I'm curious - does anyone have any idea what the purpose is for the indentations on top of the roof between the rain channels?

The only purpose I've found so far is that they are great for holding water and then releasing it to flood the windshield when coming to a stop.

I noticed that the supercab's roofs are smooth on top, and wondered why the screw is different.

------------------
2001 White 4x4 SuperCrew (Lariat), 5.4L, limited slip, skid plates, towing pkg, captains chairs, CD changer

Black Westin Nerf Bars; Husky Mud Guards (F&R)

 

I'm no mechanical engineer, but I suspect they add support to the roof. Due to the extended length of the roof the channels would help prevent flexing/sagging. This would surely be a benefit if someone mounted a luggage rack on top. You will find the same channels on the Explorers, Expeditions, etc.

 

High tech windshield cleaner is my only guess, although they sure might be structural!

For the upcoming redsign of the F-150 line, I hope this elemnt goes away..

------------------
~DECHman
2001 S-Crew Lariat, with a list of mods to come!!

 

I thought that they were there for the rain to drain into the open moonroof (speaking from experience on that one)!!!

------------------
Ford F-150 SuperCrew 2001, Lariat
Arizona Beige Clearcoat Metallic
Pickup Bed Extender
Power Moonroof
5.4L Captain's Chairs
6-Disc CD Changer
Trailer Tow Group, Class III, 3.55 lim. slip
Mods:
Advance Cover
Lund bug deflector
Viper 600 Alarm system
Armorthane spray-in liner
Westin Nerf Bars

pictures: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1235669

 

The indentations are roof stiffeners or supports. Without them we would have a flexible roof.

Why didn't ford build the roof like the heavy duty series I do not know, thier indentations are outside.

But it does make a nice little rain saver so when we take off and stop we can wash or windows and windsheild.

ssg57

------------------
SuperCrew 4x2 Lariat, Oxford White/Silver, 5.4lt, Grey Leather Captain Chairs, 6 disc CD changer, Tow Package,
Chrome Westin Step Bars, Armor Bed Liner, Husky Mats.

Furture Modifications:
K&N Filter, Hard Tonneau Cover, Flip-up TV Console, Bug Guard

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...8920&a=8409218

 

the indentations are to make waxing more difficult.

------------------
2001 Supercrew, XLT 4x4,5.4l,tow,3.55ls, captains chairs
Island Blue & Silver Frost.6 disc changer,keyless entry,bug shield,vent visors,expy console,duraliner bed liner,extang tonneau cover, more to come

 

In architecture (?) arches are one of your stronger structures for support, just think of them as little arches holding your roof up.

------------------
2001 Supercrew, white/silver Lariat, gray leather capt. chairs, 5.4L, Expedition console, wood dash, cobra hood, billet grill, Ford chrome tube steps, Line-X liner, Magnaflow cat-back dual exhaust w/stainless tips, k/n filter, http://hometown.aol.com/washyourcar/supercrew.html

 

I know this is a little stale reply (things move quickly here; you miss a day, you miss alot), but...

Have any of you seen the fold out poster brochure for the SuperCrew? On the front of it is a construction site picture with a black Screw 4x4.

The angle of the picture shows the roofline. The roof is FLAT. That Screw must have been a prototype, then they changed design and added the ridges.

------------------
'01 SuperCrew XLT 4x2: 5.4L, Limited Slip, Black, 5-Spoke Rims, Dark Cloth, Capt. Chairs, Power Seat, Steps, Extender, Moonroof; Ford/Duraliner, '86 Mustang rear floormats as "hump" floormats.

(for sale): '93 Ranger XLT SuperCab 4x2: 65K miles; 4.0L; Limited Slip; Black; Alum. Rims; A.C.; Power windows, mirrors, and locks; CD Player; Hard Tonneau; Running Boards.

The GO 4D IT SuperCrew

The GO 4D IT Ranger
"Don't sweat the small stuff."

 

Well of course the roof is flat in the prototype. These trucks are so good, Ford had to throw in something to have you complain about!!

------------------
2001 Screw XLT
Oxford White, 5.4L,
Towing, Posi, Slider
Power seat, keyless
bedliner, Ford tonneau

 

It's sort of like Ruffles potato chips. They gain structural rigidity through the use of ridges so they don't break when you dip the chip in the dip. I don't sit on my roof so it really just helps rinse the windshield and make washing the truck more challenging.

------------------
2001 SuperCrew XLT White w/gray interior
4x2,5.4,3.55,built 6/00

 

I think it's a bunch of bull**** that you can't order a roof rack for supercrews from ford or any aftermarket company that sells racks. They need to get there act togeather and make a rack for all the skiers and snowboarders out there! This truck has been out for 9 months, that's plenty of time to design a roof rack. The other day I saw a 82 volvo with a yakima roof rack and I can't even get one for my 32K Truck.