Light duty diesel 6 cyl would be wonderful to improve gas mileage. AND get the 6.5 bed for crewcabs. I don't need the Superduty to get the 6.5 bed if I want crewcab, as it's too much for my need.

 

I'd like to see the 2005 F-150 with a John Deere diesel in a 2 tone, i.e., John Deere green with lower yellow accent. In fact, why not a John Deere version ala Harley Davidson model. I'd buy it in a heart beat. Throw in a feed hat and it would sell like hotcakes.

 

I heard a perkins diesel

 

It is a truck, right? Why is there no manual? Ford has offered a transmission choice in its pickups since at least 47-48 (3spd or 4 spd man) and in many of the later years there were three or more tranny options. I don't want a slushbox- there is a reason they are called "standard" transmissions!

 

For 2005 they're gonna raise the hood WAAAAY up in the air, and put great big, cartoon-like headlights on either side. Then they're gonna get rid of the Supercab and shorten the back doors on the crew cab, and then they're gonna do a bunch of stupid TV commercials featuring a bunch of morons drooling over their so-called "hemi" engine- oh, wait a minute. That's Dodge for 2004, isn't it?

Never mind...................

 

Posted by 4byFord;

It is a truck, right? Why is there no manual? Ford has offered a transmission choice in its pickups since at least 47-48 (3spd or 4 spd man) and in many of the later years there were three or more tranny options. I don't want a slushbox- there is a reason they are called "standard" transmissions!


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Absolutely correct! No manual transmission + Nissan SUV interior = NEVER an F150 for me.....ever.

Honestly gents, these trucks are very good. I've heard much on this site about how the F150 of 97' - 2003 + 2004 Heritage model
aren't as tough as the F150 models made before 1997.

But honestly I have owned both and worked both, and my 98' F150 with 4.2L/5 speed has EASILY out worked my 94' F150 with 4.9L I6 which had the same transmission. This may be heresy around here to say this, but these are MY experiences with both trucks and both motors. And when I say easily, I really do mean EASILY.
The 94' had lots of problems- clutch went out at 50,000 miles-and again at 93,000 miles. The pitman arm going into the power steering gear box broke one day causing me to lose control and run down into a deep road ditch( almost flipped it) - truck was empty at the time. Steering linkage came loose at the ball joint once and I lost control then too- good thing I wasint going very fast and was able to pull off safely. I had both my kids with me and we were on our way home from buying a Christmas tree that day.
Replaced head gaskets, starter, alternator, and bed mounts all inside the same 93,000 miles as well.

The 98' has had ***** fall off, drivers sun visor strip off, A/C and heat both went out, power window push button has fallen completely through its recess in the plastic door panel, and my door locks won't work.
For all the irritating loose ends on this truck however, mechanically its much better, I've got 100, 400 virtually trouble free miles on it now-and it's still going strong as the day I bought it. I bought both of these trucks new btw.

The point of it all is this, these trucks are just getting better and better as the years go by, and I have no doubts at all that the current 2004 F150 is the best 1/2 ton ever made by Ford. But I will still never own one.

Truth be told I would sooner buy a Dodge or Chevy half ton with manual tranny, then buy any truck with an auto-but thats just me.
And I am not even impressed with the GM 1/2 ton trucks at all, though the Dodge is damned beefy for a 1/2ton.

Truth be told my next truck will be a 3/4 ton anyway- either Ford or GMC...leaning toward the GMC though. Its a good thing that the SUV type interior has put me off on this truck -otherwise I may have had my heart set on another F150 yet again...but this time I would actually be in a position where I really wanted a truck that I could not buy because dosent come with a manual transmission.

 

For 2005-

1) More power- Ford needs to enlarge the 5.4, it can't compete with the Dodge Hemi or Nissan 5.6 in the power department. I've seen all the arguments, bottom line, there is no reason Ford can't put a 350 HP, 400 lb-ft engine in the F 150 if they want to, and remove all doubt about who has the most power.

2) 5 speed automatic, the competition already has it.

3) Bring back the King Ranch option for the F150, I have an '03 KR, those leather seats are the reason I bought the Ford instead of the Chevy.

4) Add a spray in beadliner option, in the same color as the truck.

5) Match the Dodge 7/70 warranty- if Ford really does build them better, then back it up! Include peeling paint under the warranty.

