I haven't purchased a SCrew yet but I think they are the most pratical vehicle to own... I currently have a 93'Jeep Grand Cherokee and I'm sick of hauling pinstraw and plants and trees in the back and then have to steam clean or vaccum it out. I even built a 20x16ft deck on my old house and had to haul all of the supplies in it and on-top of my Jeep (after numberous trips). After the rear seats its all wasted space anyway so who needs a covered tailgate. Its just more air to warm/cool... I've always wanted the utility of a truck. I just bought my brand new built house and I need to get the back yard sodded and landscaped install this spring. I also want to build a home theater room, entertainment room and bathroom in the basement, myself.

Has anyone gone from a Jeep/SUV to a SCrew? Please list positives and negatives for this change in vehicles... Power? Handling? Fitting in the side entry garage? Turning angles? Can my 5'2" wife drive this monster? How do the wifes/girlfriends feel about it?

My wife doesn't see me driving a Truck but it's not really a truck.

 

I went from a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo to my SCrew, and never regretted it for a second. You asked for positives and negatives.

The Bad: It's a bit of a challenge to park sometimes. It's also a bit more expensive to run (15.5 vs. around 20 MPG). But, as AT&T used to say, 'You get what you pay for'!

The Good: It's taller, more powerful, smoother running, rides better, has more passenger room both front and rear, costs the same to insure where I live, has a frame (safer), can haul things both longer and taller than the SUV could, and it's built on a truck chassis, from truck parts, which are much heavier-duty than the car platform and car parts that my Isuzu was built from. IMHO, it's prettier as well. My fiancee loves it, and has no trouble driving it. Finally, its build quality is superb; the fit and finish are beautiful, and it has had zero problems of any kind in 6000 miles of blissful driving.

I agree with LongTime. I have no buyer's remorse, and would do it again in a heartbeat. For my money, this is the most practical vehicle on the planet today.

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Tom Brendel
2001 SCrew XLT 2WD, Toreador Red, 5.4L, Med. Parchment 60/40, 3.55 LS, Class III Towing Pkg, Aluminum Wheels, CD Changer, Bed Extender

Mods: K&N Air Filter, Superchip, Extang Black Max Soft Toneau Cover, Extang Cargo Cleats

 

I traded my '99 Expedition for the SuperCrew. Actually, I traded the Expy and a Mazda B2500 both for the SCrew. Best move I ever made. I cannot think of any negatives in the move. The SCrew handles much better, and has much more pulling power. The pulling power difference for me is obvious. The Expy had a 4.6 with 3.31 rear end. The SCrew has the 5.4 with 3.55LS rear and weighs less. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!! I put and ARE LSII bed cover on the SCrew, so I actually have as much, if not more, cargo space than the Expy.

 

BuffBakerGA,
I am/was in the same position as you. I've been driving a 92 Nissan Patfinder for the past 8 yrs. It's been a great vehicle and fit our needs when we bought it, but after 8 years and 2 kids, I've kind of outgrown it for all the same reasons you've mentioned. I can't begin to count the number of projects I've done around the house and ended up renting a UHaul trailer to haul lumber, landscape material, etc...You know the game.

I initially was looking at the Sport Trac since I do alot of commuting, urban driving around Houston. After looking into the details and driving one, it became appartent to me that I needed a "real" truck. The weight/mileage is comparable to the Supercrew. Only you get less for the money... Besides, my wife said the Sport Trac was a "*******" truck.

Once I saw the Supercrew, I knew it was the vehicle. I need cabin space for people (family & friends)with an open bed for hauling stuff. The extended cabs are just too small on the inside for the family.

I've "demo'ed" a Supercrew over the weekends from the dealer I ordered it from to really drive it around, park it (garage), let the wife drive, etc. The mileage isn't that different from my Pathfinder (basically 16-17 mpg)with the 5.4 2WD. Yes, it is a little longer, wider than what I am/was driving, but it isn't that bad. The high seating position and pretty much no blind spots make it easy to see the corners of the truck. It's a little tighter in the parking spaces, but it is larger. I've got a large, detached garage, so I don't have any problems there. However, I would imagine it would be a tight fit in a standard "2 car" garage. Performance-wise, this truck simply smokes my Pathfinder. You need to get one from a dealer and really drive it over the weekend to appreciate the difference. The ride is smoother, quieter, etc. No comparison in my book.

As for my wife, she was the one pushing me to get the Supercrew (She's 5'0", 100# soaking wet). If she had her way, I'd be in a 250 Superduty, Powerstroke, 4X4, etc. It doesn't fit in the garage (too tall with the tires I want), more $'s and I don't need the payload. The one thing my wife liked was the power adjustable pedals. A dash mounted switch lets her move the pedals towards the seat so she doesn't have to sit on top of the steering wheel. With the power seats, we can both fit comfortably in the truck. (I'm 6'1").

