I am in the market for a Supercrew in order to get back into a Ford. I used to read and post here years ago under the name "Stoner" when I had a '97 4x4. My '97 Offroad was the best truck I ever owned - until it caught fire late one night and totalled itself and my Corvette. I was gonna buy another one just like it until the insurance adjuster mentioned that he had seen "a lot of Fords do this." That was in 2002, and we didn't know about the cruise switch then. Since then I have been through a Tundra and a GMC Diesel (current truck) but I want to get back into an F150 now that I feel safe enough to park one in the garage again.

I have read a bunch and picked up some valuable info here, but I have a couple questions that I hope someone will answer: Are there any significant differences between the 02 and 03 models? I gather the 03 had redesigned heads, or managed to solve a spark plug problem with which I am unfamiliar (my '97 4.6L spit the plug boots off after I changed the plugs - is that the issue?). There are a lot more 02 models on the market with the options I want (all of 'em!), but should I be looking for an 03 if I want a trouble-free truck?

Also, I am test-driving an 04 tomorrow, and with all the same options (FX4, Lariat, Heated leather seats, sunroof) it comes in at $4K higher than an 03. Is an 04 worth that much more just for the new body style? Anything I should look out for in the '04?

Also, I haven't seen a King Ranch FX4 - does such a thing exist? Is the KR more than just the sweetest interior package ever (some option that precludes the FX4)?

Thanx for any insight or advice - I hope to be posting as an F150 owner again soon!

Stoner

 

2003 added several refinements like more insulation, automatic climate control for the Lariat. All 17" wheel'ed Supercrews got 3.73 rear gear ratio in 2003 vs. a stand alone option for 2002. The only downside to the 2003 over 2002 is the exhaust is not stainless steel I believe. My 99 F-150 tailpipe looks better than my 2003. The tip is also straight vs. a slash cut. Anyway, that is minor.

I would not worry about any blown spark plugs for any year F-150. For all its hype on here, very few percentage of trucks have this problem.

2004 offered the new (current) body design. I didn't think it was worth $5k more when I got my closeout 2003 and I still don't. 3V 5.4L offers more power, but not much more torque for the extra weight. There have been several types of complaints, but nothing major. There is no reason to avoid 2004, they just cost more. There are ssome nice features not availible before 2004 like reverse sensing and memory seats

I believe you could get the Rancho branded shocks for the King Ranch (2002-2003), but who cares? The FX4 package meant unique 17" wheels, poor shocks and skid plates. Oh yeah, the stickers too! 17" wheels were either an option or standard on all Supercrews. Skid plates were a stand alone option, or aftermarket ones bolt right up. I don't care for the KR's wheels nor the 2-tone paint, but the interior is 100x better than the Lariat. I thought my 99 Lariat had better leather than my 03 (and front seats).

I'd rather have a 2003 KR instead of a 2004 Lariat, but that's my opinion. Test drive a couple 2004+ models (new 2006's at any dealer are essentially the same). Maybe you'll find them worth the extra money. But when looking used, I'd concentrate on finding one withthe options you really want in a solid truck over any specifi year, 2002-2004.

 

01-03 Supercrews are pretty much the same. Just some tweaks here and there. Go with whichever style/options you like betterI went with an 01 Screw and its been a great truck. Only other I'd consider is a Nissan Titan.

 

Thanx, guys. The '04 I drove felt slow, rattley and cheap; it only had 30K miles on it, but maybe it had been abused. I also drove an '04 Titan, which really impressed me with its power and build quality. I am driving an '02 King Ranch tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes.

Can anybody point me to the specifications for the two years 2002 and 2003? I don't even know the hp/tq numbers...

Again, thanx for taking me to school!

 

I bought mine last summer. 2003 2wd 4.6L after driving the 2005's. I like the old body style and with the addition of a few mods, I am liking it even more. I am driving it for work, running around 2500 miles a month right now for business and personal. Been good so far!

 

Remember that while the 04 5.4 engine has 300 hp v. the 260 for the 01-03 crew, the 04 weighs a lot more 500+pounds I believe. So that extra hp is used to haul its fat **** around. performancewise, both model years are very similar. My 01 5.4 can move along rather well for a vehicle its size. Quicker than many family sedans out there...and the same speed as some when hauling 2-3000 pounds Nice thing abotu the old style is its a design form the 97 model year so most of the bugs were worked out by the time the supercrew appeared. 04 had some bugs but I dont recall what all they were... Bad brakes were one.

