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F-150 Owners

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Comments

  • AirwolfAirwolf Member Posts: 142
    cdean: Thanks for the wishes of good will. Since wheels.com is reporting a hold on all F150 SC 4x4 SWB with 5.4L V* until 2/1/99, I'm going to see if it holds true at the dealer. If so, I'm going to wait for the 2000's...

    Ryan
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Just saw pixs of the long-rumored Lincoln pickup, the ultra-short-bed crew cab Blackwood, and can't help but wonder if this will lead to a future F-150/250 LD crew cab.

    Assuming the Blackwood goes into production, which is all but a given, one has to assume that the development costs of this new crew cab would be shared by a vastly more popular model, such as the F-150.

    As many of you are probably aware, Ford, with the F-150/250 LD models, is using a "modular" wheelbase/chassis setup. What I mean by that is that the long-wheelbase regular cab pickup shares the same wheelbase/chassis as the short-bed Super Cab. In keeping with that thinking, a short-bed crew cab "could" use the same wheelbase/chassis as the current long-bed Super Cab. The rear doors/rear cab could come right off the new proposed Blackwood.

    It was also recently announced that Dodge is going to have a Dakota Crew Cab for the 2000 model year, which also may encourage Ford to introduce a F-150/250 LD crew cab. Having a crew cab would also knock some of the wind out of GM's (and Toyota's Tundra**) "larger-than-Ford's" extended cabs.

    Certainly is an interesting thought indeed.

    ** Saw the Tundra at the Washington DC Auto Show last weekend. The rear seating area on their Access Cab appears "deeper" than the rear seating area of the F-150 Super Cab.

    Bob
  • kDUKEkkDUKEk Member Posts: 10
    I have seen a teaser picture of the next-generation Dodge Ram pickup -- All I have to say is "the ugly duckling just got uglier!"

    The Jeep-esque front end on the Ram ain't gonna work, DaimlerChrysler -- It ain't gonna work. While I can laugh at the Dodge full-size pickup to pitifully attempt to overtake GM and Ford, I realized something -- Ford's F-Series is an even uglier truck! The light-duty is truly laughable while the SuperDuty is a rip-off (of a Dodge no less). If Dodge is going to get uglier, Ford can only do the same. Hopefully, GM won't make their full-size pickups ugly. I accept the T800 chassis they have now, but they just better not make them ugly in the future.

    Guess I'll just have to keeping buy a new engine for my 1991 F-150 and not save any money for the new crap I see on the dealership lots.

    Thanks for listening to my spoutings.

    Duke
  • dave40dave40 Member Posts: 582
    You hit the bulls eye !
  • popepadpopepad Member Posts: 10
    I agree with Duke, also. Perhaps I'm prejudiced
    since I own a '96, but after two years the new
    bodystyle still hasn't grown on me. I hate the
    frontend and the flare-out along the bottom of
    cab and bed. The Dodge is just plain ugly.
    Why did Ford want to emulate that thing with
    the heavy-duty series?
  • cobra98cobra98 Member Posts: 76
    Hopefully there are some 'old-timers' here when it comes to Ford F150s that can give me some help. I have a 1985 F150 4x4 with manual locking hubs and a 3-speed automatic transmission. I bought the truck used many years ago and don't have an owner's manual. Everyone I've talked to at Ford seems to be clueless, so I ask you:

    Once my hubs are locked, can I shift on the fly? Or do I have to stop, put it in neutral or anything special. What I currently do is shift on the fly into 4 wheel high. If I want to go into 4 wheel low (only if I'm stuck), I put the tranny in neutral, then put the transfer case into 4 wheel low, then put the tranny back into gear and slowly get myself out of the bad situation. I then put the truck back in neutral, put the transfer case back into 2 wheel or 4 high (depending on conditions of course) and put the truck back into gear and go.

    Also, after I put the truck from 4 wheel high into 2 wheel drive, do I have to back up at all to truely disengage the transfer case? Again, I do for now but want to know for sure. Appreciate any info as this has been on my mind for years!! Thanks.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I used to have an '87 F-150 4x4 with manual hubs. You're doing everything correctly. In 4-high, with the hubs locked, you can shift on the fly. I probably wouldn't do it over 55 mph though. If you had "Auto" hubs you would have to reverse the vehicle 3' or so to disengage the hubs. That's not your situation, so don't worry about it.

