I appreciate all the replies and advice. Yes this is my first post here but I have been reading this forum for more than 3 weeks. All of the positive comments about the F-150 generated a high expectation for the ride of the vehicle. I have had positive comments from local contacts who own Ford trucks, but I have not been in one until the test drive I took. The dealer has the truck I drove at the service bay today. We looked as we came back from a duck hunt in NW TN. I will be back to drive it again, and probably some other F-150's. This froum seems to be a very valuable source for inforamtion, and I felt that I could add my experience to the resource. If they can solve the problem with this particular truck, I will probably but it. As much as I love the looks and interiior of the truck, I could not in good concience purchase a vehicle that is worth 3 times my present truck, but is simply not as comfortable on the highway. Rest assured that I am serious about the Ford. I will continue my quest to find one that is right.

Thanks again

 

A 1998 Chevy Silverado more comfortable on the highway.

 

Sorry man, but i'm calling BS here. My '04 Screw 4X4 rides smooth as glass and is much quieter than even my dad's '04 Cadillac Deville! To make a comment that a 3/4 ton truck rides better than the new F-150 tells me that either you test drove a bad apple or your just brand biased. I'd not even bother test driving that same truck again. Ask to drive another one even if it's not the one you want. If the one you test drive rides better and you still want to buy a new truck, have the dealer bring one in that matches what you're looking for. You may also want to try out a Lariat too. You can have the skid plates added for ~$200 and buy a much better Rancho shock from your parts store than what comes from the factory for about $250.

Good luck and let us know how the second test drive goes.

Sackett

 

I never test drove the FX4, only Lariats. Maybe the FX4's have a stiffer ride. My '05 Lariat is very comfortable and quiet on the highway. I think the new suspensions on these trucks probably ride tighter than other trucks that don't have fully boxed ladder frames. Just my opinion

Let us know how your next test drive goes, and try a Lariat too. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't.

Good luck,

Scott

 

I also drove a couple of new F150s that had some vibration, maybe an alignment problem, etc. However, the way you described the ride in your first post, it sounded like all four tires were flat.

Are you sure you weren't at a Dodge dealership, driving a Ram?

There's not a snowball's chance an old Chubby drives better than the typical new F150. You either drove a really bad one or you're full of prune juice.

 

Well, let me add some info here. First off I am in this truck for different reasons. For one, I dont exactly like cars and two I have had a fascination for trucks since I was a kid. I am in this truck because I saw it's potential for POWER. The 3 valve system is kick @$$ for adding boost if you want to and the forged crank offers reasonably confident sustain with high TQ. The rods however are a different story.

We have all heard the HEMI and Titan comparisons on how SLOW the Ford is. Well, Fatherford and I have disproved that myth as our trucks are easily running HEMI times and better without boost and with minimal mods. Check my gallery for track times and mods.

Now, I will side with this guy for one reason. There are things about this truck that my 98 F150 did not have problems with and that I think the others have better rankings.

Here is the list of problems I have had with my truck thus far.

Rear end clunk when downshifting and at slow speeds from about 20mph.

The bed DOES shake when I look in the rearview.

Rotors wore, grooved and started brake shimmys within 6500miles.

Rough idle

Rear sliding window leaks in heavy rain and car washes

Engine has a clicking diesel sound when idling and cold. Found out it is piston slap.
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My 98 was FLAWLESS with 85000 miles on it when I traded it. I NEVER had to take it in for service. Not once since it was new.

Now, this truck is going to be my performance truck. All of these things dont really bother me that much. But truth being that they do exist. I am in it for HP and 1/4 mile runs.

Anyway, this is an introductory model year vehicle. Expect issues with it. Expect recalls. Plain and simple. It does vary by vehicle.

I have a 2004 F150, my father has a 2004 F150, my brother has a 2004 F150, my grandfather has a 2004 F150. They(my family) have had zero problems thus far.

My Dads Lariat extended cab is as smooth as silk and rides 10 times better than mine. It is a joy to drive. Although, about 10 times slower than my modded RC SB 4x2. But, it is VERY NICE.

He should test drive another one and see how it does. I think he will see it is different.

 

All right, I've really been looking to buy a new F150, but(and I mean BIG BUT(T))-- am I looking at a TOWN CAR ON A TRUCK FRAME? Or can I expect what I expect>>>>A TRUCK? I'm not looking for my new vehicle to sissy the bumps. That's why I'm buying a TRUCK. Have driven pickups since 1985. Owned a '79 F250 4WD, and an '83 Chebby 150 4Wheel Dually at the same time. Needless to say the Chevy cleared some snow for my buddies to park their lesser vehicles. Also needless to say, the 250 NEVER got stuck(allright there was that one time in the flooded ricefield--but by the time my buddy got the winch cable stretched, I drove that bad bi#ch straight out). DUCK DUCK GOOSE.

