As much as I hate to admitt it, you could see this coming. Anybody buy a '97 when they first came out like I did? Remember the diffeence in the inner door panels between the '97 / '98 and the '99's? (I bought a '99 too.) Talk about cheap! The same thing happened with the front bumpers on the '99's. They sleazed up the fog lights and the bumper for something that cost far less. The thing that really irks me is that I'll be paying more money for less truck when I finally order mine next month. Words fail me.

 

Maybe they discontinued the “Quiet Steel” so you won’t be able to hear all the rattles

 

I think what happened was Ford wanted to impress people with the new truck's value in 2004. All those goodies were standard and the price of the truck over 2003 didn't increase much at all. I think they're feeling the pinch now (or will) and so they feel they need to make some of these things optional.

Glad I got in on the 2004 model

 

DING DING DING... we have a winner!

Ford Engineers had full reign of the finances (well, they had a lot of room to play) for the new release in order to wow the public. Then, the beanies get ahold of the project and ordered the engineers to whack nearly $1,000 in goodies off to pump up profits.

Happens all the time folks...

 

dzervit,

Yup, hit that one right on the head. Everybody knew the cost went up on the new model, but they couldn't pass it all on in price. Solution, do it over time and by very queitly taking a few things out.

Here's an interesting thought though. I didn't buy a "first year" truck because as good as it was, there were still some teething problems. So they've solved most of them, I'm ready to buy, but the 2005 has been de-contented somewhat and the price has gone up. Could it be that I'll pay a bit more for a truck with fewer problems too? In the end, it doesn't matter. It's time for a new truck and I'm only looking at a Ford.

 

From what I understood some of the sound deadening material will be removed from the 05 XL, STX and XLT models, the FX4 and Lariat will be the same. The overhead rail system in the 05 XLT will now be optional as opposed to standard in the 04s. Sounds like they got to the fog lights too. Maybe next they'll find some tires even cheaper than the Generals.

 

hey 2stroked, since you are a fellow rochestarian, if you don't already have a trusted Ford dealer I can recomend a great one in Victor.

 

Send him to Van Bortel and tell him to ask for Jeff.

 

thats what I had in mind.

 

I doubt they can just do quiet steel in the Lariat. From what I know Quiet steel is a laminated product that the firewall is stamped and built from.

I would be very challenging to buld one cab chassis just for Lariat with the quiet steel firewall and without for all others.

The reduction in sound deading we are hearing about is most likely a reduction in sound deadning blankets and mat material used underneath carpets and within the engine compartment and cab.

So you could probably add Dynamat and get back to similar or greater quietness.

I did my 01 SCREW floor, and as far up firewall I could reach from inside with carpet out and rear cab wall with Dynamat and it made it much quieter.
The friend I sold it to has commented how quiet he thinks it is compared to other 150's. Then he rode in my 04 and got an idea about what quiet really is

 

Your right on the firewall, but your forgetting about all the other components made from it... oil pan, some other crap underneath...

 

Actually it's gone from the XL, STX, and XLT but NOT the FX4 or Lariat...

 

any word from the DSB mjninke, or did I miss it somewhere in all the threads?

 

fanman66 and Truck of Doom,

Actually, I've purchased my last few trucks from Tom Shepard at Shepard Ford in Canandaigua, NY even though they're 45 minutes from my place in Charlotte. His price was VERY reasonable, but his service has been unbelievable. They absolutely treat me like gold. That's enough to bring me back for my '05.

I sent my ex to Victor (VanBortel) for her Escape. (I just couldn't put Tom through her crap. He's too much of a gentleman.) Well, Denise at VB endured more than any salesperson should ever have to go through in a lifetime and I give her tons of credit for that. Yes, they seem like nice folks too. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

So let me get this right.

All of the sound deadening that is in the 04 FX4 and Lariat is still in the 05 FX4 and Lariat?

Only the XL, STX, XLT were affected by the beancounters?

MAX