I just spoke to a dealer in central TX who advised F-150 Crew Cabs will be on the market 9/99 - yr. 2000 models. Hmmmmmm. I have two little ones in baby seats and the thought of cramming them in the back, where they'll have no visibility is not pleasant. Also, what about their safety?
781 - I believe the major difference between the flareside and styleside beds IS the look. I know that a sheet of plywood will sit between the wheel wells without touching the sides. Not much clearance though, and I don't know if it will work if you put a bedliner in there. My new one has a bedliner, but I don't have any plywood laying around to test it. My guess is that the only payload difference is the amount of space you have on the sides, in front and behind of the wheel well. Not much there on the flareside.
As far as the ride with the offroad package, I have been very suprised. IMO, the offroad package 4x4 drives smoother than the 4x2. Its weird, I thought that the 4x4 would be a much rougher ride, but its not. Previous 4x4s I have driven have been real stiff and punishing, but this one is not at all. I really think you will like the way it handles. However, do expect a slight "numb" feeling. You will not feel minor bumps very well. Big bumps, of course, you will feel, and the tail end, unloaded, will not bounce up and down, but do a quick little fishtail. You won't loose control, I don't think the wheels are fishtailing, just the bed is shaking side to side. My dad drives a '95 4x4 Chevy Blazer with the suspension tuned to what Chevy calls a "Cadillac Ride" or something. My truck rides so much better than his, its kinda funny.
Expect the 5.4L to suck gas like crazy though. I emptied 3/4 a tank just under 200 miles. I knew this going in, so it doesn't bother me much. I truly enjoy this pickup, though, its a lot of fun to drive.
782 - It really depends on where you live. I went to school in LA, drove two miles to class, really didn't go anywhere else in town in my truck and the terrain is relatively flat, and got 10-12 mpg. Traveling from LA to Sacramento, on I-5 which is about as flat as it gets, and have never gotten better than 15 mpg. In Nebraska, where I spend the summers, I routinely got 16-20 mpg in town, and as high as 22 once driving small rural highways in Nebraska. All the while using 87 octane. I asked in the gas mileage topic if any one had a good explanation for the difference, but I haven't been satisfied with an answer yet. So far we have come up with: Nebraska is flatter with a longer distance between stoplights, doesn't add oxygenates to their gas (as LA does), has no smog (thank god), and Nebraska's gas is a result of different refining processes than California's gas. I have a real hard time thinking that these causes will result in a 6-8 mpg difference. Maybe if it were a Metro, but not a truck getting 10 mpg anyways. Who knows.
Sorry it took me so long to respond, I was out driving my truck around !
I just ordered a 2000 F-150 Lariat 4X4 short bed styleside.
Can only oder a Lariat as a supercab lariat not avialble in regular cab
the changes to the 2000 Lariat as follows. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ new overhead console with compass,overhead storage,outside air temp.
New flip up 40/60 rear seat in supercab improved 18 degree rear seating angle in Supercab New drivers side grab handle on A-Pillar on all models improved cupholder/ash cup design in instrument pannel
the only colors you can get in Lariat is: harvest gold *new color: chesnut bright red clearcoat deep wedgewood blue amazon green black oxford white ________________________________________ The truck I odered is as follows:
F150 4X4 SS amazon green leather split bench med dark parchement (deleted the med parie tan) Lariat Series Signal mirrors prem am/fm w/cd air conditoner 5.4L efi V8 engine 3.55 limited slip rear end 4 abs disk brakes +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 4X4 offroad package containing: LT265/75r Owl All-terrain tires including spare 17" cast aluminum Wheels(w/ steel spare) Skid Plates (Fuel tank, Transfer Case & frame mount crossmember) HD Shock Absorbers 4X4 Off-road Decal ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ cab steps 6500 GVWR Electric 4X4 Shift overhead console Sliding rear window ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Class III Trailer towing group: 7 pin Trailer Wiring Harness Class III Frame Mounted Hitch Heavy duty electrical/colling package which includes:HD 72 Amp Hr Battery,super engine cooling (radiator upgrade), Auxilliary transmisson oil cooler HD Shock absorbers ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tonneau cover
Any questions please feel free to contact me.
I odered it on july 2nd. they was no price info.
the truck should arrive late Aug or early sept,just intime for hunting season....
