Styling, power (great launches), handling,

The turning raidius could be better. The 5.4 loves gas. The rattling heat shield on the converter can be annoying.

The rattles and squeaks I experienced on the 1997 are gone. The premium sound system (with CD player) is good, considering that it's a truck. Road feel has improved. The hook that keeps the floor mat from moving is a nice touch. The 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS is excellent! The engine performance is awesome! The gear hunting I had with the '97 4.6L is not evident with the new 5.4L. If you get the 4X4, make sure to get running boards...it's quite a climb with the 17" wheels. I performed the following modifications to boost both gas mileage and power. Jet performance chip, K&N Generation II fuel injection performance kit, Gibson cat-back exhaust, and a throttle body spacer. Spending only $750 for those add-ons yields over 310HP and mileage jumps to 17MPG or 410 miles per tank of gas..which is up from the original 260HP, 12.5MPH and 310 per tank (if you can keep your foot out of it!). I recommend getting the 3.55 limited-slip rear end (no matter what engine you go with). It improves traction, acceleration, and towing. Get the 5.4L engine, as there is little or no difference in fuel economy with any of the engine choices...you can't go wrong with the 5.4L! The launches this truck has really gets other drivers attention..as all they see are my tail lights.....unless you're up against a Vette or something similiar.

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1997 f-150 4X4 4.6L better
1997 GMC Sierra Z-71 305cid much better

Good Looks. Ford box cover is pretty waterproof and easy to put on and remove. Good ground clearance.

Poor quality interior materials. They look cheap and don't wear well. Oil filter is right over front axle - hard to get at.

First full size truck i have owned. 4.6 uses lots of gas and lacks power, dropping out of lock up in cruise going up hills on X-way at 75mph. Best mpg was 17.9 over a 1400 miles highway trip in the summer. Cloth seat material is very fragile and easily damaged. Interior plastic looks cheap. No air conditioning on/off control. Runs on most of the heater positions. Not much paint or corrosion coating on underside of truck. Hope the winter salt doesn't eat it up. The rust sure looks terrible on the suspension and driveline components. Owners manual very poor and Ford owners helpline is useless for any information, like what trans fluid to use, Mercon or MerconV. Engine starts with a snort, like an old carbureted car with the throttle held on the floor. Can't do those engine bearings any good on a cold start. Hope Ford knows what they are doing.

Third door is nice., The interior is nice, but wears pretty quickly, though.

DOOR CRACKS ON EVERY ONE OF THESE THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT(9). FACTORY IS UNRESPONSIVE TO FIXING THE PROBLEM. STEREO MARGINAL, STEERING WHEEL TOO CLOSE TO DASH FOR ME, TAILGATE ONLY OPENS IF I LIFT ON LEFT SIDE OF HANDLE. THE REAR SPRING PROBLEM, LEAVES SPLAYING OUT. 4.6 NOT AS ZIPPY AS IT COULD BE, TIME TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.THE SIDE BOLSTER SEAT ADJUSTMENT IS BROKEN AT 50K. SOME DASH LIGHTS BURNED OUT AT 70K. THE USED TRUCKS COST LESS THAN GMs FOR A REASON: LESSER OVERALL QUALITY. I PROBABLY WON'T BUY ANOTHER FORD.

THE FORD IS A BUNCH CHEAPER, PROBABLY BECAUSE THE DOORS CRACK NEAR RUBBER TRIM. THE DOORS WERE NOT MADE STRONG ENOUGH ON THE 97-99s. BEWARE!!!

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1998 SILVERADO IS SMOOTHER IN RIDE, AND 350 ENGINE AND AUTO TRANS. IS SMOOTHER TOO. MORE POWER, OF COURSE. SAMR GAS MILEAGE FROM THE GM. GM DOESN'T HAVE DOOR CRACKS.

Some of the most desirable features are the roadability (ride) the power I have the V8 5.4. Comfort styling and just plain fun to drive. Iam of the so called Senior Generation (63), but i still like the power that the engine delivers. I have added the CatBack exhaust and K&N Air Filter. Got approx 20HP out of these items.

Rear traction on semi-wet pavement is very poor, Will look at some wider tires. Will this help?? Also, have a rear window that leaks, cost to fix approx 85.00$ This is a joke, Im sure Ford MC is aware of this problem. Has anyone else had the same problem??

I would recommend the Ford simply because it drives, handles, and looks great. Its not a work truck for me, but I'M sure if put to the test it would pass with flying colors.

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I have had them all, and most (Chevy, Dodge, and one International) have good and bad points, but all in all I like the Fords. Have never owned anything but American Trucks.

