Got my first Screw!
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,358
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From: Commerce Twp, MI
Got my first Screw!
This will probably be a long read, so I hope you are bored.
I have a 99 SC Lariat ORP that I ordered exactly how I wanted over 4 years ago. It is my wife's daily driver, but I drive it often for home improvement runs, weekend camping trips, or whenever I need to haul something. We both love it and planed to keep for a long time.
Then crazy incentives start appearing, plus I found out how much our truck is worth to a dealer. After much deliberation, we decide to try to find a 2003 Screw in an acceptable configuration. The larger cab will be welcome when kids come some day, and for adult evenings out too. There are more options availible now as well, like moonroof and heated seats we wanted. Here is what we ideally wanted if we could have ordered.
Lariat 4x4
True Blue Exterior / Tan interior - no two tone
5.4L
Power moonroof
Power slider
Trailer towing package
Captain's chairs
Heated seats
CD-6
3.73 limited slip diff
Skid Plates
Bed extender
No FX4 as we prefer the 17" chrome wheels we currently have.
Here is what we took delivery of today:
2003 F-150 Supercrew 4x4 Lariat
Dark Highland Green out / Tan in
5.4L
Power moonroof
Power Slider
Trailer tow
Captains chairs
Heated seats
Dual media radio - initial thoughts - don't like
FX4 which includes LTD slip and skid plates, but crappy (sorry) wheels
Dealer threw in a Duraliner for $200
Built Jan 29, 2003
MSRP $38,155 A-Plan $32,090 Rebates $3500 4.75% interest rate through our credit union
First mod was Dale Earnhardt license plate frame, installed at dealer. Next I removed the FX4 stickers as everyone should be aware by its height that is is 4WD. My mother-in-law is buying our old truck, but we have it until this weekend. I plan to swap the chrome wheels just to see which I like better. I already know the Goodyear RT/S tires suck on the Screw, so that would be a bonus as well to get rid of. Tomorrow I get an Access Cover Limited and Westin Platinum CPS steps. I have Invinca Shield coming for paint protection.
For now, here is how it looks when we brought it home.
Back
Right Rear
Right side
Right Front with old truck in background
Left Front with old truck in background
Left Side
I know, pretty plain Jane stock truck for now.
I washed it, clayed it, then it rained before I had a chance to polish and wax. I had to go over it by hand to learn the differences between it and the Supercab, and find any defects. Also, the dealer did not do a great job preping it inside or out. There are some dents in the hood, possibly hail damage, but the rest looks great.
First impressions since I have never driven a Screw: There is evidence of cost cutting here and there, but also additions. Overall, I like the intereior less than our 99. The colors are a little less pleasing inside and there is an overall harder edge feel vs. smooth lines inside from the seatbelts to the grab handles. Quieter - less wind, road, and engine sounds. That is nice in some ways, but I'd like to hear my V8 a little. Magnaflow someday. Trans shifts smoother. Engine seems less powerful, but I figure it has to get broken in and learn my driving habits. Our 99 feels less peppy, or less sensitive to throttle tip-in after my wife drives it for a while so I'll give it sometime. Unsure about the seat design. Kind of liked the 99 seats better so far, except that back seat obviously. Power slider is fast, power pedals are slow. Automatic climate control is welcome, black lock ***** are not. I like the trailer harness connector better with both 4 and 7 pin harnesses instead of using an adapter like in 99. Seems solidly built thus far. I would shoot myself in the foot if we gave up our perfectly good 99 for a poorly assembled 03, but I am impressed so far.
Well, that is enough of my babbling. I need to check out the owner's manual to see if it lets me disable the beltmider thing.
I have a 99 SC Lariat ORP that I ordered exactly how I wanted over 4 years ago. It is my wife's daily driver, but I drive it often for home improvement runs, weekend camping trips, or whenever I need to haul something. We both love it and planed to keep for a long time.
Then crazy incentives start appearing, plus I found out how much our truck is worth to a dealer. After much deliberation, we decide to try to find a 2003 Screw in an acceptable configuration. The larger cab will be welcome when kids come some day, and for adult evenings out too. There are more options availible now as well, like moonroof and heated seats we wanted. Here is what we ideally wanted if we could have ordered.
Lariat 4x4
True Blue Exterior / Tan interior - no two tone
5.4L
Power moonroof
Power slider
Trailer towing package
Captain's chairs
Heated seats
CD-6
3.73 limited slip diff
Skid Plates
Bed extender
No FX4 as we prefer the 17" chrome wheels we currently have.
Here is what we took delivery of today:
2003 F-150 Supercrew 4x4 Lariat
Dark Highland Green out / Tan in
5.4L
Power moonroof
Power Slider
Trailer tow
Captains chairs
Heated seats
Dual media radio - initial thoughts - don't like
FX4 which includes LTD slip and skid plates, but crappy (sorry) wheels
Dealer threw in a Duraliner for $200
Built Jan 29, 2003
MSRP $38,155 A-Plan $32,090 Rebates $3500 4.75% interest rate through our credit union
First mod was Dale Earnhardt license plate frame, installed at dealer. Next I removed the FX4 stickers as everyone should be aware by its height that is is 4WD. My mother-in-law is buying our old truck, but we have it until this weekend. I plan to swap the chrome wheels just to see which I like better. I already know the Goodyear RT/S tires suck on the Screw, so that would be a bonus as well to get rid of. Tomorrow I get an Access Cover Limited and Westin Platinum CPS steps. I have Invinca Shield coming for paint protection.