In the edmunds review of the ford they say it doesen't have as much power as the new chevy. This is completly wrong the new 1999 ford beats it by 1 whole second in the o to 60 test it also boosts 30Lbs more torque than the chevy. With the off road package you now get 3.73 gear ratio ford walks all over the new chevy, performance wise the ford is the best nobody offers an overhead cam in a truck which is sophisticated more than chevys old pushrod engines and they dont reach there 270 till 5000rpm and redline is 5200rpm so you almost have to blow it up to reach its perforance you call that a good truck.
which tests do want to quote, workhorse? There are tests out there that have the Chevy doing 0-80-0 before the Ford even hits 80. there's a lot of information not being presented.
yes the ford has 30 more ftlbs at its peak than the chevy at its peak. but what about at 1500 rpm? at 2000 rpm? at 2500 rpm? all the way up to redline. what if over 50% of the torque curve the chevy is higher? what is more power? sounds like your definition is different than mine. mine definition of power is not seeing the highest number on the dyno. My definition is getting behind the wheel and adequately being able to accelerate at ANY time at ANY speed. you need to drive both before you can make that kinda statement. with variables such as weight, gear ratios, tranny ratios, a simple engine number comparison isn't sufficient to compare trucks.
Once again your fooling yourself cdean. Yes, the chevy has a flatter curve, but because it starts out with 30 less ft lbs. It does not actually catch up to the Ford until the end off the curve. And by that time it is too late. I have also heard that Ford is raising hp from 260 to 280 and torque from 345 to 350 in late 2000. 5.3 Ha
I'm working on changing the upper and lower ball joints of my 91 F150 4X4. It looks like I need to completely dismantle the front end to get the front axles out to get access to the ball joints. Does anyone have any experience with this, there's got to be an easier way to do it.
Just wanted to let all you Ford F 150 owners out there know that if you are considering trading to a new style F 150; DON'T DO IT.I have just had a very bad experience with the new style Ford F 150. The engine BLEW and Ford refused to replace it!!!!!! Never again never again!!!! The NEW Fords are not of the same quality nor craftsmanship that their predecessors were. Don't be deceived by their marketing.I have sold mine and gone to Dodge and have so far a great experience.
we are obviously not talking on the same wavelength. I've spent years testing engines on dynos. I've tested all engines from small 60 hp diesels, up to 1500 hp engines. I've seen what engines outpull others and I've seen their torque curves compared to the others. i think i have some knowledge on the subject, as do my coworkers.
I don't know what you mean when you say the ford starts out 30 ftlb higher. EXactly where does it start? at idle? at 2000 rpm? at 3000? your arguement doesn't make sense to me, and mine obviously doesn't make sense to you, because you respond the same thing everytime, just quoting a number like post 791.
The Ford 5.4 is a very nice engine now. they've made great strides in its power over the last 2 years. and it is very capable engine of pulling, i am not trying to knock it. All I've been trying to explain how the 5.3 gets it done differently from the Ford.
this argument is gotten away from an useful exchange and is become immature shouting and i will no longer respond.
Anybody else have torsion bar problems with their '97-'99 F-150's? BOTH of mine broke on my '98 4x4 ext cab, one while it was sitting in the parking lot and the other while they were putting it on the flatbed. The truck had 21K miles on it at the time and was used just for commuting to work, never off-road. My truck was taken to the nearest Ford dealer and parked next to TWO other F-150's with broken torsion bars. Took two weeks to get it repaired. Everyone at Ford that I have talked with (dealer, zone reps., Ford customer service) has been extremely evasive and defensive when I tried to get some answers as to why this failure occurred. I was told that this is not a safety problem and was literally laughed at when I tried to get reimbursment for my rental car. I have been buying new Fords since '83, but I just traded my F-150 for a '99 Dodge Ram and I'm going to be trading in my '98 Windstar shortly.
I'd appreciate any feedback, to help with my decision. I want a pickup truck that I can use to haul a max of about 6500lbs. I would normally only haul a trailer 1-2 times a month with a few hundred lbs of hay. I live on a farm so I need 4WD for sure. I need the super-cab in case I need to take the kids along. I also drive about 120 miles a day for work, which adds up quick.