I don't think you will regret the decision. I wish I had mine now! Know anybody who needs a good, clean 92 2WD Pathfinder?

Good Luck!

------------------
Supercrew Lariat 4X2, Arizona Beige Metallic, 5.4L, Towing Package, 3.55 LSD, Moonroof, Captians Chairs, Premium Sound, Extender
ORDERED 14 DEC 2000

 

This all sounds like my story too. I started looking for vehicles over a year ago to replace my wife's sedan or my explorer. I have had several sport utes (2 explorers, a suburban, Blazer) and thought about getting a Tundra. Decided that it was too small inside for my son and car seat and had plans for a second child that definately would not fit. Switched to looking at nice sedans for with the intention of keeping the explorer. Drove Maxima, Accord, even BMW's and Volvo wagons. Then I finally decided to get a new Suburban, Tahoe or Expedition. Liked the looks of the redisigned Tahoe/Yukon but the dealers would not budge from the 38K plus they wanted early this year, so decided to definately get a Expedition which could be had for 34 or 35K. Well, then I saw and drove my S-crew at the dealer while Expy shopping. My wife liked it and plenty of room for the kid in the back. Kept the Explorer for my wife, bought the Crew and sold the sedan.
I too thought about the image of driving a pickem'up truck with the CPA image, but I think it is a pretty classy SUV type vehicle that does it all. I have wondered why Ford doesn't market it like the "No Boundaries" SUV's like a SportTrac, but my guess is they want to keep the sales high under the F150 moniker. Yes, I do keep the Crew and Explorer in my standard 2 car garage (front entry), but I back my Screw in tight against the wall and my wife pulls in so that the doors both open to the middle of the garage. Tight, but so far no collisions. Side entry garage would be tough to make the swing in because it has a very large turning radius. (This thing is longer than a Suburban, in case you did not know.)
Oh, with my folding hard tonneau, dry locked cargo capacity is not a problem. Proved that this weekend with xmas shopping.
I love it, but still dream about a nice sedan like an Acura TL sometimes.

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'01 SuperCrew 4x4 Lariat, 5.4, 3.55 LS Amazon Green/Gold, med parchment, Moonroof, captains, 6cd, skids, slider, tow, cab steps, Pendaliner, Advance Bed Cover.

 

cpafay brought up a point I forgot to mention -- price. Not only is this SUV more U than other SUV's, due to the bed, but thanks to its relative newness, it costs less than the less-desirable alternatives. Talk about a win-win. You get more, and pay less. Makes me HAPPY just thinkin' about it. ;> )

 

I went from a 96 JGC to the SCrew about 2 months ago. This is my first full size truck and it is taking a while to get used to the size of this vehicle. Gas mileage is really poor. From 12.5 to 16.0 so far. I was getting about 17-18 with the Jeep around town so it is quite a change. Got rid of the Jeep for all of your reasons as well as a Tranny problem. I tow a boat, and nearly got stuck on the boat ramp with a boat full of family. That did it. I wanted something bigger and better and got it.

I haven't really had a chance to tow the boat much. Did try it out and have a couple of issues here as well. I cannot see the trailer wheels like I could while towing with the Jeep, the tow chains are too short as is the Wiring, so I'll have to replace those.

I was really wanting a truck before I got the Jeep, but the wife "sold" me on getting an SUV. Worked well for a while, but like you said, putting landscaping in the back end really messes things up. Can't beat the Utility of a truck!



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2001 SuperCrew XLT
Deep Wedgewood Blue
5.4L 2WD
3.55 Limited Slip Diff
Cloth/Power Cap Chairs
Tow Package
6 Disk CD changer
Sliding Rear Window
Cort Running Boards
Downey Tonneau Cover

 

Buff,

I went from a Ford Expedition to the Screw after I finally got tired of seeing Expys at every intersection. It's no longer a unique vehicle for me. It was truely time for a change once I saw my 1st "Ghettoed-Up" Expedition. Also, the lease prices were bringing the value of my purchased and "very Clean" truck to Yugoish Tradein values.

Amazingly a few years back I had wondered out loud at the dealership why something like the Screw hadn't come out in a "normal" size instead of the F250's that have been around for a long time. Since I'd been switching back and forth from Bronco's to F150's, the SCrew would have made perfect sense a long time back. Better late than never.

Anyways, To answer your questions:

Power.....Way more w/5.4L than my Expy's 4.6L.

Handling..Because of the longer wheelbase, I find it to have a better overall ride over the Expy.

