Hello all, I'm new to the forum here and have a few questions about the F-150's. I'm sort of researching trucks and I noticed what a nice job Ford seems to have done redesigning the F-150. The last generation F-150's never appealed to me at all but the new ones look like trucks again (no offense to those who like them, they're just not my style). I'm not a slave to any particular brand and I'm just looking to get a decent truck that will serve me well.

I'm most interested in a regular cab type truck with a short bed. What I've noticed so far in poking around dealer lots is that full size trucks with regular cab/short bed are rather...rare.

Anyway, I looked at a regular cab F-150 and what struck me was the smallish door and the pillar seemingly next to where my head would be (I didn't sit in it and adjust the seat to see how it would look since the lot was closed when I was looking). Does this bother any of you regular cab drivers? Maybe it's just unique so it caught my eye.

As for the motors how is the 4.6 in day to day use? I'm not looking for a rocket and I'm just curious how it gets the truck moving. I've seen some of the mileage threads on the forums so I'm not getting my hopes too high for that aspect. As an example of what I can accept, I drove an '87 Mitsubishi Montero 4-cyl happily for a few years.

How is the three-across seating with the bench seat? I've got the wifey and a son who would be riding with me from time to time when needs required using the truck vs. the car. I'm really not a fan of the extended/crew cabs for size reasons (and cost).

Anyway, thanks for reading this far and any input is appreciated.

 

Hi, and welcome to f150online. I personally dont have a regular cab, but for the most part I believe most that have them have been happy with them. The best advise I can give is to go to the dealers you are considering try out all that you are interested in (this means all makes not just Ford) and choose the one that best fits you and your needs. Not all owners are the same size or have the same needs for a truck and you are the best judge of what you like and need. Good luck and I hope you find exactly what you want.

 

We're a rare breed, but we're out there...

The pillar location doesn't bother me at all, but the other week when I drove a 250 diesel, one of the things I noticed was how huge the windows seemed.

It's one of those things you never think about once you're used to it.

I'm happy with my 4.6, (although I have a tuner, exhaust, and intake). One suggestion- Don't get a 3.55 rear end with it. I'm living with mine for a bit until my tires die, then I'm going to regear it and get some larger rubber. Overall though, it suits my needs fine, and lugs my little 1500 pound boat like it aint even there. I recommend a 3.73 rear for either engine.

As for 3 across seating? I'd say it depends on how big your boy is. Don't know if you're looking for a 4x4 or 2wd, but if you get a 4x4 that has the manual shifter, it sucks up most of the legroom in the middle. Also, the center portion of the 40/20/40 seat does NOT slide back with the seats. A smaller kid would be the only size human who could be comfortable at all there. I personally believe they made 3 across seating in the reg cabs totally impractical to sell more of the big money supercrews/supercabs. Suits me just fine.

with a reg cab shortbed, you can get into any parking lot. 121" turns on a dime! Maneuvering (sp?) was a big factor in getting my truck.

Hope I helped some

 

Thanks, I plan on looking into it a lot more but I needed an opinion from someone who lives with one day-to-day. In Fact, it seems you have the model I'm most interested in (reg cab STX).

I did not realize that the center portion of the seat didn't move with the rest. Seems odd but I'm used to the traditional old style bench seats with no split or contour to the cushion. My son is 4 so he's small and my wife's a peanut too (I'm no giant either at 5'7").

I guess the odd door design allows the same front doors to be used on all configs and saves Ford a bit of money.

I'm guessing that I'd be perfectly happy with the 4.6 but again, I value others opinions as well.

My main reason for liking the regular cab, short bed is the same as yours, maneuverability. I am very partial to shorter wheelbase vehicles.

I wish I could get ahold of one of the F-150's for a day or two and really see how it suits me. In a way I sort of miss the old days where you bought a truck and it had a bench seat and no real choice of cab size. Much simpler .

 

welcome.

The doors are large enough. They may look smallish, but I ask "compared to what?" The same people need to get in and out of the same door whether its reg cab, SCab, or SCrew. More than large enough.

The truck is quite wide so seating for 3 is no problem.


The 4.6 should be no problem in a reg cab short box config. The truck is much lighter than other configurations.

As far as the seat... it doesnt move forward. It's already in the far back position... so what's the big deal? I see none.

Best thing to do is test drive. In fact, I would even recommend renting one from Hertz for the weekend. Any regular cab would probably be a long box (rented as a work truck) This would basically give you an extended test drive under multiple situations and give you a much better idea if this truck will meet all your needs.

Good luck.

 

If you have a 4x4 with the shifter on the floor, its a pain for anyone to sit in the middle. I'll bet the 121'' handles really great but you could always try out the 133'' Scab, maybe I'm a little biased but its pretty sweet too. You could always ask the dealer to let you do an overnight test drive on an F-150. Goodluck!

 

I'm absolutely loving my reg. cab shortbed w 4.6. It's performance is excellent. I personally sought out the manual
4x4 transfer so there would be no room for a third person I wanted a two seater. I keep the console down at all times for the armrest. Just get yourself the electric shift ones so you'll have the extra floor space and you'll be more than pleased.

 

I have a reg. cab 04 with the 126" wb and my wife and I have had no problems. It also has the 4.6 and the 3.55's and it tows the 5k lb. trailer very handily. Like others have said, you'll know when you actually set in the seat and drive one. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

As the owner of a 05 STX, hopefully I can answer some of your questions. As far as the extra little door , Good idea for access to the room behind the seat. It hauls grocerys, gun cases, suitcases, everything I have needed it to so far. With the little window I have not found a blind spot for the truck yet. With the outside mirrors set right for me I can see around the truck real well. The 3 across seating, Ia'm 6'2" go 240 pounds my son is 12 and is 135 pounds and 5'4", my wife is on the small side and we all can sit in the seat O.K. Mine is not a 4x4 so no issue's with the shifter. I am very happy with the truck. Hope you are to with what ever you decide.

 

I also have a regular cab, short bed with the 5.4. It serves all of my needs. Just me and the wife (kids are all grown). I would have had to buy a super cab to get extra space behind the seats last year, but with the redesign for 2004 the regular cab fit the bill.

Cheaper then the super cab!

 

see my gallery for the truck you are looking for..

it WAS hard to find, but do the dealer inventory search on ford.com to find any and all in your area and beyond....

ditto what inbred said about the shifter on the floor... i wanted electronic, but could not be choosy with the reg cab as there were not a lot to pick from...

i'm just 5'8"/180 lbs (after protein power plan diet) so the door is no issue, but i think you're right in that it does seem to feel kind of close and low??

anyway, the truck is AWESOME, and the stock 4.6 has plenty of punch for me (though i would have much preferred the 5.4, but again, so few reg cabs were availalble i had to settle....

hth!

 

Another happy regular cab owner here. I like the way it looks better every time I look at it. The short wheelbase coupled with rack and pinion steering makes it very easy to drive also. (IMHO)...Kevin

 

same here. check out jctbcz's gallery. very nice. and there's a member named cincy something that has an extra pretty one, too... and there is a thread from back when that has a lot of reg cab pictures in it... do a search on 'regular cab'?

one of the main reasons i ruled out a scab or screw: from the driver seat, you can't reach back and slide open the rear window on nice days as you drive....