convince me
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convince me
was really looking into buying a 04 fx4 s/crew and was happy with the first one i drove which was only a extended cab. drove a beautiful white s/crew loved everything about it but it had a slight vibration around 45 mph. the salesman said it was the tires and he would put new ones on for me. came on the site to check into it and found lots of stuff that has put a damper on all my initial excitement.(brakes/plugs/driveline stuff). anyway should i consider a 03 extended cab fx4 or go with the newer truck. i guess people come on here to find out what to do when something goes wrong but i need some "feel good stories". my wife actually gave the go ahead and talked me into the crew vs the excab thats more than have the battle right there.
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From: Boise, ID
Any new or used vehicle has the potential to be trouble free or a lemon. First, find a truck you want and drive it at various speeds over various road surfaces. If it does not vibrate, the bed doesn't bounce and has decent performance you are 3/4s of the way there. If you are buying from a Ford dealer, have them print off a service history for you to see if there major issues with it.
I have an 04 FX4 scab and it has only been to the dealer once for a PCM upgrade. No complaints as far as warranty issues here.
I have an 04 FX4 scab and it has only been to the dealer once for a PCM upgrade. No complaints as far as warranty issues here.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Norwood USA
Originally Posted by ragweedfan
was really looking into buying a 04 fx4 s/crew and was happy with the first one i drove which was only a extended cab. drove a beautiful white s/crew loved everything about it but it had a slight vibration around 45 mph. the salesman said it was the tires and he would put new ones on for me. came on the site to check into it and found lots of stuff that has put a damper on all my initial excitement.(brakes/plugs/driveline stuff). anyway should i consider a 03 extended cab fx4 or go with the newer truck. i guess people come on here to find out what to do when something goes wrong but i need some "feel good stories". my wife actually gave the go ahead and talked me into the crew vs the excab thats more than have the battle right there.
IMO- Go with the 03. They were around longer, have been "tried and true", and are still great trucks for work and play. Good luck on your decision.
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are the 05s any better than than 04s-or is it jsut the way with these trucks? also considered leasing one and then i wouldn't have to worry about the repairs to see if was a good or bad truck? gonna go drive some wednesday so wish me luck.
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From: Marion, VA
I would prefer the 04 AFTER the vibration was corrected. I have an 04 that has never had the slightest vibration. The 04 is much superior tot he older models in many ways. Remember, only the unhappy people complain and there a hugh number of Fords on the road. If you go to the Chevrolet, Toyota, Nissan, etc. forums, you will hear the exact same complaints.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Trempealeau Wisconsin
I have been a Ford guy all my life. The past few months I have been looking for a "new" truck. I had test drove numerous trucks, a 03 F-150 SC FX4, a 2000 F350 SC 4X4 PSD, a 99 F350 SC 4X4 PSD DRW, 02 F250 SC 4X4 V-10. I didn't like the interior of the 03 F-150 one bit, plus the motor felt weak to me. I was just about to buy either the 2000 PSD or 02 V-10 (just depended on which I could get the dealer to budge more on). Then I found a 04 F150 FX4 SC with all the options that I wanted on a truck (TTpackage, leather, shift on center console, 3.73LS, the list goes on), I wasn't really sure on getting a 1/2 ton, but now I am glad that I did. I bought the 04 F150 FX4, it gets 14-15 mpg, lots of useable power. Tows really, really, good for a 1/2 ton. I had the dealership run the VIN number on mine and it was only in for warrenty work once, and that was for a rattling door panel (2 months before I bought the truck). And I had it in to get the drivers side fog light replaced, under warrenty. I love this truck, if I had it to do over again I would have still bought it. I am very happy!!
