Hi everyone, I just bought a 2005 Supercrew Lariat 4x4. I traded in my 2003 Silverado 2500HD. This is my first Ford and just wanted to post my impressions and ask some questions. First my impressions after a few hundred miles:
Good = quiet cabin, rigid chassis and body means no squeaks or rattles, plenty of interior room, great steering feel and turn radius, decent gas mileage, good looking exterior and interior design (everyone comments on that), and large wheel sizes (hate small wheels on big trucks)

Bad = 5.4 gets the job done but doesn't give passing comfort, rides like my dad's old Cadillac, seats are nice but don't offer much lateral support, and the audio system is pathetic ( non audiophile)

So, with this in mind, I would like to cure the bad as much as possible. Here are some up grades I have planned. Any opinions or suggestions are welcome.

5.4 = Corsa Single Side Exit Exhaust and an engine tune ( Which one?)

Cadillac Ride = 1. Autospring 2" leveling kit with 2" longer Bilstein shocks, or
2. Bilstein's new adjustable shocks that preload the springs

Seats = nothing

Audio System = JL Audio Stealthbox under rear seat and new interior speakers powered by amp ( I just want clean louder volume, not super bass)
or should I install the Ford audiophile system

Here are some pictures taken at the dealership:

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...ojak2/new2.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...ojak2/new3.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p.../70565A_06.jpg

 

I have teh same style engine/drive set up. When I added a tuner, it chnaged the trucks demeanor. For $2-300 its well worth it.

 

I had a tuner and didn't like it. For what I do the 5.4 has plenty of power. THe tuner did change the trucks demeanor. Noticeable power increase and much harder shifts. I like the seamless way the truck shifted without the power. I agree, lateral support in these seats is terrible. I added the Bilstein 5100's and it definately has a nice firm ride now and the front is leveled out. I'd add an airforce one 3" cold air intake to your Corsa exhaust you want before adding a tuner. But thats just me.

 

Tuning all the way. XCAL2 with TP tunes here. Much improved. Shifting is firm but by no means harsh. Drives like it was supposed to. Careful with the intake. The 3V 5.4 is noted for lean conditions with a different intake.

 

As far as the system goes, this is what I'm going to do. Hopefully I will be getting my truck tomorrow of next saturday. I'm going to replace the factory radio with this Pioneer GPS/ DVD system

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mTp65CpEpSk/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=182350&I=130AVICZ2[/URL]

and these speakers

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-mTp65Cp...2200&s=0&cc=01

I hope this helps. I will be doing all of the installation myself.