 

I agree with you on most of what you say, and believe that they will do what you are suggesting. As the competition gets stronger, the perks will come with it. Ford already has the 5 speed auto in the parts bin, and from what I have been told they won't bring it out till the end of the "heritage" edition bodystyle. The addition of the 5 speed auto will quell any performance issues as far as the competition goes, I have had a 5 speed auto, and they add a significant increase in performance, however, I agree with you that they should have kicked up the horses to at least 350. As for the King Ranch, I believe the Lariat has those bases covered quite well. The spray in bedliner is available from numerous aftermarket sources and is arguably not the desired bedliner anyway. As for the warranty, I would like to see it as well, but I doubt if we see anything beyond 50,000 miles, and doubt that you will see even that. Dodge has to offer that kind of warranty to try to increase their distant 3rd place sales standings. Ford really only has to compete with GM as far as performance and luxury goes. Dodge is trying really hard to increase their sales, but I don't think their current offering will do the job. The interiors of the Dodge and GM trucks are far inferior to the Ford, and have been for many years. The GM trucks interior looks like an afterthought. The Dodge looks cheap in comparison to the rest as well. After looking at the Nissan, I believe that the interiors on them are cheap looking too. In my humble opinion the only thing that Ford would have to do to slam the door shut on the competition, besides what we have mentioned here, is to lower the price, and add a fuel efficient diesel to the mix. The cost of a 1/2 ton truck has reached astronomical proportions compared to what they used to be. But as long as consumers spend the money, it won't happen. $43,000 for a decked out pickup is ridiculous.

 

Some serious questions here, as I'm kind of new having just bought my new truck. Why would the factories put a diesel in a 1/2 ton where the market segment seems to demand otherwise? Dodge and Chevy both require 3/4 ton before you can get a diesel, if I'm not all wet. The market segments have changed so much, just look at what a Dodge Ram looked like 15 years ago, or what SUVs have done. Before I bought my f-150 I wanted a Dodge with that HO TD, and wished it was offered in the 1/2 ton, but now I'm glad I bought what 90% of my driving is catered to. And don’t forget that despite what is practical, there’s a lot of people out there spending big $ on things that didn’t used to be.

Also, on the 5-speed auto, what would that do? Does it improve performance/efficiency? I know Ford claims they have 80% of their torque at 1000 rpm or something like that, but the way the computer’s programmed when you step on it would say otherwise.

My previous truck was a 93 dodge Dakota, 5-speed. Before that I had a dodge shadow, with a 5-speed. I’ve always been a manual transmission person. I would have liked a manual/standard in the new truck. But now that I have the auto, I’m glad I have it. It’s actually been quite nice. I thought the HEMI felt/sounded like it had more horsepower than the 5.4L Triton, but there’s just no comparison in the ride, the quietness (while new anyhow), etc. And I think I prefer the mileage I'm getting over the HEMI. I would like to see them improve fuel efficiency and power in the next lineup, I think they’re just saving it for reserve.

 

To answer why I think it would be a good thing for the 6 cyl diesel, it is simple, fuel mileage. A good diesel in this new ford should give a person over 20 miles per gallon without sacrificing the ability to tow. You would probably be sacrificing the 0 to 60 times over the gasoline engine, but not necessarily. These new trucks are getting heavier and heavier and the diesel engine is the only way I know to compensate. But that is just my opinion. As far as I know, Ford has a V6 diesel that was designed for the F150 but it probably got cut due to the amount of increase in emissions that it would have given the entire line. As for the 5 speed automatic, you would not believe the difference that it makes. I just got rid of a 2000 Explorer limited that had the SOHC V6 with the 5 speed auto. The SOHC 4.0 has I think 210 horsepower. The truck that I drive is a 2000 F150 with the 5.4 with 260 horsepower. The weight between the two is very close, with the Explorer being about 300 pounds lighter. On the same onramp to the interstate that I use everyday, the Explorer would outrun my 150 by 10 mph. This difference can only be attributable to the 5 speed automatic tranny. The Explorer would also tow my bass boat better than my 150 does. The engine is never in a lug situation like my 150 is. The fuel mileage would also be helped dramatically. Believe me, if the 5 speed auto was not the way to go, Nissan and Dodge would not have it in their new trucks. This is also the only reason that the Dodge and the Nissan will outrun the new Ford. From what I understand the 5 speed auto will be in the 05 trucks.

 

Posted by Cody1960;

Dodge is trying really hard to increase their sales, but I don't think their current offering will do the job. The interiors of the Dodge and GM trucks are far inferior to the Ford, and have been for many years. The GM trucks interior looks like an afterthought. The Dodge looks cheap in comparison to the rest as well. After looking at the Nissan, I believe that the interiors on them are cheap looking too. In my humble opinion the only thing that Ford would have to do to slam the door shut on the competition, besides what we have mentioned here, is to lower the price, and add a fuel efficient diesel to the mix.

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I dont want to start an arguement here bro, but I disagree with all of this.

First, I have experienced my share of problems with Ford truck interiors- I do know for a fact that F150 interiors do start falling apart after some time....that does not mean that Fords are'nt great trucks all in all -some really are.

As far as Dodge not being able to increase sales with their current 1/2 ton offering-that is too generalised a comment- it really depends on what your looking for in a half ton truck.

