he not have an EGT gauge, he has no boost gauge either. He's a pilot, and manifold vacuum and EGTs are critical parameters in his world.

All in all though I absolutely love this F-450 and it's the best vehicle I've ever owned with second place going to a couple of Audi Allroad 2.7L with twin turbos that I had. Those were by far the best cars I ever owned.

Not sure if you got your EGT monitoring sorted or not. I view mine through EZ Lynk and the app. It's not great to have your phone tied up to that connection if you stream music. So I'm going to either using an old phone as a display or (I've heard you can) cast it to the Sync 4 with iOS.

 

[McMXi]

Not sure if you got your EGT monitoring sorted or not. I view mine through EZ Lynk and the app. It's not great to have your phone tied up to that connection if you stream music. So I'm going to either using an old phone as a display or (I've heard you can) cast it to the Sync 4 with iOS.

Not yet. I want to find something I can plug into the OBDII port the way the programmer does in my F-250. There are so many sensors (thermocouples) already installed in the F-450 that it should be possible to grab data from the ECU. I need to reach out to Jody at DP-Tuner and see what he has or is planning.

 

[Kennyd4110]

Look at Edge and Banks. both have OBDII monitors. I've run both, the Edge is better but they screwed me on my 2019 2500HD, so I switched to Banks.

Banks iDash SuperGauge and iDash DataMonster - Banks Power

Banks iDash is the most powerful compact digital gauge of its kind. With exclusive calculated parameters, it's every gauge you've ever used, plus many you haven't. iDash is used by racers, engine builders, vehicle testing facilities, and those who want to know more about their vehicles.

bankspower.com

https://www.edgeproducts.com/products/in-cabin_monitors/insight/

My current setup:

 

[McMXi]

Look at Edge and Banks. both have OBDII monitors. I've run both, the Edge is better but they screwed me on my 2019 2500HD, so I switched to Banks.

Banks iDash SuperGauge and iDash DataMonster - Banks Power

Banks iDash is the most powerful compact digital gauge of its kind. With exclusive calculated parameters, it's every gauge you've ever used, plus many you haven't. iDash is used by racers, engine builders, vehicle testing facilities, and those who want to know more about their vehicles.

bankspower.com

https://www.edgeproducts.com/products/in-cabin_monitors/insight/

My current setup:


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Did you have to install thermocouples for EGT or are the Banks gauges pulling data from the ECU? I'm a fan of Banks stuff. I have a lot of their products in/on my Jeep and F-250.

I installed two thermocouples in the F-250 (pre and post turbo) but that's because 2002 Super Duty trucks didn't come with them. I could install some in the F-450 but am loathe to do that given the abundance of sensors installed at the factory.

 

[Kennyd4110]

Did you have to install thermocouples for EGT or are the Banks gauges pulling data from the ECU?

100% from the ECU, even the power for the unit(s). The Duramax has four EGT sensors as I recall.

Edit:
Go to this page and put your vehicle info in, it will tell you what PID's it can monitor.

Banks iDash Pro Vehicle Parameter (PID) Library

A real-time library of parameters that can be monitored in your vehicle with a Banks iDash Pro Powertrain Information and Control Center.

bankspower.com

 

[The Evil Twin]

Did you have to install thermocouples for EGT or are the Banks gauges pulling data from the ECU? I'm a fan of Banks stuff. I have a lot of their products in/on my Jeep and F-250.

I installed two thermocouples in the F-250 (pre and post turbo) but that's because 2002 Super Duty trucks didn't come with them. I could install some in the F-450 but am loathe to do that given the abundance of sensors installed at the factory.

The existing sensors are available via OBD port. IIRC, on the HO there is pre/ post turbo. My 2015 does not have pre turbo, but all I really cared about was not parking during an active regen.

 

[McMXi]

It's been a while since I posted in this thread and there are a couple of things to report on. First off, I made an uneventful 1,300 mile trip out to Portland, OR and back for New Year's and the old F-250 handled the trip with ease and did very well in some inclement conditions.

