Just What *Is* the SuperCrew?
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 91
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Just What *Is* the SuperCrew?
Is it a truck? Or an SUV?
As you know, I think it is *the* SUV -- much more truly functional than what we have recently been calling SUV's.
Obviously, when Ford came up with this, they had to figure out which way to market it: as the newest member of the F-150, truck lineup. Or as the newest member of their Ford Outfitter's SUV lineup.
I can see the Senior VPs now. The F-150 department head arguing that this is the latest F-150, and that to call it anything other than an F-150 would lose the support, and sales, of lots of "truck guys." I can see the SUV head arguing, on the other hand, that this vehicle is the natural progression of the SUV, hot on the heels of the Explorer SportTrak, and that Ford would be missing a whole market sector by not going after the non-die-hard truck guys who need this most functional vehicle (me, I confess).
Well it's obvious that the head of marketing, or someone higher, made the call to treat this as a truck. Thus the F-150 designation, rather than "Expedition SporTrak", or something similar. Further, Ford seems committed to the notion. Have you seen the new Ford Trucks tough-guy commercial? There's one for the SuperCrew (A-Team??!!).
But this truck/SUV, from what I can see, seems to be sold in at-least-equal numbers to the SUV, recreational type buyers as to the die-hard truck buyers.
What's the point? I think that Ford is not marketing the Screw as an SUV because it does not want to alienate the truck buying half of its purchasers, and figures it can count on the rest of us to buy anyways. And I can understand that. BUT -- I wish Ford would at least discreetly recognize that many of us are, indeed, buying this as an SUV, and give it the little upscale treatment that would go along with that? Examples? My $17,000 Accord has visors with sliding inserts, to block the sun all the way across the door windows. My $35,000 Lariat Screw does not. The dash is contoured very nicely, but, one must admit, is spartan. The consoles are better in the new interiors than they were, but still many replace them with Expedition consoles. And so on, and so forth.
I guess I'm saying that lots of little, upscale things could be done to this truck to make it that much better. Ford may just be careless. But if, on the other hand, Ford is afraid of making their truck too yuppie-ish, and alienating the truck crowd, there could be ways around that. Ford could restrict any "foo-foo" changes to the Lariat and not the XLT, for example, or invent some other upscale model (like where they seemed to be going with the King's Ranch).
Anyway -- other thoughts on the subject?
And, do you think of the Screw as a truck, an SUV, or an entirely new thing? (Me, the latter, what I call a REAL SUV).
As you know, I think it is *the* SUV -- much more truly functional than what we have recently been calling SUV's.
Obviously, when Ford came up with this, they had to figure out which way to market it: as the newest member of the F-150, truck lineup. Or as the newest member of their Ford Outfitter's SUV lineup.
I can see the Senior VPs now. The F-150 department head arguing that this is the latest F-150, and that to call it anything other than an F-150 would lose the support, and sales, of lots of "truck guys." I can see the SUV head arguing, on the other hand, that this vehicle is the natural progression of the SUV, hot on the heels of the Explorer SportTrak, and that Ford would be missing a whole market sector by not going after the non-die-hard truck guys who need this most functional vehicle (me, I confess).
Well it's obvious that the head of marketing, or someone higher, made the call to treat this as a truck. Thus the F-150 designation, rather than "Expedition SporTrak", or something similar. Further, Ford seems committed to the notion. Have you seen the new Ford Trucks tough-guy commercial? There's one for the SuperCrew (A-Team??!!).
But this truck/SUV, from what I can see, seems to be sold in at-least-equal numbers to the SUV, recreational type buyers as to the die-hard truck buyers.
What's the point? I think that Ford is not marketing the Screw as an SUV because it does not want to alienate the truck buying half of its purchasers, and figures it can count on the rest of us to buy anyways. And I can understand that. BUT -- I wish Ford would at least discreetly recognize that many of us are, indeed, buying this as an SUV, and give it the little upscale treatment that would go along with that? Examples? My $17,000 Accord has visors with sliding inserts, to block the sun all the way across the door windows. My $35,000 Lariat Screw does not. The dash is contoured very nicely, but, one must admit, is spartan. The consoles are better in the new interiors than they were, but still many replace them with Expedition consoles. And so on, and so forth.
I guess I'm saying that lots of little, upscale things could be done to this truck to make it that much better. Ford may just be careless. But if, on the other hand, Ford is afraid of making their truck too yuppie-ish, and alienating the truck crowd, there could be ways around that. Ford could restrict any "foo-foo" changes to the Lariat and not the XLT, for example, or invent some other upscale model (like where they seemed to be going with the King's Ranch).
Anyway -- other thoughts on the subject?
And, do you think of the Screw as a truck, an SUV, or an entirely new thing? (Me, the latter, what I call a REAL SUV).
