2004 Ford F-Series

All-New 2004 Ford F-Series—The World's Best-Selling Pickup Gets Better

DETROIT, Jan. 6—"Our vision was to forge a new direction for the market, building decisively on Ford's Tough Truck heritage and creating a product that would alter the expectations of pickup customers. The new F-150 does that with the courage of a leader, launching a new era of Built Ford Tough."

- Chris Theodore, Vice President - North American Product Development, Ford Motor Company


WHAT'S NEW FOR 2004

• Even tougher - F-150's fully boxed frame is approximately nine times stiffer torsionally than its predecessor, providing the foundation for improved durability, driving dynamics, and ride refinement and quietness. 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.

• New interiors - Custom environments have been developed for each series. The initial "wow factor" is supported by substance that makes F-150 a pleasure over the long run.

• More spaciousness - Regular Cab and SuperCab models have a passenger compartment that is 6 inches longer, providing more space inside for occupants and their gear. For SuperCab models, that extra length means increased rear- seat comfort for three adults. For Regular Cab, it means 13 inches of secure storage space behind the seat.

• Easy access - Reflecting consumer demand for ease of access for people and cargo, Regular Cab models feature new, class-exclusive access doors that open up new stowage possibilities behind the seat.

• New engine technology - Ford's new 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton™ V-8 engine produces 300 peak horsepower, a 15-percent improvement over the previous award-winning 5.4-liter engine, along with improvements in low-speed and peak torque, as well as greater fuel efficiency. Smooth, quiet, and refined, it also contributes to the quieter cab environment.

• Stronger stance and style - The new F-150 features an all-new design, with a bold exterior shape that reflects Ford truck toughness and capability. The refined interiors take the full-size pickup to a new level of comfort and refinement.

• Superb driving experience - Tremendous attention to detail and engineering advancements—such as the new outboard rear shock absorbers and wider rear leaf springs—have been applied to the chassis of the F-150 to deliver a confident, capable driving experience.

• Safety - The new Occupant Position Sensing technology for the first-row passenger makes the 2004 F-150 a strong choice for safety. It exceeds rigorous new federal safety standards for air bag and offset crash performance.

• Cargo capacity - The new F-150 cargo box is more than 2 inches deeper, with greater cargo volume. Plus, a class-exclusive new standard Tailgate Assist feature helps owners of all statures more easily open and close the gate.

The dominant force in pickups has just upped the ante, launching a "Whole New Era of Built Ford Tough."

Now, as it celebrates more than 85 years of truck experience and 55 years of legendary F-Series accomplishments, Ford is again redefining America's truck.

The all-new 2004 Ford F-150 creates a bold first impression as it extends Ford's tradition as America's Tough Truck leader. It creates an even bigger lasting impression when the standard four doors are opened to reveal a revolutionary interior design with refinement, comfort, and spaciousness unparalleled in a truck.

The combination of Tough Truck capability and refinement sets a new standard for the industry. Toughness. Strength. Pulling Power. Fuel Economy. Safety. Interior spaciousness. Refinement. Driving dynamics. Stability. Functionality. Cargo capacity. Comfort. Style.

Ford pioneered the pickup, gave it the first V-8 engine and Crew Cab and went on to create a brand that is synonymous with truck leadership. Tough, capable, and powerful, the F-Series has been the best-selling full-size pickup for 26 years as of January 2003 and the nation's favorite vehicle for 21 years running. The Ford F-Series is America's truck.

Comprehensive 3-cab, 3-box, 5-series lineup F-150 now offers the industry's widest variety of body and trim configurations. Customers can specify the pickup box according to load length and box style, with more choices than ever before. Additionally, all cab configurations now feature four doors for ease of access. The lineup includes:

• Three cab choices
- Regular Cab, a single row of occupant seating and rearward-swinging access doors that reveal a behind-seat stowage area up to 13 inches wide.
- SuperCab, a two-door extended cab version featuring a second row of seating and two rearward-swinging doors.
- SuperCrew, a crew cab that features two rows of seating and four forward-swinging full-size doors.

• Three box lengths and two box styles
- Eight-foot, 6 1/2-foot, and 5 1/2-foot box lengths are offered. In addition, the F-150 SuperCab 5 1/2-foot box is a new offering and a full-size pickup truck exclusive.
- Two different box styles, Styleside and Flareside, are available.

• Five distinct series offerings
- From the workhorse F-150 XL to the refined F-150 Lariat, the 2004 F-150 lineup has the truck to meet a variety of customer wants and needs. The five series—XL, STX, XLT, FX4 and Lariat—each reflect insight into unique customer needs.

"Ford's F-Series leadership is well documented," said Matt DeMars, executive director for Tough Trucks, Ford Motor Company. "We have a huge owner base and a reputation for toughness and durability that is unsurpassed in the industry. We used our customer insight to help us anticipate the 'next big thing' in the market, and we continue to give customers in this growing segment the most appealing products."

In 2002, Ford dealers delivered more than 800,000 F-Series trucks to Ú.S. customers, making F-Series America's best-selling truck for the 26th consecutive year.

The numbers tell why Ford is aggressively striving to maintain and extend its leadership as the best-selling full-size pickup. The F-Series is extremely important to Ford's bottom line. It accounts for nearly 28 percent of Ford Division's sales and 23 percent of Ford Motor Company's total Ú.S. sales.

