I have been looking at options for a down size from my F350 SD diesel and have settled between a F150 and a Toyota Tundra 2004 -2005 years. I know about the toyota's pros and cons but not so much with the F150. My last 150 was a 2wd 300-I6 that went for 150k flawlessly but was a reg cab so it had to go. Probably going with the ford for that reason and on a trade ( if I have to) they will give me all the money for my truck. Toy dealer offered me $9500 for mine when trade in was listed as $15500. He loved the truck and thought it was clean but said since it was going to auction the $$$ had to be low.

Looking for things I should know and what to expect.

As always thanks in advance.....

 

Monster,

Avoid the 2004 model year and possibly early 2005 if you can, just because quite a few of them reported horrible vibration issues from the rear axle, or drive shaft, many of which weren't resolved properly. Not sure what was done, but the 2005 model year is the safe bet, as it was hardly reported in new trucks after that.

Other than that, there aren't too many other issues with the current generation of F-150's. They're great trucks. I would recommend the 5.4L without a doubt, as I think the performance gain vs. slightly less mpg is well worth it.

 

I have an early production 04 and it has been slick and smooth since birth. I wouldn't hesitate getting another. any issues have either been addressed or are still there. A test drive will tell you. I used to have a T-100 and the last generation (pre 2007) Tundra was very much like it except it had a V8. It's really not a full size truck and is closer to a Dakota. They are also hard on gas (especially when towing where they need a high engine speed to pull a load).

The new design F-150 is a far nicer truck. The 5.4 performs much better than a 4.6 on the same amount of gas.

 

I just test drove an f-150 05' with a 4.6 ex cab 4x4 auto STX and I would consider that a competent truck for my needs. A 5.4 would be a step up for sure but I want to get one that I will be happy with for a long time So i am going to be picky. I love my F but only use th esuper duty portion of ity 12-20 times a year and even then I am not maxing it out.

my buddy is a toyoyta man and the new Tundras are nice but the $$$ are high and the trade in was worse. All I hear is how great his truck is blah blah blah.... I listened and drove and it isn't a bad truck at all, but some reason I can't make that jump.

 

I thought it was funny when I heard that Toyota sales people were boasting about how quick the tundras with the 5.7L engine are but I never heard them say how much the truck could tow or haul anything .... I wouln't think that anyone looking to buy this size of a truck would be worried about how fast it could get from 0 to 60!!!

 

yeah the toyota actually has a 10,300 lb tow rating, I really cant fault the truck but they want all the money for the trucks all the time, no real great deals to be had. My SD is definitely going for sale. I am still courting the Oval , bowtie and Chop Suey. When the time comes I will go with who has the best truck at the right price, so far i have had more luck finding more F150's that match my needs a lil less on the Btie and a couple of suey's.

 

I'd love to roll into a toyota dealership with a lightning/harley or SRT10... say uhh, you guys have a quick truck, eh?

 

I wouldn't be so quick to bash that new Toyota truck. 380 horse and 400 lb-ft. of torque out of a normally aspirated motor is nothing to laugh at. I'm sure there will be superchargers available for it shortly as well. I love the 2 Fords I own right now, but I'll admit it seems to be a damn good truck.

 

Speed is very nice, but durability, strength and overall longtevity is more important. Ford has that IMO.