I ordered a Lariat 4x4 screw the first week of may and as of right now it still hasn't been built. I live in Michigan and deal with Atchinson Ford in Belleville. They called the other day and told me they got an XLT 4x2 in and that I could take it out for a few hours if I wanted. I did just that and here are some of my thoughts!....1) DAMN GLAD I ORDERED A LARIAT!!!...the XLT is nice but the guage cluster looked kind of cheap. 2) The 17" rims are nice but they looked a little small compared to that big body. 3) Love the roll down (SuperCab) rear windows!...nice touch!. 4) That is one SMOOTH riding truck, with the windows up and the air off...u could almost here a pin drop!. 5) Whats up with the way the rear shocks are mounted??!!...I mean I understand they moved them to the outside of the frame, and I understand why they did it....but the way they did it is what I didn't care for too much...The tube/rail they are mounted on needs to have some sort of cap or end on it....its just an open tube and is VERY visible from the side...looks like they didn't finish the job. I'm pretty big on attention to detail and the rest of the truck looks good...but that shock mount to me just looks a little tacky/unfinished. The least they could have done was install rear fender (plastic) innner wheel wells to hide all that. 6) The optional 35.7 gal fuel tank is nice but with the rising fuel costs....OUCH!!!!!!!....I'd never be able to fill that thing to the top!

Thats about it....everything else about the truck was great/superior...except the 4.6 on that particular model made the truck feel very under powered (IMO). The 04 Lariat screw will be my 3rd F150 in 5 years (98 XLT Reg cab short bed 4.6 and 2001 Lariat SCab 5.4) and if Ford keeps doing their homework this WILL NOT be my last!

 

Can you post pictures of your Lariat when you get it? I'm going to be getting a Lariat some time this fall.

 

I ordered A SCAB in the fx4 model (of course). I Lived in belleville for 25 years and have some advice for ya. Go to southgate ford on fort street, se a dealer named Mike Naji and order your truck from there. I am on my 3rd f150 also, a 2000 sport 4x4, a 2002 SCREW fx4, and now my pride and joy is being built. Or so they say. How long did it take you to get it after you ordered it? I cant wait its kinda like a kid on X-mas thing I guess. hahah
Also if you wanna drive an fx4 go to ray whifield ford they have 5 new ones that came in friday!!!
Please keep us posted.

 

Thanks for the advice...but I think I'll stick with Atchinson for right now...between me and my wife we've bought 5 vehicles from the same salesman there. I get "A" plan anyway...so it doesn't matter too much where I go (price wise). Plus Atchinson has been good to me....how many other dealers are willing to let you take a vehicle they know you're not going to buy for a 4 or 5 hour test drive. I will definetly post some pics when I get my 04 SCrew. I'm going to be checking with them today to see if its scheduled to be built this week. I'll let ya know!

Anyone out there that ordered a SCrew have a vin or ship date yet?....when did you order?....Thanks!

 

I ordered My Screw on April 1. The truck was built July 18th. The dealer called Ford and they say it was built, but Ford has not released for delivery. They cannot or will not give me a ship date.

 

I tested one today at my local dealer. It was a supercab XLT with the 5.4 liter, the only one on the lot. Overall I really like the truck. I agree the instrument cluster on the XLT is rather cheap looking. Ford should have used the white background to give it a more sporty look. But it's nothing the aftermarket can't cure. The one they are using would look more at home in a stationwagon. Accelaration was decent, not spectacular. I suspect it will get better after some breaking in. It was very smooth and quiet , much more that my current 97 supercab. Handling was superb, virtually no body roll on sharp turns in the parking lot. Great front seats, back seat is better but still cramped. Not really an issue for me since I rarely carry any passengers. Overall a good package but unfortunately, out of reach for me at the present. When I do decide to buy I will order one to my specs and color choice.