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Ford F-150 SUPERCREW - READ ONLY

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Messages Page 82 of 127

#808 of 1265 Almost ready by atlanta4

Aug 01, 2001 (7:46 am)

Leeg3:
Here are my thoughts regarding your questions on a new Supercrew.
IMHO:
1.I haven't driven one with a 4.6L but mine with the 5.4L rides very nice. As far as the tranny - not sure but I think the 5.4L might have a different tranny than the 4.6L. At any rate, the 5.4L comes with a HD transmission cooler with should improve longevity & transmission performance particularly if towing is a consideration. If you're thinking about towing anything -go for the 5.4L & it will be money well spent.
2. See #1 above. The 5.4L is built with heavier internals i.e. than the 4.6L and has better torque & HP. Both of these will be noticed when you do some towing. Mine has the 5.4L w/towing pkg, 4X4 w/off road package which also includes heavier duty shocks. I have a 26' two axle travel trailer that I've been fixing up all summer to take to my hunting camp. It's old (a 1973 model) and heavy (around 4500-5000lbs). I hooked it up & pulled it around the North Georgia mountains last week and the truck pulled this heavy trailer effortlessly. I could steer it with one finger on the wheel everywhere but the steepest downhill curves where I would get a little sway but I haven't put a sway control hitch on the truck yet.
3. I think the towing package is worth getting but the verdict is still out on the radiator issue. My truck is back at the dealer getting two tone paint applied & I have continued to inquire about the radiator. I mentioned a TSB (technical service bulletin) the I had heard mentioned on the f150 online site. This seemed to get their attention & they are looking further into it while the truck is in the shop getting painted. I am not optimistic however. I still like the towing package - it's just too bad Ford didn't clarify this earlier.
4. As far as driving in snow - the salesman might be right. Chains will give you better grip whether you have limited slip or not. 4WD is better yet but if there's ice (and there will be) you're going to slide even if you're driving a tank. If you're new to cold weather driving going slow and braking carefully makes more difference than what kind of car you're driving.
The limited slip is a relatively cheap upgrade however & will come in handy if you're pulling a boat up a steep ramp.
5. I grabbed the $1500 to get a 2001 when I found the truck I wanted. Mine is loaded & I was lucky to find one decked out like I wanted. Don't know about incentives for the 2002's but doubt they will be as generous for the times being.
6. Get the color you like. They can always match the color by computer if need be.
Sorry this got so long but hope it helps.

#809 of 1265 by emale

Aug 01, 2001 (8:14 am)

in a vehicle as heavy as the s-crew...you are much better off getting the larger engine. btw, all s-crews whether eqipped with the 4.6l or 5.4l come with the same tranny (4r70w). the only exception might be the harley davidson version where someone on f150online claims to the have the beefier 4r100 unit.

#810 of 1265 Confirmed ride difference by leeg3

Aug 01, 2001 (8:37 am)

Thanks for the replies!
 
I had a friend (former Ford mechanic) drive the 4.6 & 5.4 & he also noticed a considerable difference between ride quality (the 5.4 transferring many road imperfections). Supposedly these 2 have the same suspension, etc... & we made sure they had the same tires (although we couldn't check tire pressure). While the 4.6 with towing package wasn't as smooth as the 4.6 without it, it was still better than the 5.4.
 
Since I'm buying as a truck/SUV compromise, I would like a smoother ride, but don't want to sacrifice power. I'm not expecting a truck to ride like a caddy, but I can't believe that a difference in engine weight is the cause.
 
Several people have told me that their 5.4 rides smooth, but would like more confirmation.
 
Also, the brakes on the 4.6 were very soft (like an old U-haul) while the 5.4 brakes were excellent. Go figure.

#811 of 1265 by emale

Aug 01, 2001 (8:57 am)

my s-crew with 5.4l and trailor tow package rides just like it should...like a truck. it is neither mushy nor bone jarring...it is a pleasant in-between. mine is a 4x4 and thus i can't compare to a 2wd version. also, i haven't driven an s-crew with the 4.6l. i don't really know why the s-crews with 5.4l would ride worse, if anything they should ride better since there is more weight on the front suspension.

#812 of 1265 Re: leeq3 by wesyang

Aug 02, 2001 (12:51 am)

If you are looking for a truck/SUV compromise and smooth ride, check out new Chevy Avalanche. I did test drive two days ago, the ride is very good even with Z71 (off-road package).
Yes, Avalanche is not a good looking truck as Screw so I don't want to go for it. However, it has all the functions that Screw has. Plus, it has side-airbags, fog lights, hard bed cover, better towing capacity and more as standard. Of cause, it also costs more.

#813 of 1265 by emale

Aug 02, 2001 (6:44 am)

gm should have given the avalanche to pontiac since it reminds me of the many heavily plastic clad cars that division produces...imo it ranks right behind the aztek for ugliest vehicle on the road!

#814 of 1265 Another 5.4 test by leeg3

Aug 02, 2001 (9:33 am)

Ok. Went to a different dealer today; drove a 5.4 with lim. slip & towing package with the same tires (Generals) that were on the previous test vehicles.
 
This truck drove much better than the other 5.4's I tested. Not like the ride of the 4.6 I mentioned before, but vastly better. However, the brakes were soft, which I don't understand.
 
I'm thinking the prevsious poor 5.4 rides were due to those particular trucks sitting in one spot for awhile. Perhaps they developed a flat spot on the tire?

#815 of 1265 S'crew ride by atlanta4

Aug 02, 2001 (6:27 pm)

You may have a point about the truck sitting for a while. This should resolve when the tires are warmed up after about 5 miles though. Really don't think there should be much difference in ride between the 5.4 & 4.6. You might try driving both trucks over the same stretch of road.
 
Agree with emale about the cladding on the Avalanche. The general reaction I've heard is either love it or hate it. It definitely gives the truck an unmistakable appearance. Wonder what it would look like with the cladding toned down a bit?

#816 of 1265 King Ranch back seat by dlh4x4

Aug 03, 2001 (1:51 pm)

I'm waiting to order an '02 King Ranch SuperCrew and found that a new option for "02 is a rear bench seat instead of the standard captains chairs. It says that it is "late availability" Does anyone know what the option code is and when I can order one?

#817 of 1265 map pockets by connon

Aug 03, 2001 (2:07 pm)

Any King Ranchers out there having problems with the seat back map pockets? My leather must have shrunk because the magnetic snaps do not even match up anymore.Took it back to the dealer who ran the problem through the computer and came up with no service bulletins regarding the issue.I cant stand the sight of these pockets hanging open, even with nothing in them.A normal snap would have been the answer,the magnetic ones are worthless......p.s. would have much preferred a bench seat in the rear to the buckets.much easier to fold down to load up luggage than the buckets with the center console.

Messages Page 82 of 127

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