The next update is that I came back from a very cold Western Illinois work trip yesterday (-35°F with wind chill) to much warmer Western Montana. This is the first time in 7-1/2 months when I've been away and left the truck at the airport. It was close to 20°F when I arrived in Kalispell yesterday afternoon, and the truck fired up first time without any fuss. The programmer showed that the engine oil was 23.5°F which was possibly due to the sun beating down on the hood. I could have/should have let the glow plugs stay on for longer, but the bottom line is that after changing glow plugs, glow plug relay and glow plug control module a few months ago, my cold start stress is a thing of the past. It's a big relief to not to have to spend 30 minutes trying to get the truck to start on a cold day.

The other update is that I ordered two VisionX 12" light bars through my friend in Hawaii who is a VisionX dealer. I chose the Shocker model which has a long distance, broad spot beam and an amber PLC (Photon Light Core Technology) bulb set for fog, sleet, snow etc. I have a 24" VisionX light bar in the center of the brush guard but these will sit either side of it and higher up.

Shocker Dual Action LED Light Bar | Vision X USA

The Shocker Dual Action LED Light bar brings versatility and lighting power to the forefront, by allowing you to adjust your vision to the ever-changing dri ...

www.visionxusa.com

The third update is that my neighbor's tenant asked me if I could help him get his '06 Chevy with Duramax/Allison combination to a local shop to be repaired. The head gasket has failed among other things. I thought it would be shameful for me to haul his truck with the F-450 and Kaufman gooseneck, so I suggested that he use my B&W gooseneck kit with his newer but used '18 Chevy with Duramax/Allison combination. That way we won't get any attention from rabid Ford or Chevy owners. I'll be sure to take a photo or two but at least it'll be Chevy pulling a Chevy. His "new" truck has issues too but I guess he'll resolve those once his older truck is back.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good call…it’ll be funnier when you pull two chevys with the F450 at the same time.

(Chevy folks, I’m just kidding I had really good luck with my first truck which had the gold bow tie…I still shop them but haven’t been able to make a deal on the last two)

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Ruby red or whatever it's called will probably be a 3 stage paint( base,pearl, clear). A real PITA to match so be prepared for either a BIG bill for an 'ok' match or a 'wow, it ain't even close' match.
Any one can paint white and black, but any of the metalflaked or pearls are challenging.

 

[McMXi]

One issue I need to address with the F-250 is an intermittent soft "thump" when braking, and thought it was something in the DECKED drawer system sliding around. But after removing various things and realizing that I can feel the thump in the floor of the truck, I figured it has to be something related to the brakes themselves. I'm not able to reproduce the "thump" on demand and it seems random enough that I haven't been that concerned about it.

Last year I replaced all four rotors and all sets of pads using Power Stop products, and even replaced the front calipers with Ford remans from NAPA. This was done around 5,000 miles ago with no issues until recently. Around 4,000 miles ago I replaced all the soft brake lines too with teflon lined stainless steel hoses and flushed all brake fluid and power steering fluid and bled all the systems. The brakes were the best they've ever been and still seem to work well.

This afternoon in 20°F weather I removed the front driver's side wheel and looked around. I've done too many brake jobs to count over the years and have replaced many sets of rotors and pads, but I can't remember if the "slop" of the rotor over the wheel studs is normal. I can spin the hub and the studs will move in the rotor holes and I show the two extremes below. So now I'm wondering if the rotor is moving during breaking, not always but sometimes. I should have checked the lug nut torque values but forgot to do that. The spec is around 150 lb-ft and it would make sense that the rotor could rotate relative to the studs if the torque wasn't high enough since it's clamping force that prevents the rotor from slipping if the holes are oversized. Does this amount of play of the rotor on the hub seem normal or are the holes oversized?

Another thing I noticed is that there's some weird smudging on the rotor but I can't feel it at all. It looks like I should be able to feel it but it's silky smooth.

 

[hedgerow]

That is some strange marking on those rotors. Is pad material coming off the pads I have seen that happen. In all my years around heavy duty disc brakes I have never seen that much slop between the wheel studs and rotors. I would wonder if some of those Fords have different sized wheel studs. Its been a long time since I have had to put a set of rotors on a ford super duty. My super duty doesn't have that kind of slop. Even my semi grain trailers with disk brakes don't have that kind of slop between the rotor and stud. I wonder if they didn't sent you the wrong rotors. I would also check all your bushings on your front axle to make sure its not moving when your braking and making a noise. I have had that happen on the super duty's with some miles on them the bushings wear out.