I'm considering getting rid of my 2003 F350 and downsizing to an F150 Screw. I've been reading all the posts about the vibration problems and it has made me very cautious of buying an F150.

Do the 2005s also have the vibe problem? I have a couple of buddies that have 05s and they are fine. Talked to my buddy ( service manager) at the dealer and he said they have seen tons of vibration problems with 04s, but yet to see a single 05 with a problem.


MJS

 

Does your buddy (service manager) have any idea what the difference might be?

 

there are some differences in the 05's (u-joints etc). i've got a 05 FX4 rcab. it does seem a bit jittery to me at times. just enough to for me to notice. could be a tire problem. could be that i am paranoid from reading all the vibration posts. everybody has a different description of it. i had the tires rotated, indexed and road force balanced. that seemed to help a little. it's my first ford. my first full sized truck. i have driven tacoma's in the past (3 of them). i can tell you that the ford definitely has a different feel from the toyota. i've about decided that it's just my ford's character, which is probably what ford wants.

 

I traded my '03 F250 Crew for an '05 FX4 SCAB and I have not had any vibration problems. For me, it's like driving a caddy compared to that Super Duty. I have the 18" wheels with the Goodyear AT tires, so far so good. My truck was built in September of '04 and only has about 1500 miles on it though.

 

Can I ask why you would consider downsizing? I have been kicking it around for a few months, too, and I just can't find the last straw to push me out of my 2004 Stroke Crew Cab. I keep thinking I want a nicer ride, don't haul much except on a trailer (5,500#), and wouldn't mind a change, but that's as far as I go. Just curious. Thanks.

 

Smokewagun,

I was in the same boat as you with my '03 stroke crew. I had the 7.3 liter and loved it...until it started acting like a little kid everytime the temp dropped below freezing. Other things like the fact that I could not hardly park it anywhere in the city because they don't make parking spots big enough, and the fact that, like you, the heaviest thing I have to pull is our 5000# camper, is what pushed me into the F150. They drive much easier, can haul about the same as the older 250 I had, and the payments are a lot cheaper. Just my .02!

 

Nope, my service manager buddy was not sure what the 05 differences were. As far as why I'm downsizing? I have had 4 Superduties since 99(Wife works for Ford). All have been V10s and I have liked them all. I finally decided that I really don't need a Superduty for any reason, I pull my boat (20' Ranger) and a 4 place snowmobile trailer and an F350 is not required by any means. Looking for a little better mileage and better ride.

MJS

 

2005 XLT SCAB V-8 - 3,700 miles

No vibration here...

 

Ford built over 900,000 trucks and I'm sure some people really do have a Vibration problems while others really don't. I loved my truck prior to this forum and still do..but after reading the threads on the vibes I started thinking I was feeling something in my truck. I finally decided their was nothing wrong especially after I borrowed my neighbors new dodge just to see the difference-hell his trucks vibrates twice as much as mine. It goes with the internet sometimes when you visit forums-the people on here most likely will have more problems-for some that is the only reason they even found the forum. Hell, I have a Z06 corvette and if you read the forum you would think they all burn oil, fuel gauge goes out, clutch is screwed up, shift fork is weak....etc. I recently purchased a 2004 4-runner for my wife and the same goes for thier forum..you would think they all have front wheel vibrations, sulfur smell from exhaust and unexplained pinging from engine under load..By the way I have an 04-Super Crew 4 x 4 5.4 373 rear end and 18in BF Goodrich-To answer you question on the f-350-definitely go for the smaller truck- I downsized several years ago and the ride of the 1/2 tons is so much better. It is easier in every way, parking, driving, comfort. You used to have to get a larger truck in order to tow a boat but now with the more powerful engine line up it is no longer necessary.

 

I have a 2005 F150 Lariat with 3100 miles on it and I don't have any vibrations at all. I can't recall seeing a problem with vibrations on this forum for '05. I think it may have been a "glitch" with some 2004s. Good luck.

 

I remember ready a post (maybe more than one) where owner did have a vibe problem with his 2005 (Post #13 01-07-2005, 09:13 PM under the thread title "Won my DSB" by noolacam). It seems like I remember other posts like this too.

 

I have had my 05 SCrew for about a week, and I traded in an 04 SCrew. I have not felt any vibration at all. My 04 had a faint vibration first thing in the morning pulling out of the garage but nothing serious.

 

I have a 2005 Scab Larait 4x4 with no vibration. However I've only had it for 3 months and only put 350 miles on it so far.

 

There is no comparison you should draw from a Tacoma, and an F150. The suspensions are quite different. The frame construction is radically different (the F150 versus anyone now). You should expect a much stiffer ride.

 

I've had two different 2WD 2005 SCAB "loaners" while my 04 FX4 has been in the shop for the vibe. The 2005s had no vibration at all.