Obviously i'm not going to nay say any old fords out there, considering I would get my butt whooped in this forum and also because I own an old Ford, but I must say that my 2001 is absolutely the coolest, baddest, most pwerful Ford i've owned yet! Some facts to back this up- mind you i'm comparing "stock" trucks, the newer style rides higher, like a truck should, has more torque and horsepower in almost every engine configuration, and feels more "solid" than the old ones. And if you get the 5.4 engine you get a "real" rear axle that a truck should have, the 9.75". Now the only thing that I think the older ones have an advantage in is the front suspension. Granted the ride with the newer SLA is much smoother, I just don't think it's as tough as the older Twin Traction beam. So, there you go, I hope I didn't offend anybody, but i'm sure I did. I just had to put in my 2 cents! You can start bashing me now.

 

well, believe it or not, i wouldnt trade my truck for a new one. except maybe a lightning...

 

I welcome your opinions! I love hearing other peoples praises and faults with the new trucks! It helps keep me informed. If it wasn't for the feminine looks of the F-150's, and all of the problems the mod engines keep having with rod knocks, piston slapping, etc, I would buy one. In fact, if they offered a new superduty with a new 4.9L IL6 (I know I'm dreaming), I would buy it tomorrow.

Take care,
-Chris

 

I gotta say, I love all Ford trucks, no matter what year or what model, but we all have to have our favorites. There is a lot about the new trucks I really like. However, their looks isn't one of them, and neither is their price tag! I can't see spending 30 grand for a pickup truck! And then I've gotta put a lift kit on, tires, wheels, exhaust, chip, K&N, all the trimmings, stereo, etc... it all adds up to too much $$$ for me! Maybe by the time they toughen up the looks of the truck, I'll be able to afford one, but judging by the Dodge's grotesque new design, and the softer look of the Chevy's, it appears that the trend is not swinging in our favor right now. So in the meantime, I am very happy with my good ol' '90 pickup truck. Rides, feels, acts, AND looks like a truck! I know the new ones ride like a car and are quieter and more "user friendly", but if I wanted a vehicle that rode like a car, I would just buy a car. I want the entire truck experience. I wanna be able to cruise down the freeway, roll down my windows and hear the humming of my 35" tires, the rumble of my exhaust, bounce up and down with every bump in the road, get some mud on my floors and not have to sweat it, roam the earth with a near invincible feeling, not worrying about every minor ding or scratch, and in general, just intimidate the hell out of just about every other vehicle on the road. Everytime I get in my truck, it's like a dream come true for me. Ahh.....there's nothing like a good old pickup truck!

My truck:

1990 F-150 XLT Lariat
Short bed, Regular cab, Charcoal gray
Rebuilt 302 V8, Rebuilt AOD transmission
4.10 gears with LSD
Crane Cams Compucam
K&N FIPK
Gibson shorty headers
High-flow cat. converter with 3" exhaust
Flowmaster "40 Series" muffler with dual turndowns
Tough Country 4" suspension lift with extended radius arms
Dunlop 35x12.50" Mud Rover tires
Ultra 15x10" aluminum rims
Delta diamond plated toolbox, diamond plated bed rail caps
Alpine cd7840 cd player
Alpine MRV-F307 amp.
Infiniti 6.5" door speakers, tweeters
MTX truck box (2)
Ford trailer hitch cover and a few other trimmings...

Coming soon/wish list:
- Smittybuilt grill guard
- fog lights
- new subs
- Superchip
- 351 engine swap
- Skyjacker 6" or 8" suspension lift
- new super swamper tires (depends on the lift)
- 15x12" rims
- Edelbrock performance package
(heads, headers, intake manifold, throttle body, cam, etc.)

 

Amen Brother !!!

 

oldnnew,
Can't diagree with you about the new trucks. I owned a 97 for a while and liked the same things you mention, especially the taller ride hight. No doubt they are well built and feel solid. I just can't get past the body style. It's more curvy than an over-weight belly dancer. I'm hoping the next generation borrows from the Superduty gene pool.