Source - Ford Media

New for 2004

o All-new Ford Harley-Davidson™ Super Duty later in the model year (see sidebar)
o SuperCab and Crew Cab offer an optional power sliding rear window (late availability)
o 60/40 Crew Cab rear bench seat with fold-flat load floor, grocery hooks, integrated cup holders and head restraints standard on XLT and Lariat trims
o Wireless keypad added to the Advanced Security Group
o AM/FM Stereo with single CD player standard on XLT trim with an optional cassette/CD
o New exterior colors: Dark Green Satin Clearcoat, Medium Wedgewood Blue Clearcoat Metallic and Dark Toreador Red Clearcoat
o Optional fog lamps on all 4x2 models and 4x4 XLT
o Recline feature added to all XL front full bench seats
o New Lariat LE exterior and interior color: Black/Arizona Beige two-tone exterior and Medium Parchment interior
o Improved diesel emissions with 6.0-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine

Overview
Super Duty is the proven leader in the over-8,500-pound GVWR truck segment with a reputation as America's get-the-job-done, rugged, practical and capable truck. For 2004, Super Duty builds on its 'Built Ford Tough' tradition with new interior and exterior equipment and the addition of a powerful Ford Harley-Davdison™ model available mid-model year.

The F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickups are available in Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab body styles in XL, XLT and Lariat trims. For even higher payload capacity,

F-350 Super Duty is available in a dual-rear-wheel (DRW) 'dually' configuration. The F-250 and F-350 are assembled in Louisville, Ky.

Design and Equipment

Super Duty has a confident stance, drop-down beltline, round wheel openings and oversize grille with side nostrils. Clean, sheer surfaces with distinctive geometric forms and strong lines introduce a modernized, highly structured look, emphasizing the overall sense of power.

Both SuperCab and Crew Cab configurations are best-in-class for interior roominess. The King Ranch special edition is trimmed in yards of rich, brown Castaño leather with unique badging inside and out.

The XLT Sport package includes a monochromatic paint scheme with Ebony interior. The FX4 package makes the Super Duty ready for off-road with skid plates, Rancho® shock absorbers and a steering damper.

Telescoping towing mirrors with power-adjustable heated glass and integrated turn signal repeaters are a popular Super Duty feature, as are the optional power-adjustable pedals and optional power-sliding moonroof.

Aero jewel-effect headlamps are standard on XLT and Lariat models, and sealed-beam halogen lamps are standard on the XL models.

Powertrain and Chassis


The Triton™ V-10, is rated at 310 horsepower, 425 foot-pounds of torque and up to 14,200 pound of towing capability.

The 6.0-liter Power Stroke® V-8 is a direct-injection, 32-valve turbodiesel with cast-iron block and cylinder heads. Featuring innovative Electronic Variable Response Turbocharging (EVRT), hydraulic rail fuel injection, pilot injection, and exhaust-gas recirculation, the 6.0-liter Power Stroke® boasts the highest torque and horsepower in its class. Built specially for this engine, Ford's optional TorqShift™ automatic transmission has an improved torque converter that maximizes low-speed torque and a larger pump for better lubrication and cooling.

The chassis is a tough, ladder-type frame that can haul big payloads. When properly equipped, the truck can tow up to 14,200 pounds.

Safety


F-Series Super Duty trucks are equipped with air bag supplemental restraint systems that help protect the driver and front passenger in frontal collisions. The front safety belts are height-adjustable for optimum comfort and position.

Anti-lock brakes are standard equipment. A full list of safety and convenience features is available on page 140. New this year is keypad entry as part of the Advanced Security Group option. A locking tailgate is a standard F-Series feature.

Major Equipment and Options


XL: cargo lamp, locking spare tire, black fold-away mirrors, tie-down hooks, locking tailgate, trailer wiring, flip-out rear glass on SuperCabs, cup holders, power point, interior lamp, tachometer, AM/FM stereo and intermittent wipers.

XLT adds: chrome bumpers, wheels and grille surround, jeweled headlamps, power windows, mirrors and door locks, air conditioning, floor mats, CD player and split bench front seat.

Lariat LE adds: body-colored door handles, exterior sunvisor w/roof marker lamps, front and rear seat consoles, lighted cabin steps with diamond plate inserts, telescoping trailer tow mirrors, heated seats, Lariat LE floormats, trailer-hitch receiver, two-tone tape stripes and leather captain's chairs.

XLT Sport: features a monochromatic grille, door handles, and bumpers, privacy glass, sliding rear window, fog lamps, chrome step bars and exhaust tips, two-tone cloth 40/20/40 seats and Ebony interior.

FX4 Off-Road models add skid plates, Rancho® shock absorbers and a steering damper.

King Ranch: versions have two-tone paint with body-color door handles, Arizona Beige wheel lip moldings, front grille and bumpers, King Ranch aluminum wheels, King Ranch Castaño leather consoles/grab handles/steering wheel, heated seats, quad captain's chairs in King Ranch Castaño leather, King Ranch logos on the floormats and instrument panel, body-color telescoping trailer tow mirrors and lighted cabin steps with diamond plate inserts.

Options include the Advanced Security Group, auxiliary idle control kit, camper package, snowplow package, pickup box delete, heavy-service suspension and Reverse Sensing System, among others.

Harley-Davidson model joins super duty in 2004

The 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson™ Super Duty, with its 4x4 capability and optional 6.0-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine, combines toughness, capability, power and attitude. Available in three exterior colors - Black/Competition Orange Two-Tone, Black/Dark Shadow Gray Two-Tone and Black Monotone - this exclusive truck features 18-inch aluminum wheels, engine decal, chrome exhaust tip, chrome tubular step bar with Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield insert and other styling cues.

Source - Ford