Made myself useful today and checked out the San Jose Auto show. Ford had a 2004 F-150 XLT 4x4 Crew Cab on display. IFS, but a solid axle on the rear.

http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/2004_f150_front_diff.jpg

http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/2004_f150_read_diff.jpg

http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/2004_f150_tx_case.jpg

http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/2004_f150_front.jpg

http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/2004_f150_rear_brake.jpg

I'll try to post some more pictures on my web page this weekend.

 

 

Pretty good pics. Is that air suspension I see under there?

 

I'm shocked. I never would have expected to see one in San Jose. If someone goes to see it, try to check out the tow rating for that configuration (SuperCrew 4x4). Ask a representative or maybe there's a tag on the door or something. I'm interested to know how much less than the 9500 maximum tow rating (2004 Press Release) it is. The 2003 rating for a Supercrew 4x4 was ~14% lower than the Max rating(7600 Vs. 8800). If that is applied to the 2004 I estimate a Supercrew 4x4 will be tow rated for 8200.

 

I think what looks like air suspension is the tail end of the plastic fuel tank.

 

Can you compress the images and repost? They loaded slow with a cable modem so I can imagine what a pain it must be for modem users.

 

OK Ken, I compressed the pictures down and reloaded. Should be quicker to view now. I've got more pictures I can send you if you would like to add them to the sites collection. Let me know.


The truck was on a rotating platform that people were not allowed to step onto. So I couldn't see the sticker in the door jamb. I was under the impression that this truck was a pre-production vehicle and GVWR and GCVWR were not finalized yet anyway. The guy they had working there didn't know anything about the 2004 F-150, he just kept commenting on how the Tonka Super Duty should be put into production because "Ford has a winner with that one".

No air bag suspension, that was the gas tank you saw.

I've been reading that this truck may get a independent rear suspension setup just like the Explorer and Expedition just got. But this particular truck did not have that setup.

http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/2004_f150_1.jpg

http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/2004_f150_2.jpg

It's a nice looking truck. When I first saw pictures of it, it looked like a big box to me. You really have to see it in the flesh to appreciate the styling. Hood and windows are off a Super Duty. Even has the front bumper tow hooks like the SD. Front end is taken from a new Expedition.