Aslan

I did get the limited slip, that's the "L/S" in signature.

Am important point that everyone is making is this: If you can afford it, get the goodies that you you relly want and that may really help on resale. On a $30,000 vehicle, don't skimp now to avoid regrets later on!

On the limited slip, tow group, skid plates, 4x4, 5.4 engine etc. many of us probably don't REALLY need all those goodies, but what the hell, we WANT those goodies! Here is Southern Indiana we don't get any snow to speak of, but most trucks on the road are 4x4's loaded with big motors.(that have never left the blacktop)
(Tim the Toolman is right!) If all you needed was transportation, you'd keep that EconoBox you have now!

Trucks hold their value extremely well if you take care of it, so buy the most truck you can afford, loaded up with all the stuff you are drooling over, enjoy your ride for as long as you own it, then sell it and get a huge percent of your cost back! It's the daily gas and maintainence costs that are "spent" forever, not the cost of the truck itself.

Now it will be fun for all of us to see what you actually order on Saturday! What color are you getting? That was my hardest decision!

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Ordered 4/21.Build date 5/22 Wedgewood Blue, Lariat. Med Graphite interior. 5.4, 4x4 L/S
6 Disc CD, Bed Extender, Skid Plates, Moonroof, Tow Group

 

One thing to not pass up is the tow pkg. The trans cooler alone will save you a lot of headache down the road. It can be assumed that most of the supercrews will not tow anything. And by design they are people haulers. Your rpm is limited, because at speed, they engine will cook the tranny...ie..long fast freeway runs could be a problem - get the tow package!!!

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2000 XLT 5.4L SC 4X4 ORP 157"wb Ford Floormats, Mudguards, lighted emblems, lighted interior door handles(all 4) Chrome Grill (4x2 style), Diamondplate bed caps, Pro-Tech tool box, Air Box mod.

 

I had to look at the headers on the posts to see if I had been posting in my sleep.

When the 3/45000 lease grew old, I decided that the 97 SC XLT was SSSOOOOO good that I had to have another. Did the Sam's and other routes for pricing -- but as a supplier to Ford, I got the 4% over dealer COST package -- and started from there downward.

When I got to the dealer to talk, out in the yard was this nice red monster that someone was using to start some other's in the lot.

Closer to it I got. 7700 series, cool. 4x4, cooler yet. XLT -- ooooh, hold me back.

Left there that night with "Nick" my Christmas present -- everything except the hot & cold douche bottles and automatic beer-tap.

I told my wife that I had a rush of testosterone.

I'm still in love with it.

Go for the most you can -- buyers' regrets are horrible.

Good luck,



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Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L 3.73LS

 

D*mn!

I'm on this Message Board on and off just about every day since I ordered my SuperCrew in February. I can't remember the last time a post got this volume of responses in so little time! I feel like I'm waaaaaay late to the party. But, since I'm a long winded SuperCrew fanatic, I'll add my thoughts to those honorable, intelligent and down right friendly F150 Members that have come before me.

I can't stress enough about these two options you want. The 5.4L is not only a good value at $800, it's a work horse. I've got a 5.4L in my '98 Expedition. It's smooth and strong. You'll get the benefit of the 5.4L EVERY time you step on the accelorator - regardless of whether you are towing/hauling or not. These trucks ain't light. I would use an analogy from the computer world for you - If you were going to buy a new computer, I would say get the fastest processor you could afford - all the other components can be upgraded and swapped out later for small incremental costs - but the main processor will always be one of the biggest costs. Same with your truck (OK - not EXACTLY the same, but I'm trying here) - get the most horsepower you can get now. You aren't EVER going to consider upgrading that engine in the future should your needs change or if you feel the 4.6L is too sluggish.

As for the limited slip - well...just the fact that we are talking about a pick-up truck which is rear wheel drive and relatively light over those rear wheels means to me that if I can increase my ability to grip the road (even WITH the 4X4) I'm gonna do it. For me, I use 4X4 very rarely. I'll use it when we get significant snow fall here in Chicago and I'll use it when I'm pulling my bass boat out of a lake with a particularly steep or slippery ramp. 99 percent of the time, 4X4 (or $X$ if you hold down the shift key)isn't engaged which means I'm not getting the benefit of added traction. The Limited Slip is always there and is always helping to keep my wheels gripping.

There...(more than) enough said.

-Mike

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On order: 2001 Supercrew 4X4 Lariat - Oxford White Exterior w/ Medium Parchment Interior-5.4L V-8 Engine-Trailer Tow Pckg-3.55 Limited Slip- Moonroof-Cabsteps-6 Disc CD-Leather Captains Chairs with console-Bed Extender-Engine block heater-2 Tone Paint.

Mods:
Ordered April 28: A.R.E. LS Series II Hard Tonneau Cover - $741 for the Tonneau, Installation and Tax

Still looking for BedRug type product.

Build Date: May 1 / Estimated Delivery Date: May 15

http://www.mazworld.com/supercrew
maz@ford-trucks.net

Geez: This signature is longer than most posts!

 

I hope it's not too late to add my opinion here. First off the engine. Even though everyone else recommended you get the 5.4, and I have the 5.4 myself, I would recommend you get the 4.6. Like you said, there isn't much difference. I test drove a 4.6 and didn't notice any difference between that and my 5.4. It sounds like you don't need the 5.4, just want. I would suggest you save that extra $800 it costs to get the 5.4. So why did I get the 5.4 you ask. Two reasons really, first the larger engine will keep resale value high, although I highly doubt I'll ever sell it. Also, when it comes to my truck money is no object. It also gives you nice bragging rights. But I neither need nor use the 5.4s extra power. As for mileage, I get 13/17 city/freeway. And with current gas prices that will hurt anyone. So I recommend the 4.6.

