Recommendation???
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Raleigh NC
Recommendation???
I am in the market for a new truck. I have narrowed it down to the Nissan Titan and the F150. I am a Ford fan so it has my heart. I have read a lot on both forums and classify the issues associated with the two vehicles as: Nissan: General build and quality control issues (squeaks, rattles accessories ….). Ford: Vibrations at certain speeds.
My questions to the group: How pervasive is the vibration problem (1 in 10 vehicles … 1 in 10,000?). Is the vibration a show stopper to purchase (casually annoying or operationally problematic)?
Thanks in advance.
My questions to the group: How pervasive is the vibration problem (1 in 10 vehicles … 1 in 10,000?). Is the vibration a show stopper to purchase (casually annoying or operationally problematic)?
Thanks in advance.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
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From: MA
Welcome to FTE Aubrey3. I am not sure exactly how widespread the vibration issues are. Most people find FTE because they have a problem with a vehicle, so the answers you get here might be slanted. I have an 04 FX4, and I dont have any vibrations at all. The only issue I have had so far is that my rear sliding window squeaks a little bit. Many people here don't have issues with their vehicles. Are you in the market for an 04, or an 05? The only good advice I can give you is to test drive each vehicle. I only test drove one F150, and it was the one I purchased.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Alabama
My questions to the group: How pervasive is the vibration problem (1 in 10 vehicles … 1 in 10,000?). Is the vibration a show stopper to purchase (casually annoying or operationally problematic)?
If I had it to do over again I would buy the Ford again.. All I can tell you is drive the truck at highway speeds befor you buy it my vib. peaks @55-60.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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My final two choices were between the Titan and the Ford. I loved the Titan powertrain. I really wanted a 5sp tranny and side airbags. But, Nissan bundled the airbag package with so much other stuff which I didn't want.
The Titan seemed so much faster and more hot roddish. The Ford won out with the great interior and super ride. The Titan has some really great interior features, which I hope find their way into other trucks (fold flat passenger seat, great cup holders and storage console, the utilitrak bed system).
What clenched the deal was my salesman let me take the Lariat home for 24 hours. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on on both trucks (including this forum and the Titantalk forum) and I think there are a lot more problems (1st year issues and QC problems) with the Titan.
Both are great trucks. Try to get a 24 hour test drive with both.
The Titan seemed so much faster and more hot roddish. The Ford won out with the great interior and super ride. The Titan has some really great interior features, which I hope find their way into other trucks (fold flat passenger seat, great cup holders and storage console, the utilitrak bed system).
What clenched the deal was my salesman let me take the Lariat home for 24 hours. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on on both trucks (including this forum and the Titantalk forum) and I think there are a lot more problems (1st year issues and QC problems) with the Titan.
Both are great trucks. Try to get a 24 hour test drive with both.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Orlando, FL
I would obviously have to sway you towards the F-150 over the Titan. I have a friend with a titan XE that he got a great deal on...about $19k after rebates. You cannot touch a 5.4 F-150 for the same money. It's fast as hell and has a very smooth drivetrain. BUT, in comparison of build quality on everything else, mainly the interior, it's hands down Ford. He only has 2,500 miles and the interior is falling apart. His center console cloth is seperating from the plastic top, the truck has a small handful of squeaks and rattles, and the dome light randomly came on while going around a turn. The door switch malfunctioned and left the dome light on. The interior on the titan is kind of goofy too. It's not very functional or ergonomic compared to Ford.
As for my own 04 F-150....I have a very slight vibration from 40-60 mph, but it's so mild, I don't mind it....sometimes I don't even notice it unless I really concentrate on it. The only other problem I have is so-so A/C performance mainly due to not enough freon filled in the system from Ford (my guess since the compressor cycles at idle), and moisture in my left front fog light. This is since early August when I bought my truck, and 2300 miles.
As for my own 04 F-150....I have a very slight vibration from 40-60 mph, but it's so mild, I don't mind it....sometimes I don't even notice it unless I really concentrate on it. The only other problem I have is so-so A/C performance mainly due to not enough freon filled in the system from Ford (my guess since the compressor cycles at idle), and moisture in my left front fog light. This is since early August when I bought my truck, and 2300 miles.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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I still have my 1995 F150 XLT, and VW Passat for a car (trying to sell both now). Also, I have my Dad's 1997 F150 Lariat 2WD I used to use to pull my boat, but that will be replaced also!
Had a BMW 528i that I traded in for my Passat, hence the bimmerbill name...
Had a BMW 528i that I traded in for my Passat, hence the bimmerbill name...
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 441
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From: Madison, WI
I think one major thing going on with the vibration problem is what is called a "self fulfilling prophecy." This basically states that the more you look for something, you are going to find it. I am sure that these vibrations that people are experiencing are REAL vibrations, but may not be as actually bad as they sound. I know I got myself caught in that trap. I read so much about vibrations on this post that I actually went out to my truck and drove it looking for a vibration. Results? VIOLA! I found a vibration. I NEVER NOTICED it before I went to look for it. Now it drives me nuts. I am sure that there are some vehicles that have a serious problem with vibration. But there are ALSO OTHER vehicles, chevy, toyota, honda.... that have vibrations in them. So it's a matter of choice. Go with the vehicle that YOU WANT! I'll be the first one to tell you that I dont need a 2004 fx4 at 496.75 a month but hey, why not! I too bought the first and last (only) Ford f150 I drove. I wish I would have not done that. I never realized so much about these trucks until I started reading this post.
Later
MK
Later
MK
Super Moderator
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From: MA
One of the major problems I see is that the 04 is one of the first pickup trucks people have owned. First, Ford has done an incredible job of making the interior ride quiet. As a result, very small squeaks and reverberations are noticed. On a normal pickup truck or SUV, these would go unnoticed. Second, do people realize that there are certain ride aspects that go along with their new truck? The frame is 9 times stiffer than previous trucks. That alone is going to cause some vibrations, since the frame wont flex to absorb such incidences. Also, how many who have owned trucks before, came from a standard 15" wheel and tire, up to a 17 or 18"? The aspect ratio of the tire is greatly reduced, which also transmits motion into the suspension, and then into the cab. I do feel bad for those who have legitimate issues relating to the rear gear pack, as well as other anomalies. I personally love the stiff ride my FX4 provides. I test drove an XLT after I purchased mine (killing time at the dealership), and I thought the ride was awful. It was all wish-washy. The front felt like it had no shocks on it, and would bottom out real quick. Yes, my bed moves a bit when I drive. Does it bother me? Not really. Ok, Im done rambling now.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Orlando, FL
I completely agree with Rich. The 04+ F-150 is an amazingly quiet truck. I have owned two trucks prior to the F-150. First was a '97 F-250 HD (old body style) and a 2004 F-350. The 97 was a rattle box. The dash had more rattles and squeaks than you could count. Plus, you could see frame flex all of the time in normal driving. Granted, I loved my 351W that was in it, but WOW, what a difference. Then going into the 04 F-350. Great truck, but far from silent inside like the F-150. It was a diesel, but that wasn't the main source of interior noise. This truck was still MUCH better than my 97, but nothing as smooth and quiet as the F-150.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
4,000 miles on my STX 4x4 Supercab, and one problem: if the truck sits overnight, I get a slight vibration and a steering-wheel shimmy for the first 2 miles or so. After that, it disappears. If it were a problem with the truck, then it wouldn't go away; it would be there all the time. I have to write it off to the cheap General Ameritrac tires, and since my commute is 30 miles one-way, it doesn't bother me. And the truck is STILL quieter than my Town Car, which in the words of comedian Kevin Meaney, "that's just not right!"
