Imagine hooking a chain up from the back of your F150 to a Titan and each pulling the other.Who is going forward?I say bring it on!FORD ALL THE WAY!
Consumer Reports
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
With all the postings here and elsewhere about the vibration problems in the drivetrain, it is not at all surprising that the F150 took a major hit from CR. They did make specific reference to F150 drivetrain problems in the text of the article, and I'm sure this is what they were referring to. I think the real question is whether Ford will resolve this one major problem in an otherwise excellent vehicle.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by 2004 Screw
You ever wonder who owns CR ?
People think because they don't take advertizing dollars that automaticly makes them honest.. Well thats crap..
The bottom line is the buck....
Now if one magazine only took money from one manuf to advertise then I would say you couldn't trust them. The reverse is true. All mags want as much advertizing dollars as they can get from as many manuf's as they can get. The almighty buck keeps them honest. If one mag continually trashed one manuf's product how long do you think they would keep advertising with them? If they didn't try to run honest tests their advertising dollars would dry up faster than a drop of water on hot pavement..
J.D. Powers, CR and PowerBoat test reports all fall into this special honest group because they don't take avertising dollars...yeah right..
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Saxton, PA
I think some of the mixed reviews has to do with which f150 they tested. I know the XLT I had rode like a dream but my Fx4 rides rough. Im sure the Lariets ride very very good. Also, some of our F150's have some major glitches while others have wonderful troublefree ones.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Ohio
The only difference between driving/ride of XLT and Lariat is the what the steering wheel material feels like.That is all I can tell.Some of the Lariat's with Good Year AT/S's LT tires actually have more of a firm ride than XLT's.Just my opinion.Good luck!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
All Consumer Reports has to do is do a simple search on the web for "F150 vibration problems" or have some significant percentage of their respondents identify vibration problems not fixed for 2004 trucks.
It's obvious to anybody who does a little searching that Ford dropped the ball, and dropped it BIG TIME with the driveline problems. Those kinds of things simply should not happen, period, end of story. I can see a little paint flaking off, or maybe some small wiring problems here and there.
But driveshafts, differentials, and ring gears have been around for a VERY long time. Pretty basic stuff really. Align stuff right, machine it right, mount it right, and it won't vibrate. How much more basic can it get?
Since Consumer Reports doesn't receive advertising dollars from the manufacturers, what would their "political motivation" be exactly?
It's obvious to anybody who does a little searching that Ford dropped the ball, and dropped it BIG TIME with the driveline problems. Those kinds of things simply should not happen, period, end of story. I can see a little paint flaking off, or maybe some small wiring problems here and there.
But driveshafts, differentials, and ring gears have been around for a VERY long time. Pretty basic stuff really. Align stuff right, machine it right, mount it right, and it won't vibrate. How much more basic can it get?
Since Consumer Reports doesn't receive advertising dollars from the manufacturers, what would their "political motivation" be exactly?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: St. Joseph, MO
Originally Posted by jwyles
I think some of the mixed reviews has to do with which f150 they tested. I know the XLT I had rode like a dream but my Fx4 rides rough. Im sure the Lariets ride very very good. Also, some of our F150's have some major glitches while others have wonderful troublefree ones.
My FX4 rides like a dream and I have not really had any issues to speak of.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Central New Jersey
Originally Posted by Powerdude
All Consumer Reports has to do is do a simple search on the web for "F150 vibration problems" or have some significant percentage of their respondents identify vibration problems not fixed for 2004 trucks.
It's obvious to anybody who does a little searching that Ford dropped the ball, and dropped it BIG TIME with the driveline problems. Those kinds of things simply should not happen, period, end of story. I can see a little paint flaking off, or maybe some small wiring problems here and there.
But driveshafts, differentials, and ring gears have been around for a VERY long time. Pretty basic stuff really. Align stuff right, machine it right, mount it right, and it won't vibrate. How much more basic can it get?
Since Consumer Reports doesn't receive advertising dollars from the manufacturers, what would their "political motivation" be exactly?
It's obvious to anybody who does a little searching that Ford dropped the ball, and dropped it BIG TIME with the driveline problems. Those kinds of things simply should not happen, period, end of story. I can see a little paint flaking off, or maybe some small wiring problems here and there.
But driveshafts, differentials, and ring gears have been around for a VERY long time. Pretty basic stuff really. Align stuff right, machine it right, mount it right, and it won't vibrate. How much more basic can it get?
Since Consumer Reports doesn't receive advertising dollars from the manufacturers, what would their "political motivation" be exactly?
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 6
From: MA
Originally Posted by jwyles
I know the XLT I had rode like a dream but my Fx4 rides rough.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Saxton, PA
Originally Posted by WheelMA1
Well that makes sense. The FX4 does have different spring rates, as well as stiffer shocks. Thats the reason why I bought my FX4, and not an XLT.
The FX4's ride quality good. However I like a smoother ride because I ride a lot of off road and country roads. That is my preference only. I think the FX4 rides better then a lot of trucks on the roads today. I think I just forgot to elaborate on what I posted. It definately handles much better then the XLT I had.
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Why Consumer Reports dislikes the 2004 Ford F-150 is not understandable. Like someone mentioned earlier, they give it all these "solid red excellent checkmarks", and then end it by not recommending the truck ? I have a 2004 Lariat, and just plain love the truck. It's the best riding truck I have ever sat in. A while back, I bought a vacum cleaner that CR said was a " best buy". I had to take that flimsy , worthless thing to the repair shop three times the first six months we owned it. My wife hated it...we threw it out with the trash!! Just who are these people that roadtest their cars? What are their qualifacations to judge a vehicle? Most of them probably wouldn't know a clutch pack from a six pack !! In conclusion, I've decided that CR is doing us all a big favor. If everyone found out what a fine truck Ford was making, the price would be sure to climb. Thank You CR...keep up the good work!!!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 0
From: Marion, VA
I heard on the radio as I came home today that Consumer Reports has just released their latest reliability ratings for cars. The rated the Hyundai Sonata at the most reliable vehicle and the Lincoln the least reliable. They also said the most reliable car line was made by Subaru. Somehow, that doesn't make me want to put a Hyundai on my shopping list (I guess that may be because old stupid me bought a Lincoln to go with my F150 and Escape).