For now, here is how it looks when we brought it home.
Back
Right Rear
Right side
Right Front with old truck in background
Left Front with old truck in background
Left Side
I know, pretty plain Jane stock truck for now.
I washed it, clayed it, then it rained before I had a chance to polish and wax. I had to go over it by hand to learn the differences between it and the Supercab, and find any defects. Also, the dealer did not do a great job preping it inside or out. There are some dents in the hood, possibly hail damage, but the rest looks great.
First impressions since I have never driven a Screw: There is evidence of cost cutting here and there, but also additions. Overall, I like the intereior less than our 99. The colors are a little less pleasing inside and there is an overall harder edge feel vs. smooth lines inside from the seatbelts to the grab handles. Quieter - less wind, road, and engine sounds. That is nice in some ways, but I'd like to hear my V8 a little. Magnaflow someday. Trans shifts smoother. Engine seems less powerful, but I figure it has to get broken in and learn my driving habits. Our 99 feels less peppy, or less sensitive to throttle tip-in after my wife drives it for a while so I'll give it sometime. Unsure about the seat design. Kind of liked the 99 seats better so far, except that back seat obviously. Power slider is fast, power pedals are slow. Automatic climate control is welcome, black lock ***** are not. I like the trailer harness connector better with both 4 and 7 pin harnesses instead of using an adapter like in 99. Seems solidly built thus far. I would shoot myself in the foot if we gave up our perfectly good 99 for a poorly assembled 03, but I am impressed so far.
Well, that is enough of my babbling. I need to check out the owner's manual to see if it lets me disable the beltmider thing.
Last edited by APT; Jun 19, 2003 at 07:56 AM.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,358
Likes: 1
From: Commerce Twp, MI
That was 2-E-Z RP.
Thanks, guys! We considered a King Ranch, but they are all two-tone and I don't like the wheels on that either. We would have taken RP's color, though. Chestnut is beautiful!
Hmm, you people really prefer the FX4 wheels? I don't know, I think these wheels look better on dark colors. I'm changing them tonight, just to see for myself. I do know that the design on these aluminum rims are a PITA to clean compared to the smooth chrome. Plus the steps will be Chrome Plated Stainless, nad the bumpers are chrome. Start adding too many colors and materials. We'll see. I'll take pictures of both sides and offer them up for advice.
Aaron
Thanks, guys! We considered a King Ranch, but they are all two-tone and I don't like the wheels on that either. We would have taken RP's color, though. Chestnut is beautiful!
Hmm, you people really prefer the FX4 wheels? I don't know, I think these wheels look better on dark colors. I'm changing them tonight, just to see for myself. I do know that the design on these aluminum rims are a PITA to clean compared to the smooth chrome. Plus the steps will be Chrome Plated Stainless, nad the bumpers are chrome. Start adding too many colors and materials. We'll see. I'll take pictures of both sides and offer them up for advice.
Aaron
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Central TX
don't put any miles on the tires! You can swap them at the local tire store. they will give you huge credit toward some All terrain TA's or talk to your dealer/ salesman you're not stuck with the goodyears (nor should you stick mom with them)!
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,358
Likes: 1
From: Commerce Twp, MI
Thanks, Dale. I was planning to do just that, set up a deal with a tire shop before I even took delivery. I talked to my brother whp has a 97 Lariat still on original RT/S tires after 72k miles! I offered to sell him my new tires for $200 because he needs them and he likes them. More power to him.
The wheels will not swap from a 99 as the lugs are larger in 03. The 99 wheels won't even go on. I tried. So, for now stuck with FX4 wheels. Maybe I can talk to Discount Tire and find some take offs....
Today, I got the Access Cover that looks great, and works better. Takes up less bed width than I was expecting. Also got the Westin Platinum CPS steps that look great. Wife really likes these already.
UPS delivered the Invinca Shield, but I have to return to ealer to discuss paint issues before I apply it.
I washed it again, polish, and wax. I am really starting to like this color. It reminds me of Deep Wedgewood Blue that looks different depending on the lighting. Looks anywhere from deep, dark green to a medium green in bright sun. Here she is with steps, cover, and no FX4 sticker.
The wheels will not swap from a 99 as the lugs are larger in 03. The 99 wheels won't even go on. I tried. So, for now stuck with FX4 wheels. Maybe I can talk to Discount Tire and find some take offs....
Today, I got the Access Cover that looks great, and works better. Takes up less bed width than I was expecting. Also got the Westin Platinum CPS steps that look great. Wife really likes these already.
UPS delivered the Invinca Shield, but I have to return to ealer to discuss paint issues before I apply it.
I washed it again, polish, and wax. I am really starting to like this color. It reminds me of Deep Wedgewood Blue that looks different depending on the lighting. Looks anywhere from deep, dark green to a medium green in bright sun. Here she is with steps, cover, and no FX4 sticker.
