I just bought an 03 SuperCab 4' x 4' with less than 13,000 miles. It seems brand new. It's is drop dead gorgeous. I bought it because I figured a late pre 04 F150 would be the most reliable F150 of it's time, in the used truck market..

However, I've become concerned. It is a 4 door supercab. I saw this article and picture and become horrified. I didn't think I would need to be very concerned with a 6,000 + pound truck about wrecks as much. But in one car wrecks, these things seem dangerous.

Anybody got any other facts? Any real life stories about wrecks? Thanks. Wondering of I ought to trade for a newer model for safety. I don't plan to ever drive over 80, as gas is to high. And I am a safe driver, but log 30,000 to 40,000 a year on a vehicle.

http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/Cra...operVsFordF150

Forgive me if this is old news, or rehash. I'm just concerned.

 

It is old news but it is one of the reasons why I waited for a redesign before buying the F150. I knew it would be carrying my kids and safety was important.

That 40mph offset crash is a real hard test but it was still an eye opener. I figured Ford would go overboard on safety on the 04 model because of all the flack they took for that test result.

 

heres another link to read more on the crashes and crash

just don't crash, you'll be fine!

nevermind... my link doesn't work...

 

I personally think that the trucks are very safe. Seeing as they are so big and heavy, a crash would cause more damage on the vehicle that you hit more so than your truck. I don't think you should worry about it.

 

Of course, the truck weighs more so it's using more of its own kinetic energy to destroy itself.
If the F150 hit the Mini head on, the picture would look very different.

Grill Capture

 

actually, the 97-03 F-150's are the most dangerous trucks when they come time for an accident. Why do you think the f-150 is now rated at 5 stars now from 04-06 so far and is now the safest truck on the road.

I'm not starting anything, but Ford fixed the problem starting on 2004 and did a very good job at it, but the 97-03 trucks are plain and simple dangerous and your Likely to get seriously injured if not killed at a high speed compared to 04 plus F-150's

 

mountaineer, you aren't starting anything at all. It is why I asked. I'm fairly new here. If there is a long link that somebody wants to point me to, I'd read it.

I don't mean this wrong, but an 04 broken down on the side of the road is hazardous too, if nothing more than to the wallet.

The 03 is very reliable, but apparently not safe?

I had a 03 Tundra. I like the F150 more, as it's bigger, more comfy, just as or nearly as reliable IMO, and more powerful, but never worried about safety in the Tundra.

Anybody got some real world wreck experience in an 97 - 03 supercab?

 

These supercabs from 97 to 03 don't have the frame the SuperCrews have, between the doors. I would assume they are pretty safe.

 

I don't know if you ever saw the video itself, but if not, heres a link to the video ....

http://www.progressive.com/rc/Vehicl...TestVideos.asp

In the link also gives you more information about the crash that you might be interested in.

 

They are better no doubt....I beleive the screws shared the same frame as the expeditions which did well in the tests.

I just waited to be extra cautious plus the new style is a much nicer looking truck IMO

 

I'll re-state my opinion here again.

First, for the record, I believe that even the '97-03 trucks are 'safe'. Are there vehicles that performed better? Sure. Are there vehicles that perform worse? Of course. Does either case make the vehicle un-safe? Absolutely not.

Second, that was just one single crash test. If you look at the results for the non-offset impact (i.e. head-on) test, the F-150 performed as well as or out-performed those same vehicles (save for the mini). In my book, that means that if you're going to hit a bridge abutment, aim right for it. Don't try to swerve.

Third, increased safety levels in the current models of truck do not signify safety short-comings in the previous models. They're not an acknowledgement of a design flaw or failure, simply another evolution of the vehicle.

Fourth, comparing an F-150 to a Mini is like comparing an aircraft carrier to a Zodiak. Put both of them into a 5mph impact, and you tell me which one's going to fair better??!!

Sure, in that one particular test, the mini's cabin stayed more intact, but that doesn't mean the the dummy's injuries would be any less severe. In both cases, the bodies went from 40-0 in a certain period of time.

Finally, as I already stated, that was ONE particular instance of ONE particular crash scenario that may represent maybe 15% of the crashes possible to the vehicle (probably less). How does the truck compare to the min in side-impact? Would you rather be in the back seat of a mini getting rear-ended by a pickup, or in the back seat of a pickup getting rear-ended by a mini?

I'll take my chances with the truck every time. The laws of physics are generally in my favor.

-Joe