I also had a decision to make between 04 and the 05. I went with the 04 because it is a proven truck. Not to say that the 05 will be a lemon with the new suspension but I didn't want to take any chances with the amout of money these things cost. Now I just have to hope that I got one of the good diesels!!

 

Coils would not be that expensive to replace -- check out a dodge forum. They have been replacing theirs to level out the truck.

The 05 will be a better overall package, but I am afraid that even more corners are being cut to help preserve the bottom line. I am afraid that the absent hood insulation, glove box light, rubber liner in console will be the least of the concerns. Da** shame to pay more and get less niceties, sometimes. Seems to me that they could keep these on the Lariats and special editions, anyways.

 

As far as the diesels go they seemed to have gotten the bugs worked out. The 2 biggest problems were the injectors and the software. The injectors have been replaced and the software is doing well, so it appears. I have a friend at the pilot plant who built a number of the 05 test models and another that works at the testing facilities and they both convinced me to order an 05. They were very impressed with how the truck held up to the stringency of the tests (severe overloading, mileage and durability testing etc). I was going to get an 04, but they talked me out of it. Either model is a good choice. It keeps me working.

 

The problems with warping is because of bad engineering. They don't provide enough ability for the rotors to expell hot gasses and heat built up from within the density of the rotor. Why is it that no one has needed to use 18"+ rims on full size trucks until they started popping up on rice burners. Anyway, if you put 18"+ wheels on a vehicle you had better install larger brakes otherwise you stock system will not do the job because of the added rolling mass. In conclusion as I said before. There is no need for a 4x4 full size truck to have rims larger than 16".

 

I agree with you on the rims. My opinion is that 4x4 with the large rims and skinny tires is funny. If you hit something rather hard in a work truck with that skinny tire your rim is gone.

 

I decided on the 04 F-250 with the diesel. I have always had black trucks but the only color the dealer could find in a Lariat was dark grey with black accent...in a short bed extended cab.

I figure with the incentives out right now on the 04s I will save over $3500 compared to an 05....
Its coming from the other side of the state so I probably wont get it till next week.drf

 

Congratulations DRF!! Sounds like you picked out a real beauty. Best of luck!!

 

Does this mean that the 4X4's are going the way of Chebby with the CV joint front ends, do I'll be keeping this '04 for a very long time.

 

Good pick, the charcoal grey was my first choice. I went with white, only because I never have to really worry about sunfade.

 

Nope the 2005 Superduty has a SOLID front axle just like the 2004 EXCEPT the 2005 uses Coil Springs instead of Leaf-springs.
Also regarding a few statements about coil springs not being as durable or strong as leaf springs, that statement is obsurd.

A spring is a spring. No matter whether its a leaf or a coil. They BOTH will wear out over time. The only advantage of the leaf is they will last a BIT longer due to them not moving so much. Personally, I am glad Ford switched over to Coil springs. Why do you think coil springs are used in ALL professional off-road vehicles. Also, why is it that Sky-Jacker made a Coil conversion kit for the 99-04 Superduty? That is because the coil spring is FAR SUPERIOR over the leaf spring. The leaf spring is just old technology.

Also, in regard to "FIELDDAY" question if there are any coil springs in the rear of any trucks. The answer to that question is YES. My 1998 Expedition along with all other expeditions that dont have air-ride, use coil springs in the rear.

So my vote is go for the 2005, they have more power, superior suspension, IMO better looks, all the bugs that plagued the 03-04 trucks is GONE. So go with the 2005, you'll be happy.

Hope this helps some.

 

While I agree that a coil spring front end has many possible advantages over leaf springs, we'll just have to wait and see how these new SD's turn out. As far as your comment about your Ex, that is almost certain to draw all kinds of comments about how Ex's aren't really trucks, etc...

 

your right an Expedition is not a truck ,duh!

 

The problem isn't necessarily with the leaf springs themselves, but with the linkage system that is now required to locate the front axle. You see, the leaf springs also locate the front axle relative to the frame - but with coils, you need to come up with some sort of multi-link system that holds the axle in place yet allows the suspension to move. For the past few years, Chrysler has been using this type of system on a few different vehicles - last-gen Dodge Rams (and current HD Rams), Jeep Cherokees, Jeep Grand Cherokees, and Jeep Wranglers.

And, while that system is (usually) good for off-roading, it generally isn't as strong and is more difficult and more expensive to lift. Plus, there tend to be numerous durability and maintenance issues - I know of several people who pull horsetrailers with Dodge diesels, and they've spent a *lot* of money on front-end problems. Maybe Ford has come up with something that'll work a lot better than what Dodge has, but the problem is that we don't know that yet...and we really won't know how durable the new front suspension is until the trucks have been out for a few years. Personally, considering how poorly planned some of their recent launches have been, I'd be a bit nervous buying one of the first-year coil-sprung trucks.

I've been buying a new truck pretty much every year, but I might skip a year and at least wait for the '06 - because none of the changes are major enough that they make want to go out and buy a new one. And, some of the things (like the interior and front-end styling) are, IMHO, not even as good as on the '04.

However, I'll probably buy one eventually - because my only other choices are Dodge and GM. At 50,000 miles a year my current truck won't last forever...

LK

 

Have owned a 98, 00 Expedition and agree they are not a real truck, they were under powered and suspension was soft so I went to an 01 Excursion with a V-10 which I think was closer to a truck. I needed the SUV's for work purposes. Now I drive an 04 Expedition for work, enjoy the convenience of it around town, but that is less of a truck than the 98 and 00 models with the independant suspension and all so as a fix I bought a 250 sd sc lwb for weekends and recreation purposes with the diesel. To the point, I will let you guys share your opinions about the specifics, the appearance won't be much different than the 04's but still noticeable. But and 01 will be worth less down the road, the 05's will go up in price I would guess and there won't most likely be any rebate until after the first of the year and will start out small and move up. I don't think the comment of $3,500 is far off at all and it may be even more. I do question the 250k mile warranty but only because I haven't seen it in print.

 

Come on 6.0 Your border line insultive calling an expedition a truck...
The last pickup I remember with coils in the rear was a 68 chevrolet.
Yea coils are the lastest tech. If you liked 1968. They didn't work then either. It seems most of the people on this site just drive around with a truck.
Not many work with a truck.
The 4WD shop tells me they sell a ton of coils to the dodge guys so they can keep their trucks level.

Everyone has a right to their thoughts.
I don't think coil springs in the front of a so called "Super Duty" is a good call.

OK, I'm sorry. An expedition is a truck... sort of.