The New F150

[Bob_In_MN]

I must have seen 6 advertisements (in 1 hour of television) for the new F150. Anyone have any insight as to what the changes are? The ads said they are unveiling it tomorrow.

I like my F150, but will be upgrading to the 250 once they work the bugs out so I was just wondering about the new 150.

Bob

 

[kokopelli2]

check autoweek or car and driver online. they both did road tests on the 150. there are alot of changes, updated engines, suspensions, entirely new interior (that is class leading they say).

hope this helps.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Thanks for the info--I'll check it out.

Bob

 

[cowboydoc]

Go to fordvehicles.com. You can even dowload or request a brochure to be mailed to you. Very interactive.

 

[_RaT_]

Bob, my neighbor works at a Ford dealership. A couple of weeks ago I met him for the first time at a dinner. We talked about our vehicles after I asked where he worked. He mentioned the new F150. They were invited at Fords request to come see the new F150. When he got there, (I don't remember where there was) there where Tundras, Dodge's and GMC comparable size trucks. Some were for test driving, some had just the frame. All the folks were invited to inspect, test drive and go over the vehicles any which way they wanted. He said the new truck is quite nice, and in his opinion (for what that is worth) easily the nicest in terms of handling, inside ammenities, and loverall ooks. The one thing he pointed out several times was the sturdiness of the F150's newly redesigned frame. They were shown the test results of the frames which were put under a variety of stresses. The F150 was clearly the strongest trailed by Dodge, GMC and lastly the Tundra. He mentioned everyone was quite suprised at just how flimsy the frame for the Tundra is (as well as noticeably smaller) and could not believe it could achieve its rated tow capacity. I personally like the Tundra as I have had the oppoutunity to drive it. I know its load carrying capacity seems to be quite overated as a half yard of drainage rock absolutely put the bed to the ground, but for a lightweight truck it does nicely. I asked my neighbor if he was planning on buying the new F150, his response, I never buy a new car or truck, I don't know how folks afford them. Rat...

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Richard,

Thanks for the site--great info and pics/video.

Rat,

The commercials sure spend a fair amount of time showing a stripped frame being hammered by an off road simulator.

In reading the Car and Driver online it appears that the new model will be about 500 lbs heavier and while some of that came from a bigger/strong box and frame, the rest went into redesigning the front end crumple zone (based on the crash tests--this is a much needed change).

I hear you regarding buying new. We bought a used motorhome and it had the original sales info included--I can't believe what those things go for new. Trucks/cars are no different. If I buy a new 250, it will be something I drive for a long long time. I only put about 10,000 miles per year on my truck so if I invest that kind of money--it's going to be in my garage for awhile.

Bob

 

[F350Lawman]

The Japanese trucks may be dependable but if you pack more than a heavy briefcase for work it's time to look elsewhere. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I don't care WHAT they rate them at, comparable and lower rated 1/2 ton domestic trucks look much better with a load in them. I laugh when I see Japanese trucks getting loaded at the local nursery/garden supply places they are always on their bumpstops with springs arched like this ( even with minimal loads.

 

[BubbaJr]

I have an 02 F150, and I am constantly fighting the steering wheel. The 04 is supposed to have rack and pinion steering which I feel is long overdue.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If you are fighting the steering take it to the dealer. I do not have that problem at all with my 98' F-150, 02' F-250 or when I use my friends 97 F-150. All of these trucks drive with one hand. So if yours is really that hard to handle then there is something wrong somewhere. Get it fixed while its under warranty.

 

[cowboydoc]

I bought a 2003 for my Grandpa last year. 4wd, shortbox. I drove it all the way out to Idaho from Iowa and it never wandered a bit. He's picky as heck so I know I would have heard about it if anything was wrong with it. You've got something in the steering wrong or possibly a tire out of balance.

 

[5030]

Bob:

Fords old saying was "Buy New Every 2". I'd imagine with the exception of CowboyDoc, most of us can't afford that /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Gomez]

Bob,

I've noticed those "teaser" commercials as well. The big ad campaign starts tomorrow with the first NFL game. Ford is supposed to spend A LOT on advertising the '04 F150. I spend some time at ford-truck.com (when I'm not here /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). It's a pretty good source of info.

