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F-150 Owners

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Comments

  • ladyblueladyblue Member Posts: 326
    Your welcome, jlc4.

    I realize this is not the Accessories topic, so I'll make this my last.

    As for cap vs. lid, I have to agree with Mrs. jlc4. I have a high-top cap on mine and I love it. You can put furniture back there for those times when you find "just the right piece" at the antique shop. Bikes just roll in and out, and the annual Christmas tree excursion is a breeze (do THAT with your SUV!) It also makes your truck easy to spot at the mall!! ;o) Mine has a vista window in the roof and when I use the truck for camping, I can look up at the stars while being warm, safe and dry. Worth every penny.
  • alexrodalexrod Member Posts: 11
    Thanks for price info on a.r.e's.
  • hawkpilothawkpilot Member Posts: 75
    Does anybody know of someplace to get some inserts for the wheel wells, made of plastic like the ones that line the front fenders? It seems like corrosion could be a problem with the rear tires throwing crap up inside there and then holding water.

    HP
  • tlynchtlynch Member Posts: 2
    My father has always bought Ford F150 Pickups, usually every two years, he is a builder and is now 73 years old. Now Ford wants around $28k for a pickup that used to have 5 springs and they cut that down to 3 springs. They have cut too many corners, acording too him. Ford was the number 1 truck, but they will not continue to be number 1 if they keep raising costs and offering less value. My father says the new truck is junk and they want way too much for it. Sorry Ford we are looking elsewhere this time.
  • mikey5855mikey5855 Member Posts: 14
    Does anybody know when the new 2000 F150 Crew Cab is supposed to be available?
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    and your dad got his engineering degree when?
  • todd15todd15 Member Posts: 4
    That engineering remark was funny because i am an engineer. I have just purchased a 1999 Flareside f150. It is an dark red xlt with the towing and off road packages. I got the captains chairs sliding rear window, fords bed liner and cab steps, and Premiums sound. I expect delivery by feb. No questions, Just bragging.
  • ladyblueladyblue Member Posts: 326
    Sounds like a honey, Todd. Good luck.
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    Me too. GT is for Georgia Tech, FYI. Where'd you go Todd? Congrats on the truck. I have 1850 miles on mine, and no trouble. I got the tonneau cover. I like it so far. For the factory price ($170) you can't beat it.

    Funny story: Took my daughter (car seat) up to mom's yesterday and mom was trying to get to her in the back of the supercab. I didn't realize she was having trouble pulling the passenger seat up to get to her. When I did, I ran over and opened the rear of the cab (quad door). Mom said, "Well, excUUUse me". It was really funny. It was like, "la ti da". She gained some appreciation for that feature....
  • todd15todd15 Member Posts: 4
    GTRocks, I earned my Computer engineering degree from Iowa State University. I forgot to add that my truck has the 5.4 v8 in it. Is the factory cover soft or hard? Should I get it? Does it Lock? Why should I get it. I am thinking about a Topper that matches.
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    I got the 4.6L. I just don't do enough (it's really the wife's truck) to warrant needing/wanting the 5.4L. Nice but no need. Factory cover is soft. It has kind of a dovetail fit to a rail that runs around the extremity of the bed. I was either going to get it, or a fiberglass hard cover. The hardcover runs at least $600, probably $800. Down side is that it does not lock. I wasn't so much concerned about security as I was being able to put groceries, etc. back there in the rain. For me, I think it was a good choice.

    My degree is in Electrical Engineering.
  • ladyblueladyblue Member Posts: 326
    Todd:
    I have a Raven high-top fiberglass cap on my F150. Looks great, I can also put groceries in the back :), and can load lots of stuff with plenty of room to spare. Plus it locks. PLUS it doubles as home sweet home on short camping trips. The new ones come with a fabric headliner and hot-wired interior light and built-in brake light.

