why is there such a big deal about the new engine have 3 valves per cilinder since the navigators have had the doch 4 valve since it came out in 97, i think its pretty stupid maybe there are some advantages of the new system but i cant think of any, then again the 04s look terrible and the shifter in the floor console is stupid, i think after all the people that have to have the new thing no matter what get done buyin there pickups then the sales will go down bad the style they have out now is perfect, and once again the shifter in the floor is worst thing that was ever invented, why isnt there a manual tranny most kids buy these cause there cheaper, maybe im just old school but why change something if its not broken, this is off topic but for the super dutys why couldnt they just do what they did to the 6.0 and do that to the 7.3s there would be much more power because theres no replacement for displacement, i have an 99 super cab 5.4 now and im bout to trade it on a 7.3 with the 6-speed and i guess ill just drive it till the wheels fall off since smaller seems better now days, one more thing i will never drive another automatic ever again i hate not being in controll of whats goin on, and an automatic just aint got the ***** when ya need them and there is no way to argue that because there hasnt been one built yet that does.

 

Well, Ford doesn't make the current body styles anymore, so this is our option if we want a new Ford. The Lightnings have not had any trouble with the auto, I think most of them would prefer it anyway, but I would like to see the optional manual. I am sure it will happen, maybe not right away, but Ford won't miss the money from that market, they will get in on it.

 

They did not put the 4valve in the Nav until 99. I had a 98 and know from experience. Traded it for an 03 Nav and the 4 valve. Only have 1000 miles so far but seems like a nice motor.

Big deal about the 3valve is that it shuld help improve the fule mileage of the 5.4 (very needed) and make it compare to competition better.

You can get an 04 without console shift. Lariat and FX4's will have console, XL will not.

Ford is just trying to offer a broader range of F150's to compete against the Silverado, Sierra, C3, Avalanche, Escalade EXT spread from GM. High end interiors are becoming more and more demanded and Ford needed to address this to compete. Just look at how popular the King Ranch is. New KR should be even better inside with the 04 Lariat as the starting point.

Pickups do a lot more and are used by more people today than they were 10 years ago. So finally with the 04 Ford is giving the fleet and work truck market a good choice but also not trying to cosmetically "dress up" an XL into a lariat and call it high end like they do in my 01.

 

The 3 valve 5.4 is cheaper to build than the DOHC 4 valve, therefore it can be offered on all the F series stuff. It makes better power than existing 2 valve motors and it's cheaper than other alternatives in the Ford arsenal .

I couldn't get a 4 valve motor in the everyday pickup I need to haul crap in. And I'm damn sure not going to put up with a short bed 2 wheel drive Lightning or a plushy expensive Navigator to haul lumber in.

 

The three valve Triton motors, the 5.4 to start and the 4.6 and 6.8 to follow, will provide better fuel economy, much better torque and more horse power. The three valve is actually a very good design and coupled with variable cam timing it will "feel" very strong.

As has been said the four valve is more expensive to manufacture and would cost more to maintain in a pick-up that had to work. A four valve isn't practicle for the F150. Our two valves are pretty good but there has always been room for improvenment. The three valve will be a big improvement.

There is a replacement for dissplacement. It's technology. Sure you have more "potential" if you have a big dissplacement engine but the F150 wasn't designed for the drag strip (well maybe the Lightning) it's a truck. The 6.0 desiel has more power and torque than the 7.3. It's a more efficient design.

I commend Ford for offering so many interiors. If you want a bench seat, get one. Some of us would like a bit more comfort in out pick-ups.

 

Straggleweed,

After you get a little older you will get tired of shifting all the time and welcome your automatic transmission. Also if you are "old school" that means you work hard for a living. Trust me, when your knees have gone bad the last thing you want to do at the end of your workday is to operate a clutch.

The three valve system gives almost all of the same advantages of a four valve but still only requires one cam.

You can still have your shifter on the column of any model you like if you order it that way.

One last thing, the nice thing about living in a free country is that if you think a truck is ugly you can always buy another brand. And if you are "old school" you will at least make it an American brand.

 

Straggleweed must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

I can tell by his/her grammar skills- won't be on any Ford product development group meetings.

 

I am with you Nick D on the auto trans and the bad knees these young men will know in time

John

 

I hear ya about the bad knees, but the worn out nerves in my back have caused the pain to decrease.

I like the floor shifter

 

I too prefer a manual transmission. If the only new F150 with a manual is the Lightning than I guess I'll have to get one. I really hope they have a decent shifting manual planed for the 4.6.

I've heard it said that the manual transmission will slowly be phased out. Oh well. I'm getting older and will probably have bad knees before too long. I'll just have to give in.

 

When you live in a car congested city like Los Angeles where the traffic turns 20 minute drives into hour drives, an automatic tranny is your best friend. Pox on manuals, save my knees and my patience with stop and go traffic on the 10 freeway!

 

Make it stop! Add some capitalization and punctuation so I can read it.

You contradict yourself. The 7.3L PSD was replaced with a much smaller 6.0L. It increased power, and torque with a lot less displacement, yet you say there is no repalcement for it?

Also, the 2004 F-150 looks closer to the current Super Duty than the rounded, soft one. The current body style has been criticised for not looking tough by many people. If you are buying a 2003 PSD and you liek that style, I would expect people to generally like the 2004 Light Duty more than the current one. Obviously, not everyone will and such is your opinion. I say wait until you actualyl see them o nthe roads before judging by (mmost likely) the few pictures you have seen.

The console shifter (for automatics only) is availible with captians chairs (probably another sin in an old school pick 'em up) on certian models, and all Lariats I believe. All Lariats are automatics with the current body style so I doubt you care about that, or its faux woodgrain. But manual transmissions will be avilible at a later date I am sure. Ford realizes there is a market for them, but I doubt it represents more than 15% of the F-150. I generally agree with you about manual transmissions, I would hate to have one in my F-150. I prefer thme in my cars, though.

For the 3 valve engine, the design should provide better fuel economy, and better low end torque than both the current 2V and 4V 5.4L engines. Have you drivien a Navigator with the 4V? It is a pig until it hits about 3000rpm. That is mostly unusable other than the sales brochure.

 

I agree with APT on the low end power of the 4-valve motor. Granted a 4-valve motor can be made to produce low end power, but why go through the hassle. Also, if you want to entertain yourself with complexity, open up the hood on a 32 valve cobra engine.

 

The 3-valve engine is a step up because it provides more HP an torque than the 2-valve, but does not have to add the expense and complexity of a second cam shaft. Simple and tough is the best way to go on something like a truck.

Personally, I like automatics, simply because in the city, a manual tranny is a pain in the @$$ in traffic. However, I do think it should be an option for those who want it (I know if I did a lot of towing, first I'd have a superduty, second, I'd want a manual). Thing is, the 150 is not a superduty, and I think the auto tranny is just fine for a half ton truck. Although I will say, I don't like short-throw manual shifters, if you're going to have a manual on a truck, it should be the standard, from-the-floor shifter. I also like the floor shifter for the transfer case, not some crappy ****. But that's my aesthetic preference, not a performance one.

Magnum

 

Now hold on here. I've got an 03 nav with the 4 valve and it is no pig. No way. I wish my 01 SuperCrew had the juice it does.

We all realize that a 4 valve in a 150 (except lightning maybe) is not cost effective or needed or an ideal match for the job of a pickup, but the 4valve 5.4 IS a runner. The 3 valve will just close the gap even more.