Have had my '04 SuperCab now for two months (23xx miles) and for the most part - love it. Did a search of the forum for posts regarding tilt steering lever complaints/trubs - didn't find much. Still, I use the tilt function every time I get in and out of the vehicle (I have an '87 Scottsdale with 100k+ on it and the tilt function works great and is so convenient). The tilt mechanism on the '04 F150 is cumbersome, awkward and way too fragile. The tilt arm (part you use to raise/lower the wheel) fell off in my hand last night (not a happy camper). Am heading to the dealer to have it reinstalled now - If any Ford guru's are monitoring these posts - please! please! redesign the tilt arm making it more convenient and reliable!! Such a great truck with such a ridiculous tilt mechanism - come on folks - you can do better......

 

There are a few other people who have had problems with this too. I personally haven't had a problem with it, but since I am the only one who drives my truck, I just set it and leave it alone.

I think the dealer fix has had some favorable outcomes, but I agree with you, I thought I was actually going to break the lever the first time I got in my truck.

 

On some vehicles they are up by the turn signal and just pull it towards you tilt and let go. That is the one they should stay with. Why in the world they went to this design is beyond me. It is inconvenient and a pain in the butt.

 

Ya, it kinda reminds me of a GEO METRO lever. Not exactly what I had in mind for 40k.

 

I agree. the lever should have been made from brushed aluminum, not crappy plastic.

 

I totally agree jcl4, I had a 2000 F150 xlt and I thought the tilt in it was much better. I had only 5 positions, but it was no problem finding one that worked. The '04 is "infinate" but as you say is very cumbersome and flimsy. Oh well I guess there could be worse things.

 

wonder if it has anything to do w/crash impact, there is no way that wheel is going to hold it's place at full impact. or else somewhere down the line someone somewhere drove one of the old style levers thru their leg in a crash? don't know just quessing here they couldn't of done it because they (ford design team) thought it was a better idea? my john deere tractor has the same type

 

I first saw this type of lever on my mother's 2002 Honda Civic, but hers is sturdier, smaller, and takes less effort to use. I wouldn't see a problem using that one every day, but definitely not the one on these F-150s. Fortunately I rarely change the tilt of my steering wheel...

 

It is not worth the trip to the dealer. This happened to me and the lever is just a wedge fit on a tapered rectangle. All that you have to do is to take out the 2 screws under the steering column and slide it back on. I too use mine every time that I get in and out and I just pull it forward to me every few days to keep it tight. They should have at least put a set screw in the darn thing.

 

Wow...I totally never noticed this. Now I will have to go check it out!

One thing I did notice that I don't like so far is that overhead compartment on the trac thing. It has fallen off on its own, and is clumsy to get on and off. People who see the truck for the first time are drawn to it for some reason and always seem to knock it down and then cant' get it back up. I actually wish it was stationary and didn't move.

T

 

Good News/Bad News: () took the Ford mech about 45 seconds to slip the lever back into it's housing under the wheel column (could it be he's done this b4?!?!?) - it has a tang on the end of it that slides into a slot and locks in place by pulling the arm forward. Is not visible tho and could take a bit of manipulation to get it to lock. Following reinsertion the arm worked fine. ( ) The tang is quite tiny considering the work it's doing and I can see now why it came off in the first place. "Cincy" you're absolutely correct - Ford could have made life easier for all who have/will experience this problem by simply adding a set screw as a keeper - btw the Ford mech was able to get the arm back on w/o removing the column screws (maybe just lucky?). Anyway, just a followup to alert folks that may have a problem with this design in the future - is annoying but a pretty easy fix......