The New F150

BobinCols · Sep 3, 2003

Ordered my 04 F150 4x2 Lariat Supercrew on 4-1-03. Was built last week in Kansas City. No shipping date as it is "being held for inspection".. Sold my 1997 Ford 4x2 Supercab Lariat last week also with 68,000 miles. For the price, I hope the new one is light years above the 97 as it treated me well.

BubbaJr · Sep 3, 2003

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, but I've been there and done that. I should have mentioned that this is a 4WD. It has handled poorly since I got it, and the dealer has had it 3 times and checked everything and could not find anything wrong. According to them all 4WD's handle like that. I've only driven one other 02 4WD and it was not as bad as mine, but it was noticeable. Any variation in the road will cause it to wander and then you have to fight it to hold it against the wanderings. It feels to me like the toe-in is set at 0. I asked them to give it 1/2 to 1 degree of toe-in, but they said they could not alter the setting from factory specs while it was under warranty. I leased this one, so when the lease is up, someone else can worry about it. I have not seen any abnormal tire wear, so I guess I'll just put up with it for the duration. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

cowboydoc · Sep 3, 2003

It all depends on how you buy and sell 5030 and your tax consequences. I never pay retail and always wait until my current vehicle or other item is sold. Take my last purchase, my wife's new Expedition. She had a 2000 Mountaineer with 45k on it. It was out of warranty. We paid $26k for it new and I sold it for 19k. The new expedition had a sticker of $44k and we paid $33,500 out the door. Now not only that but with the new tax law this year I get to take a 100% deduction on the bigger SUV. Plus I get to take off any payments as well. What a deal! So in effect if you figure it costs me 50-60 cents for every dollar I take home I paid $2000 to move up to a brand new Expedition and I still get a write off on the payments!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BB_TX · Sep 3, 2003

Bubba-I am going to chime in with the other guys. I have a 97 F-150 with 128,000+ miles on it and it tracks the road with almost no effort. I drive with one hand and only barely correct to keep it in my lane. You must have something wrong.

Docsknotinn · Sep 3, 2003

Buba, Thats the same thing the Ford dealer told me about my Bronco. they even set the alignment...well sort of. when I got it back from them the steering wheel was turned way left to go straight. All they did was set the specs. Front end Mechanics that get production pay have a nifty little saying....caster, Camber, Toe = kick out the Dough ! there is a Huge difference between a complete front end alignment and just the $40 quickie. But I hear ya on the lease. Its still a pain. been there and done that, no fun. Bye the way, I bought that Bronco new in spring of 95 for just under 30k. with over 100,000 miles I sold it for nearly 10k. It literally did not burn a drop of oil but I really cant blame the big boss for wanting a new ride after the same old for 8.5 years. The truck was a lease and I was glad they took that one back. Dave

F350Lawman · Sep 3, 2003

I started out my comments by saying they are dependable and I believe that. I stand by what I said they DO NOT carry weight near as well as similar domestic trucks.

Now a 17 years old truck with helper springs I can't comment on. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Maybe they were sprung differently or your helper springs are really doing the job. The fact that you needed to install helper springs does SEEM at least to support my theory.

I have stopped to help several newer (-5 years old) Japanese pickups. I have stopped to help jack up an overloaded Toyota after it blew it's tire and was so low a scissor jck could not get under the rear and I have helped unload another Toyota after the driver realized he was never going to make it home. Both cases were loads any 1/2 ton domestic truck would have handled better. I general find the ratings on the domestics to be very conservative and the imports highly optimistic. maybe the Japanese don't share our fear of lawsuits and rate their products more optimistically. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I think the ride, driveability and lightweight of the imports results in sacrifice elsewhere.

Now I know people overoad ALL brands of trucks but I have never witnessed the "headlights in the sky" effect I have seen on the imports duplicated on a domestic truck to the same extent.

