Please no flames -- just an honest response. I am considering the purchase of a 2007 FX4 Supercrew to replace my 2003 Dodge Hemi Quadcab, The Hemi has been a darn good truck -- over 92,000 trouble free miles. I have had Fords as well as Chevies in the past.

The FX4 appeals to me because it has everything in the package that I would order with no extra "junk" that I would not order. It's MSRP is also less expensive than a comparable Dodge. Add to that a longer powertrain warranty and the whole deal starts to look mighty attractive.

However when I look at perfomance, the Hemi comes across much stronger -- more horsepower and torque connected to a five speed automatic transmission.

I very much realize that the folks on this forum love their Fords. Perhaps your opinions could bring me back to Ford.

Oh, a final question. How do the stock fender flares stand up to rock ships? I drive on ten miles of gravel almost every day. I would have mudguards and step stubes installed if I do purchase the FX4

Thanks.

Tom

 

Check around this site carefully. Most of the problems with the f150 and ford customer / dealer service are discussed in these forums. Myself, I would never buy another f150 and very likely would never buy another ford product period because of the lack of vehicle quality and competent dealer service in my area. Also I've never understood why a bunch of cheap plastic and uncomfortable cloth seats garnered ford so many awards for interior design. The many pieces of hard plastic used on the dash creates a lot of rattles and squeaks which get real old after awhile. I'm from an older generation but in the past quality was easily seen. You didn't have to convince someone that the product was quality built, it was just evident. Now ford needs awards to try to prove quality. On my 04 scab I just don't see it. Add that to the lack luster performance from the 5.4l and the exceptionally bad 13.7 mpg highway and you end up with a customer that really wonders what ford was thinking when they produced this truck.

 

I think you would be more than happy with a 07 FX4. I know a couple people that have made the same switch from the other brands and have not regretted it. I have a 05 Supercrew FX4 and the only rattle I have ever had was the ash tray, which can be fixed. The power is there in a 5.4L but it has a throttle lag that kinda sucks.. If you don't mind spending another $320 on say an EDGE programmer (which I have) it makes it feel as good or better than a hemi, with a crap load of gauges which is nice if you tow a lot. Best thing I bought to date.

As far as the factory fender flares go, I have the molded Husky mud flaps on and do travel on gravel roads. Never have had a issue with either, nor have I ever hear of anyone. The lariats are painted, I could see that being a problem.

I have larger tires on, 2.5" leveling kit,with a crap load of accessories and I get around 17 mpg on the hwy right now.. I only have 14K on the clock right now, but from what I hear these 5.4's don't fully break in until around 15 - 18K.

ford9c stated his seats suck, some people have had a hard time getting comfortable in them. I did originally when I had the cloth, but I later put a complete set of Lariat take-offs on that I found on ebay. The leather seems more comfortable. The cloth allowed you to sink in the seazt bottom to much or something. PLUS, ford announced that for 2007 they redesigned the seats for more comfort.. I think that was based off of complaints, so you should be good.

Its a sweet truck, you can't go wrong either way. Plus with the new warranty, good peace of mind. Good luck in your decision.

 

I would base my decision on many a variables with the biggest being price. Who is offering the BEST deal would be a major factor IMHO. That's why I do NOT think GM is going to sell many 900 platform pick up trucks when the current data shows, an in excess of, $3K differential from a comparable 06' truck.

 

Another Ford Plus is the rear seat passengers will thank you for the added room over the Dodge.

 

please pay FORD9C no attention...I just bought my 06 FX4 (<700 miles) and I am in love. the interior noise is comparable with a BMW and I this is the most comfortable vehicle I have ridden in of my past 5/6. no dash sqeaking/clicking whatsoever.

while the MPG do leave a little to be desired, you also have to consider that it is a V8 and not some SUV...I'm getting 17-18 right now and my motor is nowhere near broken in.

as for the seats, try to get the leather. you get what you pay for. the cloth seats are functional, but the leather are obviously going to be better.

oh yeah, when you buy the first model production year (2004), there is always going to be problems. I don't care who the manufacturer is. It will take 1/2 years to iron them out, and I would say the 06 is proof of that. I can only imagine the 07's being even better

 

oh yeah, the gravel question...since most fender flares on the FX4 are black plastic, it looks like rock damage won't show unless your right up on the flares and looking for it.

 

i've got an 04 f150stx 4x4 that i bought 2 mos. ago with 27,000 miles and i have no rattles, the body is very stiff but rides like a dream i think some people are impossible to please or just like to b_tch no matter if their truck was free they'd find something wrong.

 

I don't know what planet ford9c came from why he landed here. I have a very early production 04 and my only issue has been the differential and that has been resolved. If Ford sells 900,000+ trucks per year and in three years, that's a lot of trucks. The small number with problems are going to complain while the millions without problems say nothing. His stated highway MPG is only about 2 MPG better than my towing (25' travel trailer) mileage. I wouldn't trust the rest of the post either as that has not been my experience or any other owners I have talked with.

I will gladly buy another when I need one if the price is right.

 

I have the exact truck ford9c has and I concur with him totally it will also be my last ford my body is mostly fine pillar trim has came off twice but is just on with sticky tape, but the engine is a joke as far as power goes and this is a heavy truck so it is slower than a pig plus ford has real problems with the 3V heads and getting spark plugs out after 50-60K miles even though you are not supposed to change them until 100K and no matter what any body here tells you it has not been fixed!!! If I were to buy a new truck today it would be GM silverado the new GMT 900 platform they have copied ford with a fully boxed frame and power rack and pinion steering and I beleive the vortec is a far better engine and the tranny has a tow haul mode.

 

and how many thousands more will you pay for this "better" chevy? your truck has a tow haul mode also, press the O/D button, now your in tow mode

 

Ya pushing the OD button is a real tow mode and I beleive you will find GM will be very competitive or they won't sell much??You need to go into blue oval news.com and do some reading from the UAW ford workers and you may think twice about a new ford and I hate to see this as I am a 40yr ford man!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I feel for the UAW guys, but on the other hand I think about how much my truck costs due to them.

the Chevy "tow mode" is effectively the same thing as turning off your O/D except that now there is another button to tell the computer to selectively turn the O/D on/off and locking up the torque converter. wow, I don't have to use my index finger anymore. no more worries about carpal tunnel

as for power, the Chevy 5.3 is similarly rated as the 5.4, look at their tranny gearing. Their 1st and 2nd gears are more aggressive so you get the impression that there is more power. I will concede that the 6.0 is alot better motor, but that puts you into the $50,000 truck range and you can only get it with the 3/4 ton frame.

comes down to little quirks. IMO, i think you unfortunately got one of the problem childs of the 1st production year. My 06 has plenty of power and if I could afford it, I would go and buy another one right now. One for me, one for my wife.

 

And I almost did just that, I have an ' 06 Lariat & just got the Wife an ' 06 limited. Wouldn't trade either despite Fuel mpg

 

Gees, osbornk, I wasn't talking about your truck. I was describing my own experiences with my truck. Also, the personal attacks need to stop. I don't ever recall calling you a liar. What makes you think you can do that to me!