2003 FORD F150

FORD Reviews:    • F-150    • F-250/F-350    • SUPER-DUTY    • RANGER    • SPORT TRAC   Read Feature Story   Read New Car News   Read Brand Reviews   Read Car-Truck Test Reviews   Return to Guide's Homepage

FORD TRUCK

The Ford Truck Division of Ford Motor Company builds best-selling models for all segments of pickups. Trucks in the 2003 Ford line split into light-duty and heavy-duty models with strong powertrains on hand and unique variations available. The line's leader -- full-size F-150 -- year after year outsells all other nameplates, car or truck, to rank as top-selling vehicle in America. For 2003, Ford takes aggressive measures to combat noise, vibration and harshness in all F-150 models, which include cab configurations of Regular Cab and SuperCab with Styleside and Flareside versions, as well as the big SuperCrew with four full-size doors and a full rear seat. A King Ranch package is available on SuperCrew and SuperCab and a supercharged Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew returns with leather-trimmed seats and blown V8 pumping 340 hp. But buckle up: F-150 SVT Lightning carries a supercharged 5.4-liter Triton V8 buzzed to 380 hp. The F-250 (three-quarter-ton) and F-350 (one-ton) trucks gain a new 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel rated to 325 hp with 550 lb-ft of torque plus a new five-speed TorqShift automatic. Ford also makes an extensive assortment of super-size F-Series Super Duty work trucks, which have a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 8500 pounds, and the new Power Stroke diesel and TorqShift automatic also apply. The best-selling compact truck from Ford goes by the name of Ranger and serves as foundation for a crossover idea called Sport Trac, which functions like both truck and wagon. Ranger's FX4 variation amounts to a rugged four-wheel-drive (4WD) truck toting sporty equipment geared for off-road action, while the Tremor returns in Ranger's line with a 485-watt audio kit to blow the doors off.

F-150: Ford's full-size and light-duty (half-ton) trucks for 2003 subdivide into a staggering array of sizes and models. There are cabs for Regular, SuperCab and SuperCrew versions, both short and long wheelbases, Styleside and Flareside exterior designs and chassis rigged with either rear 2WD or 4WD traction. The F-150 Regular Cab carries a bench seat for three, but on XLT and Lariat a 40/60 split bench is available. SuperCab shows an optional 40/60 split rear bench, and SuperCrew has an extra foot in length added at the rear of the cabin to make room for a full-size rear bench seat for three. SuperCrew's pickup box is chopped by 18 inches to keep the truck's overall length manageable when driving. Standard engine for F-150 trucks is a ULEV-compliant 4.2-liter V6 at 202 hp, but there are two V8 options: Ford's 4.6-liter Triton V8 with 231 hp and the 5.4-liter Triton at 260 hp. Alternate fuel F-150 trucks for natural gas, bi-fuel natural gas and bi-fuel propane are also available. The four-door SuperCrew King Ranch provides deluxe features with fine leather lining bucket seats in front and back with optional moonroof and video entertainment system. The new Heritage edition F-150 marks a hundred years in trucks for Ford and F-150 STX in a new value package applies a monochromatic color with 17-inch wheels and the interior with a premium audio system for CD and MP3 functions. A heated rear window is standard on Lariat and King Ranch SuperCrew models, with deluxe Imola leather-trimmed seats optional in SuperCrew. Burgundy Red Clearcoat Metallic is one of several new exterior shades for F-150.

F-250/F-350: The F-250 and F-350 full-size trucks from Ford in 2003 earn upgrades for powertrains and on-board equipment. Most significant is the available new 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel scored to 325 hp. Rolling out early in 2003, the new diesel will work with a new five-speed TorqShift automatic transmission. The FX4 Off-Road Package adds skid plates, Rancho shock absorbers, a steering damper and FX4 decals. A King Ranch Package applies with Crew Cab configuration, and the XLT Sport Package for Crew Cab and SuperCab has four new color choices. An optional power sliding moonroof goes to the Crew Cab, and for tugging a big trailer there are new optional heated and telescoping trailer tow mirrors flashing integrated turn signals.

SUPER-DUTY: Super-size work trucks by Ford run larger than F-150 and F-250 trucks in all dimensions. Each shows a squarish macho face with chrome grille fixed below a muscular hood and bulging power dome. Super Duty trucks come in many configurations with varying wheelbases, chassis and bed lengths, cab styles, trims and powertrains. This series includes F-350. F-450 and F-550 models with Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab styles and trims of XL, XLT and deluxe Lariat. Ford's new 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel and five-speed TorqShift automatic will be available early in 2003 for Super-Duty service. Transfer case skid plate are optional, plus there's a new color for Super-Duy -- Sonic Blue Clearcoat Metallic.

RANGER: The compact-size pickup from Ford was restyled two years ago but for 2003 shows enhancements to control noise and upgrade equipment. It's easy to detect a Ranger because the truck reveals a strong prow marked by dual reflector-type headlamps, and the hood bulges from a power dome bump as sides flare around wheelwells. Ranger has two cab sizes. A Regular Cab installs a bench for three, while SuperCab pushes the rear cabin wall back to carve out an interior storage area. Two side-facing jump seats mount in the bay, as do a pair of rear-hinged doors for easy access. The Edge edition dresses Ranger in a monochromatic color with body-colored bumpers and a power dome on the hood. The 2WD Edge stands as high as a 4WD Ranger since 4WD suspension elements apply. Ranger FX4 presents the serious look of a tough off-road truck and supports that image with hardware designed to take trail abuses, with everything packaged in a comprehensive kit that eliminates the need to add 4WD gear after the sale. With four-door SuperCab and deluxe XLT trim the FX4 adds 4WD equipment like Bilstein off-road shocks and stiffer springs, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, plus thick undercarriage skid plates to shield engine, transfer case and fuel tank, plus tow hooks front and rear, and forged aluminum wheels rimmed with all-terrain rubber. Also, Ranger's Tremor 2WD SuperCab returns with a serious audio package by Pioneer. An optional engine crowns Ranger's power chart and boosts the truck's trailer-towing ability. The 4.0-liter V6 musters best-in-class performance of 207 hp. Coupled to the six-pack is either a heavy-duty five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic.

SPORT TRAC: Riding on Ranger's chassis but toting the body of an Explorer wagon, Ford's unique Sport Trac works as both truck and wagon. It looks like Explorer from prow to the back of the second side door, but then the wagon's enclosed cargo compartment gives way to a sawed-off pickup bed. That back box, crafted from sheet-molded composite plastic, extends for 50 inches. Inside, four full-size doors make entry easy from any seat, and the seat system has two front buckets and a back bench that splits and folds to form a brief cargo bay. Sport Trac draws power from Ranger's single-cam 4.0-liter V6 engine. Optional 4WD traction is offered with a dashboard switch to shift easily from rear 2WD to 4WD high gear or into four-wheel low for off-road travel. For 2003 there are three trims available with XLS, XLT and XLT Premium. A refreshed cabin adds low-back bucket seats, while Ford's Safety Canopy headliner air bag system is a new option. The latest special edition is called Adrenaline, containing a 485-watt Pioneer audio system, plus special wheels and unique color schemes.