Nice that you stop to help people, I do whenever I can. I also think that the imports are great off road so I cann see you pulling others out of the snow. i am sure your 17 year old war wagon is better off-road than my heavy, cumbersome F350. I just don't like their towing/hauling capabilities even when compred to 1/2 tons.

bgott · Sep 4, 2003

I read on another website that Ford was supposed to start selling these trucks in July and had put off the release due to front crossmember cracking. Maybe there was some fact to that post. If I can find the post I'll link it, I think it was on flatratetech.com

Dozernut · Sep 4, 2003

F350Lawman
The reply was not meant as an attack, just bragging about the dependability of the truck. Sorry, if you took offense, it certainly was not meant that way. I put the helper springs on to carry the water tank, 1600lbs will make any light truck squat. If we are talking apples to apples, I think some domestic light trucks do not have the capacity to haul like the old Toyota. The new ones, I am not so sure about, after 18 years you get to know your truck. That old truck is a mountain goat and will go almost anywhere.
The last person I pulled out of the mud was down in the neighbors bottom land. The guy was down there cutting up
some old farm machinery for my neighbor. He had that 3/4 ton Dodge 4x4 overloaded with scrap metal and was buried to the axles. I had to fire up the dozer for that one, the Toyota would not have budged him. Yes, people do overload their trucks.

Mark_in_NH · Sep 4, 2003

BubbaJr,
Not that you need someone else telling you, but i'll thow my F-150's, 2 cents worth in.
My "2000" 4x4, XLT, reg cab, long bed, now has a little over 67,000 miles on it and it has always handled beautifully. Sorry to hear of your problems.
Other then mine losing an engine at 3,300 miles (Ford repaired without question) mine has been a pleasure to own.
I know that you have had it in for service several times, but I can't believe the dealer, there has to be Something more to it. Maybe turning in your lease early is an option worth considering, when I was considering turning / trading my lease early,(bought it instead) Ford was most receptive to it.
My truck goes in for service friday afternoon, I expect that they will have some 2004 on the lot, I thought I would check one out while I was waiting. I am not looking to buy one, just want be nosey. Hope your situation works out and you don't have to Just Live with it till lease end.

F350Lawman · Sep 4, 2003

No, I weasn't taking offense just giving my opinion.

Yes, the new 1/2 tons have really raised the payload ratings compared to trucks of just 5-10 years ago. That goes for the 3/4 and 1 tons as well. You see payload ratings going from 2000lbs or so on 1/2 tons to 5000 on 1 tons. Pretty hefty numbers!

fivestring · Sep 4, 2003

<font color="red">"It's not ugly, but a little different." </font>

C'mon, Gomez....

It IS ugly and different.

Gomez · Sep 4, 2003

Umm, I want to see one up close before I proclaim it as UGLY. It ain't no Aztec, Pacer, or Avalanche (wait that was another thread). The other two domestic truck makers have not cornered the market on beauty with their current offerings either. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Robert_in_NY · Sep 4, 2003

Our 98 F-150 is a XLT regular cab, 4x4 long bed with 4.6 and has no problems. The 02 F-250 is a XLT extended cab, 4x4 with long bed and 5.4. The 97 F-150 is a XLT extended cab, 4x2 with short bed and 4.2 None of these trucks have any problems and the 97' has a lot of miles (not sure since it is my friends but is near or over the 100k mark), the 98' has 103k and the 02 has 37k. If your dealer can't fix it take it to another dealer. Tell them what is wrong and what your other dealer tried doing. Tell them you want it fixed and don't buy the excuse that they are suppose to handle that way as that is a dealers excuse to quit working on your truck. Get it fixed or talk to Ford directly to see what they can do to help if your dealer fails to do anything.

BigDave · Sep 4, 2003

I own a 97 F-150 V6 5spd with 87k miles. No prblems with it except I had a bad power window switch I just replace just two weeks ago. MY FIRST REPAIR. Anyway, mine tracked great and my original tires lasted 76k miles!!! When I replaced them, the tire shop kept insisting that they shoud do a front end alignment, but at 76k miles I didn't have any uneven wear. I said NO!!! They just wanted another $50 out of me.

5030 · Sep 5, 2003

Richard:

Just 'pokin you a little. I wanted to see if you were awake!!

