Thoughts on last-gen F150?

I just don't think I could bring myself to get rid of the Cobra for something like an Explorer or Grand Cherokee. I'd ditch it for an EcoBoost F150 FX4 without losing much sleep, but it won't fit in my garage (unless I'm willing to crawl out the rear window, that is) and the thought of leaving a brand new truck outside 24/7 is depressing. Plus, parking at my place is fairly limited and jockeying cars around to let people pull in the garage would get old.

So, I've been looking at picking up an older F150 in addition to the Cobra. Specifically an 04-08 4x4 with the 5.4. With the towing package that'll pull 8-9k lbs which is plenty for a car trailer and should tow our ATVs on the trailer (~4000lbs) with little effort.

Does anyone have any experience with that gen F150? If so, what do you think? Have you towed anything with it?

I'm also curious about the rear seats in the SuperCab. I've been in the back of an older Harley F150 SuperCrew and the rear is downright luxurious. The pictures of the SuperCab are definitely smaller but still quite spacious compared to something like my Mustang. The extra bed length of the SC would be the difference between closing the tailgate with an ATV in the bed, but reasonable seating for 4 is more important. Has anyone been in the back of both?

TIA! <3



PS: Here's one I've been digging on for the last few hours:
http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car... 398 9&Q=87eb4f41-651e-4d29-83a7-8533400e6ff5

That generation is nice but I'd look at a 2009+ if possible. The backseats are much more comfortable and the cab is a little bigger so you have more legroom in the back. The six-speed transmission made a huge difference in gas mileage and towing; and Tow/Haul mode was pretty nice when you had a heavy load.

Are you talking about supercrew or extended cab? That makes a huge difference.

I have a 2004 Supercrew FX4 with the 5.4L and a 5.5' bed. I also have the tow package. I bought my truck in 2008 (gas was +$4/gal) when the dealer was asking $27k, I picked it up for about $19k. I drive it everyday and commute almost 140 miles in it a day. I've put almost 60k since I've owned it now, and here's the following problems I've had, have or need to fix:

- Transmission overdrive went out. $520 to fix.
- Oil pan gasket started leaking, but doesn't drip oil so it isn't a big deal.
- Rear pinion leaking, but also doesn't drip oil so it isn't a big deal either.
- Muffler leaks water, I don't care.
- Alternator bearings are shot. $250 for a new alternator.
- Chrome on my wheels pitted and has started rusting. (Not a Ford issue)

There is only one major issue with these trucks, and that is the two peice spark plug design. When trying to remove them, they tend to break a part and fall into the combustion chamber. There are a lot of speciality tools, TSBs to counter this, but some people have had to pull heads to fix them. All replacement plugs went back to a one peice design to remedy the issue. You may want to consider that / ask the owner about spark plugs.

I love my truck, I'm glad I bought it, because I've gotten to do things with it I've never been able to do with a car. I just towed a 5,500lb trailer, with 700lbs in the bed from California about 700 miles through mountains last March and it handled it pretty damn good. I only had a few issues but it wasn't anything to do with the truck.

I plan on trading in this truck in a year or two for a newer FX4.

I can't really spend more than $20k unless I sell the Mustang. And if I did that I'd just go ahead and get a new FX4 EcoBoost.

SuperCrew = 4 full doors
SuperCab = 2 full 2 half

I stopped at Gibson on the way home and looked at this:
http://trucks.gibsontruckworld.com/...ord-F-150-XLT-Quad-Cab-4X4/1FTPX14564NB68448/

The difference in the back isn't much more than a few inches... If everyone in the truck was under 6' the SCab would be comfortable, but throw in some tall mfers and it'd start to get cramped. Just have to figure out if the extra passenger room is worth the extra money and shorter bed. Plus, I kinda think the SCab looks better...

I knew you had an F150, just didn't remember year and specs. Thanks for the info, definitely makes me feel good about looking at them. How'd you get such an awesome deal? Even now when I'm looking at them, something like your truck would be a good deal at 19k, most SCrew FX4s I see are still going for 22k+.

I guess I misread you. I missed where you mentioned both. My folks have a 2008 extended cab and I had the 2009 supercrew. All of the men in my family are tall (6'+) so those few inches made a world of difference. The seats in my truck were significantly more comfortable. At the end of the day you won't be sitting in the backseat so that might not matter.

I got lucky. The truck had been transfered through dealerships and then I found it at a local Ford, they couldn't sell it and was about to transfer it out before I bought it.

Brought this one home tonight. Pics tomorrow.

Very nice man. Dunno how your area is, but that's a good deal too by my areas standards.

Had to make sure the ATV fit and then go get it a little dirty.









PS:

I'm not going to mod it.

Except maybe a radio... but that's it.


And maybe exhaust and a programmer... that's all.

Honest.


Does tinting the windows count as a mod? Because I'm not going to mod it.

I am so screwed. *facepalm*

If I were a betting man, I'd put money on it getting a small lift & rims within 18 months.