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Winfield, Kansas
It is indeed a pick-up, NOT a TRUCK, a truck is an F-350 Super-Duty, This is a very nice pickup for the farmers/ranchers so they don't have to buy a car. Mostly for the BANKER so he can say he drives a truck(he's a yuppie) I personally hope they don't call it an SUV as insurance and property tax on SUV's cost a lot more than a usable work truck. It is however a very nice ride Thanks FORD you have made a great truck(F-150) even better.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Akron, Ohio
The Screw is just the four door pick-up that I needed. I had thought seriously of buy a superduty 4 door, and no offense to anyone who owns one, it was just more truck than I needed. (I'll get a superduty when I retire and pull a LARGE 5th wheel, but for now, I don't need it!) I just had to have a full size pick-up with more interior room. Ford should have built the Screw long ago, maybe SUV's wouldn't have been so popular!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Globe, AZ
To me it's an SUT.
Everyone at my office says that the bed is too short and that it can't hold an atv; and "what is the cage thing in the back for", they ask. I try to explain it, but they don't get it.
Even when I had it at the dealership, the older mechanic came out and said, "are you the one with the jacuzzi-bed truck?" I said what? And he said all that would fit in the bed was a jacuzzi.
I do wish I had the extra foot in the bed, but I can fit in the bed if I put a shell on it and I didn't want the extra 1,000+ lbs of the Superduty.
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2001 SuperCrew, Gen. II
**Dealer installed propane conversion. Delivery: Oct. 21
*Silver* XLT 4x4, 5.4L: power driver's seat, captain's chairs, lim. slip, skids, tow pack, cage, moonroof.
Additions:
-16x8" Galaxy Centerlines with 265/75/16 Big O all terrain XT's,
-Waag wheel to wheel nerf bars (black with chrome steps)
-Trenz billet grill
-Sprayed black rubberized undercoating on axles, etc.
-Ford locking gas cap
-Gray Husky liners, front & rear
-Black/chrome pedals
On order: white-faced gauge kit, carbon fiber dash kit, bug deflector, Gray spray-in bedliner, window tint.
To install: Pioneer stereo/cd controller, Pioneer 12-disc changer, Pioneer 6x9's in rear, Boston Acoustics components in front, 4-channel amp. & subwoofer from other truck.
Future: cap & rear Altezza lights when they come out
Everyone at my office says that the bed is too short and that it can't hold an atv; and "what is the cage thing in the back for", they ask. I try to explain it, but they don't get it.
Even when I had it at the dealership, the older mechanic came out and said, "are you the one with the jacuzzi-bed truck?" I said what? And he said all that would fit in the bed was a jacuzzi.
I do wish I had the extra foot in the bed, but I can fit in the bed if I put a shell on it and I didn't want the extra 1,000+ lbs of the Superduty.
------------------
2001 SuperCrew, Gen. II
**Dealer installed propane conversion. Delivery: Oct. 21
*Silver* XLT 4x4, 5.4L: power driver's seat, captain's chairs, lim. slip, skids, tow pack, cage, moonroof.
Additions:
-16x8" Galaxy Centerlines with 265/75/16 Big O all terrain XT's,
-Waag wheel to wheel nerf bars (black with chrome steps)
-Trenz billet grill
-Sprayed black rubberized undercoating on axles, etc.
-Ford locking gas cap
-Gray Husky liners, front & rear
-Black/chrome pedals
On order: white-faced gauge kit, carbon fiber dash kit, bug deflector, Gray spray-in bedliner, window tint.
To install: Pioneer stereo/cd controller, Pioneer 12-disc changer, Pioneer 6x9's in rear, Boston Acoustics components in front, 4-channel amp. & subwoofer from other truck.
Future: cap & rear Altezza lights when they come out
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Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: White River Junction, VT
I consider this the perfect Pickup. I can carry extra people when needed and go pickup the sheetrock, etc. at the hardware store. Sure it hangs over a little bit. That is why they have orange flags. As far as the interior is finshed looks good to me.
Sun never gets in my eyes when I am driving, I have headroom, I can wear a hat (i'm 6'4").
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2001 Supercrew, Silver/Blue, 5.4, 4x4, CD Changer, Sliding Rear Window
Sun never gets in my eyes when I am driving, I have headroom, I can wear a hat (i'm 6'4").
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2001 Supercrew, Silver/Blue, 5.4, 4x4, CD Changer, Sliding Rear Window
Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA, USA
To me it's a vehicle that has yet to show any limitations for my needs. I bought mine based on a photo in a mag. I really don't think that the marketing strategy will detour anyone from getting one. If it fits someone's liking and needs, they will buy it regardless of the name placed on the side of the fenders.
For the record to me it’s a truck that will haul my family as well as my toys. As far as the bed goes I have been able to fit everything in it that I used to put in my short bed Dodge. (…and you can fit an ATV in it by the way.) I’ve had three dirt bikes in it and I have had my Harley in it. I can even carry a dirt bike diagonally with the tailgate up (that even surprised me.). I do recommend building a 4’x4’x ¾” plywood platform with 2 ea. 2x4’s staggered on it to span across the tailgate when hauling heavy objects like motorcycles on the tailgate. It helps distribute the load. My tailgate was starting to cave in from too many dirt bike trips. The problem has stopped since I built the footing.
