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Ford F-150 SUPERCREW - READ ONLY

1265 messages,  Last post on Dec 26, 2003 at 11:47 AM

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Messages Page 120 of 127

#1190 of 1265 F-150 Supercrew with engine noise by rossn2

Jan 13, 2003 (2:52 pm)

I have had two 2001 Supoercrews (2wd/4wd), both with 5.4 V8. Both have/had the same noise you describe. The noise is the engine "V" belt and the idler pulley. Generally, you have to leave the vehicle overnight so the dealer can hear the noise in the morning. It took Ford dealer in South Texas three tries to figure it out on the first F-150. They replaced the "V" belt twice and then on third try they replaced the pully and "V" belt. For some reason the noise seems to come back around every 10k miles or so. The second one, I'm not worrying about it until the thing falls off, I have 75k extended warranty.

#1191 of 1265 Recent SC King Ranch by kcarver

Jan 18, 2003 (7:54 am)

I bought my 5.4L 4wd King Ranch in August of last year. I had a 1997 F150 Supercab XLT 4wd 4.6L which was the best automobile I had ever owned. Hard to get rid of it. Took advantage of the 0% to get the new KR.
 
I thought I would post my observations after just shy of 6 months and 6000 miles. Most of my driving is highway around Houston, TX, with a few long trips every month to the hill country and Dallas.
 
First, the seats are wonderful. Took me a bit to get used to the shorter seat compared to the old XLT, but after that, these seats are a dream. The heated seats were the most amazing thing to me. When I saw them, I thought I would never use them (Texas and all), but I have found I use them 3/5 times I am in the truck (for my wife the ratio is 4/5) In the winter, the use is obvious, however, in the summer they work exceptionally well to relax a tired back.
 
Engine: definitely can tell the power difference between the 4.6L and the 5.4L. Amazingly, the gas mileage is the same. Have noticed rpm "oscilation" in the cold mornings of late. Will watch it to see what might be happening.
 
Steering: Loose compared to my XLT. I liked the XLT better, as it was tighter and you could maintain lanes better on the hwys of Houston. Backing the KR is harder as well since the steering is too sensitive. My wife likes the new steering as it is "easier" to park for her.
 
[Note on backing -- the bed lights in the KR don't seem to function like the XLT's. When backing the XLT, the bed lights turned on and helped you to back. The KR's don't seem to do this.]
 
Climate Control: Not too impressed with the automatic system. I would have preffered the older 3 knob layout. Someone did a poor job of ergonomics with this new system (hint to Ford: words are harder to decipher compared with icons!), and it can have a mind of it's own. Lack of a Manual Norm AC position can be frustrating. The auto system deletes the overhead temperature guage in deference to the one on the climate control.
 
Cargo: I was somewhat worried having a bed that was 1 foot shorter, but so far it has worked well, especially with the fold down gate. I have not weighted the truck down yet, but I'm sure spring chores will take care of that.
 
Driving: Aside from the steering, this is a very comfortable vehicle. I liked the XLT's arm rest positions better compared with the KR, but I'm getting used to the new layout slowly. The new truck has ample acceleration. With 5 people in the cab, you notice only in the handling, not the acceleration. I have yet to tow anything with it... will report back during fishing season.
 
Stereo: No complaints, with a few better features compared to my XLT. I think the basic Ford truck stereos are nice for the money you pay for them.
 
CD Changer: A pain to get to. My XLT was easier to use, and it was in the back seat! Problem is the size of the center console basket compared with the lid of the console. Takes two people to make it easy.
 
Other: Several of my friends have dubbed my new car "The Blue Lodge" and suggested I hang an antler chandelier from the moon roof. I guess some bearskin rugs are next. I do notice they don't complain though when they hop in my truck and place their rear ends on that leather...
 
Any questions, just yell.
 
Kirk
 
PS I am so glad I bought this model. I just don't like the new interior of the 2004 truck.

