I was able to talk to the Sales Manager at my local dealer into selling me the 2500 mile demo he had. I guess I’m the proud owner of an ’04 white FX4 supercrew with gray leather. The truck has every option except the adjustable pedals (figure that one out). The guy even had a Line-X and high-zoot alarm installed. I am getting more used to it every day. I had a ’99 Ford F250 light duty (in later years called F150/7700) 4X4 XLT supercab 5.4 and I ran it to 78K. I loved that truck!

I have been reading the posts like mad and I appreciate all of your updates and feedback. I wasn’t sure what kind of a truck I wanted to buy. IN fact including this truck I am not in love with anything of current manufacture. I am a Ford man all the way so you know what I did. I will agree with some of the complaints about the nit picking however since I am somewhat **** myself, I also have to agree with some of those nit picks.

I agree with what seems to be the lack of power. I read this complaint everywhere and in almost every test. My ’99 would flat leave this truck in the dust – bone stock! My nit picks are regarding the available options for these trucks. I don’t understand why the monochromatic option is available in most colors for the FX4 but not white. I am sure you would mostly agree that white is a standard of the truck industry. I also wished to have the option of gray carpet and floor mats to match the gray seats as the black gets dirty the first time I get in the truck. Does anyone else think the factory rubber floor mats in the FX4 are barely big enough for a persons shoe to fit on? The other thing that drives me crazy is the black door handles. It makes the truck look like the lowest level work truck. I know this can be resolved at a body shop with dollars but should I have to invest this money after having paid 38K for a truck?

Thanks to the information I have seen on these threads I now know what to do about the ratcheting/chattering rear end I have. A problem I do have that I have not seen any traffic on is my front brakes. I now have 3500 miles on the truck and it continues to cover the front wheels with brake dust. From the day the truck is washed it only takes about 2 days for this to happen and keep in mind I am only talking about 100-150 miles total in 2 days. In addition, the brakes squeal like crazy at slow speeds (as you would be approaching a stop light or driving at 20-40 mph). I have had cars and trucks in the past that did the same thing however in the 21st century and again for 38K this doesn’t seem right.

In another observation the rear suspension seems to be extremely compliant. What I mean by this is that it seems to move through its travel a great deal over medium size bumps such as railroad crossings or dips in the road or speed bumps. I think I like it and the other day I put 18 90lb sacks of concrete in the back and it didn’t drive bad but I have yet to tow anything, go off-road or carry any weight for a long distance. I have been racing motocross and off-road for over 25 years so I know a little bit about suspension. I guess my question is have any of you also noticed this and do you think that Ford is actually savvy enough to have incorporated this in their new design or are you going to tell me that the shocks just suck. I am a Bilstein lover anyway.

So thanks for all the information so far and I look forward to more feedback about the truck’s issues as well as modifications to the engine, suspension and body. What do you think we will be able to steal off of the new Lincoln pickup?