Ford Market Research
You might want to mention the AC as well, the fact that it will not re-circulate and cool JUST the interior air continuously like in the old style, that after 10 minutes it goes back to bringing in fresh air that it has to cool down.
Can't figure that one out, nor the other "steps-back" that the new model has taken compared to the old one, like the Curb Lights in the doors that illuminate the sidewalk when you open them, or being able to always get OUT of the vehicle, running or not, even if the doors are locked, by just pulling on the interior door handle.
Kudos to Ford if they are listening and actually taking this feedback with some thought behind it. An OEM Nav System would be killer, along with a handy hidden place to store that ugly jumper cable.
Can't figure that one out, nor the other "steps-back" that the new model has taken compared to the old one, like the Curb Lights in the doors that illuminate the sidewalk when you open them, or being able to always get OUT of the vehicle, running or not, even if the doors are locked, by just pulling on the interior door handle.
Kudos to Ford if they are listening and actually taking this feedback with some thought behind it. An OEM Nav System would be killer, along with a handy hidden place to store that ugly jumper cable.
SEATS:
For me I find the new seats uncomfortable. The firmness is ok; but the total lack of “contouring” both the seat cushion and back, seems to want to make you just roll off the chair. And I think you would if it were not for the seat belts. The lack of “dual power recliners” makes that situation even worse, virtually impossible to get a comfortable position. The seat cushion seems to have a “high” center, and the seat back seems to have excessive “lumbar” even with the **** dialed to zero.
In comparison, the latest release of the Chev LT dual 10-way powers that have just come out in the last 4 months, are far more comfortable, and still firm! I think Chev has taken the chair platform and cushioning material directly out of the Cadillac Seville. The $40,000 Lariat 4x4 SuperCrew should have first class seats that are 100% adjustable for both sides!
By the way, the rest of the new F150 is light years ahead of the competition, including the new Titan! This is the first Pick Up I have ever driven that drives almost like a real “sports sedan” excellent job Ford! Now just give us something “first class” to sit on!
AC SYSTEM:
You have to have "Full Time AC recirculate for Texas" by just pushing a button, and it has to stay there till you change it. Thats for AC, Heat, or any setting. This is Houston with lots of air pollution and humitdity - so "full time recirculate".
For me I find the new seats uncomfortable. The firmness is ok; but the total lack of “contouring” both the seat cushion and back, seems to want to make you just roll off the chair. And I think you would if it were not for the seat belts. The lack of “dual power recliners” makes that situation even worse, virtually impossible to get a comfortable position. The seat cushion seems to have a “high” center, and the seat back seems to have excessive “lumbar” even with the **** dialed to zero.
In comparison, the latest release of the Chev LT dual 10-way powers that have just come out in the last 4 months, are far more comfortable, and still firm! I think Chev has taken the chair platform and cushioning material directly out of the Cadillac Seville. The $40,000 Lariat 4x4 SuperCrew should have first class seats that are 100% adjustable for both sides!
By the way, the rest of the new F150 is light years ahead of the competition, including the new Titan! This is the first Pick Up I have ever driven that drives almost like a real “sports sedan” excellent job Ford! Now just give us something “first class” to sit on!
AC SYSTEM:
You have to have "Full Time AC recirculate for Texas" by just pushing a button, and it has to stay there till you change it. Thats for AC, Heat, or any setting. This is Houston with lots of air pollution and humitdity - so "full time recirculate".
1. Here's something I noticed right off the bat...the fuel & temp gauges are almost invisible in my SCrew. They're only about the size of a quarter with black backgrounds matching the background of the gauge cluster. They're also positioned up pretty high in the cluster, so if the wheel angle and seat height aren't quite right, you can't see them. They could stand to be a bit more prominent.
2. The locking arrangement with the rear doors doesn't make any sense. It's like the child door lock is permanently on. I didn't notice this until my wife rode in the back and couldn't get out.
I agree with some of the suggestions posted previously. Before the F-150 I had a 2001 Expedition and this new truck is light years ahead of the 2001...especially the handling/suspension. The road to my house is about a half mile of nasty dirt/gravel and climbs about 500'. It gets pretty rough. The truck drives up it like it's paved, while my Jeep Liberty pretty much beats you to death.
2. The locking arrangement with the rear doors doesn't make any sense. It's like the child door lock is permanently on. I didn't notice this until my wife rode in the back and couldn't get out.
I agree with some of the suggestions posted previously. Before the F-150 I had a 2001 Expedition and this new truck is light years ahead of the 2001...especially the handling/suspension. The road to my house is about a half mile of nasty dirt/gravel and climbs about 500'. It gets pretty rough. The truck drives up it like it's paved, while my Jeep Liberty pretty much beats you to death.