Like I said above, my next truck will likely be a GMC, but possbly a Ford- both in 3/4 ton configurations. I really like the GM 3/4 ton trucks as well as the Fords. I dont like the 1/2 ton GM's at all- simply not enough truck there. In half tons it would come down to Dodge or Ford for me-but the Ford could never be a real consideration simply because theres no manual transmission offering-that may not be much, but trust me when I say-its all thats needed to keep me from ever buying one.

As far as 2005 changes go, I would rather see some manual transmission offering come into the mix before Ford even thinks about a 5speed auto-they already have an adequete auto as it is.

Without a manual transmission offering Ford would NEVER slam the book shut on the competition-even with, and ESPECIALLY with a diesel.

Most half ton trucks are made on the wimpy side anyway-Ford has sone a great thing with their new frames and suspensions on these trucks, but Dodge 1/2 tons have already been as close to a 3/4 that you could get without the 250/2500 badge.

For all the hypothetical hoopla that has been going around about Ford using a six cylinder diesel in F150 trucks lately, they had better hope that Daimler dosent get serious about offering the Cummins 3.9L I4 in 1500 series trucks, because that engine in that truck coupled with a NV4500 MANUAL transmission would just about slam the book on everyone else as far as 1/2 tons go.

 

After more consideration, I am drawn to what will happen with a smaller diesel in a 1/2 ton. Afterall, we see them in cars, etc, that get great gas mileage (the VWs, etc).

I've seen the news about Ford Motor pushing for 6-cylinder diesel (Richard Truett of Automotive News) and I wouldn't be suprised if Cummins or Detroit Diesel expand their market, esp given the statement "actively and aggressively looking for new customers". I guess we'll see....

 

Actually rumor has it that Ford is going to John Deere for a 1/2 ton diesel engine. That would kill any Cummins offering for Dodge.

 

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I dont want to start an arguement here bro, but I disagree with all of this.

First, I have experienced my share of problems with Ford truck interiors- I do know for a fact that F150 interiors do start falling apart after some time
As far as Dodge not being able to increase sales with their current 1/2 ton offering-that is too generalised a comment- it really depends on what your looking for in a half ton truck.

As far as 2005 changes go, I would rather see some manual transmission offering come into the mix before Ford even thinks about a 5speed auto-they already have an adequete auto as it is.

Without a manual transmission offering Ford would NEVER slam the book shut on the competition-even with, and ESPECIALLY with a diesel.

Disagreeing is one thing and facts are another. I did not say that the interiors of the Fords were any more durable than the others, I said and will say again that in my opinion, the interiors of the GM, Dodge, and Nissan look cheap in comparison to the Fords. The GM design looks like an afterthought to me, that is my opinion.
As for the Dodge not being able to increase their sales with the current 1/2 ton offering, I am willing to bet that they will not increase their market share by any drastic amount, regardless of what you are looking for in a half ton truck. If you don't want to believe that, that is fine, but look in the sales numbers at the end of the year and you will see what I am saying to be true. I will agree with you about it being a mistake to not offer the manual transmission and can't for the life of me understand why they did not. But if you are in the market for a 3/4 ton truck it shouldn't make any difference to you. You clearly have not had any experience with a 5 speed automatic or you would not say that the transmission that they have now is adequate. It is not adequate and is the only thing that keeps it third in performance. A 5 speed auto will make the new truck run considerably better. As for your comment about the diesel, you obviously have no experience with them either. Most diesels will have an increase of at least 30% in fuel economy over a gasoline equivalent. That would mean about a 5 mpg increase. That is why I would like to see a diesel. A half ton truck that would make in the mid 20's for fuel/gas mileage would be a good thing for consumers.

 

The jury is still out in my mind, but if Ford had a nice 6-cylinder high effiency turbo-diesel to offer in the F-150, maybe my next vehicle choice would not be so hard. I like the new F-150 but have a hard time getting around so much extra weight and not that much extra power getting to the ground. Frankly, from what I have seen - my 1999 F-150 4X4 Off-Road does just about as well with the old 5.4 (which I keep my fingers crossed will not ever develop any of the gasket leaks or the spark-plug problems).

I'm in the market for a new truck as I have a very old one supporting that 1999 F-150 daily. But, I do want to see some kind of improvement in gas mileage for one thing. Maybe diesel emmissions are a bad thing - maybe better quality diesel fuel is a good thing, which I understand is coming to the U.S.

Anyway - I just wanted to say that if Ford doesn't come up with something a lot better than their new 2004 F-150 product, I'll be back in the used car market for the first time in a very long time. I think a really nice, low mileage 2003 F-150 4X4, 5.4 (new engine heads that don't spit out plugs), XLT fully-loaded and discounted over a new truck by $10,000 looks and sounds very good. Get the dealer to throw in a decent extended warranty - sold here until I see something more than cosmetic to buy. The new truck is lovely. Mostly wish they had kept most of my 1999, and added the new engine to it without all the extra weight.

Otherwise, I'll be forced to shop around some. Yes - Nissan's Titan is on the shopping list. I simply have to drive it and see if it really is that fast and solid.