Exceptional ride and handling characteristics, attractive and functional interior designs, multiple cab and bed configurations, most payload and towing capacity in the half-ton class.
Cons
Feels sluggish even with larger V8, no available side airbags, not much interior storage space.
What’s new
The F-150 is fully redesigned for 2004. It's bigger, more powerful and offers a greater variety of features and body styles than ever before.
Edmunds says
A class leader when it comes to ride, handling and hauling capability, but a little extra poundage and its lack of side airbags keep it from completely rolling over the competition.
2004 FORD F-150 XLTVIN: 1FTPW145X4KD189061 F T P W 1 4 5 X 4 K D 1 8 9 0 6CREW PICKUP5.4L V8 F SOHCGASOLINEREAR WHEEL DRIVE W/ 4X4ABS (4-Wheel), Power...
2004 Ford F-150 2dr Regular Cab XL Rwd Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A)
truck is now over 11 years old, and is still running strong with 84,000 miles on it. truck tends to be problematic in the large 5.4 version with cam phasers and broken spark plugs, however the 4.6 does not suffer from these problems. this past winter we have had more snow and more colder days than in decades, and having it sit in below zero weather for 3 days straight, it cranks first … start without missing a beat. parts are EXTREMELY cheap being as the 4.6 is the most common fleet vehicle engine, so parts are easily accessible and readily available. the body and frame are extremely durable and after 11 years in the heart of the salt belt, its completely rust free.
Best truck I've owned
4.38 out of 5 stars
fobserver, 12/12/2011
2004 Ford F-150 2dr Regular Cab FX4 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A)
I've had Toyota, Nissan, Chevy and Dodge trucks over the years. This is the first Ford truck I've owned. Bought it used with 97K miles. Only owned it for 3 months now, but I believe it's the best built pickup I've ever owned. I do have some concerns however. A tear appeared out of no where in the drivers seat, there is a whizzing/scraping sound coming from the right front (possibly brake … issues). And the cam phaser knock that is common for these engines. Also the 4x4 will go into 4HI with no problem, but you have to mess with it to get it to go into 4LO, and then you have to mess with it some more to get it to come back out of 4LO. Have not towed with it yet, but I'm sure it's great at that.
Love this truck but you will have issues along the way.
4.63 out of 5 stars
bigbertha, 03/01/2012
2004 Ford F-150 4dr SuperCab Lariat 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A)
This is a wonderful truck to own. It looks good drives good and is dependable. However, expect one if not all of the window regulators to go out. Ford used cheap plastic parts so the gear will go bad eventually. Second, the spark plugs for 04-08 models were designed poorly and get seized into the heads. Expect a bill of anywhere from 800-2000 to replace them as Ford charges by hour to … remove them because they break off. Last, the timing gears are plastic and break and result in thousands of dollars in repairs.
VCT Solenoid & cam phasers also go bad. Google all the known issues with this truck first. These are the major ones to expect. If you're able to work through them it's a good truck.
mixed feelings
3.88 out of 5 stars
telcom48, 01/30/2013
2004 Ford F-150 4dr SuperCab Lariat 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A)
I bought my 2004 F-150 supercab 4x4 lariat on black fiday 2005 with 45,000 miles already on it. This is basically my first truck. This is heavily optioned with everything you could get or want. With the automatic on the floor, I thought the interior was just the coolest. Needless to say, the looks and styling got me. I currently have just under 185,000 miles on the truck. I fully expect … to get 300,000 miles or more before i get a new truck. Here is where the mixed feelings come in. I have spent an average of $1500 a year maintaining this truck! My recommendation is this... Do NOT buy the first model year of ANY vehicle when there has been a COMPLETE redesign. Wait until the bugs are out.
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