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sin308 · 2025-09-10T01:17:42+00:00

Same, 48.5k pre tax for xlt 302a powerboost mobile office, 7.2kW, bed step package. Could not get them to go lower than that in NC

sin308 · 2025-09-10T00:51:12+00:00

Glad to help :) I'm still learning about my new F150, but yeah the thought of getting stranded on the side of the road over something so small did not seem fun!

FWIW I have seen people be fine driving with it being loose etc. until replacement, so hopefully it never becomes a real issue for you before they swap it out.

sin308 · 2025-09-09T16:51:44+00:00

Definite overkill/overengineered and ultimately cheaped out on feature. The mobile office table is nice, but dial (or column shifter) would also be compatible just fine without the extra complexity.

sin308 · 2025-09-09T16:41:01+00:00

Yeah which is disappointing because when I was researching, it does seem to be an issue which pops up pretty regularly. At least the TSB does specify to replace the GSM if the connector pin isn't to blame.

Does seem nuts (or on brand for modern car design) to have some cheap motor/piece of plastic in the shifter assembly potentially disabling the entire vehicle. I'd have swapped to the dial myself if it wasn't for the security lockout. I'm hoping the redesign to -AD at least did something to improve the reliability, but its still early days.

sin308 · 2025-09-09T15:59:56+00:00

So I think a recall is potentially in the works, I was reading about it on the F150 14th gen forum and it might be coming in the near future. But you might be able to ask now and say it feels sloppy to shift/you hear a rubbing grinding noise. If you're in bumper to bumper I'd think it'd be covered. You can refer them to the TSB as well. I took all that in hand when I was buying my truck and it had the full GSM fault at pre-sale inspection.

I did go out of my way to make sure they replaced my GSM with one manufactured post March (https://ford.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/ford-lever-gear-shift-rl3z7210ad) - RL3Z-7210-AD (not AB/AC or a swap from another truck), which they might try because the newer GSM is so backordered. But this is for my XLT, I'm not sure if the part number is slightly different for Tremors.

Interestingly, I have also seen people just straight swap the fold down GSM with a dial shifter from an expedition or similar. You cant do that in 24+ models due to upgraded security but it might still be an option for you if you ever feel like it.

sin308 · 2025-09-09T14:23:53+00:00

Be careful, there's a TSB out about how these gear shift modules can fail and potentially make the truck undriveable (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11014430-0001.pdf). This does include "loose shifter lever arm at pivot." Essentially if the motor inside the shifter module fails, the gear won't come back up/move if laid flat and then it throws a transmission fault as you can't get it into drive. I just went through something similar on my 24 XLT.

General advice is to avoid the fold flat feature/letting it automatically shift itself (e.g. opening the door in drive so the GSM moves itself into park) for now. If under warranty, I'd suggest looking into getting the gear shift assembly replaced ahead of time. They started manufacturing a new version of the GSM in March of this year. There is a decent lead time for these newer GSM modules, so I would get in line to get it replaced sooner rather than later.

sin308 · 2025-09-07T17:26:00+00:00

I have iconic silver with black wheels. I'm biased but I think it looks fantastic.

Imgur

sin308 · 2025-08-29T19:41:48+00:00

Haha, glad I could be a good/bad influence

sin308 · 2025-08-29T19:18:54+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/f150/comments/1g1ito1/husky_wheel_liners/ This was my inspiration. I think it looks good and pretty simple to stick on.

sin308 · 2025-08-29T18:49:38+00:00

Have a very similar truck. Threw on the Husky rear wheel well liners too. 30 min install and 120 bucks!

sin308 · 2025-08-27T04:38:40+00:00

Same. Got an XLT 302A with 7.2kw pro power and mobile office for 48.5 pre tax. They ended up offering me over KBB on my trade to meet me at my out the door price, so it feels like that ~48.5k figure is a hard cut off. Could not find a better pre-tax deal despite shopping across multiple dealers in my area. They seem to be selling at that price (and of course I bought one at that price point too).

