I began reading this board AFTER I ordered my '04 FX4 last week. Don't have a build date, vin, or any other indication as to when I will actually get the truck, tho. Have to say this is a great forum, and appreciate everybody's insights, but some of the posts are giving me great concerns over the wisdom of this $30K+ investment.

So, using the wisdom obtained from this site, I will ensure the following items are addressed during my acceptance test drive:

1) front end/steering wheel vibrations - known problem, no cure.
2) "banging" or chattering from rear axle - clutch packs in LSD.
3) rough idle - possibly increase idle rpm a tad.
4) rattles from the sliding rear window
5) "wavy" view through windshield - just a bad batch?
6) extended warranties - worth it or not?
7) gas mileage - hey, it's a 5.4L, whaddya expect?

If there are other chronic shortcomings you are aware of, I would appreciate if you could respond...I figure in 4-6 weeks I should have the truck (I hope).

Truck bio: '04 FX4 5.4L Flareside (the built-in side steps are so damn convenient, esp with the new box 2" higher, besides it looks great), Black/DSG gray 2-tone ext, black int, tow package (for xmsn cooling and larger radiator and battery), deluxe mirror package (heated mirrors a must in the NE), 17" mach alum wheels and those rotten General 17 inchers.

Looking for aftermarket bedliner (drop-in or spray-in?) and tonnaeu cover, and especially dual exhausts (know of any??)

Thanks for the common wisdom of you all!

 

DonsF4X,

I can speak to the bedliner part of your post. I have a 2001 Dakota (looking to trade up) with a Rhino Bed Liner (Spray). I've owned pickup trucks for years (more than I care to admit). I've had trucks without, with drop-in liners and now the spray on. BY FAR... spray on is the best.

I use Rhino and it's unbelievable.

Advantages: 1/4"+ coat of a beautiful rubberized surface.
Comes in colors (mine is black)
Non-slip surface. What ever you put down, it doesn't slide around.
Adds a rust protection that NO drop-in could ever provide. ALL drop-in bed liners have scratched the paint simply from normal movement and vibration - and it traps water under the liner. Rhino is sprayed directly on the paint and permenantly bonds - forever.
Adds nice weight for sound proofing and strengthens the bed. After time, most beds will begin to rattle - old age (we all do it). Rhino bonds everything together and totally eliminates rattles.

Disadvantages: None that I have noticed (Had it for three years). VERY durable.

It costs around $500.00. I hemed and hawed about it at first but after seeing the look and experiencing durability, it's the best bed liner out there and WELL worth the cost.

I'm going to make sure that my new F-150 has NO bedliner. The FIRST thing I will do is get Rhino installed. It takes about 1/2 day. They mask off the entire truck and put it in a "Spray room". The spray is extremely high pressure and they spray it on in layers.

Look in your local phone book for a dealer. Only a few people did it where I live (Ft. lauderdale" so you might have to drive to get to a dealer. More information can be found at: http://www.rhinolinings.com

I can't stress it enough... it really is the best protection for your investment.

I will post additional information regarding tonnaeu covers and dual exhaust - I have them both as well (ARE fiberglass cap and Flowmaster Dual Exhaust). Again for three years and I have some "real-world" experience on those as well. Right now, work requires my attention (go figure)

Lastly, I've been a user of this site for a few weeks and I agree 110% - what a GREAT place for information. All the guys (and gals) on this site are ALWAYS helpful and have provide me information I would NEVER have found elsewhere... mostly from their experiences - not advertising.

 

Your items #1 through #5 were most likely addressed on the assembly line as most are early production problems.Don't worry to much about them.The gas milage is another story.

Mike

 

Justjimmy...good recommendation, I'm going with a sprayed liner. Look forward to any info you have on the exhaust system.

DrNo...I hope you're right that those items I mentioned were found on early production runs and have since been cured. All those items were found by scrolling through this forum and picking out the common repeat gripes that other owners have experienced; I can't say enough how helpful this site is!

Thanks for your insights..........D

 

donsfx4, i very recently drove a loaded 2004 4x4 lariat supercab with about 11,000 miles on it. I can tell you the truck exhibited none of the problems you mention. Quiet as a church mouse and no driveline hop or whine. No rattles at all. I visit 04 f150 threads on multiple sites and havent seen any reference to the production problems you list. as mentioned above, maybe those concerns were from preproduction examples.

 

DonsFx4

Congrates on your order. Hope your truck arrives soon. Take a look at my galleries (link under my screen name) and take a look at the Rhino liner and my dual exhaust system.

 

Oneagle1...that's the exhaust I'm looking for. Thanks for the pix and the link also. The Rhino looks great too, as does the rest of your ride! But the one thing you have that I can't get is a green lawn around Christmas time, at least up here! Thanks again- D

 

DonsF4X,

Let's talk about Dual Exhaust today . Like I mentioned yesterday, I have a Flowmaster system like "oneagle1" except the pipes out the back are round (Nice Truck oneagle1). I think next time, I'll get the pipes to go out the sides behind the rear tires. I've seen it and it looks much more aggressive.

I have to be honest, I'm not happy with the exhaust system - however, I want you to know I think it's my fault. Let me explain.

