Three day review (Long)
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Three day review (Long)
I picked up my FX4 Screw on Saturday and thought I would go ahead and give a review of my impressions after the first three days. The truck is all black, 5.4, medium flint cloth captain's chairs, Audiophile stereo, towing package, deluxe mirror package, electric sliding rear window, rail storage system, reverse sensing system, black tubular running boards, 3.73 LS axle and 17" wheels. The truck looks identical to others I have seen on this site. Here is a link to some photos. (Thanks to ScottFcasni for these.)
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=127781
My father was a dealer so I am a lifetime Ford person. Although this is my first F150 I have driven Rangers for nearly 20 years. Overall, the truck is outstanding, fit and finish, drivability, ride, etc. It is about a 4 hour drive from the dealership to my current home so I was very careful to vary speeds and not drive too fast. Some folks on this site have complained about lack of power. I did have to step on it a couple of times coming off down ramps and I thought the power was there. It is very smooth and you don't get that sudden burst many of us are used to having. Decided to fill up the tank last night and miles per gallon worked out to 16. This was mostly highway but considering it's a new engine I thought this was okay.
Audiophile - Very LOUD and can really thump. The sub-woofer and amps are under the driver-side rear seat. I could feel the vibration when I cranked it up. Some cool options like ambiance and compression to help on clarity. I was disappointed in the shuffle capability. On our Explorer Limited we could shuffle songs on all 6 CD's at once, jumping from one to another. This stereo is limited to shuffle on 1 CD at a time. Hope that makes sense.
Rear window - The electric rear window is very nice. Even on my Ranger Scab it was a pain to maually open it and would be impossible in an Screw. On this one there is a button on the ceiling that makes it a snap.
Mirrors - These babies are huge. I have seen other threads about problems getting into the garage. I have the same issue and am probably going to have to fold in the driver's side every time I go in or out. On the other hand, the field of view is good and should improve my view when pulling the boat. Having the turn signals on the mirrors has been pretty much a non-factor thus far. By the way, there are mirrors on both sun shades but they are not lighted.
Seating - So far I have found the captain's chairs to be comfortable. I have a back that acts up at times and long drives like the one on Sunday usually give me trouble. For whatever reason I was okay on this one. I am not a big person so they are plenty big enough for me and the console is not in the way at all. We went for a joyride the first night with three adults in the back seat and they all said they had plenty of shoulder and leg room.
Storage - I was not interested in a moonroof so the overhead rail system came almost by default. What came with it was your basic glasses holder. I am going to wait for awhile to see what other gadgets come along and maybe add some stuff down the line. Each door has a full length hard plastic pocket, about 4 inches deep. You can't put anything large in them but they would work fine for smaller items. You can't fold the rear seats down and there is no room there if you could. There is also really no room underneath the front seats. The rear seats do fold up to expose the tire jack (covered with felt) on one side and the sub-woofer/amps (covered with hard plastic) on the other. These do take up floor space but since the cab is so big there is still room. It started to rain on my trip home and I ended up with a backpack, laptop PC and two full size suitcases on one side with my wife sitting on the other.
Front Suspension - This seems awfully low to the ground to me. I don't think this truck is built for true off-roading without some major mods. Not a problem for me but it may be for others.
Console - This is one of the things I was really looking forward to on the new model. I love the floor shifter and the storage area here is plenty big for me.
That's about it for now. If I think of something else I will add to this and will answer any questions I can.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=127781
My father was a dealer so I am a lifetime Ford person. Although this is my first F150 I have driven Rangers for nearly 20 years. Overall, the truck is outstanding, fit and finish, drivability, ride, etc. It is about a 4 hour drive from the dealership to my current home so I was very careful to vary speeds and not drive too fast. Some folks on this site have complained about lack of power. I did have to step on it a couple of times coming off down ramps and I thought the power was there. It is very smooth and you don't get that sudden burst many of us are used to having. Decided to fill up the tank last night and miles per gallon worked out to 16. This was mostly highway but considering it's a new engine I thought this was okay.
