My, my, my- it’s almost that time. Yes, sooner than any of us can imagine, the dealerships will be inundated with the 2004 F-150. I can’t wait. However, there is a threat, a threat that I don’t think Ford even considered- and, just like on December 7, 1941- this threat comes from Japan. This threat is none other than, the Nissan Titan.

Laugh if you feel ticklish, but I’m going to tell you- I looked at this truck closely in March at the Dallas Auto Show, and from what I’ve seen in Motor Trend, as well as on the web site, Ford had better make that darn F-150 real, real good.

You know the Japanese car companies are meticulous when it comes to detail; as well as with fit & finish- so you know (Unless Ford has done a top-to-bottom shake down w/Quality) the Nissan will win that battle. They’re talking about at LEAST 330 HP from a 5.6L V-8. And the interior, while similar to the new Ford, look way ahead of it in execution.

I love Ford’s, I’ve owned three, but fellow Ford owners, 2004 may be the year that Ford loses the truck title to Chevrolet. Not that Chevy is a better truck. Absolutely not- but I think Nissan may just steal enough buyers away from the 150, to let Chevy win the title on a technicality.

On the outside, the new Ford is a prettier truck. On the inside, Nissan has Ford beat. And, with every 3rd Ford truck I see, being driven by women- ford had better pay CLOSE attention to what’s pretty.

The Tundra was a scare. It lost because it was simply too small. The Titan won’t make that mistake. It’s within an inch of the 150 in every measurement, from what I’ve read- and it will be far more functional, and powerful than the Ford F-150.

No doubt, Ford will sell more than Nissan will- (Owner Loyalty & tariffs will guarantee that) But, I’ll tell you- that little trophy that Motor trend hands out carries a lot of weight, and unless Ford has something up there sleeve that they haven’t made public knowledge by now, that Nissan, in my opinion, will walk away with the title of: Motor Trend’s 2004 Truck of the Year.

Ford, please step up the power. You’re doing good everywhere else. Ergonomics have improved, I’m sure if it rides better than my 2000 Expy, or my 2001 SuperCrew you have really outdone yourselves- but, when you’ve been on top for so many years, you become a target, a benchmark if you will… Everybody’s gunning for you, Chevy, Dodge, GMC, Toyota, and now Nissan. You may have to take a chance, if you want to stay in the lead… As Tim “The Toolman” Taylor said, there’s no such thing as too much power!

I hate to quote Chevy, but let’s see the power, of more power!

 

Hey Bighersh, I don't think you'll have anything to worry about when it comes time to name Truck of the Year. Personally, I think three key elements will up-end the Titan in the end.

-1- Styling: It still looks to Japanese (IMO). I don't see ranchers, farmers, or commercial customers buying into the styling.

-2- Ergos: Ford has already taken flack over the proposed floor shift automatic tranny and I don't think the Titan will escape this issue either. And oh my God those A pillars! I can't believe how much road vision they obscure.

-3- Sales Volume: Most important issue of the bunch is that Nissan is only projecting to sell a very low number of Titans in 2004. Won't even scratch the sales surface when you compare sales volumes for all the manufacturers.

Don't get me wrong, there are some aspects of the Titan I do like (configurable bed tiedown points, lower rear fender storage, etc), but it's not a replacement for my SuperCrew yet.

Oh and before I forget, don't get too excited about the HP output on the Titan. Until we see some real world testing (i.e. towing and hauling) against it's competitors, we won't know how well the Titan gets it's power to the ground. Remember when the Dodge HEMI truck hit the street late last year. Everyone swooned over the HEMI until real world testing proved it to be a very good motor, but definitely not the barn burner Dodge pumped it up to be.

Time will tell, but I think the Titan will need to go through one more redesign before it becomes truly competitive with the Big Three.

-Mike-

 

Big Deal, I know Doug's gonna slap my hand for this one, but after I saw your SCrew, I had to show you mine.

I guess great minds think alike.



Installed, but not pictured.

Street Scenes "Speed Grill" w/Ford Emblem, LoRider painted tonneau.

I don't have my gallery URL, but it's under "BigHersh" in the gallery search.

