Hey everyone,

I just purchased my first truck. 2004 F-150 STX/SCab/Styleside/4.6L V8/6CD changer/Sliding Rear Glass/Ford Bedliner. I've only put a little over 100 miles on it so far and I'm loving every minute of it. It's the best vehicle i've driven bar none.

Being that this is my first truck, my knowledge on maintaining it, terminology, etc... is very limited. I've learned more about trucks in the last 3 days than my previous 30 years.

Being that this bodystyle is new, I've read that there are some problems but I haven't been able to find specifics. What should I be looking out for on my truck?

What can I be doing to get better gas mileage?
What improvement should I look at making over the next couple months?
Will the sliding rear glass leak? if so, what can I do to prevent it?
Is a nerf board a running board?
Should I get a bug shield? do they really help? which one should I get?

Thanks in advance
Nathan

 

I have a reg cab STX its my work truck and i love the hell outa it, anyway to your query as what kinda improvments, it all depends on what u are going for? there is many different directions these trucks can go. gas mileage, well a better breathing engine is a better runnin engine, i suggest an intake chip it, and put on straight exhaust, no muff's these things have plenty of cat converters. That should help your mileage, as long as u keep your foot outa it gets addicting. also bug shields are only good as stone deflectors, thats all they are good for keep the paint on the front of your hood. i hope this helps and here is a nanner for the new truck

 

congrats on the new truck these rigs rock...

 

I love my STX as well. I've installed power locks, alarm, remote start, Infinity speakers, new head unit, ford bed mat, Ford molded mudflaps, tonneau cover..etc..

You fly RC? What type. I do NCFFA, Giant Scale, fun-fly etc.

J

 

Biggz - How much did it cost you to put power locks on yours. That could be my quickest upgrade. I don't like having to lean over the console to unlock the door for the wife.

Right now I'm just starting out in RC. I'm putting together a funfly over the winter to be ready for next summer.

Powerdome - whats an intake chip? How much is it and where do I put it?

Thanx for all the replys

 

Nathan
Congrats on the new truck. As you have seen in the past three days, this site has some of the best information you can find on the net about the new Ford F150. We may be a little bias on which model is better but we all share the same love for our trucks.


Replies to your questions:

Being that this bodystyle is new, I've read that there are some problems but I haven't been able to find specifics. What should I be looking out for on my truck?
- I would say you hear more about vibration problems than anything else. It seems to be a tough one for Ford to fix. If you don't vibrate now, don't worry about it.

What can I be doing to get better gas mileage?
- drive down hill or with a tail wind We all want better gas mileage. Some posts state it will improve in time but we will probably never get over 20 MPG unless you use Canadian messurements. Their gallon of gas seems to be bigger than ours.. so they say.

What improvement should I look at making over the next couple months?
- Anything you want that creates a truck that reflects what your see in you mind. This is what makes all of us different and why we demand pics of trucks when someone talks about their new truck or recent mods.

Will the sliding rear glass leak? if so, what can I do to prevent it?
- It shouldn't and if it does, the dealer should be able to take care of it.

Is a nerf board a running board?
- Nerf's are round or oval and normally have a bend on the font and rear sides. A running board are straight and start from the front wheel well, like a mud flap and goes back and is usually flat on top. In my album, you can see I have the Ford tubular running boards. Kind of a mix of both Nerf and running board. They allow you to use front mud guards.

Should I get a bug shield? do they really help? which one should I get?
- It's up to you. It does offer protection from rocks chipping the hood but it does cause some wiper slap at higher speeds (85mph). I have the Ford Low Profile. You can see it in the Album. $69 vs. $600 to repaint the hood in a few years??? your choice


enjoy the ride and keep us posted of your mods.

 

RC Flyer,
Congrats on the truck. I believe that Powerdome was talking about a PCM chip. Anyway there is a Message board that is devoted to them under aftermarket. Anything you want to know about them will be there. "Superchip" is one of the common brand names....Kevin

 

RC Flyer,

Congratulations on the new STX! I've got an '05 Lariat SuperCrew on order and due to arrive at the dealer the end of this month

Hey, I fly RC as well....here's a link to some of my planes.....

http://home.earthlink.net/~psjustis/modelplanes.htm

Have fun,

Scott