For a 1/2-ton, this is a very strong truck. I have owned it since 11/98, with no major mechanical problems. From reading the other review, I feel lucky about my front brakes and tires. I still have the original Goodyear 17 inch Wrangler RTS tires with 73000 miles and only one normal brake job and one re-alignment! Handling in snow is excellent. The shift-on-the-fly 4WD and the transfer case has never let me down. Plenty of power when not towing. The 6-CD sound system sounds and works great. Cruise control is very accurate and simple.

Lack of power when towing (even with a light trailer). The lack of low-end torque is bothersome at times. Fuel milage is 15-16 mpg when not towing and in 2WD. Fuel milage is 13-14 when towing or in 4WD. I wish Ford still offered dual fuel tanks (very nice for winter weight distribution). The extended cab is too small compared to Dodge and GM. I have two dash lights already burned-out. The leather steering wheel and the leather driver seat have both worn bad. I will never have another leather interior (especially on a truck). I do not care for the roller-style dome light switches. The location of the oil filter is absolutely rediculous. If in a front-end accident, you're not going anywhere (I'm sure insurance companies hate this). My hood release has needed adjusted 3 times.

Overall, my 1998 F150 is a great truck. I can not say many negatives about it. I prefer the PowerStroke diesel, and can't wait for Ford to offer the F150 with a diesel option.

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1992 4WD 5.0L F150 and 1996 4WD 7.3L F250.
This 1998 is superior to both, except for the PowerStroke I had in the 1996.

everything rides great, looks great, prettiest truck on the road. Drove chevy and their is no comparision ford beets it hand down

could get better gas millage. 4.6 engine is a little to underpowered

everything about this truck is great no complaints

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1995 ford ranger went 100000 miles and was never in the shop for repairs

PLENTY OF POWER,ROOMY INTERIOR,4X4 WORKS GREAT,NO LEAKS-73K

BRAKES SUCK-I'VE HAD THEM ALL REPLACED AT THE DEALER-NO CHANGE
FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING(MEGA BUCKS),DON'T ASK ABOUT GAS ON THE 5.4L IT'S
THIRSTY!!TRY TO CHANGE THOSE PLUGS!!

IT'S A BETTER THAN AVERAGE TRUCK FOR A FAIRLY REASONABLE PRICE/

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I TESTED OTHERS(CHEVY/DODGE)BUT THIS RIDE AND POWER WAS THE BEST

The styling ...ride is excellent...

gas mileage is not good.i average 13 mpg.can squeeze 18 on the road..with 4.6L.if i had it to do over again..i would choose the 5.4L.mileage couldnt be any worse..traction is terrible on wet roads.could be the tires(Goodyear)..i dont know.

Let me start by saying this is the first Ford truck ive owned in 23 years.and the reason i bought it.is because Chevy didnt have anything to compare to it back in May when i was shopping.The truck has the others beat in styling, comfort.One problem i have is entering the vehicle(im 6/2)...the way the dash is designed..it curves outward right where you enter the cab,and i keep knocking my knee off getting in(the designers should have made this dash more flush).Anyone thinking of buying one.....please get the 5.4L.more power and i think you will get as good gas mileage.All in all.im pleased with the truck.Styling is great .comfort superb..You couldnt ask for a better ride on a trip.But next May when the Chevrolet Avalanche comes out.im going to check it out.

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i last owned a Chevy extra cab 4x4....ford has better ride.steering response was better on the chevy

Excellent driveability, good gas mileage (avg 16 mpg) for the 5.4 liter engine

Angle of the seat, its like setting in a V, (power seat would help) Its been in the shop 3 times. Twice for steering problems. Its in there now and has been for over a month!!!!! Blown engine, after replaceing the engine, and while still in the shop, the oxygen sensor went bad????? after replaceing that the computer went bad ??? (while still in the shop for the engine replacement) They may have the truck in the shop longer then I have owned it. Service Dept would not give me a loaner vehicle, had to complain to the dealership manager to get one.... Needless to say this is probably my last Ford, not so much because of the product but rather because of of the service from supposedly trained technicians and very poor dealership treatment. P.S. this truck is for SALE (as soon as I get it back)

See Weaknesses. 1/2 of a Star rating for Service and dealership.
3 Stars for Ford Trucks.

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Chevy, Dodge Trucks

There is no doubt about it the f-150 is an underrated truck.This truck is solid,quiet and dependable.It also has plenty of power with the 5.4L v-8.This truck is as capable as a dodge or chevrolet.

None to speak of.I love this truck!I know some people have had bad luck with the f-150 but that happens with other makes too including chevy!

Go for it! The f-150 is a good ride and a dependable worker.I recommend the 5.4L V-8 over the 4.6 or the v-6 its got the power and torque!

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My previous truck was a 93 f-150 it was also a good truck but i think i prefer the new control-arm front suspension to the twin-ibeam of the 93.