I am debating between the F150 Flareside with the gas 5.4L or the F250-SD so I can get the diesel. The F150 will save me about 6 or 7 thousand upfront I think. I also think it looks real sharp.
But the F250 should give me better mileage and much longer engine life. I'd imagine the F250 also puts me more in the middle of the trucks capabilities, rather than the high end of the F150. I do not want to buy 'more truck' than I need though.
And, if the F350 is a less than a thousand dollars more, would you go straight to the 'top'?
Also, has anyone tried to fit a round/roll of hay in the back of a stepside?
I am a little disappointed in the ride of my 98 F150 supercab 2wd. I was hoping the suspension would soften after 20,000 miles. I can't believe it but the 4x4 rides much better - go figure! I usually carry my windsurfing stuff in back - really light stuff so maybe I just need to throw some weight in back. I hauled 4 cement sacks the other day and it rode much better. I realize its a truck not a car but was suprised that the 4x4 rode much smoother overall. any thoughts?
I have never bought a new car before, but am planning on jumping in this fall and buying a new F-150. I've looked at all the rest and like the Ford over all. Can anyone give me some experience on buying in the fall? I'm hoping the new 2000 will drive some of the 99 prices down. When exactly will the 2000's start to make the dealers push the 99's down? I'm looking for 4X4, auto, extended. (Probably an XL). Any experiences, advice would be appreciated. Thank You.
I've been reading some of the past entries and I am wondering if I got stiffer springs with my tow package? and that is making my truck ride stiffer. The printed brochure only talked about heavy duty shocks ( which shouldn't affect the ride), heavy duty alternator, and heavy duty battery. the parts dept has been no help - any one out there no for sure if the springs are different on a tow package truck?
Wanted some of your opinions about what it "really" takes to pull a 2 horse trailer. I was talking to a salesman a month or so ago, and I was thinking along the lines of an F-150 with 5.4L engine. He, being the salesman he is, said no, that I would want an F-250 with the PowerStroke, etc. I'm thinking that an F-150 with the 5.4L engine (it would be a 4wd model) would be fine, I don't need to pull the trailer at 80 mph! Any comments would be very helpful, thanks.
An F150 will pull a two-horse trailer - maybe even with two horses in it. But I'd go with the F250, just to be safe. My theory is to always get a little more truck than you think you will need, just in case. I'm sure others will jump in and correct me if I'm wrong.
Generally in the 250s, the brake even for diesel is 100,000 miles (more or less, I'm no going to do calculations, most of which don't factors in gas price increases which may or may not be relavant) The 250's however get worse milage, so your looking at at least 300,000 miles to payback on gas savings alone.
However, your right that the 250 will be more in the middle of the range, while the 150 will be at the top end.
At 120 miles a week, your looking at 30,000 a year, so the payback can happen. However, you now get the three-quarter ton bounce all the way to work. What are your local roads like? This can push you back to the 150, even though your farming and towing wants the 250 or even 350.
Personally if I were buying the 250 I'd look hard at the 350 for the little difference.
I know many farmers who haul hay wagons full every week with the 150. It is 25 mph max, but that is because those trailers won't take more speed.
What you need is a 150 with a diesel, too bad nobody makes them. Not that you need the milage as much as the diesel generates torque, and you will need the torque.
I have read several folks on this area bought F150 for about $100 over invoice. These appear to be in Florida, but I would expect Texas dealers are just as competitive. I was wondering if someone bought a F150 in and near San Antonio at or near invoice. I would be willing to travel, if it meant substantial savings. thanks
Do you guys think the 5.4L is worth the additional cost over the 4.6L in a F-150? I plan on towing a 4-Place motorcycle and a single axle in closed trailer plus serious off-road excursions in the 99. Right now I own a 79 F-150 with the 351M and I have yet to drive a more durable vehicle, the truck has over 150K and has not given me a lick of engine or transmission trouble in the past eight years that I have owned it.
How much stiffer of a ride does the F-250 or 350 for that matter give than the 1/2 ton, I had not idea that you could get a well equipped 3/4 or 1 ton for nearly the same price as a loaded 1/2 ton. Has this been the case for a few years?