1. More power for the 5.4L 3V. 325-345hp would be great. I'm sure the engine has the capability, but the computer, or some other restricter is holding it back.
2. 5 or 6 speed auto transmission. I heard many rumors that never materialized. The extra gears seem to work better for towing. The 5-speed Torqshift in the Super Duty works great, use it or a lighter-duty version. A transmission temp. gauge would be nice as well.
3. HID headlamps on higher end models (FX4, Lariat)
4. Bring back the under hood light, glove box light, ashtray light, door panel curb light/reflector. When cutting costs, don't cut out these.
5. Dual exhaust/ performance muffler option like someone else said. You can get a Mustang with duals. It seems a lot of pickup owners install duals. Fords seem so quiet, while Dodge and Chevy trucks seem to have a nice rumble at idle.
6. Make all Lariat options available to the FX4 or go back to having an FX4 package available on the Lariat. Also put Rancho shocks or some other good brand back on the FX4. I don't know why Ford is so selective on which option you can have on which model. Give me the option and I will pay for it.
7. Auto 4WD like the Expeditions
8. Make all colors inside and out availble to all models. There could be a few Lariat exclusive colors if needed I guess.
9. Make the seats more comfortable. The seats in my '99 Lariat were very comfortable. These new seats become uncomfortable after a while on a long trip. There is a seam in the center panel of the leather that I can feel after a while, get rid of it. The seat bottom needs to be able to angle back farther too. The center console also needs to be narrowed up a bit or padded on the sides or something. My leg rests against this hard surface and I feel constricted.
10. Make the SuperCrew rear seats a little deeper and have an adjustable seat recliner angle like Expeditions. Also, put real leather, not "Premium almost looks like leather, but it's actually vinyl" on the rear seat. Make them fold forward like the old Crews. This behind the seat storage is nice, especially when the Audiophile sub and jack takes all of the under seat storage. The rear seat also needs some sound deadening material behind it.
11. Move the Supercrew to the 145" Supercab wheelbase and add 6" to the cab like the Supercabs got. This would allow a nice amount of behind the rear seat storage. It would also allow the recline function on the rear seat. There is no reason why the Crews cannot have as much rear seat comfort as an Expedition.
12. Power slide down rear window like the Sport Trac. Defroster on that slider as well.
13. BOSE audio or MACH 1000 audio system. Offer choice of XM or Sirius from factory or easy RCA hookups on radio for aftermarket SAT radio.
14. Shorter version of overhead rail system for Moonroof models. There is still plenty of headliner behind that moonroof for the rail system.
15. Install door sill plates on rear doors like the front ones that say "F150." This would cover up the ugly body seam and protect the finish since passengers are usually not as careful when getting in as me.
16. Add a telescoping function to the steering wheel.
17. Offer a "Limited" model or a Lariat Monotone package. The Excursion Limited Ultimate package with the monotone paint looks sweet. The Explorer Limited does too. Infact, an 18" version on the Explorer Limited chrome aluminum 5-spoke wheels whould look good on the new 150 in monotone. GMC does a pretty good job with their "Denali" package. It actually features a different front bumper/grill, plastic side moldings, rear bumper, and exclusive wheels. Air-ride suspension could even be offered.
18. The door adjar warning should show which door is adjar. I think the Jeep Grand Cherokee has this function.
This is all I can think of right now. I know it seems like a lot of complaints, but I still think my '04 is a great vehicle. These are just things that could make a great vehicle even better and boost sales even more. I realize that cost is a serious consideration when determining what goes into a vehicle, but that's what "options" are for. It seems that many people on this forum optioned up their FX4 (including mine) to as close to a Lariat as possible.
2. 5 or 6 speed auto transmission. I heard many rumors that never materialized. The extra gears seem to work better for towing. The 5-speed Torqshift in the Super Duty works great, use it or a lighter-duty version. A transmission temp. gauge would be nice as well.
3. HID headlamps on higher end models (FX4, Lariat)
4. Bring back the under hood light, glove box light, ashtray light, door panel curb light/reflector. When cutting costs, don't cut out these.
5. Dual exhaust/ performance muffler option like someone else said. You can get a Mustang with duals. It seems a lot of pickup owners install duals. Fords seem so quiet, while Dodge and Chevy trucks seem to have a nice rumble at idle.
6. Make all Lariat options available to the FX4 or go back to having an FX4 package available on the Lariat. Also put Rancho shocks or some other good brand back on the FX4. I don't know why Ford is so selective on which option you can have on which model. Give me the option and I will pay for it.
7. Auto 4WD like the Expeditions
8. Make all colors inside and out availble to all models. There could be a few Lariat exclusive colors if needed I guess.