    Bob
  • wildh2owildh2o Member Posts: 1
    I'm a new buyer -- an F150 Super Cab long bed Work Series, 4.2L stick with air, slip axle and commercial grade tires -- a real basic model (I bought it to haul rafting gear). Got it for $16,601 which is below invoice by several hundred dollars. Just wanted to alert all of you internet buyers that you may be able to get dealers below invoice (I was initially offered $100 over invoice if I chose to custom order what I wanted). Clearly that won't work on popular models, but don't let anyone tell you that they can't go below invoice.
  • cobra98cobra98 Member Posts: 76
    Thanks!! Talk about a quick response after trying to find out for years....
  • mwinter1mwinter1 Member Posts: 40
    I hear some of you have the Sport package. I was thinking about ordering this on an XLT F-150 with a 4.6 L engine. I bet it looks good in black, but I'm wondering how it would lokk in Dark Carmine Red. The color keyed bumbers concern me. Does it have that "Euro" look that I despise?
  • ThauThau Member Posts: 25
    mwinter1
    I got a black one with the sport package. Look really sharp after it is clean. It is a real pain to keep it "Black" with all the road salt and all this days. Anyway, do you mean Bright Red instead ? I thought the package only comes with Wht, Blck, silv and Bright Red. I don't quite know what you mean by "Euro" look. If you go to a dealer should have the hand out with color picture of F150s (both Red and blck). Check it out! The Red one look really sharp.
    Best wishes!
    Thau
  • low1low1 Member Posts: 1
    hello folks, I am thinkning of buying a F-150 XLT supercab 4x4 any good or bad info on them
  • ThauThau Member Posts: 25
    lowl,
    Which engine are you thinking of ? Heard a lot of good new on the 99s, some problematic 5.4L engine for the 98. F150 online has a lot of info. that you might also like to look into. Good luck.
    Thau
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    What problems is the 5.4L having? Haven't heard that before. Straightened out for the 99s?
  • ThauThau Member Posts: 25
    GTRocks,
    From the info I gathered in one of the topics in F150 on line msg board, some of the 98's 5.4Ls are having piston slap problem at cold start. Look like Ford took care of the problem in the 99s.
  • tcwtcw Member Posts: 14
    If you check the f150 Online site, you will find some new owners reporting continued "piston slap" on the '99s. That, in spite of the rumored Ford fix for the problem they denied for so long. The issue is enough to delay (hopefully not prevent) me from buying a '99 at this time. I am also at least as concerned about the typical dealer and manufacturer denial tactics that make it so frustrating for owners. So, I would appreciate any feedback on owners with the '99 5.4L, and whether this cold start knocking continues to be a problem. If you haven't heard about it, check out the engine topic on f150 Online. And what about this transmission change to the "weaker" transmission. Any reason beside possibly lower cost (for the manufacturer)?
  • RayvenRayven Member Posts: 5
    I took delivery of a F-150 flareside in October and have about a thousand trouble free miles on it. I still get a kick out of driving it just like the first day off the dealers lot. Plenty of power with the 4.6L V8 (especially since I have the short bed, regular cab, so relatively light in weight. Plan to tow a small boat this summer so also have the tow package. I am, however, having a hard time finding a canopy for it. Local dealers tell me they don't make one for this particular style ford. Can that be? Anybody know of a brand that fits a short bed styleside?
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is "piston slap"?
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    Can I test drive a 5.4L and tell right away whether it has it or not, or is it something that shows up later?
  • cobra98cobra98 Member Posts: 76
    Pist slap definition:
    My guess is that the i.d. of the hole in the piston isn't sized exactly the same as the o.d. of the wristpin. Thus, when the connecting rod goes up the wristpin is pressing on the top part of the inner diameter of the hole (and leaving a minute gap between the wrist pin and the hole of the piston.) When the connecting rod goes back down and 'pulls' on the wristpin, the pin travels that minute bit until it reaches the lower part of the circle of the hole through the piston.

    My 1983 Cutlass Cierra had this problem (as well as many other problems...)
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Ford has just introduced at the Detroit Auto Show F-150 and Explorer Crew Cabs. The F-150 will go on sale next fall, and the Explorer (Sport Trac) about 3 months later.

    If anyone is on AOL, you can view these vehicles at Car & Driver's AOL site. Just go to the Detroit Auto section. They have pixs and info on these and many other new vehicles, including the Lincoln Blackwood.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Make that early in 2000, (about this time next year) for the F-150 Crew Cab to be on sale, not next fall, with the Explorer Crew Cab about 3 months later.

    Bob
  • jmgrahamjmgraham Member Posts: 1
    I have beem very pleased with my 98 F-150 so far. But I have been disappointed of late with the sound effects provided by the exhaust system after shutting off the engine. Starting at about 2000 miles on the odometer, it began producing about 1/2 hour of clanging, clunking and sizzling from the converter, muffler, pipes, etc..