Ok, onto the LS diff. This is my opinion is a very good deal. Having power at both rear wheels could very easily save you some day. If one tire gets off in the mud you can keep driving with the LS diff. Plus Ford only charges several hundred for the LS diff, but if you went to buy one aftermarket I'm told they run close to a grand.


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1999 Lariat SuperCab Flareside, Amazon Green with Silver trim, 5.4L, 4x2, 4 wheel disc/ABS, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, fog lamps, sliding rear window, captains chairs, keyless entry with alarm, spray-on bed liner, bug guard, and K&N. http://www.csc.calpoly.edu/~bfriesen/truck.html

 

Once again, I appreciate all your comments. I am going to order my truck this afternoon (it is Sat. morning right now). So far these are the options I have decided on purchasing.

4X2
Trailer towing Class III (too good of a deal)
Two tone (Gold with blue stripe)
5.4L V8
Keyless Remote
Sliding rear window
bed extender
CD changer
Limited Slip

$24735 Base (at invoice price)
$665 Destination
$500 Markup
$25400 Subtotal
(plus TT$L)

As far as the engine choice decision goes, I have decided on the 5.4 since it seems that most 5.4 owners avg. 15 MPG on mixed driving and the 4.6L owners seems to avg. about 17 MPG. mixed. This does not seem that big of deal to me (unless gas approaches $3.00/Gal - in which case I probably would not be driving the truck) =).

The limited slip differential is also a cheap option so I am going for that also.

I have to admit this is has been one of the best user groups I have ever participated in (and I have been on the Internet since 1995).
I will keep you guys updated...

If there are any last minute tips (maybe about the dealer/order process) please feel free to post here. I will check this group one more time before I go to order the truck at 3 PM CST.

Thanks all! Your opinions are much appreciated.


[This message has been edited by Aslan (edited 05-06-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Aslan (edited 05-06-2000).]

 

glad we could help - now for our commission...you must recruit 5 supercrew owners/orderers/wanna-be's to the message board

for us veterans...there's gonna be another rookie snibbling while he waits. scoot your chairs down and lets find him a place at the table.

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Deep Wedgewood Blue 4X4 SuperCrew. 5.4, 3.55 LS, 17" R/T, Skid Plates, Tow Package, Sliding Glass - http://www.geocities.com/fordsupercrew/index.htm - Add Ons: Line-X

 

Superb Choice!

Those are gonna be the longest 6 weeks since waiting for that rabbit to die back in high school.

As for the 4x4 er $x$, well, lol -- no LOL, no Laugh Out Loud !!!



------------------
Y2K™

XLT SC SB 5.4L 3.73LS

 

Aslan

Contrats and nice choices!

Now make sure you get your dealer # and order # so you can call Ford's 800# to check on the status of your Supercrew twice a day like the rest of us!

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Ordered 4/21.Build date 5/22 Wedgewood Blue, Lariat. Med Graphite interior. 5.4, 4x4 L/S
6 Disc CD, Bed Extender, Skid Plates, Moonroof, Tow Group

 

Thanks for the tip EvilleSupercrew. From previous posts I knew some had been tracking their ordered cars but I never bothered to ask how.

I feel good about my order. Now that I bought the 5.4L engine I just hope gas prices stabilize.

Also the FED needs to go to sleep for 8 weeks until I can get my car and establish my loan rate. I have watched it climb half a percent over the last two to three months.

I am financing roughly half of the truck through traditional financing. However I am considering, for the first time, a variable loan rate (pegged to T-bills) instead of the traditional fixed ones. Currently these are about 1.5% less than fixed loans. So T-Bills would have to rise 1.5% just to meet the traditional fixed percentage.

Anyone have any good or bad experience with variable rate auto loans?

*(BTW, for those that do not know, they do not change your payments only length of time, up or down).

I intend to pay off my loan as fast as possible (double payments) but am getting the 60 month note just to play it safe. I am the type that will follow through with that.

BTW, how do you guys put the smiley face icons INSIDE the text. I did not see that in the instructions.

 

aslan,

put a : and a ) together for a
put a : and a ( together for a (although this is rare in the supercrew forum)
put a ; and a ) together for a

congrats on the order. just be prepared for the wait. it's painful. personally, once ordered i didn't go near the lots . never thought twice about it till it arrived unlike these other guys


[This message has been edited by USAF K9 (edited 05-06-2000).]

 

Aslan

On your loan...looks to me like you would be just as well off to go for the variable rate. If you are going to double payments, you will pay it off in less than 2 1/2 years, meaning that rates would have to go up more than 3% during the next 2 1/2 years for you not to come out ahead. That would be a stiff increase, especially with a presidential election falling during that period. Expect at least a 1/2 percent increase in prime lending rates by the end of the summer, but until the effects of that are known, it's hard to predict much beyond that with much accuracy.

Sorry! Back to Supercrew Board!

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Ordered 4/21.Build date 5/22 Wedgewood Blue, Lariat. Med Graphite interior. 5.4, 4x4 L/S
6 Disc CD, Bed Extender, Skid Plates, Moonroof, Tow Group