9. Make the seats more comfortable. The seats in my '99 Lariat were very comfortable. These new seats become uncomfortable after a while on a long trip. There is a seam in the center panel of the leather that I can feel after a while, get rid of it. The seat bottom needs to be able to angle back farther too. The center console also needs to be narrowed up a bit or padded on the sides or something. My leg rests against this hard surface and I feel constricted.
10. Make the SuperCrew rear seats a little deeper and have an adjustable seat recliner angle like Expeditions. Also, put real leather, not "Premium almost looks like leather, but it's actually vinyl" on the rear seat. Make them fold forward like the old Crews. This behind the seat storage is nice, especially when the Audiophile sub and jack takes all of the under seat storage. The rear seat also needs some sound deadening material behind it.
11. Move the Supercrew to the 145" Supercab wheelbase and add 6" to the cab like the Supercabs got. This would allow a nice amount of behind the rear seat storage. It would also allow the recline function on the rear seat. There is no reason why the Crews cannot have as much rear seat comfort as an Expedition.
12. Power slide down rear window like the Sport Trac. Defroster on that slider as well.
13. BOSE audio or MACH 1000 audio system. Offer choice of XM or Sirius from factory or easy RCA hookups on radio for aftermarket SAT radio.
14. Shorter version of overhead rail system for Moonroof models. There is still plenty of headliner behind that moonroof for the rail system.
15. Install door sill plates on rear doors like the front ones that say "F150." This would cover up the ugly body seam and protect the finish since passengers are usually not as careful when getting in as me.
16. Add a telescoping function to the steering wheel.
17. Offer a "Limited" model or a Lariat Monotone package. The Excursion Limited Ultimate package with the monotone paint looks sweet. The Explorer Limited does too. Infact, an 18" version on the Explorer Limited chrome aluminum 5-spoke wheels whould look good on the new 150 in monotone. GMC does a pretty good job with their "Denali" package. It actually features a different front bumper/grill, plastic side moldings, rear bumper, and exclusive wheels. Air-ride suspension could even be offered.
18. The door adjar warning should show which door is adjar. I think the Jeep Grand Cherokee has this function.
This is all I can think of right now. I know it seems like a lot of complaints, but I still think my '04 is a great vehicle. These are just things that could make a great vehicle even better and boost sales even more. I realize that cost is a serious consideration when determining what goes into a vehicle, but that's what "options" are for. It seems that many people on this forum optioned up their FX4 (including mine) to as close to a Lariat as possible.
Last edited by w8n4sno; Dec 4, 2003 at 01:40 AM.
to be honest i like the new f150 even though I have had it only 2 weeks. it did great in pismo beach cali thanksgiving weekend. the only thing I wish is that they made a f150 super crew cab with a 6.5 bed. the super crew cab with a 5.5 bed looks kinda funny. they probably won't make one b/c then they will have to change the wheel base and junk for the truck oh well.
omc
omc
The 04 Tailpipe looks like something off a 99 silverado?
I know the material has been upgraded with SS and that, but I think the 04 tailpipe kind of went back to the dull and plain-janeish look. Can't they make it any prettier? My 92 F150 had a better (looking) tailpipe design, for the record.
The jacked-up rear suspension on the 04 provides more than enough space to show off a snazy looking pipe, so why not? Plus, it would compliment the improved exhaust note we're hearing from the 3v5.4.
Now have one on me
, it's always a good decision...
The jacked-up rear suspension on the 04 provides more than enough space to show off a snazy looking pipe, so why not? Plus, it would compliment the improved exhaust note we're hearing from the 3v5.4.
Now have one on me
, it's always a good decision...
Aaah, my first brand new vehicle and my first truck. I use to drive a '94 Bronco. So I don't have the eagle eyes & wolf ears like some of you vets. but...
the gas tank on the passenger side, so I don't have to fight with 90% of the other vehicles at the pumps. oh and i notice the gase tank cover was plastic.
the turn signal is very annoying.
everything else is mentioned.
the gas tank on the passenger side, so I don't have to fight with 90% of the other vehicles at the pumps. oh and i notice the gase tank cover was plastic.
the turn signal is very annoying.
everything else is mentioned.
Originally posted by sooner00
the gas tank on the passenger side, so I don't have to fight with 90% of the other vehicles at the pumps.
the gas tank on the passenger side, so I don't have to fight with 90% of the other vehicles at the pumps.
not to mention th eproblems that'd create for exhaust and all...
I dont even have my truck yet, but already know that the seats will be a problem for me. I like the look of them (FX4 w/ leather), but on the two trucks that I have test driven I cannot find a comforatble position. They need to be full power with a more conventional movement. This is the first vehicle I have driven where the seat bottom seems to move so independently of the back.
I agree with Defector...........If Ford would get rid of their Market Research heads and just visit forums like this, they could add a lot of the features discussed in this thread without adding cost to the truck!


