Just picked my 02 Lariat up last week, my favorites are (gotta haves): 1) POWER REAR SLIDING WINDOW, this is the best oprion, if you don't get it get the standard window as you'll have to get in back to open/close it. 2) get the moon roof it's awesome! 3) 5.4L is a must 4) heated bucket seats are great for the dupa in the winter! 5) chrome nerf bars look so much better than the black ones 6) limited slip rear end 7) bed liner, get the dealer to give you this, most will as they usually put in lease vehicles anyways so they can buy them at lease end (at least I know my dealer does). These are my must haves, I would also suggest the 17" chrome wheels as the aluminum mags will go bad after awhile (my expy wheels looked terrible) I had a 96 Explorer that these stayed nice. Good luck with your choices!! I absolutely love mine over the Expy and Explorer!!!

 

My 2002 came with an option package that included upgraded wheels and the moonroof. Not sure if this is a southern U.S. package or if it is available all over the U.S. or if available on a 4X4. Perhaps Marcstewart can provide further details. Copied the info on the 2003 "color & chrome w/moonroof" web based sticker of a vehicle in local dealer stock. With the $1000 savings it's like getting a free moonroof.

Price Information MSRP
STANDARD VEHICLE PRICE $27,580

Optional Equipment
2003 MODEL YEAR
TRUE BLUE CLEARCOAT
MED GRAPHITE 40/60 SPLIT BENCH
PREFERRED EQUIPMENT PKG.507A
.XLT SERIES
.AIR CONDITIONING
5.4L EFI V8 ENGINE 800
P275/60R-17 OWL ALL-SEASON 340
3.55 RATIO LIMITED SLIP AXLE 285
6600# GVWR PACKAGE
COLOR & CHROME W/MOONROOF
FRONT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET
CHROME TUBULAR RUNNING BOARDS 400
POWER MOONROOF 810
XLT 4X2 SPECIAL APPEARANCE PKG
TRAILER TOWING GROUP,CLASS III 350
PICKUP BED EXTENDER 195
17" CAST ALUM TEARDROP WHEELS
__________
TOTAL VEHICLE & OPTIONS 30,760
DESTINATION & DELIVERY 740
__________
COLOR & CHROME W/MOONROOF -1,000
TOTAL SAVINGS ($1,000)

TOTAL MSRP $30,500

 

formula4,

Sorry but I can't help you here. My FX4 was one of the only '03s on the lot. About four days after I bought my truck, I took the second set of keys over to the dealer for the Sport Trac I traded in and there was ANOTHER TRUCK JUST LIKE MINE!!!!! I couldn't believe it. It was EXACTLY the same except it had a $155 FX4 savings discount package on it. Mine didn't have this package discount.

I didn't shop for THIS truck, it just appeared and I bought it. I had my eyes set on a 2002 King Ranch 4x2, but it worked out that I got the one I own.

Anyway, As I mentioned in an earlier post, make sure to get the power sliding rear window!!

 

Yes the FX4 package will be a stiffer ride but I love that stiffer ride, feels like a solid truck even when your just getting in it. I have the Bilstiens on mine as I have the 2001 model but the ranchos are not that bad (not as good) but there not as stiff either.

The 5.4 is a definate, also make sure whatever you do to get the 3.73, and with the 5.4 it is not always availible.

If you plan to update your tires later spend less money on the tires. The 17" wheels are nice but harder to find tires for vs the 16" wheels but you may have to get the 17" to get the 3.73s.

Make sure when you get the truck that the VIN or something actually says you have the right gearing etc. Because if you have never driven a SCREW you wouldn't know if you got 3.55s or 3.73s.

Oh yea and you never mentioned color, what color ya getting, not that importaint to some but thats the first thing you see all the time. And you have to live with it.

 

This is what I am thinking:

- Dark Highland Green / Tan (parchment) interior
- Lariat
- 5.4L (This was the first No-Brainer, wouldn't even consider the 4.6L)
- Fx4 Package (This seems like the best way to go also gets me the 3.73 LS)
- Heated Seats
- 6-CD In Dash Radio (Have one in my Ranger that this is replacing and I love the concept)
- I am torn between the Rear Defroster and the Power Sliding window (this may wind up being a last minute what I feel like the second I am on the phone with the dealership call)
- Moon Roof - Probably Not...I like the idea but it is just another place for water to get into the vehicle. I have not owned a moon roof before, and the people I know that have had moonroofs wind up with water on the front seat eventually. Bottom Line I don't trust Ford enough to make it leak proof for 10 years / 150,000 miles (Which is what it should last)
- Cab steps...I really don't have much of a preference either way. I like the nerf bars, but the wife likes the look of the running board. I have the nerf bar on my Ranger, and granted it is not as high as an F150 but I never even put a foot on them except to wash the roof. Probably another at the dealership decision.

I am leaning toward the Bug Rug over the Bed Liner. And looking into a roll up cover (like the truxedo).

On a related note, when we took an XLT supercrew for a test drive it was sitting next to a '03 Expy. I ask my saleperson if I could take it for a drive just to compare the ride of the two. I really liked the new expy, it was designed really well, but it rode a little too soft for me (The wife liked it though), it handled totally different than the previous model years I had driven, almost car like I would say. The wife was pushing on me a little to get one until I told her that it was redesigned for this year. At which point she changed her tune and said get the supercrew. Which was what I was going to do anyway.

Thanks again for all the advice will keep you posted on what I end up with.

----

Jorge...

 

Don't the new expy have independent rear suspension.... That alone is a major difference in ride and such...

Chris (ReelWork)

 

The rear window defroster won't be avaialable until later in the model year. The power rear slider should be the second no brainer!!

The color should look good, I passed one in traffic the other day.

 

Marc STewart is correct, the power rear slider is your second no brainer. I didn't get it on mine, will have to add it at some point.

 

Rear defroster went into production on Monday (10/7). Or at least that is what I am being told.

Yes, the Expy has IRS and was totally redesigned. Powertrain is the same but tailshaft of the transmission back is all new. Totally new interior. It is really nice looking.

---

Jorge...

 

Jorge,

Whatever options you get, you will be more than satisifed. I've had my truck for about three weeks and 1000 plus miles, and its a great truck!!!! :D

I did not get the power slider for the back, it would have been nice, but for the amount of times that I will use it, it made sense to me to get the standard rear slider.

About the only thing I wish I got was heated outside mirrors, that, to me, is much more important. I may look into this as an add on in the future.

Good luck to ya man.

Jim

 

I REALLY wish that I had the rear power slider, I have used my manual slider about 5 times now, and 3 of those times are when people sat in the back. Now if I had the power slider, I might use it everyday to open the truck up and vent the hot air out. Also backing up at night too (dark tinted windows)

The Nerf bars look really good if you lift the truck a little, better than the molded steps. I have the steps and like them but they make the truck look shorter.