I have to admit, when everything is running smoothly with my F-150 Powerstroke, it’s a fantastic truck. I probably set my expectations a little high, but as a Lariat trim, the interior is really something special. It works hard like a truck should and performs like one too. The power of this diesel engine is impressive, especially tackling the hills around Kentucky. Recently, I even did some weight reduction modifications, and I have zero regrets – it really brought the truck to life. Others might disagree on that point, but personally, I’m not sure I’d go that route again due to parts concerns.
Speaking of parts, they can be expensive and sometimes a real pain to track down. It’s worth remembering the engine is shared with Jaguar and Land Rover, and you’ll even find some parts stamped with those names. Oil changes are also very specific, and honestly, there’s no budget-friendly option that I’ve found. If you’re someone who doesn’t like spending on maintenance, this might not be the truck for you.
Just as an example, my block heater went out recently. The dealership told me both the element and cord needed replacing. I scheduled an appointment for this morning, showed up, and guess what? Only one part arrived. Maybe someone was still half asleep after the weekend!
I’m hoping things will get better once I start doing more of the maintenance work myself. If you’ve got the space and know-how to pull cabs, you’d probably be in a much better position with this truck. My background is mainly with commercial diesels – think big rigs and tractors. These smaller truck diesels, even the F-250 and F-350, can be surprisingly frustrating when you’re used to working on Internationals, Sterlings, and Macks.