Audiophile - Very LOUD and can really thump. The sub-woofer and amps are under the driver-side rear seat. I could feel the vibration when I cranked it up. Some cool options like ambiance and compression to help on clarity. I was disappointed in the shuffle capability. On our Explorer Limited we could shuffle songs on all 6 CD's at once, jumping from one to another. This stereo is limited to shuffle on 1 CD at a time. Hope that makes sense.
Rear window - The electric rear window is very nice. Even on my Ranger Scab it was a pain to maually open it and would be impossible in an Screw. On this one there is a button on the ceiling that makes it a snap.
Mirrors - These babies are huge. I have seen other threads about problems getting into the garage. I have the same issue and am probably going to have to fold in the driver's side every time I go in or out. On the other hand, the field of view is good and should improve my view when pulling the boat. Having the turn signals on the mirrors has been pretty much a non-factor thus far. By the way, there are mirrors on both sun shades but they are not lighted.
Seating - So far I have found the captain's chairs to be comfortable. I have a back that acts up at times and long drives like the one on Sunday usually give me trouble. For whatever reason I was okay on this one. I am not a big person so they are plenty big enough for me and the console is not in the way at all. We went for a joyride the first night with three adults in the back seat and they all said they had plenty of shoulder and leg room.
Storage - I was not interested in a moonroof so the overhead rail system came almost by default. What came with it was your basic glasses holder. I am going to wait for awhile to see what other gadgets come along and maybe add some stuff down the line. Each door has a full length hard plastic pocket, about 4 inches deep. You can't put anything large in them but they would work fine for smaller items. You can't fold the rear seats down and there is no room there if you could. There is also really no room underneath the front seats. The rear seats do fold up to expose the tire jack (covered with felt) on one side and the sub-woofer/amps (covered with hard plastic) on the other. These do take up floor space but since the cab is so big there is still room. It started to rain on my trip home and I ended up with a backpack, laptop PC and two full size suitcases on one side with my wife sitting on the other.
Front Suspension - This seems awfully low to the ground to me. I don't think this truck is built for true off-roading without some major mods. Not a problem for me but it may be for others.
Console - This is one of the things I was really looking forward to on the new model. I love the floor shifter and the storage area here is plenty big for me.
That's about it for now. If I think of something else I will add to this and will answer any questions I can.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 498
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From: OC, CA
Nice review... I got my Lariat SCrew yesterday and LOVE it. A couple questions for ya, though (if you may know the answers)...
1. Are there suppose to be rear seat controls for a DVD System on the overhead rails? I didn't order DVD with the vehicle, since they won't be out until winter, so how exactly does it work? Does the AUX function on the radio control it? Can you listen to the radio and the people in the back use headphones for the DVD?
2. Did anyone who ordered the tow package get the pin adapter with the vehicle? My dealer said Ford isn't providing them anymore.... ???
1. Are there suppose to be rear seat controls for a DVD System on the overhead rails? I didn't order DVD with the vehicle, since they won't be out until winter, so how exactly does it work? Does the AUX function on the radio control it? Can you listen to the radio and the people in the back use headphones for the DVD?
2. Did anyone who ordered the tow package get the pin adapter with the vehicle? My dealer said Ford isn't providing them anymore.... ???
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 71
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From: Orlando, FL
Thanks for letting us know, I will make sure that I take mine out of my 99 F-150 before I trade it in.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: OC, CA
OK, got it.. but I don't have to like it. 
I have the cable assy and relay for the electronic brakes, but I don't think I really understand what it's for. Maybe I'm a moron...
What's the difference between using that and attaching the trailer cord to the plug under the bumber?
I have the cable assy and relay for the electronic brakes, but I don't think I really understand what it's for. Maybe I'm a moron...
What's the difference between using that and attaching the trailer cord to the plug under the bumber?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3
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From: Salt Lake City
Re: pin adapter with tow package
I purchased the tow package with my 2004 FX4. I think there is some confusion regarding the so-called pin adapter. The older F150's came with a separate 7-pin to 4-pin plastic adapter to handle different trailers. However, the new F150 (with tow package) has both a 7-pin and a 4-pin socket installed in a bracket near the receiver hitch. No more losing the adapter. This is a real nice touch- good job Ford!