 

if the '04 model lives up to the reviews i've read recently....ford will have absolutely no problem with the titan...or any other truck for that matter. it sounds like it's pretty much got truck of the year wrapped up already!!

 

Yeh, I've seen your truck out here before and it looks sweet! I haven't once regretted my choice of Arizona Beige (personally I think it's the best color out there for a F150 ).

Enjoy.

-Mike-

 

Went to the website to check out the Tittin. Butt ugly. At least Chebbys and Dodges look like trucks. I like what Nissan is doing with the new SUV, the Infinitis are much improved and the Z is very nice, but their trucks still miss the mark IMO. I'll stick with the blue oval and so will the majority of the truck owners in this country.

 

http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/Fu...,24367,00.html

http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/Fu...,24367,00.html

 

I don't doubt for a second that Ford will outsell the Nissan, and I also know that die-hard Ford fans will NEVER let the blue Oval go, for a Nissan.

The point I was trying to make is that this truck is so nice, and such a complete 1st shot, that people who crave American size & Japanese reliability will look at this truck, and if Nissan prices it competively, I think it will steal enough sales from Ford, to possibly make the Silverado the sales leader. I know the Titan won't replace the 150 anytime soon- but I think it is a significant tripping stone.

Chevy's no competition, (For Ford or this new Titan) but Chevy owners are loyal too. They may challenge Dodge in every areana except the farm or some oil field. To me, it's clear that Nissan had it's sights aimed squarely on Ford when this truck was born.

A Tundra redesign is probably coming soon... Tundra's been around what, 4 years now??? Trucks are now enjoying an average 7-year run with a current body style; we'll see.....

I think Truckdom is about to get interesting. I just wish they'd go back to being cheaper than cars, like they were in the early 90's!!! The secret's out!!! $35-$45K for a PU? Who wouldda thunk it?

Ford F-150 (1997 - 2003)
Dodge Ram (1994 - 2001)
Chevy Truck (1998 - present w/mild Avalanche inspired face-lift)

 

The Titan has some interesting features, looks like a good engine, 5-sp transmission, tow/haul mode, but I think it looks really ugly. Plus, there aren't really any specs/tests on it - like what is the engine really like, where did it come from? A first try? and what about the trans.? where did it come from? Now they have a Dana rear end and avail. locking rear, which I wish ford offered.

I agree that it looks like Nissan really set it sites on Ford - the Titan crew cab competes squarely with the Screw but in typical Japanese style, they have a lot more wiz-bang options like Navigation system, rear sensors, tire pressure monitor, etc...

Plus, this Titan hasn't even been tested yet and Nissan is still doing "market research" on it...

Have you tried pricing it out? Just adding my basic Screw Lariat features sent the price over 38K!

The reviews of the new Ford sound incredible. I think they are going to have a really good TRUCK. I don't know what the Titan will amount to...there isn't much track record there.

I still don't know why Ford can't just really up the ante and blow these guys away - is it that hard to offer a "modern" engine like in the Navigator? or a strong, smooth transmission? or a locking rear diff? or "real" gauges? heated side view mirrors? what about mirrors that tilt down when you reverse? I mean come on, Chevy has most of these things!

Still though, I think the 2004 Ford F150 would be a "buy" if not for the first year thing...sigh...but then why don't we worry about the first year of Jap. vehicle launches?

As far as Motortrend, it is hard to say who they will go for - their truck of the year to me seems more based on first impressions than on any real test.

 

Yes- I think feature wise & function wise, this is gonna be a show-down. In that arena- Nissan will be Ford's ONLY competition.

GMC, Chevy & Dodge- in my opinion- are just not as refined as the Ford.

But, I also think that Dodge Ram Crew-cab is the toughest looking SOB on the road right now- and will remain.

But, as a colleague told me> Friends don't let friends drive Dodge.

 

I agree, I've often wondered why Ford wouldn't offer a version of the Navigator's engine if not in the F-150, at least in the Expedition- even if they detuned it to 285 HP or something.

I think the 5.4L InTech would be a good engine for the 4x2 F-150, especially the SuperCrew. I doubt that it could tow as much, but that'd be a choice for the driver...