Ordered my SCREW (loaded 4x4 Lariat) on 12/20/00 through the x-plan from work. Finally arrive 3/16/01 (painful 3 months). Prior to delivery, I asked the dealer to make sure the radiator was correct. Of course it wasn't, so I relucently REFUSED delivery, figuring it would give them some incentive to fix it. After waiting another 2 weeks, Ford finally answered them today. Once again, Ford has let me down. They gave the standard response that it was not a misbuild and the specs on the radiator had changed. They would not give any details, dates, spec changes, etc. The dealer would offer no support since Ford wouldn't reimburse them to fix it. The dealers only suggestion was to call Ford. I've waited this long, so I sent some messages off to the x-plan folks since the main 800 Ford number wouldn't take the call.

To me customer service is key. If Ford can't deliver at least a reasonable and straight forward service - I'm out. I may be a grunt at work, but at least I produce a quality service. I would like to think I spend my money wisely and not on some vaporware radiator.

I'm so torqued at this point, I went and looked at Chevy's tonight.

 

You'll be back.
You won't be happy with a Chebbie. When you compare, you'll see the difference. Plus, noone makes a truck like the Screw yet.

What I'm sayin is, dump the dealer,do your homework and find a dealer that is customer service driven. They are out there.

I drive past a dealer that's 2 miles from my house to go see the dealer I bought from 15 miles away.

[This message has been edited by GO 4D IT (edited 03-31-2001).]

 

I still ask the question, is all this time worth it for a radiator that cost about 30-40 bucks more(if that) and then to have some mechanic(that you better hope is good) tear into your new SCrew to put it in? I know I'm going to get the "its a matter of principle" posts, but I have yet to hear anyone having a problem with their 1.02" radiator causing the truck to overheat when pulling max load or even get hot at all..Enjoy your truck. Ford changed specs, end of story..Manufacturers do it all the time. Do you really think that Ford would put a radiator in that would possibly ruin these very expensive motors to save a couple bucks up front? I don't think so. This is just my opinion, not meant to flame or anything and more power to those that are getting the radiators changed (i almost bet the dealer is eating the cost for your possible future business)

EWWW to the chevy thought...lol!

------------------
My SCrew:
Gen III, 2001 SuperCrew Lariat, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 Limited Slip, Black Exterior, Med Graphite Leather Captians Chairs with "BUN Warmers", Sliding Rear Window, Power Moonroof, Class III Trailer Tow Group, Skid Plates, Bed Extender, 6 Disc CD...

<A HREF="http://members.aol.com:/webrider64/images/Truck2.jpg" TARGET=_blank> </A>

• Ordered: 1/11/01
• Built: 2/19/01
• Delivered: 3/1/01

 

I have towed about 6500 pounds of travel trailer up and down the Texas hill country and it hasn't heated up yet. There are two types of 1.02" radiators and the on that comes with the tow package has more fins per inch than the standard 1.02". I am concerned enough about my trailer weights and the hot summers that I might buy a pod mounted instrument cluster to moniter the temps. However, I think the Screw is one hell of a truck and if it over heats Ford can fix it, but I think it will be fine.

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2001 Supercrew XLT 4x4, 5.4, tow pkg, limited slip, skid plates, 6 disk, keyless entry. Deepwedgewood blue ext. Dark graphite int.

Mods: full tint, westin chrome nerf bars, AR chrome sliders 16x8 and BFG AT 285/75, Airaid FIPK, Husky floor mats

 

Well said Screwdriver! The less their tearing into things and trying to fix, the cleaner my driveway is.