    Does anyone know the cause and/or solution. It does not seem to affect every truck out there. My Ford dealer doesn't have any good advice.

    Thanks for your comments
  • tcwtcw Member Posts: 14
    Regarding the "piston slap", if indeed that is what it is, there seems to be some with the problem and some not. It is reported in 5.4L primarily, and for the first 20-30 seconds on a cold start. But I am no expert since I don't (yet) own the engine in question. But go to www.f150online.com and then click on "message board" then "drivetrain" then "engines." It is very interesting reading, and is a dialog that goes on for awhile. So the problem appears to be or to have been real for a lot of f150s.
  • ThauThau Member Posts: 25
    jmgraham,
    I am still very new to the world of truck. Just got my for about 3 weeks, still only got about 300 miles on it. Love it! No problem so far. It does make the noise as you mentioned though. I thought all truck does that due to rapid cooling at this cold weather.
    cobra98
    You are right about a small no. of people with 99s 5.4l still have the problem. Thanks for the correction!
    Bob
    Checked out the picture of F150 crew cab too, really cool! Looks like the interior is slightly larger, especially the back seat area. Wonder how much longer lengthwise it is going to be. I am have problem getting my truck into the garage, as my F150 is about 3 in. longer. It will be nice to have it in to work on it when it is really cold out.
  • jjsonjjson Member Posts: 42
    Rayven
    I have a "99 SuperCab Flareside Short Box with a fiberglass tonneau from A.R.E. Looks great! Matches the "curve" of the box perfectly. Also, is styled to match the hood. The molds A.R.E uses are different for Chev, Dodge, etc. I looked at several others, but the A.R.E. looks the best to me. You can find a A.R.E dealer (and a discount coupon) at www.4are.com. Good luck.
    Also, I have the 5.4L with approx. 3,000 miles and no piston slap. We have had below zero days here in Wi. and no problem yet!
  • RayvenRayven Member Posts: 5
    jjson:

    Thanks for the lead on the canopy. I'll check it out. By the way, my 99 F-150 makes all kinds of clanking noises as it cools off (and when I first got it, as it warmed up). The noises seem to be diminishing as the trucks ages a bit.
  • willie5willie5 Member Posts: 2
    I am considering buying a new truck. Was considering a Durango (got a family now). But crash test rating was poor. So I am back to trucks. I have had a Ford F-150 since I've had a drivers license (20 years and 3 trucks). My problem is that the Dodge is priced so much better. Looking at the tow rating for the Ford vs. the Dodge, the dodge has it beat by a mile. Are these accurate numbers? Also, I tow a 19 foot aluminum boat, what motor is best. HELP ME talk myself out of a Dodge!!!!!
  • stanfordstanford Member Posts: 606
    How heavy is your boat?

    Bear in mind that the F-250SD costs about the same as an F-150LD when comparably equipped, and gives you a greatly enhanced towing capacity, a really fun V10, and a larger extended cab (or optional crew cab). It will probably command a better resale value, too.
  • DirltonDirlton Member Posts: 30
    My new 150 5.4 is just turning 1000 miles and no sign of any piston clatter. I live in the same region as jjson and when you start cold here in winter you start COLD. My friend/neighbor, however, has the problem for the second time ('97 and now a new '99) so go figure. You will know if you have it, it's not like you have to listen closely. The issue is worked over very thoroughly at 150 online and I would encourage anyone looking for info to check there. Go Vikes!!!!
  • xl_1228xl_1228 Member Posts: 29
    Well, I've got the 4.6 in my 97 f150 and it HAD a clatter on start up. Not anymore. I changed to Pennzoil and a Wix filter. After changing to Pennzoil and Wix filters, the sound seemed to become less and less common (it used to do it every cold morning). It hasn't made any noise for about 2 or 3 months and it has 28,000 trouble free miles.
  • itpmpc63itpmpc63 Member Posts: 1
    I want to purchase a '99 F150 and I have a 16yr old son. I would also use it for carrying supplies and a little offroad work as well. I'm wondering if I should look for a V8 with 2 wheel drive or or a V6 with 4 wheel drive. Please email me if you have any ideas.
  • johnlyonjohnlyon Member Posts: 2
    What's FASTER in a F-150 a 4.6 Manual, or a 5.4 auto?
    Thanks in advance
    -John
  • signasigna Member Posts: 26
    Johnlyon: I've driven the 4.6 manual, and it's no where near as fast as the '99 5.4L auto. I've never driven the older 5.4l, so I can't comment on that.

