Many of you saw a previous post on my overall evaluation (for Ford) on my new 2005 F-150. All in all, it’s definitely a home run. My biggest beef was the lack of visibility out of the regular cab due to a number of factors. (Some of you even saw fit to roast me on a few of them.) So, being a glutton for punishment, I thought I’d follow that post up with a list of my nits (little things that bug me) when I compare my new truck to my previous (’95, ’97, ’99 and ’02) F-150’s. Here goes:

1. Whose bright idea was it to make the ignition switch so darn hard to find? My previous 3 trucks had a raised “guide” that allowed one to easily find the key slot and insert the key. I constantly find myself having to bend forward and look for this one.
2. While we’re near the dash, why did somebody see fit to shrink the size of the gages? I’m not getting any younger, but I’m not blind (yet) either. I find the new size much less readable.
3. I know “macho” is big in trucks, but I think somebody went a bit too far with certain plastic trim pieces on the new truck. Specifically, the rocker panel sill plates with the fake diamond plate design and the plastic cover on top of the rear bumper. In my humble opinion, these go beyond “macho” and well into “cheesy.” (Unless of course you’re a Village People fan.)
4. I like the new 40/20/40 seat, but why can’t we move the center section anymore? In my previous trucks, the “center” moved with the passenger side. In the new truck, when you move both seats all the way back, you still only have room for Tattoo (De plane, boss, de plane!) in the center.
5. Has anybody else turned up the blower speed when attempting to turn the 4-wheel drive selector? Not only is the selector totally hidden by the steering wheel, it’s the same size, shape and movement as the blower selector. (Of course, maybe engaging 4-wheel drive instead of clearing the windshield will help when you drive right off the road.)
6. Can anybody please explain the new “ice cube tray” that comes standard in front of the base of the windshield? Why do we have to trap water here?
7. Maybe it’s just my truck, but does anybody else with a 5.4 have the ability to totally stink up (with a rotten egg smell) a large area with their exhaust. Man, this is strong!

OK, I’m standing by to see who roasts (and who agrees with) me on these nits!

 

I'm with you on the gauges (at least on the XLTs), the 40/20/40 split bench, and the stupid ice cube tray, we here in rochester know that is going to be fun to de-ice some morning soon.

 

Agree on number 6 that ice cube tray sucks when it snows out.

The rest seem a bit to pickey, I mean "having to bend over to put your keys in" must have been pretty spoiled and from a really rich family if you find that a inconvenience.

 

Regarding #1.... The wife drives an 04 Explorer, the F-150 ignition is a cake walk compared to the Explorer.

 

What is the point of the ice-tray? It rearely gets down to freezing in Atlanta, GA, but when it rains it's quite annoying to watch the water just sit there.

I'm assuming it has something to do with blocking engine bay heat from coming directly in contact with the driver's side portion of the windshield... but man!!! Anyone think it would be alright to drill a small hole in the bottom of each "ice cube square" ? What's under this ice tray?

 

Apparently the "ice cube tray" is atop the wiper motor.

 

Did #5 on my '01 all the time. I do not have the problem with the '04. Maybe I learned which **** was the one I wanted. I would guess you will figure it out too! LOL

 

1. - AGREE. Pain in the butt
2. - No problems here.
3. - SW Agree. Although, I don't mind some of the plastic pieces you specifically mention, I do think that overall...there is too much plastic. I do have the STX though.
4. - No problems here.
5. - N/A 2WD here.
6. - Haven't noticed the "Ice Cube Tray". So I would say...No Problems here.
7. - 4.6L...haven't noticed the "Rotten Egg Effect".

I love the overall design of the "New F-150". I opted for the less expensive STX model, so some of my displeasure in the "Little Things" are self imposed. I'll live with that.

The biggest thing I would change (if I could) about my truck.....I would have gotten the 5.4L. I'm not sure if they even offer that in the STX, but regardless I would have gotten the extra power.

 

No complaints from me, if I didn't like the F-150, I wouldn't have gotten one.

 

You need a hobby.

I hear metal detectors are fun, and you can find valuable treasure.

 

Don't get me wrong folks, I LOVE my new truck. But there's always room for improvement. These little nits aren't enough to cause me to go out and buy a bowtie or anything stupid like that. (Man, that would take some serious drugs!) Hopefully, you'll see the humor in here too!

 

I have to agree that there's always room for improvement but this is my first truck and Im very pleased! Ive had nothing but luxury coupes and all my life but at times, Im driving the F150 and can't believe how comfortable and secure I feel in this vehicle. I often forget Im in a truck. Is there room for improvement? Yes, but how much do you want to spend?

 

I love mine and have no issues, but there are a couple of things where the engineers could have used more attention to detail...


the cliamte control lights have a backlit indicator... why wouldnt you do the same for the headlight and 4x4 selector dials?

When turning on interior lights (via dash switch) it lights up front 2 and center rear but the other 2 lights in the rear only come on manually. Some of us with kids could use the extra light at night trying to find that bottle that rolled under the seat.

Again, these are attention to detail things, not a commentary on how great these trucks are.

 

1. I agree. My 2002 Ranger had a large guide which you also used to turn the ignition.

2. Hmm My XLT gauges seem to be as big as they were in my '97.

3. The sill plate protects the paint. The diamond design is there because people seem to prefer it over any other textured design.


4. I was wondering that myself. I'm still glad I got the 40/20/40 because it comes in handy when people can't get out of the passenger side door.

5. I agree about the 4x4 selector switch. It just seems to be in an inappropriate spot.

6. Never noticed it before

7. When you hit give it lots of throttle, the sulfur traps (assuming someone hasn't cost reduced that design) tend to dump out the stinky stuff. Japanese cars are worse than Ford cars for doing this

 

I love my truck. It is the best truck I have ever owned, but the only thing I would change would be to add a light under the hood. It kida sucks to look under your hood at night.