Turning angles: Very good, but took a little getting used to compared to the Expedition. Full turnarounds that I'd been able to do before without backing up at least once, are no longer the case, but this truck is also almost 2 feet longer than the Expy. Now I have to backup once ever so slightly or hit the curb.

The height of your wife shouldn't be a factor if she's a competent driver. The Screw's an inch shorter than an Excursion and I always see soccer mom's driving them with no problem on the highway. Some don't know how to park while shopping, but I'm sure they'd also have a problem parking a Honda if they had one. Nobody seems to know what the white lines are there for. :> )

Girlfriends like the running boards for the easy entry. Surprisingly, I almost got picked up by 2-70 year olds at BJ's tonight as they checked out the truck while I loaded it.

It really IS a truck............:> )

TL

PS: Yes Virginia, You CAN fit a 7.5' Christmas tree in the back of the truck with no trouble with the tailgate closed and a tonneau cover. Merry Xmas to whomever cares

 

I went through the same thing. I had the same frustrations with two SUV's -- Pathfinder/Trooper. But my wife said a truck wouldn't fit my "image" as a corporate attorney. Also argued that I need "a real back seat." Well the Screw fixed the back seat, obviously, and it looks so darn good -- so much like an Expedition -- and also with the new Explorer SportTrak out there making this idea more palatable, I finally won her over. She still makes a little fun of it. But she really likes it. So do her friends. The fact is, this IS a SUV -- much more so than what we've been calling SUV's, in my opinion. And as far as Me -- well I had my eye on a Tahoe, but now whenever I see one I still think they look real nice, and are good vehicles, but I don't have one iota of buyer's remorse. I'd do it again in a second. Hope this helps.

 

I went from a '93 Jeep Grand Cherokee to the SCrew. Same reasons as listed above.

Pros: Obvious, and listed above.

Cons: The SCrew 4-Wheel drive, while better than an Explorer, can't hold a candle to the Jeep's Quadra-Trac - and in snowy, wet conditions, you HAVE to have it in 4wd. Consequently, the turn radius gets even larger. But - with all the other benefits, you just learn to drive a little differently!

------------------
2001 F150 SuperCrew 4x4 XLT (Gen I), 5.4L, Toreador Red, Dark Graphite Cloth, Moon Roof, 60/40 Bench, 17" 10-spoke wheels, Sliding Rear Window, Remote Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Limited Slip, Bed Extender, Bug Shield, Nerf Bars, Rhino Spray-In Bedliner, Access Roll-Up Tonneau Cover

 

I went from a 95 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4. I drove that for over two years and was very pleased with it, it is a good vehicle, albeit spartan.

I changed jobs early this year and the Pathfinder was not effective in doing the light hauling I needed to do for work, drums of grease and synthetic fluids to the industrial community.

What got me thinking truck was when we had to rent trucks several times to do emergency deliveries to our customers. I began looking at the Sport Tracs, but found that bed to be too small for any effective hauling. Went to the Dodge Dakota Quad Cab and found that to be a pretty good fit for what I needed. Then I looked into the Super Crew and it was all over.

It is the perfect vehicle for my needs. Light hauling, lots of cab space for me to work out of, comfortable on the road as I cover three states, and big enough to do the occassional carpool or hauling the family around when 4WD is needed in the snow here in the mountains of NE Tennessee.

As a couple of you said, my wife fought the "truck" image thing in my job. But she has quickly been won over by the incredible functionality of the Super Crew. She is 5' tall and can easily drive it with the adjustable pedals and power seat. She finds it easier to drive than my Pathfinder, which she did not like. She is not ready to trade in her Town and Country Minivan on it, but she likes the Super Crew just fine, especially when it is hauling antiques, furniture, and plants/mulch, etc. for the yard.

The gas milage is the only negative, but it is really not that bad. I got about 20 mpg with my Pathfinder on the road, using midgrade or premium gas. The Super Crew is set up to run on Regular Unleaded, so while I only get 17-18 on the road, I am spending about 15 cents a gallon less on gas, so there is not that much difference. Plus the power of the V-8 is so much better than an underpowered V-6 of my Pathfinder that it is much less noisy and smoother.

It drives great and is very effective. Plus, it looks great too. Make the switch, you will be happier than you could have ever imagined with it as an SUV replacement.

------------------
MIKEnTN

2001 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4
Toreador Red with Silver Two Tone, Med. Graphite Int., 5.4 V-8, 3.55 Limited Slip, Class III towing, Skid Plates, 17" Alum Wheels, Sliding Rear Window, Remote Keyless Entry, Rhino Liner.

AWESOME Truck!


[This message has been edited by MikenTennessee (edited 12-19-2000).]