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2001 Supercrew 4x4 XLT Harvest Gold, 5.4L, Bed Extender, 6 disc CD changer, Limited Slip, Keyless Entry...
MODS: K&N filter, Trenz billet grille, Rhino Bed Liner...
For the record to me it’s a truck that will haul my family as well as my toys. As far as the bed goes I have been able to fit everything in it that I used to put in my short bed Dodge. (…and you can fit an ATV in it by the way.) I’ve had three dirt bikes in it and I have had my Harley in it. I can even carry a dirt bike diagonally with the tailgate up (that even surprised me.). I do recommend building a 4’x4’x ¾” plywood platform with 2 ea. 2x4’s staggered on it to span across the tailgate when hauling heavy objects like motorcycles on the tailgate. It helps distribute the load. My tailgate was starting to cave in from too many dirt bike trips. The problem has stopped since I built the footing.
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2001 Supercrew 4x4 XLT Harvest Gold, 5.4L, Bed Extender, 6 disc CD changer, Limited Slip, Keyless Entry...
MODS: K&N filter, Trenz billet grille, Rhino Bed Liner...
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Dego, Cali
I love this truck. Myself just like many others, don't need a super duty truck, not that I wouldn't want one. But it's just too much right now. I owned a truck many years ago, wrecked it, got a car, and regreted it. Then I started a family and need something bigger. The F150 SuperCrew was the perfect choice for my family of four. 
One last thing, my wife also loved it! 
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01' 2wd. Island Blue SuperCrew
5.4L, 3.55LS
Tow Package
Moonroof
K&N FIPK Gen. II
One last thing, my wife also loved it! ------------------
01' 2wd. Island Blue SuperCrew
5.4L, 3.55LS
Tow Package
Moonroof
K&N FIPK Gen. II
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Phila., Pa USA
Ford had a method to it's madness when it marketed the Supercrew as an F150 and the Sport Trak as an Explorer. It's basic math. Ford sells more F150's and Explorers than it does Expeditions and Rangers and the current model designations help keep the sales numbers higher in each segment for Ford's benefit.
In some early test marketing surveys, the models were reversed and not as well received as they are now.
As for being a SUV/truck:
Classify as you want to where you live, but in PA it's considered as a class "1" truck and registered that way. Expys are considered station wagons. In a way I wish it were considered under the Expy name. Tags would be $22.50 cheaper........ :> )
TL
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AS OF 10-10-00: 2001 Supercrew, XLT 4x4, Island Blue & Silver Frost. 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17 inch 10 spokes, Capt's chairs, Moonroof, 6 pack CD Changer, keyless entry, cab steps, Box Extender, Huskys all around, Duraliner, Outland Sport Bumper Guard, Excalibur 1000 Security system, Lund Grill Screen and A.R.E. LSII Tonneau.
Teds_Crew
In some early test marketing surveys, the models were reversed and not as well received as they are now.
As for being a SUV/truck:
Classify as you want to where you live, but in PA it's considered as a class "1" truck and registered that way. Expys are considered station wagons. In a way I wish it were considered under the Expy name. Tags would be $22.50 cheaper........ :> )
TL
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AS OF 10-10-00: 2001 Supercrew, XLT 4x4, Island Blue & Silver Frost. 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17 inch 10 spokes, Capt's chairs, Moonroof, 6 pack CD Changer, keyless entry, cab steps, Box Extender, Huskys all around, Duraliner, Outland Sport Bumper Guard, Excalibur 1000 Security system, Lund Grill Screen and A.R.E. LSII Tonneau.
Teds_Crew
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
Hey CASuperCrew:
Wondering what Harley model you have carried in the back of your SCrew? I have a Low Rider here and would like to carry it in the back of mine, but have been a little worried about the tailgate buckling under the weight of the Harley? Also, how did you load it? A regular motorcycle ramp? Thanks for the info., buddy.
Wondering what Harley model you have carried in the back of your SCrew? I have a Low Rider here and would like to carry it in the back of mine, but have been a little worried about the tailgate buckling under the weight of the Harley? Also, how did you load it? A regular motorcycle ramp? Thanks for the info., buddy.
Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Ulysses,Ks. USA
Hey I'm new to this. But got my supercrew in Oct. 2000. WE love it!! Said for years if Ford makes a F-150 crew cab I would buy it.++++++++
[This message has been edited by doinit (edited 01-30-2001).]
[This message has been edited by doinit (edited 01-30-2001).]
Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City, TN, USA
I don't think Ford spends alot of time deciding what the SuperCrew is. They see truck buyers loving it for the functionality, and they see cross over buyers from the SUV crowd.
I came from the SUV crowd, always loved trucks, but had to be able to still take carpool.
I think the SuperCrew is the ultimate vehicle of any type. I think Ford hit the jackpot with this one. I told my wife I cannot see me driving another vehicle that is not a SuperCrew.
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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!
I came from the SUV crowd, always loved trucks, but had to be able to still take carpool.
I think the SuperCrew is the ultimate vehicle of any type. I think Ford hit the jackpot with this one. I told my wife I cannot see me driving another vehicle that is not a SuperCrew.
------------------
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!