agent, don't feel bad. that is what they call buyers remorse. i get it all the time.

 

I tend to drive the truck for long trips. I admitt I do not drive it everyday. My intent it to mainly use it as a truck when needed, such as towing and hualing, and use it as an RV with nice equipped pop-up camper on it.

I have parallel parked it though a few times, I am the type that tends to rely on my rear view mirrors when I parallel park though, probably from years of running a pop-up camper on my old truck.

I only have about 2500miles on the 04 F150, but so far I'd give it an A+ for how I use it, and what I use it for.

I'd give the old Ranger about a C- on the same sort of RV type use, and I couldn't tow crud with my Camper on that truck... lol

 

Agent,
I've driven my '04 under just about every condition except snow for 5K miles and have never had any of the vibration problems so I don't really know how bad it could be . I do know what your talking about with the arm rest, turn signal, etc. and the high rear end making it hard to back and park. To me it's like every other completely new vehicle I've ever had(about 15). It takes some gettin used to and it's been no different for this one. I hardly notice the stuff that bothered me at 1st now.
It sounds like you're gonna be stuck with this thing for at least 6 months so I believe I'd take an impulse to get it back to the dealer pronto to have 'em start on your vibe issue. The sooner the better! You never know they may just get it fixed and you would probably be like most of in thinkin this is the best truck ever built.

 

If the vibration gets fixed and I can manage 15mpg on the highway, than I will be happy to make that statement!!

Day three

- I'm trying to identify the vibration as much as possible. At 50-55 it is at it's worst. What I've noticed is that if you let off the gas the vibration goes away, accelerate and it becomes very apparent. I'm not an automatic transmission expert by any means (Ive only owned 2 now!) but doesnt this suspicously sound like a torque converter?

- I cannot say enough about the engineering/craftsmanship that has gone into the chassis and suspension. You can feel the stiffness of the body and yet it is very forgiving over the bumps.

- 150 highway miles and I've spent over a half a tank (according to the gauge) doing all highway driving...I'm getting concerned.

- the rattle has been cured - it was just a foreign object stuck between the bed and cab.

- I would have gladly spent the $200 extra for the tachometer if it was included equipment on the STX. But if you're not going to give me a tac, atleast give me an O/D LED!

- no splashgaurds = lots of snow, sand, and crap accumulated on the running boards. Manditory purchase in my opinion.

- I still love looking at the thing

 

Dang, I get 200mi out of a half tank on the same truck. The truck does seem to be getting better and better mpg as it gets more and more miles on it though.

 

2WD or 4WD?

 

4x4 Reg. Cab., STX, 3:73 gears, tow package. 4.6L

 

damn.

I won't know for sure until I fill up.

 

Day 4

I've put 284 miles on and the fuel gauge is just hitting the empty line. That's doing 99% highway in the 75-80mph range and no idling or unnecessary acceleration!!!

If this is a 26 gallon tank thats about 12 mpg...

I love looking at this truck so much that I've been making myself overlook the vibration...but I was expecting another 5 mpg. I think I need to talk to my friend that sold it to me this weekend and see what can be done. I'm sure I'll have to eat the 1,200$ sales tax and pay for useage, but it was my mistake to buy this thing.

 

Hi Agent86,

I'm sorry that you're having the problems with your new truck. You've got to do what you feel is right for you, and I'm not going to knock that, but I will offer my opinion that it seems that it would be worthwhile to at least detail the issues you are having in writing then discuss them with the service department at the dealership. They might actually be able to resolve some of them under warranty.

The vibration might be something that the dealership can fix. It is also possible that the poor fuel mileage you've had so far is related to whatever is causing the vibration, or it could be a different, but fixable issue. I wouldn't give up hope on these too quickly. I know that some owners still have problems that haven't been fixed, but others have had early problems that have been fixed to their satisfaction.

Your other issues (difficult to parallel park and unable to get comfortable while driving) are inherent to the design of the truck. It seems like these things bother you as much as the vibration/gas mileage. If that is the case, you probably did buy the wrong vehicle for your every day needs.

Good luck to you,

 

I'm pretty dang sure that is a 23 gallon tank, at least I can't get anymore than that in my tank.

But serioursly, I'm doing the same type of driving and doing much better than that MPG wise with it. I checked last trip Denver, CO to Gallup, NM and back, basically I-25 and I-40 all the way. 75mph Speed Limit nearly the entire way.

I went 360mi on the tank before I got gas again, on the way back, I went on one stretch 375mi before getting gas, I was pretty low on that one when I got gas. Note, when I first checked just after driving it off the lot, it was much worse, I was actually pleasently surprised when I did the long road trip.

Best of luck for you.

 

John, Pretty sure it's a 26. This is the lightest possible 4x4 F-150 you can buy, so it should atleast meet the advertised city MPG rate on the highway!

It's possible that once broken in it will get another 1-2mpg...

 

Is it possible you have a 26gal, and I have a 23gal???

I dunno, but I just looked and I definetly have a 23gal tank.

 

Per the brochure, the smallest tank is the 26 gal (standard on Reg Cab 126" wheelbase, or SuperCab 133" wheelbase).

John

 

Then my original sticker is mis-printed. Seemed to not hold more than that though too..... I will investigate further, I had even commented ont he trip, that the 26gal tank would have been nice to have, but oh well. lol

That would certainly bring the mile-age back down for me, heck no wonder I thought it was so dang good on the trip. I have to investigate more though. I did do my MPG math based on a 23 gal tank, so if that is not the case, I was wayyyy off.