    BTW, I prefer the Raven because the brake light is built into the cap itself, not hanging down or attached to the back window. The window-type brake lights can get broken while loading and unloading tall stuff, and the wires are sometimes exposed.
  • stanfordstanford Member Posts: 606
    Do they have a website?
  • cobra98cobra98 Member Posts: 76
    I can't help you with the value of your truck, but I have my own question for you. Does your truck have dual tanks? If so, I'll describe my solenoid (for switching between the tanks) and maybe you can tell me if yours looks similar. The reason I'm asking is mine rusted through, and the dealer has what he claims is a solenoid for an '85 F150, but it doesn't look like mine. My truck has gone through many transformations before I ever got it, and I have NO IDEA what solenoid I have. I had to take it off and run a straight line to the first gas tank and now I can't use the second tank until I find out what solenoid to order....
  • scott16scott16 Member Posts: 2
    Hi:
    I bought a 98 f150 4x2 4.6l, 3.55 rear axle, ABS auto/air, xcab last Oct. ($300 over inv. for those in the shopping mode -- total cost was $21695).

    First: Those in the market for xcab -- get the '99 four door -- big mistake to have bought the 3 door.

    Second: Only have 2700 miles on it and am thinking of selling it because of extremely poor gas mileage-- I though it would at least get 17 to 18 mpg on the freeway, but best I can get is 15 mpg., usually is closer to 14 mpg -- remember this is the 4.6 l engine. I drive speed limit and have only modest hills. The only reason I can attribute to the low mpg is the oxygenated fuel (10% ethanol) that is sold in my area during the winter time; or still in breakin mode.

    A colleague has a 4x4, f150, xcab, 5.4l, --not sure of axle ratio -- and he say he gets 22 mpg on freeway driving.

    Anyone doing any better that 14- 15 mpg on freeway, with 4.6 l, 3.55 axle, 4x2 f150 xcab???

    Would like to here about it -- before I put the adv. in paper to sell this pig.
  • xl_1228xl_1228 Member Posts: 29
    My 97 F150 Supercab 4x4 w/4.6 engine and 3.55 rear end gets about 16 mpg around town. I still haven't seen what it gets on the freeway, as the only freeway driving it has seen is with a trailer behind it. I would really attribute the poor mileage you are getting to the oxygenated fuel and break in.
  • ladyblueladyblue Member Posts: 326
    Scott:

    I have pretty much the same truck as xl_1228, and I'm getting approx. 15-16 around town and 18-19 on the highway. Yeah, it's a pig, but that's part of being a truck owner. :)
  • KatmanduKatmandu Member Posts: 24
    No doubt It's all in the cards for any truck owner. Really if you're getting 15 and the what you wanted was 17-18 you are only "losing" like $200 a year. Not a big deal considering anything that you hit (or hits you) will be destroyed. Safety is the #1 reason for having a truck. As I always say...GAS IS CHEAPER THAN DEATH!
  • ThauThau Member Posts: 25
    Scott,
    I have 99's 4.6L SC with 3.55 Rear, I got about 17mpg on the 1st tank of gas(about 75% hghwy driving). Look like the mpg drop quite a bit since then as I have been using it to comute to and back from work. 30 per day mostly stop and go traffic, along with cold winter days we are having at the East, it really kills the milage. I think I will be lucky to get 15 mpg under these condition. BTW, your friend 5.4L with 22mpg is propably not accurate. 14-15mpg is more likely from what I have seen. your 4.6L should get better as it gets more time breaking in. I greed with Katmandu, pay a little more for the gas for driving a truck and enjoy all the other goodies that a truck has to offer(like hauling capacity and personal safety,..etc) Happy trucking:)
  • mrfmrf Member Posts: 20
    Scott,

    I purchased a '99 F150 4x4, regular cab, LB, 3.73
    limited slip axle, 4.6l in mid-December. So far it has about 1400 miles on it and I have been averaging around 15mpg, with most of those miles being highway cruising at 65-70. The EPA info on the window sticker indicated 14-17 mpg, so so far I am satisfied...it is about what I expected.

    Since I have a 106 mile round-trip commute daily, I usually drive my '95 Accord 3 or 4 days a week, so the gas cost is not too big of a factor..but that is beside the point..

    Having said that, I will say that I absolutely love this truck, very well assembled, and quite a pleasure to drive, being mindful, of course, that its a truck and not a car. I would recommend the F150 to anyone looking for a full-sized pickup..

    Happy driving folks :)
  • scott16scott16 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the encouraging words and sharing your mpg results. Hopefully it will improve as it breaks in and we get rid of 10% alcohol fuel in the spring in the Northwest.

