Went to look at them at lunch today
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Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 25
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From: Wylie, TX, USA
Went to look at them at lunch today
Well, I just got back from going down to the dealer (North Central Ford in Richardson, TX) to look at the '04 F150s. No brochures yet(?!?), only '04 "Heritage" (old design) brochures.
I wanted to drive a SCrew (the only ones they had with 5.4s), but they just got their first ones in last night, and so none had finished going through dealer prep. I did get to look at a couple of SCrews in the prep area, one of which was up on a lift (how convenient). A few observations:
1) The cloth in the XLT seems kinda chintzy. Are they trying to get people to buy Lariats?
2) Really like the new front suspension. Kind of a coil-over-shock design, with cast iron upper arms and uprights (they look too big to call a knuckle), and cast aluminum lower arms. Looks like lots of suspension travel.
3) A *huge* plastic gas tank, with a heat shield facing the driveshaft.
4) Speaking of the driveshaft, the slip yoke on the rear section uses a bellows-type dust boot secured by two crimp-type clamps. Looks like something that will fall apart over time, not to mention make it a hassle to pull the shaft out. BTW, the 4.6s still use the 8.8 rear axle (wish they all used the 9.75).
5) If you think it's hard to get to the rear spark plugs now, wait 'til you see the new design. Yikes!
6) The tailgate assist is pretty cool. Makes it a snap to raise.
Overall, it looks like it will be a hit. Mighty expensive though (the Screws I looked at ranged from $35 to $37K MSRP. Hope to get to drive one soon, maybe tomorrow.
I wanted to drive a SCrew (the only ones they had with 5.4s), but they just got their first ones in last night, and so none had finished going through dealer prep. I did get to look at a couple of SCrews in the prep area, one of which was up on a lift (how convenient). A few observations:
1) The cloth in the XLT seems kinda chintzy. Are they trying to get people to buy Lariats?
2) Really like the new front suspension. Kind of a coil-over-shock design, with cast iron upper arms and uprights (they look too big to call a knuckle), and cast aluminum lower arms. Looks like lots of suspension travel.
3) A *huge* plastic gas tank, with a heat shield facing the driveshaft.
4) Speaking of the driveshaft, the slip yoke on the rear section uses a bellows-type dust boot secured by two crimp-type clamps. Looks like something that will fall apart over time, not to mention make it a hassle to pull the shaft out. BTW, the 4.6s still use the 8.8 rear axle (wish they all used the 9.75).
5) If you think it's hard to get to the rear spark plugs now, wait 'til you see the new design. Yikes!
6) The tailgate assist is pretty cool. Makes it a snap to raise.
Overall, it looks like it will be a hit. Mighty expensive though (the Screws I looked at ranged from $35 to $37K MSRP. Hope to get to drive one soon, maybe tomorrow.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 996
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From: TUCSON,AZ,USA
I went to Jim Click Ford in Tucson, Arizona and they had three of the new ones sitting out front. Looked mighty nice. One was a bright Red 4 X 4.
What surprised me was not a saleman showed up to ask if I was interested.
Most of the time you get mugged getting out of your vehicle; today not a question from a saleman.
Maybe they want to keep the 2004's.
What surprised me was not a saleman showed up to ask if I was interested.
Most of the time you get mugged getting out of your vehicle; today not a question from a saleman.
Maybe they want to keep the 2004's.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 25
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From: Wylie, TX, USA
A salesman came out to greet me, but he was low pressure. I think he gathered I was more interested in just looking today. He didn't even ask for my phone number. Amazing. I will wait however, to see if I get a brochure in the mail soon (I left my name and address).
I think they had about ten units in total. One standard cab, an STX with a 4.6, a couple of SCabs, the rest SCrews (including a Lobo). He said that Lobo is a trim package. As I remember, SCrews sold in Mexico have been called Lobos since the beginning. It had a Lobo emblem on the tailgate, but F150 emblems on the front fenders. Funny though, there's no mention of Lobo on the "Build Your Ford" process. Screw-up at the factory?
I think they had about ten units in total. One standard cab, an STX with a 4.6, a couple of SCabs, the rest SCrews (including a Lobo). He said that Lobo is a trim package. As I remember, SCrews sold in Mexico have been called Lobos since the beginning. It had a Lobo emblem on the tailgate, but F150 emblems on the front fenders. Funny though, there's no mention of Lobo on the "Build Your Ford" process. Screw-up at the factory?