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From: CSofA
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From: Southern Utah
If you are torn between the scab and the screw, it can depend on what you will be using the truck for the most. I tested both, but the screw bed was to short for my needs. I needed to have the extra cargo space for all the junk I haul. However, for interior comfort, I like the extra space especially for the passenger seating. But, my kids are still small and fit in the scab comfortably. So, I went with the scab because I haul around a lot of junk and the extra foot in the bed made a big difference to me. I would like to have had the 8' bed but I wasn't able to locate an 05 in my area that had one. I bought mine on Dec. 30, 2005 so there wasn't to many 05's left. I have almost 1500 miles on it so far and it just keeps driving and running better all the time. Now I wish I could get my wife to let me drive it. Good luck on your decision.
Dett
Dett
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I have a 2004 FX4 Super Cab. Never been to the shop for anything but routine service and a minor recall for some kind of rubber pad. One of the nicest vehicles of any kind I have ever owned. I tow a 26 foot travel trailer and the increased size and power over the 2003 makes a big difference.
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From: Tigard, OR
Along the lines of what you mention, forums are a great place to find info and lot of people dont look for info until they have a problem. Here's what you do: Test drive the one you want. Maybe more than once. If it doesn't shake then buy it.
I love my 04 fx4 screw. I would buy this truck again, and again, and again. It's that good.
I love my 04 fx4 screw. I would buy this truck again, and again, and again. It's that good.
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From: AKRON ohio
I purchased a 04 herritage f150 4x4 extended cab in november with 16,000 miles, but after I got it home and some issues with the dealer I returned the truck after owning it for three days !
! I went ahead and bought a NEW 05 f150 in the end of december. It now has 900 miles on it and I love it! Extended cab 4x4 XLT.
I will NEVER buy USED again. that 04 already had rust issues on the gate and drivers door. I want to know exactly how a vehicle was cared for and serviced. and the price difference was minimal between the two.
Kevin
! I went ahead and bought a NEW 05 f150 in the end of december. It now has 900 miles on it and I love it! Extended cab 4x4 XLT.
I will NEVER buy USED again. that 04 already had rust issues on the gate and drivers door. I want to know exactly how a vehicle was cared for and serviced. and the price difference was minimal between the two.
Kevin
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From: Subz of the Windy City!
I have owned my baby (Special Order-Lariat 4x4,5.4 SCAB w/FX4 package, 3.73, Shortbed with all the bells and whistles) since sept 04 which I was told was one of the last to be built at the Dearborn Michigan Plant. (I believe F-250, 350, and mustangs are built there so I was pretty lucky because it was built on a tuesday too 
and since in my possession, not a single problem other than 10-14 mpg with all the add-ons but by far the best I've had the privvy to own. If you do research through this forum you will notice allot of issues with the "dreaded vibe", I never had it! towing is a big plus with mine....no boggish or doggish reaction what so ever. call it luck but I do believe the new style F150's are the cream of the crop and if you haven't noticed yet, one of the widest sold truck/car in the US. and as you are driving around town, look at all the fleet companies that lease f150s. even the Navy and Airforce have gone to them as well and that says allot for the product. as it was said prior to my post "test drive it, and if it doesn't shake- buy it" Don't lease unless you have money to throw away.
Just my 2 lincolns! Aloha!!!
and since in my possession, not a single problem other than 10-14 mpg with all the add-ons but by far the best I've had the privvy to own. If you do research through this forum you will notice allot of issues with the "dreaded vibe", I never had it! towing is a big plus with mine....no boggish or doggish reaction what so ever. call it luck but I do believe the new style F150's are the cream of the crop and if you haven't noticed yet, one of the widest sold truck/car in the US. and as you are driving around town, look at all the fleet companies that lease f150s. even the Navy and Airforce have gone to them as well and that says allot for the product. as it was said prior to my post "test drive it, and if it doesn't shake- buy it" Don't lease unless you have money to throw away.Just my 2 lincolns! Aloha!!!
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thanks for all the input-i just needed any kind of nudge to go with the 04+. the reason i liked the crew in the 04 and newer was the look of them (beefier than the 03screws) and the added room for my little one and the biggest factor is that mommy liked it better than the extended cab. although most of "minnie me's rides will be in momma honda- and i also have an old ford i use for the bigger bed hauling/dirty work jobs.