Thanks
It will be a while before I get to that point
Keith

I'll be interested in the bull ring install and any specific "lessons learned". I've got cheap Harbor Freight ones installed now but want to upgrade.

Will do Howard. I had them on my 04 and they did well. This time I got the longer angled ones based on experience of getting several cords hoked to one. https://www.bullringusa.com/product/...-down-anchors/

Yoda a tie-down kit was included with my 2020 truck. They mount inside the box sides in OEM brackets.

LOL - you never have too many tie down points - like potato chips - you can't have just one. I have a stretchy cargo net that the stake pocket tie downs fit perfectly.

My 04 only had the tie downs in the lower bed corners and with the Retrax cover the two front ones were almost blocked (a pain to get to). It will be interesting to see if the new cover blocks the new box link points - it's going to be close. There are so many things I am finding on the truck ...well lets say its mind boggling......................................... now what was i thinking?

Yep I was shown that box link kit. It's under the back seat. Storage room I did not have on my 04 - I guess I should install them or is it something you only install when needed?

Keith

I installed mine and am leaving them installed.

It does seem curious that these additional tie down points are so complex and removable. Why remove them, once they are installed? I installed mine and have used them a few times (in addition to the fixed lower corner tie downs). The removable ones are not in the way of anything and I just leave them there, same as TedS does.

Rob

TedS

Sounds like a plan. Ill go dig them out from under the bench.

Thanks

Keith

OK today we took out first trip to put miles on. Started out at 70 miles and now have 250 miles. We drove from Durango to Ridgeway CO on US 550 over Coal Bank, Molas, and Red mountain passes (10,000 ft plus). This is a 60 mph to 15 mph highway with lots of turns, steep grades, and switchbacks. Truck was solo and empty except for the Retra cover. This was not a speed run, just a scenic drive.

I Only have one thing to say

OMG OMG OMG

And the truck averaged 19.1 MPG over the 180 mile trip.
6.7 with 3:55 rear end and electric locker

Observations
I first started out letting the HAL do his thing in normal driving mode. On the grade to the ski area (60 MPH) it was running in 9th solid. No trans hunting whatever. On the approach to coal bank is seemed to lug a bit on the 5-6 area (very slight grumble noise), but was still outstanding. Otherwise the trans is very quiet. I then tried Tow/Haul mode. I noticed it locked out 8-9-10, but otherwise acted the same from what I could tell. On the back side of Coal Bank I activated the exhaust brake. Was not as aggressive as it should be at first thought, but not touching the brakes most of the way down was nice. I turned it off going up Molas pass, and noticed the Auto Exhaust break mode as I went through the menu (used the button on the end of the gear lever). I also discovered what the +/- button was for. It locks out specific gears. The down grade off of Molas I used the EB again in manual mode but this time I was in normal driving mode and it still worked. I was told by the dealer I had to be in tow/haul mode for it to work, but it did..

Then up and over Read Mountain. Again climbing solo was a beautiful experience. This time at the top knowing the extreme switch backs ahead I used the TH mode and the EB auto setting, Wow - what an aggressive difference with the auto down shifting. Much stronger response. So much so it was excessive with out the trailer behind, so I went back to manual mode.
Had lunch at the True Grit Restaurant Restaurant in Ridgeway . If your a John Wayne fan, they have a lot of cool stuff. Parking - I was able to use the camera system to parallel park. I set the camera up to show reverse and the overhead view on the side - Sweet The 12" productivity screen makes it easy to see. Side mirrors are also very good

For the return trip I stayed in normal driving mode and only used the EB on the steepest parts. This truck is a dream to drive and very nimble dodging rocks. Rock solid in the tight switch backs and alignment appears to be spot on with no lane drift. The Michelin AT tires do pick up rocks - may swap them out to a LTX M/S2 tread later. BTW I discovered the spare is a Goodyear so even Ford is skimping there

I did my first pass 45-65 in a 60 MPH zone, and wow can this beast move and I did not even max out the go peddle. I have never had a truck with this much power. My old 2004 6.0 would have taken 4x as long and it had 4:10 gearing. I now know to take it real easy in the snow come winter

Truck is very quiet, both outside and especially inside. We could actually talk and not need to shout. Not much turbo wine either, but you know its there. Ride is much better - feels firm, yet soft, but seating comfort takes it all out. The lumbar on this seat fits me perfectly.

With my 04 I always had smoke pulling away from stops and when on steep grades. This truck has none of that. The only event that has not occurred yet is a regen. Is there an indicator that light up when that happens?

I cant wait to get the trailer hooked up.

Yesterday I put the Retrax Pro MX cover on. Ill post on it. Tomorrow the B&W hitch goes in, and I take pictures and report on that too.

I think "Hal" and I are going to have a lot of happy memories. Still learning all the settings and menus. One that I have not found is oil life yet.

One question - Trans temp. Does anyone know the safe range. I know there is the bar gauge and there is a degree menu - just wondering what the acceptable range is. When I got home it was at 200 degrees F when I scrolled through things to get the fuel mileage.

Thanks everyone.

Keith

Great report Keith! Very similar to my experience.

WRT Regen . . . I got the option for “manual regen” . . . because a friend with diesel experience said this was a good idea. I have never used it. Auto Regen happens whenever necessary and while driving with no indication to the driver.

Rob

Thanks Rob
I don't think that was an option when I ordered, or I would have gotten it. Maybe it's buried somewhere in all the menus. The other day I thought I had set the alarm system to exterior only (we get miller moths here that get into everything).. It reset it's self to ask on exit. So for now I need to remember to push the change before I exit. At least I got the auto seat retract on exit disabled (easy entry and exit function). Drove me nuts - not to mention the wear and tear on the seat system. Whats great on this drive I got to tweak and save a lot of seat and mirror settings. Every time I get into "HAL" I learn something new. It was a great day..

And for those wondering I will try and get a picture tomorrow on the fuel mileage. Before I ordered I noticed the reports on the 3:55 gearing were better than the 3:31 for fuel mileage, and being an old sore head (Look up Aztec NM ), I learned lower gearing (or higher numerically) was better for towing. I think I lucked into the sweet combination. I now truly understand the real benefit of 1050 ft/lbs of torque and what 475 HP really means. Ford got it right this time and I have a keeper....unlike my 2004 6,0 OH OH!

More trips ahead...maybe run to Santa Fe for lunch the back way (cut over before Cuba off of 550 on 96 to 84) Just need a good destination restaurant - yep I run on food)

Thanks Keith

On edit - the picture of the dash - ignore the battery warning as truck was not started.

Yoda snow driving can be a challenge with all that torque. I find the rear tires can be spun easily. A few tubes of sand for weight may help.

Keith, All of the newer trucks are coming with thermostats on the transmission coolers. This forces them to run a lot higher temps. She range is typically anything under 250F. If you do some research someone may make a thermostat bypass like they do for the GM and Dodge. I know with the by pass my trans temps towing dropped 30F on the highway.

I would not make modifications to the intended temperature of the trans. They are made to run at elevated temperatures to evaporate off moisture. Moisture once introduced to the torque converter clutch can wreak havoc with drive quality and durability of the clutch or can cause torque converter shudder. Todays fluids are designed to run at the temperatures defined by the OEM engineers.

Its best to leave the vehicle alone, read the manual and follow the instructions there.

Jim

Thanks Jim. I plan to. That's why I got the Ford ESP plan. Let Ford take care of any issues