BreezyRacer, as you can see in my sig, I have the XLT. The XLT is not available with automatic climate control (EATC).

Regardless, EATC offers no more defrost capability than the standard heating and air conditioning system. In fact the operating suggestions for reducing fogged windows (found in the owner's guide), are identical for both systems.

The problem with the Lariat is that it comes with 18" wheels, which automatically reduces the GCWR by 500 lbs. Plus I've never been a fan of the Lariat's plastic wood, and the non-heated rear leather seats make for a cold butt on the passengers. Don't forget every Lariat will have the exact same Arizona beige two-tone color. The Lariat's just not my preference.

Regardless, I haven't noticed that the dimmer/interior light switch, radio on/off ****, 4X ****, mirror adjustment, cigarette lighter, 12V accessory socket, etc., are lit on the Lariat either.

Well, being able to see out of the windows should be standard. A chasis that doesn't shudder should be standard. As for the interior lighting, wiper path, moon roof, cluttered speedo numbers, plastic gas fill cover, auto locks, etc....I don't think something better is too much to ask for from a company that's been making vehicles forever.

Nah. Every new F150 I drove was the same way. Ever notice how slow the tach climbs, or how long it takes to hear the power open up? Give me 300 HP now...not a few seconds from now.

If I were to buy another light-duty truck again...Yes, I'd buy the Ford. But to say this truck is dialed in, or near perfect, is a bit much. You guys are a tough crowd.

 

Gee, why didn't I think of that?

Dealer verifies problem, but is at a loss of what to do. Ford is aware of the issue and looking into it. Doesn't do me much good in the mean time.

You obviously don't realize that several owners here at FTE are experiencing the same exact chasis shudder on bumps. But you're right...maybe we shouldn't discuss it.

BTW, I see you can count by ones. Good. But trying to discredit me by insinuating all my posts are complaints, is laughable. Since you're infatuated with counting my posts, here's a partial list of topics from my 97...now 98 posts:

Tonneau covers, X-plan, oil changing, receiver hitch, gas mileage, redline, bedliners, driving lights, remote starters, test articles, tires, cup holders, bed depth, suspension, splash guards, special orders, undercoating, extended warranties, factory warranties, running boards, new tail gate design, drive-by-wire, etc., etc., etc., etc.

Please take your meds jim, and let this discussion continue without your fantastic input.

 

I gotta tell you CruelCrew, I know why you are so combative and edgy. Cheez man you live in Montana! You aren't goona see dry roads for 4 more months. Your new truck's suspension is frozen. Thats why it shakes when you drive thru those car swallowing pot holes up there. And the problem with the lights....they've got a thick coat of ice on them. The throttle response, your battery is frozen solid so it is probably pumping out only 35 amps. Not enough for the drive by wire to function. Anyway I hope this answers your questions. You oughta drive south until the ice falls off your springs say like to Boise. Thats where I live.

Jim

 

 

CruelCrew, I suddenly realized why you post so often. You are snowed in, housebound, marrooned. Do you need food, toilet paper, DSL. What part of Montana?

 

I agree!!!!!!

For For Truck Owners,

There sure is a lot of "bit#$%ing

 

Do I dare tell CruelCrew that it's going to hit 79 degrees in Virginia this coming Friday?!!!

 

jimtracker, you seem to be obsessed with me. Where I live, what I do with my time, counting my posts and how often I make them, talking about my wife, calling me names, getting the last word, arguing, etc.

I'm flattered that I've made such an impression on you, but you seem kind of weird to me. Very weird. Must be your perfect truck and those rose-colored glasses.

BTW, here's some griping that I've pulled from a few of my posts...

"I feel this is the best riding truck of its class you'll find."

"I love my truck"

"If I were to buy another light-duty truck again...Yes, I'd buy the Ford."

"all in all you'll be very pleased with your FX4."

"Yes, I really do like the truck JohnBoy."

"Ford's on the right track with this truck"

"The truck is very tight"

"I love my truck too"

"I love the rocker protection Ford put on too."

"Buy what you like. Be happy."

"The tires...give one heck of a nice ride"

"I love the deep box."

"I find this convenient..."

"finally got 18 mpg...I'm pleased"

"The 5.4L is a proven engine."