TresCrows · Sep 5, 2003

"The F150 was clearly the strongest trailed by Dodge, GMC and lastly the Tundra"

Not to argue, but the Tundra has come out on top of every crash test. I know you guys don't believe in such things. The Tundras fore and aft frame is designed to crush, the cab is designed to stay intact and it does unlike the Ford, Chevy and Dodge--especially Ford which totally crushes and failed the tests with FATAL results that were WALKAWAY in a Tundra--that is FACT. As to towing and hauling loads of crushed rock, whatever floats your boat, mine has towed everything I needed towing effortlessly in total silence and if I cannot get it in the bed I gladly pay for delievery. I suspect the new Nissan Titan which had the higher tow rating when compared to the new Ford and has more horsepower and came out on top in several recent tests is the truck to beat. Oh, the Tundra is full size, its as big as my brothers Ford F150 which spends most of it's time in the shop getting various nit picks fixed. The new Ford does look nice, I wish it well.
If I were a Billionaire, I would not get a new car every two years, I would drive what I have and give the money to someone who needs it more than I needing a new car. J

Robert_in_NY · Sep 5, 2003

He was talking about the Frame of the trucks. Not the crash test or any other test but just the frame.

Docsknotinn · Sep 5, 2003

My take on the import vehicles is this. Most of my neighbors friends and relatives work for the big three. I dont know anyone working for toyota or Vw etc. They support my buisiness and the very LEAST I can do is support them in return. Add to that I grew up in a UAW family and walked more than one picket line with dad. That was a time that if you drove one of those four letteter word cars/trucks to work you could expect to find it in less than pristine condition when you returned. Times have changed and we now live in a global economy, but if you drive one of "those" you dont get to park in the same lot. LOL. I have never and never will own one. I dont care How safe. MPG, cost, etc etc etc. Dave

TresCrows · Sep 5, 2003

"He was talking about the Frame of the trucks. Not the crash test or any other test but just the frame."

Yeah, I know he was and don't you think that might have something to do with crash tests? I suppose it is difficult to design something to be both weak and strong, I will take what it is because it is darn good.
It is just an observation that most of the TBN members are from the Heartland states, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma etc, that great central area defined by the Rockies to the west and the Ohio River to the east the Lakes to the north. Within the confines of that geographic area "domestic" brands are clearly more popular /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. I rarely see anything but Chevy trucks or the Ford here in Kansas for example. However, west of the Rockies, down South and along the Eastern seaboard I see lot's of Toyotas and Nissans and so called imports even though many of them are built here and many so called domestics are from Mexico or Canada.
Where the Ford and Dodge etc have an advantage is in heavy trucks. They have engine and drive train combos that are not matched in a domestic built import truck. They have sturdy suspensions and frames and are built for heavy work and do well at it. The base trucks like the F150 and whatever it is that GM makes of that type are used mostly for private use and transportation and occasional light hauling or towing a ski boat or some such as that. For those purposes the Tundra is at least as well suited or more so because it provides superior ride and safety. The new Titan is going to be the class leader and I believe it will be built here in the USA, not in Mexico from Brazilian made parts but heck, they need jobs down there too so that is a good thing as well /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Well, y'all pat yourself on the back for being a Chevy guy and laugh all you like at "import" owners at the nursery or wherever because I assure you they are laughing right back at you, especially every time they pass the pump or the repair shop and every time they go off road or down a bumpy road and hear no squeaks or rattles. Perhaps import owners are jaded because I would have to get the manual out to see how to open my hoods, last time I looked under the Tundra hood was a couple of years ago meanwhile I am always under the Jeep hood trying to figure out what is making funny noises now or where this part I found on the driveway should rightly belong. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif J

Robert_in_NY · Sep 5, 2003

I have no problems with Toyota's or the like. But the Tundra doesn't compete with any of the big 3 except maybe Dodge a little because they lack options. Look at Ford and Chevy. You can get numerous towing and hauling packages on the half tons as well as multiple cab and box configurations with usually at least 3-4 engine combos and 3-5 trim levels. The Tundra is more of a "take it like this and like it" truck. They may be nice trucks but if Toyota would offer the truck with a more customizable approach they would sell better.

Our trucks get used a ton on construction. The F-150's are still very popular in construction as they are well suited for most jobs. The 250's and 350's are also popular but you don't need every truck in the fleet to be a 250 on most sites. My 150 gets used as much as the 250 and it has held up well in the rough conditions it faces day in and day out. The Tundra has more of a domestic use appearance and that is backed up by the lack of options for the trade industry. They may be nice but they won't compete in the work force. Now the new Nissan looks like it might compete. We will see when it comes out.

Also, Grandfather worked for Ford. We get Ford discounts on new trucks. Can't pass them up for anything /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif