Well, this past weekend I took my 2004 F150 Lariat for it's first freeway road trip. It was only 500 miles round trip, but I was excited to see how it would perform. Bottom line rating on the trip is A+++!!!! This truck is great in town and fantabulous on the freeway. I started off trying to keep it in the 75 to 85 range, but while listening to the rocking Audiophile it is way too easy to be hitting 85 to 90. On the way back I noticed a large police speeding trap (luckily it was mostly on the other side of the freeway). There were at least 10 highway patrol cars pulling over speeders. I glanced at my speedo thinking I was OK, but was slightly under 85 mph. I took my foot off the accelerator and luckily was able to slow down without catching any unwanted attention. The ride was smooth, easy, and fatigue free. The truck power is amazing, passing is a breeze. No shakes, shimmies, rattles, rolls, or nibbles to report. When I got to my destination, suprisingly I was the designated driver to all firecraker events for the family. Everyone said it was the smoothest ride they had ever taken in any vehicle. The only downside was the 17.4mpg. I thought highway driving I'd do much better, since I average 15.3 in the city. Anyway, overall this was a great first experience with many more to follow, I surely hope. Thumbs up all around!!!

 

GOOD FOR YOU TOREADOR!!!
Glad you had a good trip - I am also getting ready for one myself, and I'm really itching. Had my truck for 1 month now and just went over 200 miles yesterday....TOTAL!!! lol

As for your highway mileage, 17.4 doesn't sound too bad for 90 mph ;<)

 

That's what I was thinking. I only get around 14 MPG city driving in my stick shift F150.................





But, it is a 1985......

-Matt

 

Just got a new F150 fx4 supercab last tues, took it on a 1400 mile round trip over the 4th, Truck drove great, quiet, comfortable was less than happy with the 14.00 mpg, almost all highway 75-85 mph, thought I would get better.

 

im getting ready to take about a 500 road trip as well and cant wait to be able to open this truck up. ive got just over a 1000 miles on my truck now and just love how it drives. i drive 70% city and 30% highway most of the time, other than for road trips. my first tank of fuel i got 13.8 mpg and the second tank i got 15.2 mpg. am on my third tank and hopefully this trend will continue.

 

I just got back from my first road trip to Toreador. I have a Lariat with about 1500 miles on it and I had the same experience. At 80 mph it feels like 50. The wife kept telling me to set the cruise before I get a ticket. No shakes or shimmies and I got the exact same mileage 17.4. I couldn't be any happier with this truck. I do have one complaint. The A/C isn't really that cold. I bought an A/C thermometer and it stays around 50 degrees at the vent. I'm going to take it in to get fixed this week. If your coasting down hill and reset the mpg it will shoot up to around 40 mpg or so for a second or two. I was going to snap a picture and put it in my gallery to shake things up a little. I'm happy with 17 or 18 mpg. I'm sure if we slowed down to the speed limit we could get 19 or 20, but what fun would that be. I'm not sure if this thing will beat a Hemi but I don't really care. This truck rides like a Lincoln and the interior looks like it came out of one too.

Best of luck to all you F150 owners
Mike

 

Just an update. I was wrong on the 17.4mpg. It was actually 17.9 which is not bad considering 1/4th of the trip was mountains (although not steep grades) and I ran the AC most of the way. Overall I'm extremely happy. And a reminder to those going on their first road trip to don't forget the break in period of 1,000 to 1,500 miles. Try to vary the speed. I did so even though I'm close to 2,000 miles now. I'll slowly start using the cruise control a bit more on each upcoming road trip.

 

Toreador,
You must not have a 4x4. I was hoping to get that kind of mpg, (I am getting 14.0 highway) I even tried driving with the tailgate down (did not help) hope to get mine to improve once superchips have there product out- (late July), looking for other mods to help the gas milage.

Love the truck, 4th F150, except for the brake dust, general tires and the ac could get colder, truck now has 2300 miles on it, (one week) have not noticed the vibration yet. Going to get the Kenwood DDX7015 installed real soon.

 

You're right I have the 4x2, but I still think 14mpg in a 4x4 is very low. You should be at least at 16 or more. Mine was with tailgate up. Maybe the mods should help. Brake dust can be cured with the new kelvar brake pads, which I'll install when the time comes. AC is freezing cold on mine, so you may have one of the problems other 2004 F150 owners are experiencing on the AC units. Take it in as you are under warranty. No vibration is Good Vibrations!!! And the Kenwood is a rocking good choice. Have fun!!!