Usually I do a lot of research before I do any modifications on by baby. (I wish I new of this web site back then) This time, It was a spur of the moment decision. The muffler is WAY TOO LOUD for my taste - I have to look at the paper work but I believe I got the Flowmaster 50. At +- 2k RPM, the resination sound is so loud in the cab, I can barely hear the radio- let alone talking to anyone.

Secondly, the guys who installed it (Minekee Muffler) didn't know what they were doing. They did a good job installing it, however, I think they installed the pipes too big (3"). I immediately noticed a loss in torgue when going up hills but it seemed to have more HP. I don't know - maybe it's my imagination. You know, when you're driving along at a steady speed and you go up a hill, it dramatically slowed down. Before the new exhaust, it's didn't do that at all (reasonable slope of course). Remember I have a VERY quick truck (Dakota 4.7 L - light truck, big engine)

Anyway, after the install, I did the research (kinda of putting the cart before the horse) and noticed that all the literature reccommends 2 1/2" pipes. I believe, where I / Minekee went wrong is the loss of required back pressure.

I'm not an expert at this (obviously) but I wanted to give you my thoughts.

In closing, I want you to know that I love the look of the dual exhaust, the sound is only alright when I drive by the beach (Live in Ft. Lauderdale) and all the "hotties" look at me :-) The power change is hard to explain... I'm not sure if you can have a loss of tourque and a gain in HP - even though that's what it seems like.

With that said, do your research, looks like THIS is the place to do it... experience is 50% of the research.

(oneagle1, I'd like to get your feedback on your exhaust system)

Good luck and I'll try to talk about the tonnaeu covers next time (most likely Monday). Have a GREAT weekend! I have to get back to work - actually I need to find a job that I can just talk on the internet all day!

 

DonsF4X,

Check out this link. I read a post on a different topic and replied. It "might" relate to the dual exhaust post.

Just a heads up.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...51#post1298351

 

dr04fx4 and Justjimmy,

Thanks for the kind words. The green lawn is now brown (photo was shot in Nov) since we have had a bit of COLD weather lately, but it will green up again starting late March.

About my dual exhaust: it is based partially on previous installations (97 Ram 1500 5.2ltr and my 94 Firebird 3.4ltr) My Ram had the same style muffler (70 Series) with the single 2.5" inlet and dual 2.5" outlets routed out back. I saw an improvement in HP and MPG but that was also due to the combination of the shortey headers and chip replacement/programming I did also.

My Firebird has the standard Pontiac single 2,5" single input to a series 50 with dual 2.5" outlets (same tips as on my F-150). I have seen acceleration (HP) and MPG gains on this setup. The exhaust note is a bit louder than the series 70 mufflers But it is ablast to drive in nice weather with the t-tops off.

I chose to run the exhaust out back because my son had his exhaust running out behind his rear wheels and after a while it started to leave a carbon/oily deposit on the lower quarter panels. Don't know if this was unique to his truck or the set up.


Enjoy...

 

DonsF4X,

I'm BAAAAAAAACK!!! Sorry it took so long. Sitting in school while my students do their work. Figured it was a good time to finish "Part 3" of my responses to you (that I promised on Monday) regarding tonnaeu covers.

I have an A.R.E. fiberglass cap on my truck now. Had it a few years so I have a little experience that I can share. It's painted the same color as my truck (needed the VIN for the color match). Got it a local shop (Terry's Toppers) and they installed it for me. Good thing too. They lifted it on with a specially equipped fork lift (weighs just over 135 pounds). They applied a thick foam type tape between the cap and the truck bed rail. It clamps with 4 clamps and is solid as heck. It's height is level with the top of the truck cab.

Cost $1,100 just over 2 years ago and was priced as a small pickup bed would be (like a Ranger for instance). The full size beds were more- in the neighborhood of $1,400 - $1,600.

It is just under the "top-of-the-line" but still looks great.

Pros: Provides a large amount of secure storage. It has one handle in the middle (with a lock) that has two bars that latch to each side. Pretty secure.

Cons: Limits the height of the "stuff" you can put in the back. I have like a 32" opening (height).

I don't have a locking tailgate so if you pull the tailgate hard, it will open under the cap door. Fortunately, Fords have the locking tailgate so that wouldn't be a problem for you.

I have a sliding window where it meets the truck cab. You can open the truck window, and the cap window (from the truck side)and pass things through. I've NEVER used it so It's kind of a waste for me.

All and all, the next time I get a truck, I'd do it a little differently. If I went with the full topper again, I'd get a taller one for more opening space at the tailgate. Like I've said in previous posts, I tow a 30' camper. I use the bed to store alot of camping equipment when I tow. I think the higher topper would add a better aero-dynamic advantage than a flat top.

Hope this helps.

 

JJ...good info. I think I'm going to go with a tonneau roll-up. I'd like to have the 'dry' bed (due to the cover) and still be able to open it up for oversize cargo (like moving my stuff when the wife kicks me out for buying this truck!!). Seriously, the tonneau will help with better mpg's and provide some level of security and dryness for hauling the usual stuff (hockey equipment bags or tools), so I think that's my best solution.

All you guys (haven't heard from the gals yet) have really been a big help when concerns like this are tossed up on the board. When I get my truck (seems Ford is taking way longer bewteen the order date, build date, and delivery according to alot of posts), I'll show some pix and we can toss around custom ideas.

Hope I get it before May 31st, I'm counting on the $1k cash back!

Later - D