    Piston Slap: My '99 F150 5.4L (1500 miles)doesn't have the problem. It's been between 10 and 25 degrees F. every morning for the last few weeks.

    Wylie: Why is the Dodge coming up so much cheaper? The Dodge and Ford truck prices are usually VERY close. Are you sure the trucks are comparably equipped?

    I would guess that most any full size pickup could pull an aluminum 19' without a problem. Do you really need the highest tow rating? If you equip both truck with the same type axle ratio, engine and trans combo, the towing performance will be very similar regardless of what the rating is. Have you ever driven a 1/2 ton pickup towing a trailer near it's maximum weight rating? I'ts no fun. Don't do it.

    I too considered the Dodge. I asked every owner I could find about them, and they all have significant problems except for one. A good friend of mine had bought a leftover '97 last winter, and put 15,000 miles on it without a problem. It seemed that Dodge had all the bug worked out of the newer trucks. If it wasn't for his testimony, I wouldn't even have been considering it. In the end, I chose the Ford.

    His Dodge was at the dealer having the short block replaced last week. His wife was driving it down the highway when the engine seized. They don't know why yet...
  • lapewlapew Member Posts: 1
    Which is going to be a more reliable engine?
    A V-6 or a straight 6. I've just started looking
    for a new truck and have seen trucks with both
    types.
  • willie5willie5 Member Posts: 2
    I currently have a 1989 F-150, 300 six w/5 speed. And yes I have had the bumper dragging on the ground pulling my race car to the track. The only problem is the headlights point in the air! I am concerned about towing capacity because of some of the new ones I have driven recently that don't have the same high torque motor. Why did they get rid of that straight six? The boat that I pull is a fully rigged Walleye boat, I don't know the weight but I am still concerned. Unfortunatley they won't let me borrow a truck for six months to see if it will work!
  • johnlyonjohnlyon Member Posts: 2
    Signa,
    Coming to the same conclusion. Nice to hear from someone who's been there. I recently found a raving review (from Wards) putting the 5.4 on their top ten list. Interesting that it reaches max hp 500 rpms lower than the Vortech.
  • phkckphkck Member Posts: 185
    Question about oil, have a 97 5.4l. Manual says 5-w30, dealer occasionally uses 10-w40. Truck seems to run fine, anybody with any insight?
  • lwflwf Member Posts: 223
    willie5,

    How much torque do you think you need. I don't know what the specs on the '89 straight 6 were, but the current 4.2V6 has 255 #-ft and 205 HP. That doesn't seem anemic to me. I've towed up to a couple of tons with mine without any problem, and it has only a 3.08 rear. I think it's adequate for an occasional boat-towing task which I'm sure is less weight than what I've pulled, but if you need more torque and HP, that's what a V8 and shorter axle ratio are for. The extra cost is not too great and the difference in fuel consumption may not even be perceptible. I just didn't think they were necessary for me, but if you have doubts, maybe you should get them. Re-reading your post, it sounds like you may be doing more than an occasional tow, since you mentioned towing both a race car and a boat. If that's the case, maybe you should really be thinking of a V8.
  • popepadpopepad Member Posts: 10
    phkck,
    DO NOT--repeat, DO NOT use 10W40!
    May void your warranty. Go with the owner's
    manual, please.
  • DirltonDirlton Member Posts: 30
    Engines, oil, etc. You guys really owe it to yourselves to check the threads at 150 online. Tons of no BS good info there. Regarding oil, Mike Troyer of Performance Products HIGHLY recommends 10-30 Mobil 1 at 3000 mi. intervals PERIOD. Use in conjunction with a high quality dual element filter (Fram, Hastings). Manufacturers have CAFE standards in mind when they talk oil, you should have best possible maintainance in mind. Oil is blood. If you think that everything you read in a manufacturer's manual is gospel, I have the bridge you've been looking for. No way is regular service with top quality products going to void your warranty.
  • ThauThau Member Posts: 25
    Dirlton,
    I understand that Mobil 1 10W30 is a great quality synthetic oil and that a lot of folks are using it on their F150. Being that it is complete synthetic oil, is its viscosity comparable to 5W30(as specified by Fords for F150) or is its 10W30(as it is indicated)? I am just a little concern as Triton engine is known to have low tolerance toward the lack of lubrication at cold start. I have no seen any Mobil 1 with 5W30 rating anywhere. Should I assume that they don't make 5W30? Happy to hear that you got your truck and the 5.4 is running well. Happy trucking :)
    Thau
  • dpt27dpt27 Member Posts: 4
    Hi guys, I've been spending my nights at web sights like this one reading everything I can find on f-150's since I ordered mine on 12\4.I've read loads of information that leads me to believe that I made the right choice. It's a f-150 XL s-cab 4x4 with a 4.6,4 speed auto,ac,40\60 split bench,carpet,mats and the bigger P255 owl at tires. I bought it at invoice price ( thanks to my brother-in-laws "A PLAN").Dealer says it's due in 1\15 I sure hope he's right. Well I'll just keep reading and waiting. Thanks for all the info, Mike
  • hawkpilothawkpilot Member Posts: 75
    Well, it has been a long wait, even if it doesn't compare to the ones experienced by the SuperDuty buyers. Still, to me it seems like forever. My truck was supposed to come in the week of Christmas, but the plant got behind, and so it had to wait for the holiday shutdown. I stopped in at the dealer saturday to confirm that he was still expecting delivery on the 11th, and he is. So, taking advantage of the fact that the factory is only 20 miles away or so, I took a drive down there, and thanks to the magic of digital cameras, I have posted what I believe to be the first pictures of my new Silver F150 SC XLT 4X4 with Sport Package. :-)

