I am going to afghanistan in the spring and am looking into buying a new either 2010 or 2011 f150 fx4.

There are a few questions i have. The dealer told me the 2011 will be coming out with the 6.2 thats in the '10 raptors which i am willing to wait for, and that is not the issue.

I also want the navi system but wondering whats the best sounding and quality speakers that i can upgrade inside. Other than that the luxury package sounds about right for me but curious about the max tow package. the integrated brake controller is almost needed but how does the extra leaf spring help or hinder the ride quality.

Another question i have is i plan on ordering an f150 while im in afghanistan so i can get away from paying for sales tax and whatnot. Is there any other rebates or special deals that ford can do for military and deployed soldiers?

 

First, Thank you for your service.

I would NOT get the factory nav and sony radio. You would be much better off going after market Kenwood, Alpine, etc HU. For speakers I would get a nice set of Focal or JL audio compents. Then get a box and a 10" JL sub. You can power all that with an Alpine or JL audio 5 channel amp. You will have awesome sounding system that is much better then factory

I would get the ECO boost on a 2011 model - killer HP and gas milage. If you are single you should be able to save some nice tax free combat pay..

 

I do not want to add a sub. Im mostly into country music . If i would go with a sub i would need a slim one like pioneer sells. What is so wrong with the factory nav? I like the clean factory look and is the microsoft sinc any good? I like it mostly cause it has Garmin GPS

 

You get an extra 1000 from ford for being active military but you can only use it once a year. You do not have to finance with Ford Motor Credit to get it either. I love the Sync I really dont use it everyday but it is a nice feature.

 

Sync will not do much more then a nice HU with Bluetooth. Country sounds awesome with a sub. You really feel the base drum and bass guitar.

 

there will not be a bunch of rebates on the 11's with the 6.2 You may get a military incentive if its available at the time you are looking. Nothing wrong with the factory premium sound. Its very good. You are going to spend more money trying to get the same sound aftermarket. You need to buy a sub, door speakers, 2 amps, etc etc etc. I left my factory doors in a and installed a punch p3 slim 10in sub and amp. Either way the factory premium sound is nice with the nav. Maybe Ill see you in the SUCK later on 2011, we are scheduled to deploy in Sept.

 

Also for a couple thousand dollars more would the 6.2 raptor be a better option? I do alot of deer, pheasant, duck, goose hunting and fishing and whatnot. would be used to haul a brp can am commander around. how bad would the raptor be on those highway conditions since most of the riding woudl be highway and long hauls?

 

I wouldnt mind one or two 10" slim subs mounted underneither the rear seat. I have listened to country with subs and it sounds pretty good but never had slim subs before and dont really care to have alot of extra's in my new truck

 

Check out the deals offered in Kuwait or Afghanistan while deployed. At the time I wouldn't have saved enough to order a new truck in Iraq but others have been having luck with it lately. And yes, you have to pay taxes when you come home. Good luck and God Speed!

 

Hey bud, your gonna get stuck with paying sales tax one way or another, trust me, I just paid excise tax in Maryland on an 06 Mustang that I bought right outta the box in Germany 4 years ago. True-nuf you won't be paying tax on it right away, but the kicker is when you go to sale/trade or register in the U.S. The dealers will neglect to tell you about that little detail. PLEASE DON'T PURCHASE UNDER THE PRETENTIONS OF GETTING OUTTA PAYING SALES/STATE TAX, you’ll only be disappointed later down the road. Good luck down range hero. Be sure to take the malaria meds, they give wicked-cool dreams.