I had an '03 XLT that I loved but totaled it a month ago so I went looking at the '04's. I compared the '03 and '04 at the end of the model year last October and decided the '03 was a better purchase (not to mention the end of the year discounts) after putting them nose to nose.

I just went shopping the '04 to replace it and have the same opinion...the new interior is cheesy, cheap and with too much squeeky plastic parts that don't seam correctly leaving me with an opinion they cheapened out on the interior. Buttons arent positive, arm rests aren't padded, premium cloth is like canvas and fit and finish is poor.

Yes I know about the added room, the better rear seats, the rear power windws etc, etc. but the parts and fit are poor in my opinion.

And yes, I know of the Heritage and am searching them at dealers to get something of what I had.

I know this will upset many new owners (no one want's to admit a bad truck including me) but am I the only ony one that's disapointed in the interior? And if not, how do we relay that to Ford?

No ofense to this post, just curious if others feel the same.

 

i think the truck is pretty solid, only cheap feeling thing is the floor shifter ****. only been in a few of the previous ones so i cant really compare but i noticed all the doors on the older ones rattled and didnt feel as solid. the outside black trim is pretty cheap on the new ones too, i cant get them to stay black they should have atleast painted the door handles or if it would have cost too much just do the lariats and fx4s.

 

I don't like the unpadded armrests. Other than that I think the interior is great and the fit and finish is good. Exterior styling is way better than last years girlie styling.

Larry

 

I like the 04 interiors better than the earlier years. Its more roomy on the inside, and I think it looks great inside. I get compliments all the time on it whenever I give someone a ride in it. Maes me glad I held out a cple years instead of buying it when I first wanted it.

 

I have a few complaints about the '04.

Tilt wheel is crap
No leather wrapped wheel in XLT
Can't move center bench seat, Ford should have kept the 40/60 bench IMHO
Need to put the outside temp/direction display back with the overhead console
Paint the outside door handles
5.4 feels lazy against the 5.4 in my '02
Need better looking wheels

Other than the above complaints the '04 feels more solid and drives much better than my '02.

 

i disagree with you entirely. i owned a 2000 and a 2002 F150, and they were about the noisiest dash and trim pieces i ever heard. i had screws break at the windshield pillar trim and in the door panels. also when it was cold outside and you had the heat cranked, it would sound like 22s going off as all the plastic expanded. also, the air vents were much chincier. i have a 2004 STX and yes i don't have leather steering wheel and i don't mind the center console/seat not moving. i thought the dash in my older F150s looked just like the tauras and focus dashes. this interior looks like a truck interior and i love it.

 

I have the FX4 package w/ leather captains chairs, center shift. I HONESTLY can say, I don't think ANY stock pickup out there comes even close(past or present)

 

Coming out of a '99 Lariat Superduty crewcab into a 2004 F-150 Lariat supercrew, I dislike the tilt wheel, I feel it has alot more blind spots, And a HUGE lack of storage!! As far as lack of power, yeah compared to my Banks'ed V10 it is a little weak, but still runs better than the older 5.4L Supercrews. I think the biggest difference is the high 1st gear ratio. And yes it is quieter inside than the pre-'04s. Also wish they'd do something with the 18" BFGs, Heck I don't care for the 18" wheels for that matter. I wish they'd still offer 16s so I could have a better selection of MUD tires to put on it.


Shane

 

Sorry Ribkick, but the Interior of the 2004 is a whole lot better than the 2003. But you did get a good deal on the 2003 since they where phasing out. I personnally feel that the interior should not be this good in a truck.


2004 Ford F-150 Wins ‘Truck Interior Of The Year’

DEARBORN, Mich., May 19 – The 2004 Ford F-150 truck today captured another major honor – “Truck Interior of the Year” at the Auto Interiors Show in Detroit.

“This is a fantastic honor for our design team,” said Pat Schiavone, design director, Ford North American Truck. “Our designers spent months listening to customers and pouring over research to give truck owners the comfort, craftsmanship, versatility and features they want and deserve.”

More than 5,400 automotive industry executives selected the Ford F-150 to win the award based on its overall interior design, functionality and vehicle innovation. Other finalists in the truck competition included the BMW X3, Chevrolet SSR, Dodge Durango Limited, and the Nissan Armada. The Auto Interiors Show held at Cobo Conference Center is the largest industry event in the world dedicated exclusively to car and truck interiors.

Today's award brings to 30 the number of awards the Ford F-150 has received since its introduction, including the 2004 North American, Motor Trend and Texas Auto Writers “Truck of the Year” plus Car and Driver Magazine 2004 Five Best Trucks - Best Pickup.

Since the launch of the new F-150 last September, Ford has posted eight consecutive months of F-Series sales increases. For more than 55 years, F-Series has delivered on its Built Ford Tough heritage. F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck for 27 years and the country’s best-selling vehicle for 22 years in a row.

 

Well, since my last post, I found an '04 Heritage XLT Scab at my local dealer. Same color, same interior, same options but with a 4.6. My '03 had a 5.4 and was a flareside. Unfortunatly Ford doesn't offer a 5.4 or a flareside Scab in an '04 Heritage.

I bought it! $20,325.00

Funny, the '04 new style XLT Scab was only $1,000.00 more but I can't help it...I like this older body style and interior.

There's no argument on one thing, though, both models carry that new truck smell...Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Still curious to other input on the interiors and thanks all.

 

It's all about opinion, and you obviously like the older body style and that's OK. Some like the new body style and that's OK too. I have to admit, when they first came out about a year ago, I said YUCK Ford really screwed this thing up. After a year, They are growing on me, Enough to buy one even!! I said the same thing back in '98 when the '99 Superduty debuted. I didn't like them at all, And here it is nearing the end of '04 and I've had a couple Superduties. So to each his/her own!!!


Shane

 

I still can't believe that they put the shifter on the floor? Is this true on reg cabs too? I haven't seen the inside of a 04' reg cab. I don't drive a new truck obviously but they seem so cheezy to me. It looks like Ford made it for the peolpe in the burbs.

 

The shifter comes in handy, since I am use to a stick shift. I can control my downshifts easier rather than use my brakes all the time, like I see most trucks and SUVs using in some areas where I live. I also can add more power going up hill. My hand can easily deselect the O/D button.

Personnally, I hate the shifter on the column. I agree on the Lariet model for the burbs people, because I am one of them. If I where to use this truck as a work truck, I would have bought a XL or XLT. Maybe an FX4, but the interior is also most like the Lariet.

 

My 2004 Fx4 SCrew ROCKS inside and out!

 

See you got a good deal. Add $10,000 more and you get what I have. Is it worth 10000 more...I will have to wait to see if I have any problems. As of now it performs and looks great.