#1192 of 1265 Fuel type and MPG by welk443

Jan 21, 2003 (7:30 pm)

Recently purchased 02 f150 super crew 4.6l and was wondering if octane rating could play a role in fuel consumption? I use 87 octane and currently only get 10-12 mpg. I drive about 60 miles a day at speeds between 40-55mph not a lot of stop + go driving for this low mpg. Anyone else having same problems or any suggestion for octane rating? Thanks

#1193 of 1265 re:Fuel type by wpalkowski

Jan 22, 2003 (7:03 am)

Don't know about the 4.6 - many engines today can detect octane rating of gas and accomodate timing to it - but that usually results in more power, not necessarily better mileage. It may just be the "winter blend" gas right now. They change chemical compositions in cold weather to improve starting and driveability and to prevent freeze up of injectors, etc.To put it simply, winter gas contains less "energy" so you get less mpgs as a result. My truck gets 10-15% worse mileage every winter.
   10-12 mpg sounds awfully poor for SCrew driven conservatively - my V10 Crew Cab, F350, 4x4, long bed outweighs you by almost 1500 lbs and gets same mileage. Are you running with a load? Is your truck a 4x4, if so do you leave hubs locked? Is the parking brake dragging? Are you using trip computer or calculating mileage manually from fill up to fil up? If truck is really new - may just take some time to get its act together - my mileage got somewhat better once I had about 5K on engine. Might be worth a visit to dealer to have them check it over for things that can affect mileage

#1194 of 1265 re : fuel type by analysist

Jan 28, 2003 (9:34 pm)

fuel my not be the problem...in winter blends they tend to use alcohol as a base additive...well this tends to break loose any junk like varnish that can clog your throttle body fuel injectors...send a few bucks having them cleaned out, and reconsider the gas you have been buying during the summer months.
  Varnish, is very common in poorer gas mixtures. Varnish will coat the fuel line walls and gas tank. When the alcohol comes into contact with the varnish, desolves it and sends it into you fuel injectors. Larger pieces are (of course) collected by the fuel filter. I think you will find that the manufacturer recomends that the fuel injectors be clean out every 10 to 15k anyway...this will become very important to people who live in areas that have colder winter climates. I think you will find that fuel mileage will increase....ps. fuel additives that claim to clean injectors will not do a good enough job....and please don't let the wife run the truck out of gas...this will also send you to the mechanic to have these injector cleaned out..
so much for fuel filters....

#1195 of 1265 by emale

Jan 28, 2003 (10:18 pm)

just where does the manufacturer state that they recommend cleaning the fuel injectors every 10-15k miles??? i've never seen this in any owner's manual...

#1197 of 1265 Hog Heaven by ray70

Feb 07, 2003 (11:51 am)

This is my first time to post on this board. I have been reading all of the mail (good and bad) and finally took the plung. I just bought F-150 SuperCrew, 5.4L, XLT, 4WD, the FX-4 off-road package, and with the 3.74 limited slip axle. I love the truck and can hardly wait to real miles on Montana's snow, ice and rough rough forest sevice roads. The truck we bought just happened to have the Class III towing options. I know that this package beefs up the suspension and has an auxiliary transmission cooler. My question is how big a load can I pull??
 
Thanks a bunch
 
Ray

#1198 of 1265 Towing - 4.6 or 5.4L Engine? by nascar9900

Feb 23, 2003 (6:52 am)

I need to pull a two horse trailer with one horse (but should size the truck for two horses).
 
This is minimal towing - maybe 2-3 times a month for 4-5 months a year (during the kids' recreational rodeo season) and except for maybe 1-2 times a year, the longest towing trip would be about 50 miles up the interstate (fairly flat).
 
Since the daily use of this truck would be 60 miles round trip on the freeway to work; gas mileage for the smaller V8 would be desirable.
 
I'm looking at the SCrew with towing package and 3.55 limited slip differential.
 
Would you recommend the 5.4L engine?

#1199 of 1265 by emale

Feb 23, 2003 (12:14 pm)

the 4.6l only gets 1 mpg better than the 5.4l and i suspect that you'd never know the difference in gas mileage unless you checked after every tankful. if you can, i'd suggest getting the 3.73 rearend gears if you plan to do any towing. once again the mileage difference between the 3.55 and 3.73 gears is minimal.

Messages Page 120 of 127

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