Hello all, I just picked up a Lariat SCrew in beige with a tan interior. I've already ordered a full set of Nifty Catchalls, a BedRug and a Sportmaster TonneauMaster cover.

I bought the truck as part of a "life simplification" mission I find myself on. Meaning I gave up two cars for one truck and one less insurance payment. It also gets much easier to haul around boats, RV's, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. etc. And beige means washing is optional most of the time.

I traded my Dodge Durango R/T and an 01 Mustang Cobra. Time will tell if I forgive myself for giving up my eighth Mustang in a row, but I'm gearing up for the new Mustang anyway, at least that is what I tell myself.

I think Ford screwed up on the interior color, If I had not bought off the lot, I would have gone with black interior, the tan looks quite nice, but is far too light for a Vermont winter and mud season.

This leads me to a couple questions.

What works well to keep up with cleaning the leather seats and arm rests? 200 miles and already showing some dirt. I'm hoping for something I can keep in the truck to deal with the dirt as it happens.

I wanted the bed extender, but could not find a truck equipped with one. I am striking out trying to find one from Ford, or through the aftermarket. Any leads?

I notice lots of complaints about power. I know with the Mustangs (GT & Cobra) and the Lightning I used to have, I had to put a good 5000+ miles on them before I could get good dyno #'s and 1/4 mile times. I suspect the new 5.4 is the same. Anybody agree with me?

 

Welcome to the board. A lot of good info is to be found here.

As far as the leather, I would say to try to keep it clean as possible & use a leather cleaner & conditioner. That's what I do on our '01 Cobra (kept it )

I'm pretty sure there is bed extenders out there. Check out the 'sticky' link at the top of the 2004 F150 forum page. It might be in there.

The jusy is still out on the power deal. We have the 4.6, so I can't say for your 5.4, but I think it might be related to the "drive by wire" acceleration these trucks have. Might be right on about the break in & I think I might of read that the new system "learns" the driving habits of the owner & adjust to them. Someone else on here might have more info on this one way or the other.

Congrats on your new truck. Be sure to post pics.

BTW, did you trade in the Cobra at the dealer? What did they give you on trade in?

 

I use Meguiar's Gold Class Leather spray. You can get it at any auto parts store. It works fantastic on the black leather interior to clean and keep up a good shine. I love it. It's about $7 or so for a bottle. One caution, don't spray it directly on the leather, spray it on a cotton towel and then rub on the leather. I find that the over spray leaves ugly spots on every non-leather surface, so spraying on the towel avoids that. congrats on the new truck!

 

If it ever stops raining, I will post pics.

The Cobra was a coupe w/ polished wheels, full FlowMasters and 4.10's. It had 22k miles on it and needed new tires, badly.

I got a touch over 18.5k for it on trade.. In Fall, in Vermont and just about every Ford dealer in New England has a parking lot full of Mustangs, I've seen 10th anniv. 03 Cobra 'verts marked down to the low to mid 30's.

The real bummer is, I got the car for invoice with 0% back in October of 01. That probably won't happen again.

 

Yup, same here. Told myself I'd keep untill I'm old & grey, or if I found something I like more. Think I'm about to make the wife mad, I just called the dealer to see if thier '04 Mystichrome cobra's were spoken for . I'll have to get a great deal & all that to make it work, if not, I'll just hang on to this one.

Another on the meguires leather stuff.

 

Seats-I have the tan seats and they are too light. I use Zymol leather conditioner and cleaner (2 different bottles in same package). Meguiar's, Lexol or any name product will do.

Bed Extender-Ford does not have a bed extender kit available thru the parts dept yet even though you can order it on a new truck. Westin makes an aftermarket extender.

Power-should get better as miles add up. Doesn't seem to have much power off the line (doesn't throw you back in the seat) but you are at 70 before you know it and requires little gas pedal effort to run 70+ without knowing it.

Enjoy the truck.

 

Check www.fordaccessories.com for the bed extender - and congrats on the new truck!

 

Well, I found an extender. It is around $150.00 plus shipping more than the option if you buy it with the truck.

 

I have a bed extender that I got with mine and I'd be willing to sell it to you at cost (you pay the shipping as well) I never use it and didn't use my last one in my 01 Screw. I hope this isn't a violation of any of the board rules by saying I'd sell something on here. Just trying to help a fellow truck owner out. Shoot me an email.. my address is in my info if your interested.