I believe the cost justifies itself in getting the 5.4L. The cost is negligible only about $700 or so. Besides according to the 99 stickers the 4.6L is rated 17hwy/13City. The 5.4L is rated 16hwy/12city. Only 1 mpg difference. Plus if your going to tow something its always better to go bigger. I had the same delima I really don't plan to tow anything but opted for the 5.4L in the 2000 I ordered. Just paitently waiting for it too come in.....well not to paitently
My milage is consistant with the sticker. However, I think that will improve with engine breakin. I only have 3000m on my 5.4 4x4 ex.cab and last weekend got 17 on a 250 mi trip.
My average highway speed was approx. 75mph. And I am running regular unleaded. So far I am very pleased with this motor-truck combo. I think Ford has most of the bugs worked out of the new 150's. Compared to my 97 150 this truck seems to be a lot tighter (rattles,vibrations,ect,ect). So far so good!
Comments
As far as the ride with the offroad package, I have been very suprised. IMO, the offroad package 4x4 drives smoother than the 4x2. Its weird, I thought that the 4x4 would be a much rougher ride, but its not. Previous 4x4s I have driven have been real stiff and punishing, but this one is not at all. I really think you will like the way it handles. However, do expect a slight "numb" feeling. You will not feel minor bumps very well. Big bumps, of course, you will feel, and the tail end, unloaded, will not bounce up and down, but do a quick little fishtail. You won't loose control, I don't think the wheels are fishtailing, just the bed is shaking side to side. My dad drives a '95 4x4 Chevy Blazer with the suspension tuned to what Chevy calls a "Cadillac Ride" or something. My truck rides so much better than his, its kinda funny.
Expect the 5.4L to suck gas like crazy though. I emptied 3/4 a tank just under 200 miles. I knew this going in, so it doesn't bother me much. I truly enjoy this pickup, though, its a lot of fun to drive.
782 - It really depends on where you live. I went to school in LA, drove two miles to class, really didn't go anywhere else in town in my truck and the terrain is relatively flat, and got 10-12 mpg. Traveling from LA to Sacramento, on I-5 which is about as flat as it gets, and have never gotten better than 15 mpg. In Nebraska, where I spend the summers, I routinely got 16-20 mpg in town, and as high as 22 once driving small rural highways in Nebraska. All the while using 87 octane. I asked in the gas mileage topic if any one had a good explanation for the difference, but I haven't been satisfied with an answer yet. So far we have come up with: Nebraska is flatter with a longer distance between stoplights, doesn't add oxygenates to their gas (as LA does), has no smog (thank god), and Nebraska's gas is a result of different refining processes than California's gas. I have a real hard time thinking that these causes will result in a 6-8 mpg difference. Maybe if it were a Metro, but not a truck getting 10 mpg anyways. Who knows.
Sorry it took me so long to respond, I was out driving my truck around
Scotty
Can only oder a Lariat as a supercab lariat not avialble in regular cab
the changes to the 2000 Lariat as follows.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
new overhead console with compass,overhead storage,outside air temp.
New LH and RH covered visor vanity mirrors
Drivers side keypad entry
Chromed steel wheels adn 17" owl tires
____________________________________________
New flip up 40/60 rear seat in supercab
improved 18 degree rear seating angle in Supercab
New drivers side grab handle on A-Pillar on all models
improved cupholder/ash cup design in instrument pannel
the only colors you can get in Lariat is:
harvest gold
*new color: chesnut
bright red clearcoat
deep wedgewood blue
amazon green
black
oxford white
________________________________________
The truck I odered is as follows:
F150 4X4 SS
amazon green
leather split bench
med dark parchement (deleted the med parie tan)
Lariat Series
Signal mirrors
prem am/fm w/cd
air conditoner
5.4L efi V8 engine
3.55 limited slip rear end
4 abs disk brakes
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
4X4 offroad package containing:
LT265/75r Owl All-terrain tires including spare
17" cast aluminum Wheels(w/ steel spare)
Skid Plates (Fuel tank, Transfer Case & frame mount crossmember)
HD Shock Absorbers
4X4 Off-road Decal
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
cab steps
6500 GVWR
Electric 4X4 Shift
overhead console
Sliding rear window
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Class III Trailer towing group:
7 pin Trailer Wiring Harness
Class III Frame Mounted Hitch
Heavy duty electrical/colling package which includes:HD 72 Amp Hr Battery,super engine cooling (radiator upgrade), Auxilliary transmisson oil cooler
HD Shock absorbers
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tonneau cover
Any questions please feel free to contact me.