    Yes it is well made, easy and comfortable for my 6' 4" frame to drive, and Gas is certainly cheaper than death!
  • alexrodalexrod Member Posts: 11
    Like you, I too was getting very disappointed with gas mileage (have a '99 lariat 2wd). But all of a sudden, truck started doing 18 mpg this week! At first I thought I messed up on the calculation, but yesterday's fill up, SHE confirmed it! a little over 18! SHE just past 3000 miles. I do have to mention that I kinda got gentler with the pedals lately...maybe that contributed something too.
  • ThauThau Member Posts: 25
    Got my third tank of gas today. She got about 15.9mpg, this is with all stop and go rush hour traffic. No bad at all for an over 5000 lb truck. I love this truck. It handles very well. Real fun truck to drive. Happy trucking folks.
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    Me too. 4.6L x-cab, 3.55 LS rear. 16 mpg. I do about 50/50 Hway/city.

    They say to expect a 10% hit in winter due to the additives.

    5.4L getting 22mpg on the highway. I don't think that person was a math major, or had a serious tailwind. I have a buddy with a 316 (Dodge) x-cab 4x4 and he gets 12 mpg with the same 50/50 mix. I don't think you're experiencing anything too out of the ordinary.
  • acejhacejh Member Posts: 1
    Any info. on the 1999 F-150 Lightning truck, websights, specs. etc. Thanks
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    www.f150online.com has some links. I think there is a write-up here at Edmund's too. Try www.blueovalnews.com too.
  • jlc4jlc4 Member Posts: 16
    I own basicly the same truck. I have 10k plus miles and average 17 mpg. and i love the way it handles and performs. Good luck. jlc4
  • dino10dino10 Member Posts: 1
    Experiencing excessive spark knock in my 98 Ford F-150,4.6 V-8,Auto Transmission. Dealer says the spark sensor that helps with mpg is the reason and this is normal. Has anyone else had this problem and what did dealer do to remedy. This question goes for anyone that may have 4.6 in any Ford product.
  • signasigna Member Posts: 26
    3300 miles on my 99 4x4 SC 5.4 auto Lariat so far. Mileage has been 13 city and 15 highway. I'm still waiting to see that magical 17 from the EPA sticker. Even a 250 mile highway run at 65mph could not up the mileage higher than 15.9 :-(

    My 93 1500 Silverado 5.7l got 20-21 mpg on the same run...

    I'm starting to wish I bought the Super Duty! If your gonna pay through the nose, you might as well be BIG.
  • louis_heiliglouis_heilig Member Posts: 2
    . . . I got my truck today & just want to say thanks to those who said they were able to buy their F150s @ $100 over invoice. Seeing your postings gave me the confidence to know that I could do better than the $500-Cosco-deal. But I'll never know if I could have gotten it at invoice or under! I'm happy nevertheless. I also liked the 4.9% rate. My first choice was actually the Silverado (because of it's styling) but the local GM dealers said they'd only discount the sticker by $600 because it is such a "hot" truck. Well, they can go to hell with their snotty attitude and keep their "hot" trucks.
  • hawkpilothawkpilot Member Posts: 75
    Ok, buddy, I did the speaker upgrade. Pretty pleased with the results. Check out http://www.alienmind.com/speaker_inst/
    for the details of how to take the doors apart, wire the speakers, etc.

    HP
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    dino10, I have read your posts in a couple of spots. I really don't have a sure fix, nor have I experienced this problem. I have an idea or two, but they may not work. First is to disconnect the battery for a time (>10 minutes). This will reset a computer when you reconnect it, and it will "relearn" the correct timing, or so I have heard. Might be worth a shot. Do you by any chance live in a high elevation area, or not and bought the car from one? If so, a tune-up timing change might be in order. Also, try a higher octane for a couple of tanks. Could just be bad gas. Let us know how you progress, but I wouldn't buy off on it being "normal". Good luck.
  • dwedwe Member Posts: 5
    Am thinking about purchasing a "99 F150 SC 4x4. Should I get the 4.6 or 5.4? I will be doing only infrequent towing? Is the 4.6 powerful enough for normal use?
  • DirltonDirlton Member Posts: 30
    The 4.6 is an excellent choice. Coupled with 5-speed tranny it is even better and comes in at about $2000.00 (with discounts) cheaper than the 5.4/auto configuration. Do not drive the 5.4 however, once you do you will be unable to live without it.
  • ladyblueladyblue Member Posts: 326
    dwe:
    I have the 97 F150 4x4 with 4.6 and it does great for light hauling/towing. I have the automatic, though, since I use it for my daily commute and it's just easier.

