Hold onto your 97-03's, because I read that Ford promises the looks of the 04+ will "out tough" (read: "out ugly") the 02 Dodge Ram and '03 Silverado!

 

that chevy is a total hack job! "Hmm, lets take the same exact truck we've been using for hte past few years, and put some jagged edged fugly headlights and ugly grille on it, so it does't even match teh rest of the truck and sell it as our new model. Nobody will notice. " <dumb grin>

looks like cr@p!

 

I don't agree. While were both just specualting, I think the new F-150 will look v good. It's easy to look better than the new Chevy and it won't be too hard to make a new look better than the Dodge. Everyone who has seen pics (dealers) says it's a cross between a Superduty and the Tonka concept. If thats the case then I can hardly wait.

 

I think the 97-03 F-150 is a lot better looking than the SuperDuty and that Tonka concept was just plain hideous.
IMO, the 97-03 F-150 is a classic and revolutionary look just like the 86 Taurus/Sable was when they came out in late '85.
I think the move back to square & boxy is a step backwards.
The Harley Davidson edition and Lightning definitely would not have the appeal that they currently have if they were built on a boxier looking platform like the SuperDuty.

 

For those of you that might not make it to the Lightning section here is a bit on the '04 F150:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=86116

While I am not allowed to divulge any of the information from the final session, a technical loophole (a picture proudly displayed during Mike Arbaugh, the chief designer's presentation) allows some of the tidbits about Ford's up-coming F-150 to be revealed. Along with a revised exterior, the interior styling marks a radical departure from the plastic-seated, rubber-matted designs of old.

There will be five variations on the new theme, each catering to a different buyer -- worker, family and those seeking something more upscale to name three.



As the picture shows, the new truck benefits from a console-mounted shifter (a bench seat will still be offered), some wood and metallic trim, futuristic air vents and seat belts that reel out of the seat back rather than being tacked to the body.

Without breaking the embargo, it is safe to say the look and feel is more in line with a luxury car than a pickup truck.

As for power, the new F-150 will use reworked versions of the current range of modular engines. The difference comes from a three-valve cylinder head design. Where this design pays dividends is in the spark plug's placement. With a conventional two-valve engine, the plug is forced to sit off on one side. Adding a third valve (another intake valve) allows the valves to be spaced such that the plug can be placed in the middle of the combustion chamber. This simple alteration allows the compression ratio to be raised, but without the need for premium fuel. The result is more power and fewer emissions. The range will include 4.6L and 5.4L V8s and a 6.8L V10 engine.

 

I posted the link to those interior pics on July 26th... Nothing new. Thanks anyway.

 

The reason i bought a Ford, over anything else, I'm a GM Junkie, is because it by far the best looking truck from the side, Especially the wheel openings. They are nice and ROUND, like a tire.

GM has a new obsession with putting round tires in square holes, making me run off the lot.

All the concepts pics i've seen, Ford is keeping with ROUND.

I think they ALL look bad from the front. Except, the new GMC. I guess GM wants more sales out of GMC because the opposite of the ugly '03 Cheby front end, is a georgeous GMC front.

 

I totally agree. I own a 99 Silverado, but before AND after I bought it, I still think the 97-03 F-150 is hands-down, the best looking truck. It's curvy and the front-end has a nice down-slope to it that just looks damn good. I like the gentle curve of the flared out front wheel well, and yes, I also like that they're round! Even the gap between the bed and the cab is kept to a minimum, and I like how the rear door on the Supercabs shares its gap with the bed gap so that there's only one visible gap in the panel instead of two.
I love my Silverado, 102k miles and it has NEVER given me any trouble at all be it mechanical, hardware-wise, or whatever. I just always wish it were as pretty as the F-150. I parked my plain base-model Silverado next to a Harley Edition F-150 one day. VERY beautiful truck. Big mistake, I can't stop think about it now which is why I'm still hanging around this forum.

The main reason I went with the Chevy is it did so much better than the F-150 in the IIHS offset crash test and I thought it'd be wise to put safety first. Granted, the Chevy didn't do wonderfully either, but the F-150 crumpled up like a tin can. The HD F-150's are so good looking that if I would have seen one before I bought my Chevy, I might have thrown all that safety crap out the window.

I also agree with ya that ALL the new trucks are real ugly from the front. The only new trucks with good looking fronts are the F-150's and GMC's. When the F-150 is redesigned, the GMC will be the last one with a good looking front! I don't like this return to boxiness at all. The 97 F-150 showed us that a rounded, aerodynamic truck is better looking. Now they're redesigning it so the front end is boxier than ever. WTF?!?!

 

I agree...I'm not a fan of the 97-03 F150 looks but if the 04 model looks like the tonka concept then I'll be getting a new one in '05 thats for sure.
It's hard to see it as a Lightning though...I just keep imaganing(sp?) a lowered super-duty and it doesn't look pretty in my mind.
************************************************** **
SPROCKET_X,
How can you say you don't like the appearance of the F-150's threw 97 to 2003,I no each man has his own taste but there hasn't been a truck to come along since 1930 that has boldged mens zippers like those beautys.Maybe it's time for you to step down to a boring chevy, that truck may wet your lips.
That new chevy truck look's like they could not make up there mind and copied the styles off of Ford,dodge, and toyoto.
Look pal,anyone who buy's a truck today other than a Ford has to step up to the plate with a louieville slugger.Not a wiffle ball bat. And in talking to alot of Ford owners over the years that is the feeling I get.

 

New vehicles just keep getting uglier & uglier. goin from areodynamic , sleek , curvy bodys to Big cracker boxes with ugly wheels....im gonna grab another 97-03 bodystyle F-150 before its too late.