well ive had things like rear brakelight leak, my up down window switches suck, but nothing major

 

I had to order mine to get it in that configuration -- I don't think I've ever seen one like that just sitting in dealer inventory......

 

I looked looooong and hard for a reg cab short box with a 5.4. Finally had a dealer find me on in another state. I was about ready to give up on the idea of one because they are damn near impossible to find....especially in a 2wd flavor.

Dont even F with the 4.6 in a newer model, these things are pigs, they need all the power you can get. Even my truck is slow and its the lightest wieght config you can get (save for the FX4 part) and has the 5.4.

By the way, on the highway, driving right, I can pull off 21mpg with my truck.

 

My Ford service guy told me that he's had more early model '05 comeback with issues than any other of the new body styles.

 

i have a 04 with a build date in 03 and 60k on the odo and not had a problem.

 

early 05' screw. 40k and not a single problem..........

 

The 4.6 and 5.4 get nearly identical fuel economy, a negligible difference if you ask me.

 

My 05 was built 11/04 and now has 55,000. Had the throttle body replaced at 1200 miles, a reflash of the PCM at 1600 miles, and new rotors for bad wheel bearings at 44,000 miles.

I agree that the 4.6 gas mileage is almost identical to the equivalent truck with a 5.4, but is sure not equivalent in power.

 

It's a trade off. 2004s usually have rougher fit and finish than the newer trucks do, and there's more cam phaser problems with '04 5.4 3Vs than any others. Some 2005+ 5.4 3Vs have problematic injectors, they tend to stick open and fill the cylinder with fuel, causing bad stuff like bent rods and whatnot.

I'd find a nice 2004 if I was buying used. I don't trust 2005+ 5.4 3V injectors enough to own one.

 

<--reg cab swb 5.4

Nothing has went wrong with it that ford designed. Except the crappy sparkplug ordeal.

 

i basically want a truck like yours. i like the stance of yours

 

^Amen^

I would go with a low mileage 04, mine has been great and I think my XLT came with items that the newer trucks didn't unless you got a more expensive trim package. I have the extra sound deadening under the hood, and a few other random things so who knows where they tried to cut corners on 05+'s. Just a thought...