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2001 SCrew Lariat, 5.4L, 4x4, Solid Arizona Beige, Leather 60/40, Slider, LSD, Tow Pkg., Cab Steps, Skids
Mods: Lund, Clear bra
Future Mods: Topper or Lid

 

Screwdriver2001, mjhind, cooper...I completely concur with you all. I was well aware of the radiator issue before I took delivery but was not going to walk away merely because of this issue. I am not downplaying this at all, but the more I've read here recently, I've come to believe when all is said and done that Ford consciously made the change to a 1.02 and that this particular version of the 1.02 is very capable of handling the requirements of the previous radiator. Call it a leap of faith perhaps. Our Texas summers are legendary and if I am wrong about this, I'll be the first to admit it, after returning home from the Service Dept. in my Focus loaner.
After witnessing the recent debacle associated with the Cobra Mustang engines, I don't think Ford would want to get near a warranty issue of the magnatude that hundreds of thousands of cooked engines would provide them. They are still reeling from the bad publicity (and even more liability) over the Explorer/Firestone episodes.
There is no doubt they should have changed the Ordering Guides/Source Book to reflect production line changes, not doing so was the pinnacle of ineptitude.


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Ordered 2-20-01 TPW of 3-12-01 assigned on 2-26-01 DELIVERED 3-21-01! '01 F150 Supercab XLT 4x4 SWB
507A Pkg.
Oxford white
Dark Graphite Interior
Captains Chairs
5.4 Triton
Auto Tranny
Off Road Package
Towing Package
Power Moonroof
3.55 Limited Slip
Heated Seats
AM-FM Cassette/6 disc CD
Power Drivers Seat
Sliding Rear Window
Adjustable Pedals
Electronic 4x4 Shift

Immediate Mods - Rhino Liner, 285's on Weld Wheels, K & N FIPK, Catback Exhaust

[This message has been edited by Zach (edited 03-31-2001).]

 

NetworkGrunt,

What it really comes down to for me is how much do you need/want the SuperCrew configuration?

I need 5 adult capacity and have to drive in the city. I looked at the Chevy HD Crew Cab and just decided it was too long a wheel base and overall. I don't like the looks of Chevy Avalanche. And I waited to see what the 2002 Dodge was going to be and decided the interior would be too small plus they didn't go with the Hemi motor as was rumored. So I ended up with the SCrew as it best fit my needs.

Now, I'm likely to offend the Ford only crowd but if I only needed an Super/Extended Cab it would have been a different story as for me the Chevy has the edge in that configuration. In any case when you look past the brand bashing they are both nice trucks.

------------------
2001 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
ordered 2/22
To be built week of 4/2
ETA week of 4/23
2000 Suburban LT
2000 Honda RC51
1999 Mustang GT Convertible

[This message has been edited by SuperCrewMark (edited 03-31-2001).]

 

If you gonna let a lil radiator get in your way of buying one, you should be looking at chevies!

You can get a good deal on a chevy, they are going for under $24k for the 01 z71 4wd ext cab. I think they are having problems getting rid of them. Must be cause it's so ugly!!

Just wondering if anyone compare the ride of the Screw to the chevy truck? Man, my Screw is so smooth and rides like a dream. I had a 98 F150 SCab and there is a big difference in ride.

The SCrew ROCKS!!

------------------
01 SCrew Lariat 4WD
Arizona Beige/Wedgewood Blue
5.4L 3.55LS
Tow Package
Moonroof
Slider
Cab Steps

 

Carolina SCrew,

The SuperCrew does ride a lot better than I remember my SC riding. I test drove the 1500 Ext. Cab 4x4, the SuperCrew 4x4 and the 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4. I currently own a 2000 Suburban 1500 4x4 and traded the 98 F-150 SC 4x4 ORP for the Burb.

The Burb has the best ride as you might expect, followed by the 1500, SuperCrew, 2500HD and the 98 F-150 in that order.

------------------
2001 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
ordered 2/22
To be built week of 4/2
ETA week of 4/23
2000 Suburban LT
2000 Honda RC51
1999 Mustang GT Convertible

 

SuperCrewMark...You may be happy to know that the new Chevrolet 1500 Crew Cab (not to be confused with an HD2500) is starting to hit dealers lots here in Texas. This truck has a regular short bed, 6.5 ft long. Still time to cancel that SCrew, eh?




[This message has been edited by Zach (edited 03-31-2001).]

 

I also have the smallish radiator. But, I pull a 7200lb Travel Trailer around northeast Alabama, and have not had the temp needle move past where it normally runs. But if I do run into an overheat problem I will get my dealer to change it. I guess I'll find out when I pull it up to Gatlinburg.