In addition, when you select the tow package, you will get a plastic bag that contains a small wiring harness with an attached pin connector that mates with a socket under your dash board and an upgraded relay to insert in an empty socket in your fuse box. These parts are for installing your electric trailer brake contoller. Instructions are also provided in how to hook all this up. All you have to do is purchase an electric trailer brake controller from your trailer supplier and connect it's leads to the Ford harness, mount the controller and plug the completed harness into the socket under your dash. This was a very easy installation!
Dan
In addition, when you select the tow package, you will get a plastic bag that contains a small wiring harness with an attached pin connector that mates with a socket under your dash board and an upgraded relay to insert in an empty socket in your fuse box. These parts are for installing your electric trailer brake contoller. Instructions are also provided in how to hook all this up. All you have to do is purchase an electric trailer brake controller from your trailer supplier and connect it's leads to the Ford harness, mount the controller and plug the completed harness into the socket under your dash. This was a very easy installation!
Dan
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: La Crosse, WI
DEG:
Maybe you can help me out, and remember, I am dumb as a brick when it comes to wiring!!
I just got a new EXPY that has the trailer to package. It has both the 7 pin round and 4 pin flat connectors on the back. My boat ( a 1993 Ranger bass boat), has a 4 pin flat, along with a separate 2 pin connector for the brakes (releases the surge solenoid when the truck is put into reverse). Are you telling me there is something included with the truck I can easily wire in to connect to the 2 pin brake plug?
Maybe you can help me out, and remember, I am dumb as a brick when it comes to wiring!!
I just got a new EXPY that has the trailer to package. It has both the 7 pin round and 4 pin flat connectors on the back. My boat ( a 1993 Ranger bass boat), has a 4 pin flat, along with a separate 2 pin connector for the brakes (releases the surge solenoid when the truck is put into reverse). Are you telling me there is something included with the truck I can easily wire in to connect to the 2 pin brake plug?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: OC, CA
Re: Re: pin adapter with tow package
Originally posted by D.E.G.
However, the new F150 (with tow package) has both a 7-pin and a 4-pin socket installed in a bracket near the receiver hitch. No more losing the adapter. This is a real nice touch- good job Ford!
All you have to do is purchase an electric trailer brake controller from your trailer supplier and connect it's leads to the Ford harness, mount the controller and plug the completed harness into the socket under your dash. This was a very easy installation!
Dan
However, the new F150 (with tow package) has both a 7-pin and a 4-pin socket installed in a bracket near the receiver hitch. No more losing the adapter. This is a real nice touch- good job Ford!
All you have to do is purchase an electric trailer brake controller from your trailer supplier and connect it's leads to the Ford harness, mount the controller and plug the completed harness into the socket under your dash. This was a very easy installation!
Dan
For the electric trailer brake controller: What exactly does this do? Does it operate the trailer brakes so that the truck isn't using it's brakes to stop the entire weight of the load and trailer?...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,895
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From: Starkville Mississippi
Console - This is one of the things I was really looking forward to on the new model. I love the floor shifter and the storage area here is plenty big for me.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally posted by Green_98
I hate the center console. Doesnt belong in a truck IMO.
I hate the center console. Doesnt belong in a truck IMO.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 580
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From: Wauwatosa, WI, USA
Re: Three day review (Long)
Originally posted by Hutchmo
Audiophile - Very LOUD and can really thump. The sub-woofer and amps are under the driver-side rear seat. I could feel the vibration when I cranked it up. Some cool options like ambiance and compression to help on clarity. I was disappointed in the shuffle capability. On our Explorer Limited we could shuffle songs on all 6 CD's at once, jumping from one to another. This stereo is limited to shuffle on 1 CD at a time. Hope that makes sense.
Audiophile - Very LOUD and can really thump. The sub-woofer and amps are under the driver-side rear seat. I could feel the vibration when I cranked it up. Some cool options like ambiance and compression to help on clarity. I was disappointed in the shuffle capability. On our Explorer Limited we could shuffle songs on all 6 CD's at once, jumping from one to another. This stereo is limited to shuffle on 1 CD at a time. Hope that makes sense.