 

Well, I don't think looks should stop you guys from trying a newer F150. It doesn't matter what it looks like when it's it pulling a trailer or hauling dirt. To get so wrapped up about the exterior sheetmetal, c'mon. It's not like it looks like a Chevy or worse the new Dodge.

Granted, the engine linep is new(ish), and the 5.4 has had problems. Go with the 4.6 then. It's well proven in CrownVics/Merqs, Mustangs and the F150. I love the 5.4 in my truck. My biggest complaint is the tranny shifting sucks compared to older trucks. Have to get a chip after the warranty runs out.

 

I owned a '98 with the 4.2. Don't like that the newer trucks have to rev higher to get more power. Don't like the new feminine sheetmetal looks. DON'T like the PRICE TAG!!!

Too many people are buying pickups who have no business driving them. That's driving prices up for those of us who need a solid TRUCK at a reasonable price. $40,000 for a new SuperDuty diesel is why I'm pulling my 29.5 foot horse trailer with a 12 year old F-150 that needs to be retired to daily driver status.

If my paycheck increased each year as much as truck prices have, then I'd be more inclined to pay the going price. But dealers have become too arrogant and prices too high in the past few years--to the point of being downright ridiculous.

I love the looks of my '91 and its road manners. I love adding aftermarket mods to it. I love its dependability, and I love working on it when it needs work.

I also love the fact that it is paid for.

-Mike

 

Next time you are up in New England, lets hook-up (the chains) and we'll find out which is the solid truck, old or new. Aint afraid to scratch my paint.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I just want to say that I have the utmost respect for the "Old Fords". They are tough as nails and I also love how they look. I guess I just love having my new Ford because it's "new"! I actually just have it because it's my daily driver and my workhorse. It regularly pulls my Farmall H which combined with trailer weighs in at 7,000 lbs. When I want to get a taste of the old ones, I just bring out my '79 and haul a** down the road and listen to the sweet sound of the small block breathing out the dual exhaust! Real obnoxious and real cool! All I can say is drive on guys and enjoy the best trucks ever built!

P.S. inski21 - lets hook them chains, done it before and i'll do it again!

 

Mmmm, that new truck smell. Well, I'm glad that you'll be using it and not just buffin it every five minutes. ENJOY!

 

I have nothing against the new trucks, and considered buying one. Personally I though the 4.6 had little if anything over the old 5.0. The 5.4 has a lot more low end grunt and didn't want to hunt for gears.

The bottom line was the "like to screw with stuff" factor. Even if I bought a new 5.4, I'd be putting mods on it. Combined with the payment, extra insurance, etc. it didn't make sense.

As for styling, just like the old ones.... Some color combos and styles look good, others not so good. The 4x4 with ORP looks nice, and sit way higher than the old models. The long bed reg cabs have to be the right color, or they just look wrong....

 

This is really a matter of opinion, isn't it? Also, I personally think it is truck to truck, no general classification of either one of them. I have seen some sweet older trucks, and some sweet newer ones, too! Whatever ya like, oldnnew!

 

Ive owned both and my overall favorite is my newer one!!!

Plus the 4.6 in my ex cab off road will dust my bosses 5.0 stick! reg. cab!
JJ

 

Was just looking through my post history and came across one of my original posts when I signed up this website.

It's hard to believe that it's been 11 years since I drove my "new" '01 F-150 off the lot. I'm happy to report that since 11 years has passed, the truck is still running strong! It has since been downgraded to "recreational" use only due to the higher gas prices. It has only 87,000 miles on it. I still get the same satisfied feeling when I drive it now as I did when it was new. It is still in similar condition with no body damage or rust. In fact, here in salty NY, it's starting to feel like i'm driving a rare truck as I see similar vintage F-150's which look like swiss cheese with rust holes (mine has not seen substantial winter driving in about 7 years and I keep it "oiled" underneath every year). It's funny looking at old posts and how things were back then. I don't even know how many people who replied to my post are even still around here...