 

I'm in the same boat as you are now. In fact, just last nite, i decided the supercrew may be the way to go.

My needs are different than most of the posters above. I do a lot of traveling for both work and pleasure, and I carry around some pretty expensive equipment. Not to mention my camping gear, all of which needs to be kept clean and secure. I dont do many home projects that I need to carry lumber or landscaping for, but that does happen a few times a year.

I drive off-highway a bit up in the mountains but stick to established forest service roads and trails and dont get into anything too radical, althought I need to be able to get out of whatever I get myself into. So I need something capeble under those conditions.

I have two jeeps right now, a 89 cherokee (mine) and a 93 grand (hers). Both have issues; she loves hers but the trans has seen better days, needs a valve job but is othewise fine. My cherokee runs fine but is gettting unreliable and needs to go. I am pretty big (6'2" 260lbs, 34" inseam, long in the torso). The jeep seats are simply too small for me, esp the new ones.

I need something stronger, that can carry more and is bigger, mainly for creature comfort.

I have been waffling between several vehicles. I almost went for a used tahoe but decided they were too unreliable and not a good place for my money. The explorer is nice and I have driven them off-road and very capeble, but for overall comfort, too small. THe expy is just too big and cumbersome for me, I just dont feel confident driving one. And I dont think I would want to take one up the mountains. I'm afraid it might tip over too easily although driving one off road some indicates they are fairly stable. I also dont know how well they go up steep grades at low speeds.

I really like the F150 and expy for the comfort, room, capability and power. That is what attracts me to them.

I dont really need or want a pickup. I am concerned about the weight distribution on snow and icy roads and keeping my stuff clean and secure. I really like the rear door on the supercab. I would make quickly accessing my equipment in the back easy and fast. But, with the pickup bed I could make a makeshift bed for sleeping and shelter if I needed it (like when my wife kicks me out of the house...)

We dont have kids (yet) but having to carry adults in the back of the supercab wouldnt be much fun esp if we do it a lot. I've done it in my jeep some and it was pretty interesting!!! But we did get four adults and golf clubs in it....

The pickup bed would make it very handy for those times you need to carry something, like moving to a new house (or apt when the wife gives you the boot) landscaping, bikes, etc. And putting a locking hard tonneau on it would keep things secure.

Enter the supercrew. Has the full-size pickup comfort, power of the 5.4L, avail as 4x4 which I need, can comfortably carry people, kids or dogs AND carry quite a bit of cargo AND pull a decent trailer, too!!! PLUS my wife is short and would like the power adj pedals--very hard to find in a supercab without the lariat package! The Screw comes with the adj pedals.

You can get the bed extender with the Screw which not only extends the bed out but also gives you a cubby for small packages like groceries etc you dont want in the seating area of the truck. Just place them between the retracted extender and the lift gate!!! Pretty neat!!!!

THe only negative I see is the price--it is about $2600 list extra for the supercrew. The bed doesnt carry as much as the Scab styleside but for me that isnt an issue.

People around here have not caught on to the Screw yet (not a mans truck, I guess) so making a statement would be something!! Nobody around in my nieghborhood has one yet.

So there you have it--It does just about everything except carry big loads. Almost sounds like the best of all worlds, doesnt it??

--karl

------------------

 

had a 93 JGC...loved it....but it was always too small...camping made for cramped quarters
but now ive got the room,the look,and this baby hauls! going to try the snow this week
and judge it on the scale against the old jeep..will keep you all posted..the negative
points are the gas mileage and the parking..
but then i do feel safe on the highway..so its give and take..i would buy it again..hope this helps..

------------------
2001 lariat supercrew
black...factory running boards/moonroof/k&n filter/duraliner/leer top/sheepskins/
future mods...
superchip/exhaust?/clear corners/WMS intake/

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the posts. I now have enough information to take my case to Supreme Court/Wife and say "See, this is why I have to have this truck!" "I demand a test drive!"

Ya see, she really can't say no because we just bought her a 2000 Lexus ES300 last year and we agreed that I would do all of the yardwork, car stuff, projects around the house and fix-it things. She would do all of the interior cleaning, laundry, and shopping... I'll just say "Alright, come help me in the yard in July/August when I'm doing yardwork in 90-100* heat!" (she hates to get dirty)... Plus, I need something to haul my Yamaha GP1200R waverunner with...

Now, if I can just talk her into dual exhaust, K&N filtercharger, computer chip, etc.........




[This message has been edited by BuffBakerGA (edited 12-20-2000).]

 

BuffBakerGA:

Whoa, take it one step at a time, bud! Just get her into a truck and out for a spin in one and I think she will want it for herself!!! Dont worry about all the add-ons right now.

--karl