Currrently own a '95 Chevy K1500(112K on the odiferous meter). Has been flawless! Have friends that will only buy Fords, and have been ridin' my butt since the day I bought the Chevy. Have a friend that bought a new RAM HEMI. Pretty impressive. Flat out HAULS. He's been buggin' me to buy a Dodge, but that new F150 looks so FRIGGIN' STOUT that I'm really looking at going back to FORD. Chevy is ready to give me $6K in cash(or whatever) to stay loyal. Has to be the most butt-ugly truck they ever made. Drove the F150. A$$ kickin' inside>>>the quietest truck I've ever been in. Know it's only a year old, but if anybody has long miles on one, and no gripes, would like to hear about it.

Now, back to the original horse post>>my poor-old Chevy shakes, rattles and rolls, but there ain't no horse in there, hobby or otherwise. But my ex-girlfriend likes that kind of thing, so maybe you'd like to hook up with her. E-mail me for further instructions.....


J

 

Well, I will add my comments now. To help out the new guy, he jumped into a Ford world and asked if what he experienced was how a Ford rides or should he drive a few more. You can't knock a guy for asking.
I went from Chevy to Ford about 4 years ago and haven't looked back. The quality is much better. I had 2 new Chevy trucks, the first I kept for 5 months, it was in the shop 5 times. The second I had 2 years, it was in the shop 19 times.
My 2003 Supercrew FX4 had 40,000 on it when we traded it in Friday and it was in the shop once. I took it in with concerns about the rearend making noise and they replaced the gears and ring and pinion. I was very sasitisfied with the way they handled it.

Now for the new F150. We bought an 05 Supercrew fx4 and we love it. Here is a list of why:
More power than our '03
So quite running 70 on a freeway
Shifts really smooth
rides smooth
love the styling of the interior and exterior

I am told the Lariat rides smoother, but you need to drive a couple and decide what works for you. After our first test drive we got back in ours and said we like it better. Then we went back the next day and put them side by side and compared. Got in on, then the other. We definately liked the '05 better.

Good luck in what ever you decide on.

 

I just went from a 2002 swb GMC 2wd to a swb FX4 super cab. The FX4 actually rides considerably better. Build quality seems equal; I have had no complaints on either. The only downside to the Ford, in my opinion, is the seats have no side support and the cloth does not grip as well as the GMC and the Ford is down on power which I hope the Superchips will help.

Just a comment from someone who recently made the switch.

 

Buy the Ford.

I had the vibe issue. 35 days in the shop, 3 driveshafts, and new body mounts, and its smooth as glass. I'm tickled to death now. A non vibrator 2004 F150 is the best 1/2 on the road.

I've been dying to say that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Buy the Ford.

I had the vibe issue. 35 days in the shop, 3 driveshafts, and new body mounts, and its smooth as glass. I'm tickled to death now. A non vibrator 2004 F150 is the best 1/2 on the road.

I've been dying to say that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hey guys... thanks for continuing to keep this thread civil... I sincerely appreciate it.

 

The dealer called me yesterday and said the front tires were way off on radial force. One had 41 lbs and the other had 52 lbs. He said the back tires were OK? They are getting new tires for the front and will have them on today. I am going for another ride at lunchtime today if I can. I worked at the local Goodyear tire plant during and after college here. ( I am an engineer) One department I worked in was the final finish. I remember that Ford was extra particular about the uniformity of the tires that went to them for orig. eq. Tolerances for radial force, lateral force, radial runout, lateral runout, and conicity were vert tight for most tires that sold to Ford. Tires that were bound for aftermarket dealers were not subject to nearly the quality standards as OE tires. (Some do not believe this, but I ran the department that force checked /ground all of the tires that went through the plant.) Some 'dealer tires' did not even go through the force grinders. My point is, how in the heck did tires this bad get on a new Ford truck at the factory? Has anyone else found that tires were the culprit for the shake in thier new truck? If so, did new tires solve the problem long term?

Thanks to most everyone for the high standard of civility that I see on this forum. It is truly one the few that is a pleasure to read.

 

many many of them were caused by bad tires. The trucks are extrememly sensitive to tire issues. New tires, or having them road force balanced has cured a lot of similar problems.

 

OK, the dealer has installed 2 new tires obtained locally and mounted and forced them. The sales guy tells me all tire /wheel assemblies are now in the 15 to 20 lb range. Even shough they think the originals still have a little flat spotting.

The truck is a whole new animal. Firm but SMOOTH. The power even seems to be better. I took it out on the routes that I used for the first drive. I could not believe the difference. Up to 85 mph - smooth and quiet. The speed senstation is deceptive. You guys may have a convert here. If I can convince my wife to loan me some dead presidents!

Any advice for me before I take the plunge?