The New F150

[Mark_in_NH]

While I had my truck into the dealership today for some service, I took a little time to check out the ONE 2004 F -150 that they had on the lot. It was a Dark Red (maroon) super cab, 4x4, xlt. Several pictures to follow. I did not take time to drive, for my service work was done faster then I expected.
The guys at the dealership were telling me that the Enterprise Car Rental place right beside them got in 2 2004's the other day, it seems that Enterprise was getting them in way before any of the Ford dealers.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Another angle

 

[Mark_in_NH]

I had returned the keys to the show room before I got around to taking the pictures, so this shot of the interior is through the window. sorry for the glare.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Another angle from the rear

 

[Mark_in_NH]

This photo will give you a good idea of how the Higher / Deeper bed on the 2004's compares to a 2003

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Here's a head on shot of a 2004 beside a 2003

The hood of the 2004's now opens like the Dodges, grill and all. Sorry I didn't get a pic of that.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Here's a shot of the 2004's window sticker, although I think that $32,100 is alot of $$$$. I can't say that the 2004's are going to cost any more that it's earlier models

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Here's a shot of the tail end. I found that the "torsion bar" that is now in the tailgates sure made that tailgate feather lite and very easy to raise and lower. I also like the Ford emblem in the center of the tailgate.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

The rear windows (supercab) are no longer the flip out style. Now they are actual moterized up / down real windows.

 

[BubbaJr]

Hi Robert,
I have a lot of experience with the service department at this dealership, and little of it is good. I took my 00 Mountaineer back 6 times for a vibration that they induced with an impact wrench on a wheel during the great Firestone tire switcheroo. They put on 3 different sets of tires before they figured out that using an impact without a torque limiter of some kind was hard on the wheels and the cause of the problem /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.

The dealer himself is a friend of mine and has always given me a great deal on all 5 vehicles I have leased from him since 94. That is probably why I keep going back. It is about a half hour drive to his business since we moved. The next closest dealer is about 45 minutes away, and I have not heard a lot of good things about their service department either.

Like I said before, when the lease is up, I won't have to worry about it anymore, and in the meantime I just hang on with both hands /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.

 

[TresCrows]

A friend just got the Harley Edition Ford. It has a supercharged engine--wow. he is really proud of it and it is a beautiful truck /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

"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"

Yes and no, the Tundra can be had in standard cab, extended cab and super cab, there are or will be soon at least three engine options. There is a supercharger option as well--yes, there is and it makes somewhere around 300 to 320 horsepower I think and is installed and fully warranted by Toyota, it can also be retrofitted with full warranty. There is a trailer and tow package, ABS and two different transmissions with 2 and 4WD and there are at least three different trim levels plus occasional special editions like the T3 version with the supercharged engine and dual exhaust. There are 15, 16 and 17 inch wheels avaialble and the TRD offroad package as well. Interiors are in cloth and leather and with and without power everything. There is now a limited slip and standard open diff as well.

I agree, the domestics that are not domestic entirely do have more options which offers more flexibility to custom tailor your truck, especially by moving up to the 250 and 350 class trucks and diesel engines etc.
What I really hope to see is that Ford Tonka concept come to market--what a machine /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Also keeping my eye out for the new Mustang /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. J

 

[snowman]

<font color="red">Here's a shot of the 2004's window sticker, although I think that $32,100 is alot of $$$$. I can't say that the 2004's are going to cost any more that it's earlier models </font>

Ford is going to continue to make the old style F150 - I can't remember what they were going to call it (an F150 with an "E" name I think). I think that the reason cited was to continue to provide a lower cost alternative to the new higher prices/new style F150s.

 

[5030]

I only paid 34K for my '97 350 4wd, crew cab with a powerstroke.

The new 150 would fit in the bed if the bed was a little longer.

Besides, I am also proud of mine. I am especially proud that it's been paid for for a few years now!!!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The new Super Dutys are going to resemble the Tonka proto type. When did the Tundra start offering so many options. The biggest knock about it before was if you ordered a extended cab it came with a short box only. You couldn't mix and match the truck bodies. It will be interesting to see how they are received once they start racing in the truck series next year. Also, did you get a chance to see the 2004 Harley edition? It is a F-250 and is one beautiful (and big) truck.

 

[jmc]

Ford Tough?

I ran into this problem in 1999 when I wanted to buy a Ford truck to tow my compact tractor. I prefer a manual transmission because, among other reasons, there is nothing like being able to to dump or feather the clutch in touchy situations. Apparently, no one else feels that way because its hard to find a truck with a stick any more. Well, the MAXIMUM tow capacity for a manual F150 is only 2,000 to 3,500 pounds, depending on engine/axle selection. Perfect for towing that empty trailer! I had to get the F 250 SuperDuty for towing a modest load.