 

I got the 03 didn't want to wait for the 04 and then I read about there were leaks,drive line vibs,break rotors plus other bugs that gave trouble on the 04's.It looks like it takes a few years to get the bugs out when they redsign a vel. I'm happy with my 03 FX.I like the looks of the newer fords,but don't need all the bugs that come with them.

 

I'd stay away from the 2004. Being the first year, it was not a pretty picture in regard to Technical Service Bulletins: http://www.mycarstats.com/ I think the "avoid the first year" rule kinda rings true for most car manufactures except maybe a Honda?

I'd suggest the last year of the older body style if price is a concern and you dont want to spring for an '06.

On a side note: my 2006 Supercrew is night and day compaired to my 2002 Supercrew in ride/handling, interior and just daily liveability.

 

 

You're a bonehead, the 04s are just fine. They only sold about 900 000 of them.

 

You have to remember, just because they sold alot of them doesnt mean a thing except that alot of ppl wanted one. That doesnt say anything about the trucks reliability, performance, reviews, etc. You have to wait a year or two and listen to the owners after its been several thousand miles of real driving before you make any conclusions.

I dont have an 04, I have an 05 which I would have thought that the bugs would have been worked out seeing as it was a second year model, well I was wrong. These trucks are just rampant with problems, and just feel cheap to me. Ive had everything from master cylinder failure(not yet fixed), engine vibrations(not yet fixed), bad brakes, engine tick due to cam phasor(not yet fixed), irregular tire wear, misalignment, etc all in the past 7 months. This truck has been in the shop more than all of my previous vehicles combined, and thats no exaguration. I miss my 93 F150, if it were up to me Id sell this thing and buy back my 93. Problem is that the private sales on these trucks is shot to hell, so you can forget about selling them privately. Oh well.

 

yeah well all i know is that my 04 (built september 03 by the way) has NEVER been in the shop for anything. and i don't think i'm in the minority. to hear people calling these trucks cheap is beyond me i guess. have you driven the competition? i've driven all of them and they can't compare to our trucks. sure there's always going to be a few lemons floating around and sure there will be some minor problems, but what vehicle doesn't have them? these trucks are not made solely by robots, there is a huge human element at play and we all know the percentage of error that humans can bring to any equation.

ford spent over 2 billion dollars redesigning these trucks and i think they did a pretty solid job. i know that whole "truth about trucks" thing is ford tooting their own horn, but seriously, if even half of that stuff is true we're doing alright. besides, check out my name, it's not like i've always loved f-150's, i thought the previous models were a damn joke. i switched brands becuase i did my homework and these trucks were just plain better than anything else out there.

just my $0.02

 

Here's my .02 worth.... The last year of any model style, always seems to hold there value...they seem more desirable. Take for instance the '66 mustang. Or the '68 or '70 mustang for that matter. A lot of times, the last year model actually has some of the new years equipment in it. Likewise, the first year run sometimes has last years equipment in it as well. I got more for my '96 f-150 (the last year for that body style) than my buddy did when he traded in his '97 (the first year) on the same day I did. His truck had 32,000 less miles than mine did! (they were both XLT's, comparibly equiped) They only difference was I had put on 31/ 10.50's, he had stock tires and rims. But there was a $2,000 difference at trade in time. I bought a '03 Screw FX4, he bought the '04 Scab. His truck has had three recalls since. Mine? none. My truck had 18,000 miles, and my price was about $17,000 less that his new sticker. Plus, between you and me and all the world, I still havn't warmed up to the '04/'05/'06 body style yet. The bed sides are so damn high! OK- I'm hoppin off the soap box...

 

I AGREE!
i have 03 S-CREW FX 4X4...I LOVE THIS TRUCK! I have never had a problem with it,bought it used for 15,000..with 15,000+ miles on it,it has 30,000 now...
i didnt like 04 style either,to boxy for me,03 has good styling IMHO,what ever you do get what you want...dont let them sales people try and change your mind...it took me 3 months to find my truck...it was worth the wait

 

U got a great price. Salvage title or something? Sounds fishy