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SCREW LARIAT, TOWING PKG 6 DISK CHANGER, LEATHER BUCKETS, WESTIN CHROME STEPS, CATCH ALL'S (GRAND KIDS), BED LINER, VENT SHADES, EGR BUG DEFLECTOR

 

Zach, I saw the 1500HD Crew Cab also but it's basically the 2500HD with the 1500 front grill and the 6.0L engine. Same frame, wheelbase, etc. I saw no advantange in the 1500HD over the 2500HD other than prehaps ride, and no advantage over the SCrew and it even cost more. I feel I did my research, took an "objective" look at all the brands and models and picked what best meets my needs. The same way I ended up with the Burb and Mustang.

------------------
2001 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
ordered 2/22
To be built week of 4/2
ETA week of 4/23
2000 Suburban LT
2000 Honda RC51
1999 Mustang GT Convertible

 

4x4, It was a close decision for me between the SCrew and the 2500HD Crew Cab. If I could have justified the cost and actually needed the pulling power, I would have gone with the DuraMax. However, for what I need the SCrew was the best fit.

I don't have the SCrew yet so I can't do a back-to-back comparo. I can say that the 5.3L is a good motor so far (21,000+ miles) and I seriously doubt that it makes the low hp numbers that s/crew listed for a couple reasons.

1) I traded a 99 F-150 5.4 ORP for the Burb and there was no feeling of lost power making that move. If anything, it was the other way around.

2) In the April/May edition of 4WheelParts (page 60) they have a dyno run done by K&N on a 99 GMC 4.8L w/21,000 miles that put out 213hp stock. BTW - a K&N FIPK added 5hp on this truck.

3) In the May edition of Off-Road (page 52)there is a dyno run of a 2000 Silerado that put out 224.1hp stock. Here they added a K&N FIPK for a 9.4hp increase. Then added a K&N Exhaust for a total of 19.5hp increase.

Based on my own expierence, and being that a 4.8L dyno'd at 213 stock and a 5.3L dyno'd at 224 stock, the http://www.trucktrend.com./ numbers just don't hold much water in my book. They are just way too far off.

Now, before anyone jumps me for pushing the Chevy engine, remember that I did buy the SCrew and own a Mustang GT. All I'm doing is sharing my experience and additional info from other sources that are different that what's been quoted regarding the 5.3L.

------------------
2001 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
ordered 2/22
To be built week of 4/2
ETA week of 4/23
2000 Suburban LT
2000 Honda RC51
1999 Mustang GT Convertible

[This message has been edited by SuperCrewMark (edited 04-02-2001).]

 

I agree Mark....the truck trend article is dated to say the least...in 99 the 5.3 only had 270HP, they have made some changes since...

i also wanted the duramax, but it was just too much $$$..you can buy alot of gas for that extra 4k...BTW, what kind of mileage are you getting in your burb? My father in law has gotten 19 highway and 15 city in his 2wd 01 Lt...pretty good in my book for a bus like the burb...

------------------
Sold
99 F250SD Black Lariat Crew Cab 4x4, 5inch National Spring lift, 35x15.50 Swampers, 16.5x9.75 Weld Scorpios, Full Billet grill, LIne-X liner, Procomp and Rancho shocks, 40 Series Flowmaster, recalibrated speedo, superchipped,K&N filter,2 JL audio 10's behind rear seat, audio art 6channel amp

for 2k1 chev crew HD2500

 

4x4,
In a mix of city and country roads I average 15mpg. I have gotten as bad as 13 and as good as 17. I've added a K&N filter and Gibson SS exhaust since the last trip so I don't know if that will have any effect. I can't really tell anything with just the filter which I put in some time ago. So far with the exhaust, I've been gassing it a little more to hear its new sound so I haven't checked mpg.

------------------
2001 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat
ordered 2/22
To be built week of 4/2
ETA week of 4/23
2000 Suburban LT
2000 Honda RC51
1999 Mustang GT Convertible