I'm currently looking for a replacement for my 88 F150. I'm leaning more toward the F250 for the simple fact that you can't get leather seats with an 8 foot bed in the new F150 /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.

I saw an 04 on Saturday. It's not ugly, but a little different. HUGE Ford emblem on the tailgate, and a deeper bed.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( HUGE Ford emblem on the tailgate )</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It's about time, I miss the old Ford tailgates with FORD written across the entire gate. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Dozernut]

F350 Lawman
I have a 1985 Toyota truck that I bought new. 22R engine, 5 speed manual tranny, 4x4 with lockouts. It has NEVER been back in the shop, except for regular maint. I did put a helper leaf on it from Sears. That old truck has and does haul heavy loads, 200 gallon water tank = 1600lbs, logs, firewood, rock and several other heavy items that my feeble mind cannot remember. It will haul as many briefcases as you could put in it and the fellers carrying them.
Years ago I put a winch bumper on the front and have a 6000lb Ramsey winch mounted on it. I have pulled, by winch and chain, several Ford, Chevy, and Dodge trucks out of snow and mud with this old truck.
I have given that old truck to my son who drives it to school every day. He named it the Craptacular Truck as it looks like crap, the bed is slowly rusting away. It could qualify as an ugly truck contestant.
I am going to help him pull the bed and build a new flatbed out of diamond plate steel. We will repair the cab, prep and paint it and maybe it will go another 18 years. By the way my son wants this old truck, he didn't want a newer vehicle.

 

[Bird]

Bubba, I'm like the other guys; something must be wrong with your truck. I've got a '99 F150 supercab with over 60k miles on it and it just handles fine. Besides the running around in this area, we drove it the last time we went to West Virginia (last November); steers and handles properly whether in town or on the highway.

 

[Inspector507]

I've had a '93, '95 and '97 F150. In '99 I went with the F250SD V10. Now I have a '03 F150 Super Cab Short Bed. None of them have been hard to drive. I wish I had gotten the F250 this year but didn't need it that much anymore, sold our camper.
I changed so often because I have a Brother that sells them, until this year, and I got a call when he had a great deal on the lot.
I have not seen the new F150 yet, but it looks nothing like the advance press photos(drawings) that were on the net. Glad I didn't wait to get one.

Jerry

 

[rdam]

Are they still going to use the 4.2L V6? I have a 2001
F-150 with manual transmission and the V6. Everything about this truck is great except it is underpowered. Hauling groceries down the highway is fine, but as soon as you put some weight in the bed or hitch up a decent trailer, you wish for more power.

Next up for me is an F-250 with the big V8 /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Docsknotinn]

Bubba Jr, you might want to take that one in to your favorite shop and pay for a alignment and tire rotation and try to have them spin balance the wheels, Stay away from the bubble balancer and the 16 year old mechanics. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I had a Bronco that did the same thing and a F-150. The ford dealer under warranty is just going to check the caster camber and toe, if your lucky. This is the same for all makes in regards to "normal wear" items or maintenance. The bronco came with the steering gear miss aligned and I got a F-150 with the wrong parts in the front end, some spacer or such I dont exactly remember what. In both cases the shop I took them to said take it back to the dealer. I was then able to go to the dealer and say hay ! X and X is wrong. In both cases they then fixed it no problem and both had been to a few dealers for the same complaint with zero results. Dave

 

[_RaT_]

Dozernut, I've never really had any problems hauling things with my old Datsun and more recently my brother in laws Tundra. While the 1/2 yard of drainage rock really squatted the rear end down, by adding a set of various lift componets, it could easily be remedied. Some of the various US trucks also fall into this category. My F250 can pretty much take most of what gets tossed in it. I just pump the tires up to 80 PSI and go. The diesel in mine is nothing to brag about, its pretty anemic.

 

[rozett]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I asked my neighbor if he was planning on buying the new F150, his response, I never buy a new car or truck, I don't know how folks afford them. )</font>

I strongly agree... my last five vehicles have been 1-2 year old models with low mileage and then I drive them into the ground. In 1988, I paid $11k for an 87 Crown Vic and sold it for $2 with 254K miles. It didn't owe me a dime. My current vehicle is a 2000 Excursion Limited 4x4 with the V10. It was 1 year old with 18K miles and I paid a full one third less than the MSRP (of $43K). I figure that my kids can drive it when I'm gone. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif