im looking at getting a newer model truck and was wondering which year would be best. right now ive got a '98, but i want the new body style. im looking for a shortbed with a 4.6

 

I would just say the newest one you can afford.

 

were there any specific years that had problems?

 

knowing that 04 was the first year for this body style, probably get one at least 05+. i have an 04 and have had very few problems, but others have had some. id say 05-07 you will be fine. 08s will be expensive, save your money and get an 07 if you want something brand new.

 

Thats why I said get the newest one you can afford, every year had some problems that Ford addressed the following year. I really had no problems but I only have 18k on the clock.

 

i have an 04 build date in 03, ive had no problems really, at least nothing major, but why do you want a 4.6? just curious

 

i want the 4.6 just for gas reasons. i plan on dropping whatever i get, i dont really need all the power of the 5.4

 

Not really that much if any difference in gas savings between the 2 motors.

 

Don't pass up a 5.4, if I could do it over again, thats what I would have got. A 4.6 is good enough for what I use it for, but there are times a really wish I had a little more.

 

so do they make a shortbed, single cab with the 5.4? i havent been able to find one

 

yup

but they are harder to find...

 

That would be a fun truck! A 5.4 in a single cab short bed... <drool>

 

ive seen a few reg cab, short bed flareside fx4's, now that would be pretty sweet, looks really muscular

 

I've seen 1 04 FX4 reg cab 6.5ft bed. It had a build date of 12-03

 

Wow, wish i could say that, mine was built in 03 and had ALOT of problems.
like others said , buy as new as you can. Personally I would steer away from 2004's