I really like the restyled front end. It looks very "super duty" and does a better job conforming with the corporate style of Ford truck fleet identity. Everything behind the grill is still the same SUV with a pickup bed. The top of the bed is so high, they make me think of some 'ol geezer with his pants pulled up under his armpits!

 

Actually, from the grill back it's not the same. Just glancing under the hood at the dealership I noted they've redesigned some things. Of note, the battery location and some of the intake components. Further, the supercrew and supercab have more interior room. Mine, the screwcab, has 6 more inches to it (I think the supercab has the same). Everyone keeps asking me if I like the shorter bed (5.5 ft) but that's what I had on the '04 Lariat. The cab just looks that much bigger. The console shifter feels more solid than the older one, but that could be due to 94k miles vs. 2k on this one. It definitely is a different shift ****/handle. The headrest seems closer to the back of the head and more comfortable vs. being so far back. I was surprised at how long it took me to get accustomed to the interior redesign insofar as button locations, etc.. I don't know. I'm still figuring it out, but they definitely didn't go backwards on improvements. Still just trying to accept the nose and tailgate. I love the way the '04 - '08's nose and tailgate look and I still haven't fully embraced the "super duty" persona being transferred to the F-150.

 

Thank you. You are quite right. There are a lot of good redesigns. I was referring to the overall philosophy of the styling.

 

I went from an 07 F250 to my current 09 F150. The comparison for me is day and night. My F250 was just too much truck that I didn't need, plus it gelled on me this winter and the wife refused to drive it. I appreciate the better ride, super interior, plush seats, quiet cabin, and I personally like the redesigned front and rear ends. Times are a changin and we must accept the fact that autos will too. As far as bashing the 09's, I would rather say we are all sharing our insights to this new rig, the whole purpose of this forum. Having an internet community such as this allows consumers to get informed either before buying or while owning. We all learn from each others mistakes and and gain from each others tribulations. Keep on posting!! (now getting down from my soapbox)

 

I carefully looked over a basic XL 09 in white at the dealer last week and it was excellent, I would have scooped it immediately, great truck. But I already took advantage of the 08 deals, I got like $4K off mine back in May and my son's was crazy about $9K+ off and they gladly set up a trade I owed $5K+ on for 18 more months and got the full ESP at a good discount. The new airbags and stuff are very good in the 09s too if you get whacked.

 

I saw one stuck on a FSR up in the mountains on Tuesday. He was stuck in about a foot of snow. Now I see what people are talking about with the TCS. You can't turn it off! I went by him in my E-250 work van...lol I was floored (feel the power) and throwing snow everywhere, but I got through it. It was maybe a 50' long area that you had to get through, and I guess he tried to creep through it. Still, it was only a foot deep. When I came back through an hour later (had to fix a baseboard heater at a forest service outpost) he was still there, so I stopped and asked him if he needed some help. He said he had someone on the way, and that Ford "screwed the pooch" putting the TCS on a truck. I thought you could turn it off, but that guy says no, you can't.

I like the 09's, but I'll keep my 08.

 

If thats really the case....that sucks....

 

Yep. Gotta' feel bad for anyone who gets passed by a work van on a trail. A 1-wheel drive van, at that. Open diff. (I still think it can be turned off, but nobody has said it can, and I asked) I'm going by the Ford dealer today to take a look at it, and will let everyone know since the owners of them won't answer the question.

 

Why wouldn't that truck drive out of the snow? Why is the Traction Control stopping it? You'd think you could just put it in 4 high and just crawl right out of it.

I hate all these stupid grannies on the new trucks. What good is a 4X4 if you can't use it. I hope this can be turned off or the F150 is going to be quickly scratched off my list.

 

There is a button on the dash that is supposed to disengage the advance trac but I've never tried it. It even says in the owner's manual to use it if you get stuck. Can't genuinely answer the question, though. Like I said I've never really used it. I've hit the button and the wavy lines behind the car icon pops up on the display like it's saying "I'm off now!" but don't know from real world experience if it turns it off.

 

C Consumer reports has tested the 09 and says it favors the other halfs. They like it. Unlike a bunch of opinions, they compare the half tons back to back.

 

It wasn't consumer reports but truck trend that gave it thumbs up. Sorry for the mix-up.

 

Ok, I went and looked at another 09, and pushed the silly button, and it goes off allowing the wheels to spin. I guess the guy was a dum-bass, is all. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT'S TRUE OR NOT, but the dealer told me some of them don't have the button to shut it off, and some people are (rightfully so) p!ssed off about it.

 

Maybe keeping my '88 for another year or two isn't a bad idea. No creature comforts but it'll go like hell in the mud and snow.

Tim

 

I consider it constructive criticism, not dissing. For what you pay for a new truck, you shouldn't have to settle for anything. It should be exactly what you want. To be fair, I've looked at all the big 3 and I don't like any of the new trucks. They have their plusses but there are certain things that are deal breakers to me. I prefer a manual trans, manual t case and lockouts. I can live without lockouts as long as there is no central axle disconnect powered by vacuum. No stick and elec t case are deal breakers. Don't get me wrong, I like the look of the new 150, not a fan of the high bedsides, but the functional equipment is disappointing, as is the fact that you can only get certain gear ratios and certain options on certain trim levels.