2004-2008 Ford F-150: Full Review

Vehicle Highlights

Ford redesigned America's best-selling pickups for 2004, giving them roomier cabs, more power, fresh styling, and new features. Regular-, extended-, and crew-cab body styles returned. All cabs now had four doors and were 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider than their predecessors. The regular cab joined the SuperCab (extended cab) with rear-hinged "half doors" as standard. The SuperCrew crew cab returned with four front-hinged doors. Both extended and crew-cab models contained a rear bench seat for six-passenger capacity. The added cab length in extended models allowed the rear seatback to recline to the same angle as in the crew cabs. Crew cabs used a 5.5-foot cargo bed. Other F-150s had beds of 5.5, 6.5, and 8-foot length, depending on model. All pickups came in flat-side Styleside form; the 6.5-foot bed also was offered as a flare-fendered Flareside model. Ford's base engine was a 231-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. Optional was a 5.4-liter V8 rated at 300 horsepower, versus 260 in 2003. A four-speed automatic was the sole transmission--available for the first time with a floor-mounted shift lever. All models could be equipped with rear-wheel drive or with 4WD that had to be disengaged on dry pavement but included low-range gearing. Antilock four-wheel disc brakes were standard. No side airbags were available. Ford said a new frame design improved rigidity. The half-doors on extended cabs could be fitted with roll-down windows, unique among full-size pickups. Tailgates had helper springs designed to make them easier to close. Five trim levels were offered: work-oriented XL, sporty STX, mainstream XLT, off-road FX4, and luxury Lariat. Three different instrument-panel designs, along with trim variations, helped differentiate the versions. New features included modular overhead storage compartments inside the cab, which could be added or altered to suit a variety of applications, including DVD entertainment. For a while, the redesigned F-150 was sold alongside the previous-generation F-150, renamed F-150 Heritage. Chief F-150 rivals included the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra.

Year to Year Changes

Our road test for the 2004-2008 Ford F-150 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2004-2008 Ford F-150 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2004-2008 Ford F-150 is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

Item Name	Repair Cost
A/C Compressor	$920
Alternator	$390
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$2,890
Brakes	$650
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$650
Constant Velocity Joints	$870
Exhaust System	$505
Radiator	$530
Shocks and/or Struts	$750
Timing Chain or Belt	$1,650

Prices	Good	Average	Poor
2008
F-150	$12,500-19,500	$11,300-17,600	$7,100-11,100
F-150 SuperCab	$15,000-22,000	$13,700-20,000	$9,500-13,900
F-150 SuperCrew	$17,500-27,000	$16,100-24,800	$11,200-17,300
2007
F-150	$11,000-16,700	$9,900-15,000	$5,900-9,000
F-150 SuperCab	$14,000-20,500	$12,700-18,700	$8,500-12,500
F-150 SuperCrew	$17,200-23,000	$15,800-21,200	$11,000-14,700
2006
F-150	$9,700-15,200	$8,700-13,700	$5,000-7,900
F-150 SuperCab	$12,800-20,000	$11,600-18,200	$7,300-11,400
F-150 SuperCrew	$15,600-20,000	$14,200-18,200	$10,000-12,800
2005
F-150	$8,500-14,000	$7,700-12,600	$4,400-7,300
F-150 SuperCab	$11,000-16,300	$9,900-14,700	$5,900-8,800
F-150 SuperCrew	$13,800-18,500	$12,600-16,800	$8,300-11,100
2004
F-150	$7,500-12,500	$6,800-11,300	$3,800-6,300
F-150 SuperCab	$10,000-15,000	$9,000-13,500	$5,200-7,800
F-150 SuperCrew	$12,300-16,500	$11,100-14,900	$7,000-9,400

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	crew cab	ext. cab w/ 8-ft bed	reg. cab long bed	reg. cab short bed
Wheelbase, in.	138.5	163.0	144.5	126.0
Overall Length, in.	224.0	248.4	229.8	211.2
Overall Width, in.	78.9	78.9	78.9	78.9
Overall Height, in.	73.1	73.1	72.9	72.8
Curb Weight, lbs.	5176	5501	4747	4615
Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	--	--	--	--
Standard Payload, lbs.	1710	2640	3020	1890
Fuel Capacity, gals.	27.0	27.0	27.0	26.0
Seating Capacity	6	6	3	3
Front Head Room, in.	40.1	40.9	40.9	40.9
Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.3	41.3	41.3	41.3
Rear Head Room, in.	39.6	39.6	--	--
Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.0	32.7	--	--
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed
ohc V8	4.6 / 281	231	293	4-speed automatic: 15/19	4-speed automatic: --
ohv V6	4.2 / 256	202	260	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --
ohc V8	5.4 / 330	300	365	4-speed automatic: 15/19	4-speed automatic: 13.2
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.