"The 3V modifications, etc, are an improvement."

"It performs very well overall. Smooth, powerful, quiet, and decent economy."

"Ford did not make a mistake."

Need I go on with all my "edgy", "combative" "bithing"?

You better air-drop me that toilet paper jim, I'm laughing so hard at you that I need something to wipe my eyes. And BTW, anytime you want to quit whining, and start talking about the truck (which you probably don't even own), feel free.

 

Love my truck only 360 mi but I love it just the same. Traded in an 03 F250 for this truck, and did I mention I love it.

 

Cruel Crew, Yah I own it. Glad to see how **** you are in proving your points. Well it keeps you busy till the thaw. Asking about Montana becasue I used to spend a lot of time up there. Fished all over western Montana. Hunted Elk east of Dillion. Happens to be my favorite state. Going back up in May. Have a trout on the wall that came out of the Clark Fork. I could have gotten into alot more places if I had had this truck.

 

5,050 and still smells new and no problems! Love My Truck!

 

At least I have some points.

BTW, while you'er giving some type of geography and fishing spiel, I'm still waiting for your toilet paper drop...the tears of laughter are kill'n me.

 

cruel crew and jim, several good points from a couple of perspectives. I dont have an 04 yet, but i drove a loaded 04 4x4 supercab lariat on an overnight basis and i put some hard miles on it. No truck (or vehicle) is perfect, but with the 04 model , ford scores very high in a number of categories (torque, horsepower, interior space, interior comfort/sound level,etc). Both of you have 04 trucks so obviously the truck met or exceeded expectations or you would not have purchased it; i think now we are just talking about how the truck (or any vehicle for that matter) can be improved. My suggestion list includes factory satellite radio, a side bed storage box that the Titan has, and a far less porky body (or more horsepower).

 

Hey Cruel... Didn't you say in the thread that your 4x4 **** didn't light up at night? That was really bothering me. Happened to drive by the dealers lot last night and saw a used FX4 with tinted windows, so I got out to look at it. For some reason while I look at any vehicle that has the key pad entry I always try my luck at the lotery, ya know press in some random code in hopes that it may open up. Of course I never win, but it's fun. Anyways I also know that "7/8 & 9/0" pressed together will lock the doors from the outside if pressed at the same time on any Ford vehicle. Well this FX4 had dark tinted windows and it was night time, as I was trying to peer inside the drivers window I was also pressing those two keypad numbers, and it was causing all the interior lights to flash each time I pressed them. I observed closer and I could plain as day see that the 4x4 **** was lighting up at least the letters 2hi, 4hi, and 4lo.

When you said yours didn't light up did you mean the letters above it didn't light up, or were do you believe the **** its self should light up? I was under the impression from you that the letters above it didn't light up, which seemed really really cheap to me on Fords part. I'm glad I happened to see that last night as I was just playing around with this truck. In my 01 Lariat thats all that lights up on my 4x4 control know, not the **** its self, so I'm at ease about this issue now.

 

Yes, I realize that the 2hi, 4hi, and 4lo settings are lit. I was talking about the indicator on the **** itself that isn't lit.

I realize that the mini message center tells you what 4X mode you are driving in. But without the indicator lit, it's harder to tell which way to turn the ****, or where it is lined up at. While driving, I've actually turned the **** the wrong way, tried to force it too far one way thinking it was going to the next setting, and even reached above the settings for the ****.

Again, in the dark you have to go by feel. When you grab the **** you have to guess where it might be lined up at. Then you have to coordinate which way to turn it with the mini message center, and the direction in your own memory from the way you turned it the last time. It makes you stop and think for a second.

When I need 4X in the dark, using Braille and stopping to think for a second is distracting. Part of the problem is that other 4X vehicles I drive have a lit ****. It points right to where it is set. So I'm used to that.

There is no doubt this is a nit. But when you add it too the other controls that aren't lit (mirror adjustment, dimmer/interior light switch, radio ****, 12V accessory, cigarette lighter, glove box, etc.) it is frustrating.

After all, Ford went to the trouble of marking the ***** for day-time driving. It makes no sense that they would neglect night driving for a ten-cent light bulb, or top off such a wonderful 4X system with a cheap-o ****. That's all I'm saying.