I odered it on july 2nd. they was no price info.
the truck should arrive late Aug or early sept,just intime for hunting season....
yes the ford has 30 more ftlbs at its peak than the chevy at its peak. but what about at 1500 rpm? at 2000 rpm? at 2500 rpm? all the way up to redline. what if over 50% of the torque curve the chevy is higher? what is more power? sounds like your definition is different than mine. mine definition of power is not seeing the highest number on the dyno. My definition is getting behind the wheel and adequately being able to accelerate at ANY time at ANY speed. you need to drive both before you can make that kinda statement. with variables such as weight, gear ratios, tranny ratios, a simple engine number comparison isn't sufficient to compare trucks.
LOOKING GOOD !
Topic # 775 TRUCK PICTURES
Thanks.
we are obviously not talking on the same wavelength. I've spent years testing engines on dynos. I've tested all engines from small 60 hp diesels, up to 1500 hp engines. I've seen what engines outpull others and I've seen their torque curves compared to the others. i think i have some knowledge on the subject, as do my coworkers.
I don't know what you mean when you say the ford starts out 30 ftlb higher. EXactly where does it start? at idle? at 2000 rpm? at 3000? your arguement doesn't make sense to me, and mine obviously doesn't make sense to you, because you respond the same thing everytime, just quoting a number like post 791.
The Ford 5.4 is a very nice engine now. they've made great strides in its power over the last 2 years. and it is very capable engine of pulling, i am not trying to knock it. All I've been trying to explain how the 5.3 gets it done differently from the Ford.
this argument is gotten away from an useful exchange and is become immature shouting and i will no longer respond.
'97-'99 F-150's? BOTH of mine broke on my '98 4x4
ext cab, one while it was sitting in the parking lot and the other while they were putting it on the flatbed. The truck had 21K miles on it at the time and was used just for commuting to work, never off-road. My truck was taken to the nearest Ford dealer and parked next to TWO other F-150's with broken torsion bars. Took two weeks to get it repaired. Everyone at Ford that I have talked with (dealer, zone reps., Ford customer service) has been extremely evasive and defensive when I tried to get some answers as to why this failure
occurred. I was told that this is not a safety problem and was literally laughed at when I tried to get reimbursment for my rental car. I have been buying new Fords since '83, but I just traded my F-150 for a '99 Dodge Ram and I'm going to be trading in my '98 Windstar shortly.
I'd appreciate any feedback, to help with my decision. I want a pickup truck that I can use to haul a max of about 6500lbs. I would normally only haul a trailer 1-2 times a month with a few hundred lbs of hay. I live on a farm so I need 4WD for sure. I need the super-cab in case I need to take the kids along. I also drive about 120 miles a day for work, which adds up quick.
I am debating between the F150 Flareside with the gas 5.4L or the F250-SD so I can get the diesel. The F150 will save me about 6 or 7 thousand upfront I think. I also think it looks real sharp.
But the F250 should give me better mileage and much longer engine life. I'd imagine the F250 also puts me more in the middle of the trucks capabilities, rather than the high end of the F150. I do not want to buy 'more truck' than I need though.
And, if the F350 is a less than a thousand dollars more, would you go straight to the 'top'?
Also, has anyone tried to fit a round/roll of hay in the back of a stepside?
Thanks.
The printed brochure only talked about heavy duty shocks ( which shouldn't affect the ride), heavy duty alternator, and heavy duty battery. the parts dept has been no help - any one out there no for sure if the springs are different on a tow package truck?
However, your right that the 250 will be more in the middle of the range, while the 150 will be at the top end.
At 120 miles a week, your looking at 30,000 a year, so the payback can happen. However, you now get the three-quarter ton bounce all the way to work. What are your local roads like? This can push you back to the 150, even though your farming and towing wants the 250 or even 350.
Personally if I were buying the 250 I'd look hard at the 350 for the little difference.
I know many farmers who haul hay wagons full every week with the 150. It is 25 mph max, but that is because those trailers won't take more speed.
What you need is a 150 with a diesel, too bad nobody makes them. Not that you need the milage as much as the diesel generates torque, and you will need the torque.
Greg Hoppes