    Dirlton is right, however - I've driven the 5.4 and it's a honey.
  • mudhuntermudhunter Member Posts: 1
    I'm looking at buying a
    99 F150, and wouldlike
    to know if you can get
    a larger engine than
    the 5.4l (specifically
    along the lines of a
    460cu.in.)? I know you
    can get the larger
    engine's in the heavy
    duty truck's, but I
    really don't like the
    body style.
  • DirltonDirlton Member Posts: 30
    No.
  • jlc4jlc4 Member Posts: 16
    I am inclined to agree with gtrocks. also consider where you live, are you in an area that uses oxygenated fuel? That will definitely cause spark knock under load. Ask your dealer to put you on the tester to check that you are set to factory spec. Good luck with your problem. jlc4.
  • ThauThau Member Posts: 25
    Mudhunter,
    If you are looking for more HP for then what a F150 5.4l comes with, you can always suppercharge it. Good luck :)
  • RayvenRayven Member Posts: 5
    I've had my '99 150 flareside for several months now with no problems and much enjoyment driving it. One question though: Every so often (maybe 15 minutes or so) the heater puts out a strong, plastic smell. Not quite a burning smell, but like hot water is somehow in contact with rubber that gives off fumes. Its strong enough to make us roll down the windows. Anyone else have that problem? Anyone know what causes it? Haven't talked to the dealer yet because I'd like to hear other people's experience with this first.
  • wbkigerwbkiger Member Posts: 1
    Well, it sounds like there are alot of happy Ford
    truck owners out there so maybe one of you can help me out. I'm in the market for a new vehicle (must be a Ford) and I can't decide between a Mustang Cobra and a F150 Lightning. What do you guys think about the truck?
  • DirltonDirlton Member Posts: 30
    Let me see if I got this straight. You're asking guys on a 150 site if they like 150's?
  • hawkpilothawkpilot Member Posts: 75
    Get the truck, assuming you wanna haul *anything* besides [non-permissible content removed]!

    Speaking of which, having sat in the 'stang at the dealer, the F150 seats are a lot more comfortable as well.

    HP
  • GTRocksGTRocks Member Posts: 48
    One question: How fast do you want to go?

    If your sole rationale is speed, you want the Cobra. If you have any use for a truck, you want the Lightning. Tires on the Lightning will kill your budget. Last I heard they were putting 18" tires on it. Not that the Cobra's are cheap, but they aren't 18"s. Insurance is probably a wash. Handling is won by the Cobra, not surprisingly. Want a stick, or auto? Cobra is strictly a stick, and I think the Lightning is auto only (not sure). Both FLY, but I don't think the Lightning will take a Z28.
  • dpt27dpt27 Member Posts: 4
    Well my truck is here!( post#510 ) I drove it tonight. Love it! It's big real big. I drove it home to make sure it fit in my garage. It does.
    Just finished all the paper work at the dealer and I'll be picking up tomorrow after work. Can't wait!
    Just want to thank everyone on this site for helping me through this two month wait. I looked forward each night to reading any new info on F-150's from ford people.
  • ladyblueladyblue Member Posts: 326
    Congratulations, dpt27!! Always a great feeling, driving around in your new truck. Have fun! :)
  • signasigna Member Posts: 26
    Rayven: I just noticed the same heater induced smell in my 99 F150. I was driving with a friend who own a 97 F150, and when my heat came on he said "Wow, your truck has the same musty heat smell as mine". His has apparently been doing it for the last two years!
  • RayvenRayven Member Posts: 5
    Signa: Doesn't sound good, having to live with that smell for at least 2 years. Has your friend ever checked it out? My 13 yr old kid says he bets its toxic!!! Maybe its time for us to go back to the dealers--or maybe call up Ford.
  • AirwolfAirwolf Member Posts: 142
    Ruz, if you're still doing the maint. here, I'd suggest closing this topic soon (say #650ish) and creating a new one, like you did with the F250 SD topic, et al. It's getting a little long... :)

    Cheers,
    Ryan
  • jake16jake16 Member Posts: 1
    I own a 97 150 super cab 4x4 4.6l standard. Anyone out there know max trailer weight I can pull safely. Tks
This discussion has been closed.