    http://www.alienmind.com/truckspy1a.jpg
    http://www.alienmind.com/truckspy2a.jpg
    http://www.alienmind.com/truckspy3a.jpg

    Now I know you are saying, "jeez, that guy is nuts! There were maybe close to 1000 F150s on that lot, many of them loaded onto transporters and ready to ship out. How does he know that one was his?"

    Well, all I can say is, please don't bust my bubble, and it definitely fits my specs, including sliding rear window, cab steps, and XLT Sport Package wheels. He he he. I should have confirmed pix in the next day or so.

    How can I get any sleep tonight?????

    HP
  • hawkpilothawkpilot Member Posts: 75
    One thing I need to tell both of you is that I now have the Ford Workshop manuals, so I will not be ignorant again! (Remember our discussion a couple months ago?) My dad got them for me for Christmas, and I've been studying them since.

    Anyway, I looked up the fuel line connections to satisfy my curiosity, and it looks like there are actually several different types of conections, depending on what part of the system you are looking at. And yes, they all require a small tool of some type to release the fitting.

    Now I can actually answer questions definitively, instead of relying on general experience, which is sometimes insufficient.

    HP
  • jlc4jlc4 Member Posts: 16
    hello anyone; I sure could use some help.
    1. can anyone recommend an alarm system for a 98 f150 xlt 3 door that prevents the engine from starting, flashes the lights and sounds the horn?

    2. I am interested in the tubular running boards. Can anyone suggest a quality brand? I have seen the ones with the molded step pad on the chrome bar that look good.

    3. can i get an idea an the cost for these items?
  • AirwolfAirwolf Member Posts: 142
    Ok, here it is. My success story (so far). As most of you know, I've been paining away for about 6-8 months about a truck. An F150, an F250LD, and F250SD, etc. I finally settled on an F150 for what I needed it to do. Totally tricked out. 4x4 S/C, etc. As I mentioned in an earlier post.

    So what makes this post different? Well, I placed my order with the dealer on 12/29. He said he give to order to the order person on the 30th. After that wait and see... So, I stopped in to the dealer last Friday, the 8th. I ALREADY had a VIN#. Talk about AMAZED! =:) WOOHOO!!!

    Now I've got a VIN (and no build date on his print out) so it's off to call Gwen at the factory to see what she can tell me! I never thought it would happen so fast, but it did! $100 over invoice and I couldn't be happier with Gary Boyd at Currie Ford (see earlier post for numbers). HE will be happy to do waht he can for you! Be sure to mention my name, if you get a chance. He'll help you as best he can (he already helped Jim get a nice F350 off the lot for a great steal!).

    Cheers, and I'll keep everyone up to date on the progress.

    Ryan
  • AirwolfAirwolf Member Posts: 142
    Just called Scheduling at the previous posted number, and guess what?! They don't do it anymore. That has been handed off to Customer Care at 800-392-FORD (3673). I haven't yet called them, but the guy explained to me that Ford "sent down a letter and told us to not do that anymore." Will keep everyone posted.

    Ryan
  • ladyblueladyblue Member Posts: 326
    Congratulations!!! You sound so excited!!

    I placed an order for a new truck on 1/4/99 (not a Ford) and I'm just as anxious as you are. I'm just getting a kick out of watching your progress. Time sure does drag when you're waiting for a new toy....
  • popepadpopepad Member Posts: 10
    hawkpilot,
    Whether that is YOUR truck is immaterial.
    I'm impressed with your spontaneity and
    panache. (I bet it IS your truck).
    DP
This discussion has been closed.