Seen it at Detroit last wknd. Great Job Ford. Looks even better in person. After studying all the web info, all of Fords media info etc, I do have a few questions though:

i) Are the wheels pictured on the grey XLT the best wheels available on an XLT? They don't look much better than the wheels pictured on the black Reg cab XL. My guess is the only diff is XL Steel, XLT Alum. IF those are it the XLT is out.
ii) Ford only had a Lariat at Detroit. Only thing I don't like is the two color options for the interior: Pebble and Ebony? Where is the grey??? C'mon Ford. Those colors SUCK. If so Lariat is out.
iii) OK so I can get a black (Leather) or grey interior in the FX4 you say. BTW the FX4 interior kicks AZZ! Regarding the exterior of the FX4: I would assume the FX4 in all the pictures are the optional 18" wheels. Are the standard 17" the same only smaller(I doubt it) or if they are different, what do they look like? I hate the grill in the FX4 (vs the XLT & Lariat). The "Ford product specialist" at the Detroit show said I could get a different grill for the FX4. ALthough I'd probably have to order it that way as the dealers would bring them in as pictured. IF this is true, GREAT. (if not the FX4 is out) Anyone else heard this? To be honest I really doubt this is true although I'm hoping. That way I can get that kick azz interior!
iv) I'm dissapointed the XLT does not have the fender flares as do the FX4 and Lariat (and the '97 thru '03 XLT's). Really looks like its missing something...
v) I read the dark grey trim pictured on the yellow FX4 is optional. IF so, do you get chrome bumpers w/o the grey trim?
v part 2) The lower trim is also optional on the Lariat. If so what color are the painted bumpers on a solid color Lariat?
P.S. Wouldn't a solid black Lariat w/chrome bumpers look soooooo good!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm solid black...
vi) Do the XL, STX, XLT (non full-center console) trucks have a in dash cup holder like the '97-'03's) In some pics looks like there could be a slide out tray.
vii) Don't like the color coded leather sterring wheel in the XLT. W/dirty hands looks like crap right away. (FX4 is black!)
viii) I read the "kick azz" stereo is available in the STX, Lariat and FX4, but I never read anywhere it is available in the XLT. IS this possible? Available in the STX but not the XLT?
I guess if it had been possible to check out he interior of these trucks at the various auto shows, we might know alot more. Too bad. I'm curious as to how much bigger the Supercab seems with an additional 6 inches. Might not need a Supercrew. Perhaps the Supercab is much lke the Ram QCabin space? I would have also liked the seat belts on the seat on the SCrew. Oh well.
Don't get me wrong. Overall I love the truck. the vast majority at Detroit thought whiel teh NIssan titan is a good trcuk, Ford has amuch better truck...

Any answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

 

One more thing: For many of us who don't use the payload capacity of the F-150., but like a tfull-size anyway, I think a Avalanche fighter would be nice. Perhaps a SCrew with a shorter box, IRS etc would be the answer. IMHO I think there would be a market for truck like this. Perhaps an updated version of the Hymalaya (sic) based on the new Expy would work. Add meaner bodywork etc... Who knows? Maybe it's on the way...

 

Re: "I read the "kick azz" stereo is available in the STX, Lariat and FX4, but I never read anywhere it is available in the XLT. IS this possible? Available in the STX but not the XLT? "

I just read somewhere this week that this truly will be the case. Seems odd? I guess the XLT is is not for me?

I just wish I had answers to the other questions too...

 

Update on my questions:

i) Are the wheels pictured on the grey XLT the best wheels available on an XLT? They don't look much better than the wheels pictured on the black Reg cab XL.

- Both wheels available on the XLT are pictured on the ordering guide. Both look pretty good.


ii) Ford only had a Lariat at Detroit. Only thing I don't like is the two color options for the interior: Pebble and Ebony? Where is the grey??? C'mon Ford. Those colors SUCK. If so Lariat is out.

- Contrary to the media guide I picked up in Detriot, the ordering guide lists tan and black as the two interior color options. Good news.

iii) OK so I can get a black (Leather) or grey interior in the FX4 you say. BTW the FX4 interior kicks AZZ! Regarding the exterior of the FX4: I would assume the FX4 in all the pictures are the optional 18" wheels. Are the standard 17" the same only smaller(I doubt it) or if they are different, what do they look like

- According to the ordering guide, the FX4 is available only w/black interior. The 17" wheels are not yet pictured in the ordering guide. Although based on the tire size listed (255/17), I suspect they'll look too small. Must go w/the 18"s.


iv) I'm dissapointed the XLT does not have the fender flares as do the FX4 and Lariat (and the '97 thru '03 XLT's). Really looks like its missing something...

- No change here.

v) I read the dark grey trim pictured on the yellow FX4 is optional. IF so, do you get chrome bumpers w/o the grey trim?

- No you get matching color painted bumpers.


v part 2) The lower trim is also optional on the Lariat. If so what color are the painted bumpers on a solid color Lariat?

- They are chrome!

vi) Do the XL, STX, XLT (non full-center console) trucks have a in dash cup holder like the '97-'03's) In some pics looks like there could be a slide out tray.

- The ordering guide lists 2 in dash cup holders in all units?

vii) Don't like the color coded leather sterring wheel in the XLT. W/dirty hands looks like crap right away. (FX4 is black!)

- Yes. Not a problem with black Lariat interior.

viii) I read the "kick azz" stereo is available in the STX, Lariat and FX4, but I never read anywhere it is available in the XLT. IS this possible? Available in the STX but not the XLT?

- Yes. Not available with XLT.

Other notes:
- STX 4.6L only! No 5.4L.
- XLT 2wd, driving lights optional. (Lariat 2wd std)

 

Who will Ford compete with? There isn't a market for the Avalanche itself!

 

There was an '04 STX on display at my local dealer this weekend. It had a gray interior, cup holders in the console, and a column shifter. Good looking truck. Definately influenced by the super duty.

 

Perhaps if the Avalanche was not so fugly, it would sell? Just a thought. I had assumed Ford would make it significantly better looking than the Avalanche. Maybe the new plastic-light Avalanche will sell? Although it still ahs that fugly front end.

I still think a IRS light duty is a great idea and it will happen. The next lightning has it and slowly this technology will trickle down...

 

BTW, how are sales of the Explorer Sport Trac? Perhaps Ford could capture whatever market there is by updating this unit on the new Explorer chassis which would have IRS out back and a 4.6L. Just a thought...