Ford has done a few cheap things on this truck.

No end caps on chrome nerf bars to keep the crap out, dirt could build up causing a moisture buildup inside, rust!!

Welded chrome spacer between chrome flared tail pipe is rusting because weld was done after chrome job instead of before.

Chromed shift lever was not polished smooth before chrome job.

I also wouldn't polish these trucks too often, the clear coat paint job is really thin.

Little things, I know, but I hate rust. I hate them not knowing to weld and polish things before chroming....

 

nurfbars- maybe they didn't do it so it could get air into there so any water that would get in them would evaporate? i'd think that would be better than a half a$$ welded piece on the end where water could seep in and start rust.

exhaust spacer- i know exactly what you mean! its totally crappy looking there. no rust on mine, but it is a little corroded looking there. at least its out of sight mostly. also you guys with new HD's, keep an eye out on the bottom of the tips at the very edge of the opening. the chrome will probably start to corrode off there eventually.

chrome shift lever- mine's fine, guess you just got unlucky with a defect one


not polish too often! can't let the HD get dirty now can we? LoL. i just started using zaino polish and it works great, you can tell it actually leaves a thick protective coating on the truck and it looks awsome!



o yeah, another complaint...cheap leather!

 

Gents, woould still rather have these "cheap" annoyances then be driving anything else on the road! Agree with the tailpipe...my shifter is fine. Same for my clearcoat but I did get Autoarmour lifetime warranty on paint and leather as part of my deal when I bought the truck through a dealer incentive. Seems to be holding up good. Of course with me being the primary rider the seats don't get much work out!

 

I realized if you treat your seats like they should be treated. They will hold up fine. The biggest thing you have to be careful on is the ingress and egress. I only have a passenger about 50% of the time, but I have seen that the passenger seat has become more worn because of careless passengers who slide off while exiting or slouch in the seat. Because we have no step bars (chrome nerf bar not functional) - people tend to want to "slide" down the seat with feet extended. That is the reason I have the "no sliding" rule. You must use the support things to pull yourself up into the truck and hop out when exiting (or use the support thing to grab onto)

 

not aways the case though. I had a slit that wore into the side of the driver's seat, just from daily use. It was the rear part of the side lower seat cover. it rubbed on the side platic control trim. Even if you slid on and off the seat, it wouldn't rub there, it was just a thin spot and rubbed through over time. Also on my passenger seat, between the front side of the seat back rolled leather pleats, and the HD symbol, on the armrest side, i can see the leather is thin in that spot (slightly whitish in color if there's no leather conditioner on teh seat, it'll eventually break there most likely will have to get it replaced probably). ANd thats definately not even a light wear area. THey did use cheap leather, but if you do take care of them though, it will definately help, but can't guard against those damn thin spots

 

Damn, you guys are tough. I only drive my truck a couple times a week and have passengers (wife and 2 kids) occasionally who get in and out). I don't have any 'rules' for how to get in and out tho and I really do not see any wear in the leather. I keep everything conditioned and there seems to be no problem.

I've had a lot of other vehicles with leather and never noticed any problems with wear if it's maintained. Granted it won't stay in the brand new never been sat in condition but oh well.

My 2 cents there has to be a balance between enjoying the truck and putting it up on blocks with a cover on it and not letting it see the light of day. Don't get me wrong I like my truck to be in show condition all the time but you gotta enjoy it too.

Hell if I had enough money I'd buy 2 and put one in the garage on blocks and drive the sh$$ out of the other.

 

thats exactly what i would do if i had the money! (and a garage )
I'd also buy one of each year...or two at that matter

but until the time comes when i can ever afford to do that, it has to sit outside all year, driven daily, and i just take care of it the best i can.

 

Josh,
Not dissing you man. I think you had a valid case with yours tearing and needing replaced.

I just think we are not put on this earth long enough to not enjoy life, and our toys, a little.

Here we are bitc#ing about a little wear in our leather while there are others that will never own a new car period let alone an HD. We are truly lucky.

Sorry for the vent, just feeling a little weird after 9/11.

Just got to put priorities in perspective every once in a while.

 

i know what your sayin bill. its just that when you pay 33+ K for a special edition truck, you'd think they would have used a little better quality leather and such But don't get me wrong, i'm extremely happy with this truck, and very lucky to have one. can barely afford it, but i love it too much to give up

 

Mine has a crappy chrome job on the shift lever too!
Dang it...Ill have to trade it in now!....NOT

Seriously..I love this truck!! Theres not a vehicle built today that doesnt have flaws, in fact a few flaws add character.

like the saying goes...chicks dig scars!

 

True to Billp...

Let alone owning such nice trucks---we live in the most beautiful and free country in the world. I could live without my truck and as long as I live her -- i am 100% HAPPY!

GOD BLESS THE USA! (he already has)

 

"If tomorrow all my things were gone..."

You know, I'd say there were more than there share of Patriots and romantics here. That's what makes this a great site. Must say, I've spent more time here then anyother site in recent months. Always a pleasure. BTW, who created this site? My hats off to you!

 

i second that! if it weren't for this site, i'd be bored out of my mind! just look at the number of my posts in a year!


*edit* just checked the member section. I'm the 18th highest poster out of who knows how many members, and i've only been here a year LoL. #2 here i come! (don't think i'll pass the #1 poster anytime soon...if you don't know who i'm talking about..check it out. WOW thats alot of posts. LoL)

 

made in the USA....the truck and I

im very proud to live here and drive this big 4 wheel HD TRUCK

....even with the aches on my old bones and the rattles on my 33.5 dash...

its a pleasure to be part of this site...lot of good vibes and plenty of knowledgeable wrench heads...

USA RULES....the rest of the world wishes they were us....Americans and HD owners...

USA!....USA!

>>>RAH!....RAH!...RAH!

 

Glad I could rouse up a little patriotic spirit on this site.

I think most of the people here are great and this is certainly the best place to share ideas and show off our toys.

As a few others have said, I too have too many things to be happy about and my truck is just a little perk that I could live without if I had to.

Living in the best damned country in the world, having family and friends are just a couple of things that top my list.