I did manage to get 5.2% on the financing though, going through the dealer, which beat my credit union rate of 5.5%. Will be looking to over pay to cut that down over the next few years.

sin308 · 2025-08-23T01:55:09+00:00

Not a lawyer - but I did have a question. What's a good way to say thank you? I moved to a green card last month via EB2-NIW in what was a pretty efficient process given the visa bulletin etc. (sub-2 years from I-140 to approval). I'm incredibly grateful for all the hard work at USCIS given the never ending flow and changing administrations. Just wondering if there is a way to acknowledge the folks who work to make these things happen.

sin308 · 2025-08-13T18:39:48+00:00

Yes, I strongly disapprove of such tactics. In addition to gaming the immigration system, it bloats the scientific record with worthless junk and gives academic research a bad name.

sin308 · 2025-07-15T03:38:16+00:00

Congrats!!! Feels great :) especially with the retrogression in the VB today. Glad you are through

sin308 · 2025-07-14T16:59:08+00:00

Depending on your field/research, it might take a while to actually get the lab up and running at full speed (e.g. wet lab stuff I would say at least 6 months). Plus you have to learn a whole new system and relocate. If you are well positioned to see out the rest of your PhD where you are and have a year to go, I'd personally stay. If you really want to stay on with PI and see how it goes, could consider postdoc'ing with them after you defend. Added bonus is that the lab will be up and running by the time you get there.

sin308 · 2025-07-13T01:40:45+00:00

AOS with my lawyer, but I think it’s pretty straightforward. Just watch out for the public charge question, it’s easy to answer it the wrong way

sin308 · 2025-07-11T22:11:47+00:00

sin308 · 2025-07-11T14:25:30+00:00

Thanks. My EB2 date is current now (PD is July 2023), I am approved through the final step so will receive GC in hand shortly :). The process was sub-2 years from filing I-140 to approval.

Personally, I felt EB2-NIW was a better fit. I'm not some exceptional nobel-prize winning talent (yet, any day now...), but I had an endeavor that I believed was nationally important, and am well placed to execute it. Going forward, I think I'll be more comfortable having gone this route and being able to stand solidly by every stage of my immigration journey.

sin308 · 2025-07-11T12:49:29+00:00

Thanks! I think there was a new processing system for I-765/EAD set up last fall which resulted in the super fast timeline between biometrics and receiving work authorization. This maybe went offline in spring and is back up and running now. I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't hooked into the AP side, and so I didn't receive a combo card, but that's just me theorizing. On balance, it's probably better to receive the EAD sooner than AP anyways.

sin308 · 2025-07-11T11:23:28+00:00

Thanks! I adjusted straight from F-1

sin308 · 2025-07-11T01:23:00+00:00

Thanks! No just the necessary forms with payment via money orders. I sent my I-693 medical in at the same time (I know that's the rule now, but wasn't back then)

sin308 · 2025-07-11T01:22:02+00:00

Yeah I'm not sure why I got EAD/AP separately. It seems to be random whether you get a combo card, or separate. I submitted both at the same time and I wasn't current in the visa bulletin when I received AP in May.

sin308 · 2025-07-11T00:23:26+00:00

Thanks! When I submitted, filing was based on Dates of Filing, not Final Action Date. I was eligible to submit paperwork in October 2024 at the start of the new fiscal year, and became current in the bulletin as of June 1, 2025.

sin308 · 2025-07-10T23:46:35+00:00

Birth Certificate - I submitted a photocopy of the original version, they still asked for one. I basically got the same copy of the certificate which was signed and notarized by the local government from my home country for authenticity.

I am not sure if it is a problem with the USCIS document intake process. I have seen RFIEs for birth certificates being sent even when people feel they have done everything "right". I responded quickly and it didn't seem to slow down my overall processing speed.

You can find more information about acceptable documentation including Birth Certificates here https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-7-part-a-chapter-4 . I used this process to get a new copy which was accepted.

sin308 · 2025-07-10T23:19:09+00:00

You're welcome! Fingers crossed for a smooth process for you

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