The new fully boxed frame features hydroformed sections for improved torsional and bending strength. Contractors and personal-use buyers may have different needs and wants in their F-150, but they all use the truck as a tool — to get the job done, to get their gear to the recreation area or to get to work between weekends. A quiet passenger cabin helps driver and passengers to stay alert and arrive relaxed, and has a profound effect on customer satisfaction. New for 2004 is a weight-sensing front passenger seat that helps tailor air bag response to specific situations. Shifter is duct-taped closed after top plastic clip broke and whole assembly unraveled.
In addition to the benefits of the new electronic throttle control system, the 4. With 6 more inches of interior cab length on Regular Cab and SuperCab models, the F-150 provides more lockable stowage volume than ever before — up to 13 inches behind the front seat of the Regular Cab. It combines off-road capability with a bold and distinctive individual statement. Lariat owners use their trucks for a multitude of purposes from everyday driving and road trips, to towing boats or travel trailers. It is more robust than the recirculating-ball system used on the current F-150 and has less operating friction. New on both the 5. The instrument panel and center console contain finely crafted stitched surfaces in Medium Pebble or Ebony, augmented by woodgrain touches on the doors and instrument panel center stack.
Four-wheel-drive models use the proven manual- or electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case of the current F-150 and a selection of optional limited-slip rear axles. In the first moments of a frontal impact, the pretensioners pull the lap and shoulder belts tighter, which helps to reduce slack in the belts. The system — with integral power supply — allows owners to easily snap in additional modules, such as first aid kits, toolboxes, flashlights and two-way radio holders as they become available from Ford or the aftermarket. The F-150 team tackled cabin noise with fanatical attention to detail. In addition, the new F-150 has endured the equivalent of more than 5 million cumulative miles of engine testing. Variable camshaft timing allows the valves to be operated at different points in the combustion cycle, to provide performance that is precisely tailored to specific engine speed and load at that instant.
With a maximum tow rating of 9,500 pounds and maximum payload capacity of 2,900 pounds, the new F-150 is the most capable full-size pickup under 8,500 pounds. Plus, a class-exclusive new standard Tailgate Assist feature helps owners of all statures more easily open and close the gate. Historically, Ford has led the industry with innovations such as a standard third door on SuperCab and the SuperCrew. While the most dramatic improvement in the F-150 driving experience comes on-road, Ford has steadily improved off-pavement performance. The floor shifter, another F-150 first, is a sophisticated design, detailed in warm steel and chrome. While final certification is not yet complete, Ford expects the new F-150 will offer competitive fuel economy.
It is the workhorse truck that gets the job done, and can get down and dirty with hose-out floor functionality. A bold bumper with integral foglamps, when equipped, and tow hooks on 4×4 models complete the look. Ride quality is a qualified miraculous--light years ahead of the previous model's. The vented front discs have twin-piston calipers and are 330 millimeters 13 inches in diameter, an increase of 22 millimeters 0. Regular Cab models feature industry-first rearward-swinging access doors that make it easier to reach a behind-seat cargo area that is large enough for golf clubs, toolboxes or five-gallon paint buckets.
The brushed aluminum rail system is integrated into the headliner and extends from behind the rearview mirror to behind the second row of seats. The F-150 team tackled cabin noise with fanatical attention to detail. For SuperCab models, that extra length means increased rear-seat comfort for three adults in the rear seat. The new exterior design brought a taller bed with increased cargo volume, and with it more difficulty seeing behind the truck. The F-Series, a perennial best-seller for decades, continues to stay competitive in a quickly changing field and proves that Ford still knows how to make a great pickup truck.
Four axle ratios — from 3. Camouflaged test vehicle runs through an off-road course at Arizona Proving Ground. On loose surfaces like gravel, F-150 engineers were able to improve off-road stopping distances by approximately 13 percent. In addition, the F-150 SuperCab 5 ½- foot box is a new offering and a full-size pickup truck exclusive. A rack-and-pinion steering system that is the largest and strongest ever used on a Ford vehicle was engineered to provide improved steering response for the new F-150. In the first moments of a frontal impact, the pretensioners pull the lap and shoulder belts tighter, which helps to reduce slack in the belts. A standard Tailgate Assist feature uses an internal torsion bar to help with raising and lowering the tailgate.
The F-Series proved tight and quiet, and nary a shudder was felt. It has to be presumed the recommended pressure was based on a fully loaded bed. The front shock absorbers are mounted inside the springs, allowing four-wheel-drive models to use coil springs instead of the traditional torsion bars, permitting more precise suspension tuning and commonality across the lineup. The numbers tell why Ford is aggressively striving to maintain and extend its leadership as the best-selling full-size pickup. From the construction site to the house next door, the full-size pickup has earned its place in the fabric of American life. The cabin is wider than ever before and its front seat is roomier, yet the door armrests extend far enough for smaller drivers to use comfortably. The instrument panel and center console contain finely crafted stitched surfaces in Medium Pebble or Ebony, augmented by woodgrain touches on the doors and instrument panel center stack.
If the sensor detects no weight on the front passenger seat — or very little weight, such as a newspaper, a half-dozen bagels or work gloves — the passenger-side air bag is automatically turned off. While driving on coarse country roads at more moderate speeds, overall interior sound levels are 2. Four axle ratios — from 3. Not only does it offer capability that other vehicles don't but, unlike the barebones utilitarian trucks of the past, a modern pickup is a nice place to spend long hours. The laterally stiff new rear suspension is very resistant to side loads, so trailer influence on the truck in crosswinds, on rutted roads or alongside 18-wheelers is minimal. It is the workhorse truck that gets the job done, and can get down and dirty with hose-out floor functionality.