Oh, and I just checked the Ford website to make sure my memory didn't make a fool out of me and the 2003 F150s still have a wimpy manual drivetrain and it looks like a manual transmission is not available for the 2004 F150.

 

[rdam]

Re: Ford Tough?

Sometime in the last few years, I don't know when, the towing capacity on automatic's exceeded the capacity on manual's????. My F-150 V6 5spd manual is anemic. I need that SuperDuty

 

[sendero]

I also have a 99 extended cab F150. Bird, if yours is white, our trucks match /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It is the first new vehicle I've ever bought and I have zero complaints on it. I've had to put in a battery, some front pads, and oil, and that is it. The passenger side electric door lock is getting sticky, but I'll bet I can pop the door panel and massage it just fine.

I have always been particularly impressed with the handling of this truck. It handles just like a big car, unless you go over some rollicking bumps - then it can get to bouncing. But then if it didn't it would have to ride like a Mack.

When I wear this thing out (should take at least 5 more years) I'll probably buy another one, or maybe an F250.

 

[BigDave]

JR,

Here are some replies to your recent posts.

Are you implying that Nissan & Toyotas don't have any Brazilian parts? Did Nissan ever get around to building their cancelled engine plant in Decherd TN, or did they complete construction their plant in Mexico and were satisfied? Yeah, Mexican engine in Nissans ...who knew? Most people assume that if they see Nissan stamped on the valve cover it must have been built in Japan. The auto industry, like the tractor industry, is global and Japanese trucks and tractors do have parts manufactured from all over the world just as they do for American and European manufacturers.

As far from reliability claims, I owned a Toyota truck & a Ford truck - the Ford has been more reliable with fewer visits to the shop & much smaller repair bills. Not my friend's truck's, but my own trucks. If you wife's Jeep has given you problems, and your Toyota has never needed service then why is it that Ford's are unreliable?

Finally, if you are talking about future Toyota capabilities and all of those options currently not available, (I just checked at Edmunds.com) please try to keep it a level playing field and realize the FACT the 2004 F-150 has not failed any IIHS crash test. Ford has tested the 2004 F-150 and it will have a rating of Good according to their 40mph offset crash tests.

The Ford F-150 & Nissan Titan are the front-runners for my next truck, so I'm not American or nothing. Ford has never let me down, and the Nissan just play intrigues me. Toyota as far as I'm concerned has let me down in the past.

 

[Bird]

Yep, Billy, mine's white, too, with the little silver strip along the bottom edge. But I just bought it about a year and a half ago. The original owner put the first 49k miles on it so I've just put another 13k on it. It's just the XL model, but has everything I wanted (air, tilt wheel, cruise, stereo, automatic transmission, spray on bedliner, bug deflector, etc.) except power mirrors, windows, and door locks. So far, no repairs; just added a new set of tires and the vent things over the windows when I bought it.

 

[TresCrows]

"If you wife's Jeep has given you problems, and your Toyota has never needed service then why is it that Ford's are unreliable?"

Uh, excuse me, but I have owned a Ford F150 Econoline, a Ford Mustang SVO, a Ford Explorer. All three were good cars and were purchased new and did have many visits to the shop, especially the Explorer with transmission problems twice, ac several times, wiring harness replacement I think twice, brake problems and many oil leaks. The Econoline did much better but we did have to replace the ac and the transmission was replaced/rebuilt on extended warranty and it developed several oil leaks. All three also rusted in conspicuous places. The SVO had the turbo replaced twice, the clutch twice and the ac at least once that I can remember. All three rattled and squeaked. If I were to buy another Ford and I might someday I would get the extended warranty, they paid out and then some on all three Fords I have owned. Fords I might consider in the future, Ford F150 Tonka if it comes to pass, Ford Mustang Cobra if it happens, Lincoln products if they ever give me something I would like, not my grandad.
I am implying nothing about the origin of parts in foreign domestics, only that domestics are not much more domestic than they are foreign for better or worse. Origin of parts is not nearly the concern with me that it is with some of you fellers. GM and Ford and Toyota (number three in USA) and Dodge (German owned) and Nissan are all GLOBAL companies like it or not and becoming more so every day.
As to crash tests of Ford products, most do well, the F150 failed, I am hopeful that the 2004 will address that problem but it is not prooven until independent testing confirms it. Like I said, I think and hope the F150 for 2004 will be a big improovement, I sure hope so because the previous years were terrible in crash performance. J