2001 Ford F-150 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　

What’s new

　　Besides the introduction of the four-door SuperCrew, America's most popular truck receives only minor changes in 2001. Power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals are now standard on all F-150 Lariat models and optional on XL and XLT trucks. The Work Series model is no longer available, but there is a newly created Work Truck option group that deletes certain equipment from the XL model. Child safety-seat anchors and four-wheel ABS are now standard equipment on all trucks. XL and XLT trucks have upgraded standard-equipment radios.

　　

zzdcar says

　　One of our favorite light-duty pickups, especially in Super Crew format.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Ford F-150 2dr Regular Cab XL 2WD Styleside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$226/mo  for F-150 XL

　　F-150 XL

　　2dr Regular Cab XL 2WD Styleside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $17,245 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XL 2WD Styleside LB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $17,395 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XL 2WD Flareside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $18,255 MSRP4dr SuperCab XL 2WD Styleside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $19,895 MSRP4dr SuperCab XL 2WD Styleside LB (4.6L 8cyl 5M) - $20,195 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XL 4WD Styleside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $20,585 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XL 4WD Styleside LB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $20,885 MSRP4dr SuperCab XL 2WD Flareside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $20,905 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XL 4WD Flareside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $21,595 MSRP4dr SuperCab XL 4WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 5M) - $23,760 MSRP4dr SuperCab XL 4WD Styleside LB (4.6L 8cyl 5M) - $24,060 MSRP4dr SuperCab XL 4WD Flareside SB (4.6L 8cyl 5M) - $24,770 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XLT 2WD Styleside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $20,075 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XLT 2WD Styleside LB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $20,520 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XLT 2WD Flareside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $21,235 MSRP4dr SuperCab XLT 2WD Styleside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $23,070 MSRP4dr SuperCab XLT 2WD Styleside LB (4.6L 8cyl 5M) - $23,370 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XLT 4WD Styleside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $23,640 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XLT 4WD Styleside LB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $23,950 MSRP4dr SuperCab XLT 2WD Flareside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $24,080 MSRP2dr Regular Cab XLT 4WD Flareside SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $24,650 MSRP4dr SuperCab XLT 4WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 5M) - $26,880 MSRP4dr SuperCrew XLT 2WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $26,915 MSRP4dr SuperCab XLT 4WD Styleside LB (4.6L 8cyl 5M) - $27,180 MSRP4dr SuperCab XLT 4WD Flareside SB (4.6L 8cyl 5M) - $27,895 MSRP4dr SuperCrew XLT 4WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $30,130 MSRP4dr SuperCab Lariat 2WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $26,590 MSRP4dr SuperCab Lariat 2WD Styleside LB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $26,890 MSRP4dr SuperCab Lariat 2WD Flareside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $27,600 MSRP4dr SuperCrew Lariat 2WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,450 MSRP4dr SuperCab Lariat 4WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $29,885 MSRP4dr SuperCab Lariat 4WD Styleside LB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $30,185 MSRP4dr SuperCab Lariat 4WD Flareside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $30,895 MSRP4dr SuperCrew Lariat 4WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $31,905 MSRP4dr SuperCrew King Ranch 2WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $30,950 MSRP4dr SuperCrew King Ranch 4WD Styleside SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $34,405 MSRP2dr Regular Cab SVT Lightning 2WD Flareside SB (5.4L 8cyl S/C 4A) (Most Popular) - $31,745 MSRP4dr SuperCrew Harley-Davidson 2WD Styleside SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $33,780 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　

Vehicle overview

　　In the music scene, artists that top the sales charts are rarely considered the best in terms of quality. The same thing goes for prime-time TV shows or the most popular fast food restaurants. It almost seems to be an inverse relationship; the worse a product is, the more popular it is.

　　This theory doesn't bode well for the Ford F-150. Not only is it the best-selling pickup in the country, it's the best-selling vehicle, period. But for whatever reason, the F-150 bucks the trend. It has the sales numbers and the quality.

　　One particular advantage to the F-150 is its wide range of body and option configurations. You can order the F-150 as either a Regular Cab, SuperCab or SuperCrew, the SuperCrew being the double cab model with four doors and a short bed. Then, on everything except the SuperCrew, you have the choice of a 6 1/2- or 8-foot cargo box in either Styleside or Flareside design. There are three trim levels: XL, XLT and Lariat. There's also two special SuperCrew models offered this year: The Harley Davidson F-150 and the King Ranch F-150, each with unique trim and features.

　　Ford offers three different engines. The smallest is a 205-horsepower, 4.2-liter V6 with either a manual or automatic transmission. Next up is a 4.6-liter V8 with 220 horsepower and 290 foot-pounds of torque. The biggest engine available is a 5.4-liter V8 generating 260 horsepower and 350 foot-pounds of torque.

　　Towing and cargo capacities vary depending on model. For maximum payload ability, you'll want to order the 7700 Payload Group, which includes mechanical modifications that increase gross vehicle weight to 7,700 pounds.

　　The F-150's feature list is comparable to many family cars and luxury sedans. Driver and passenger front airbags are standard, as are four-wheel ABS and child safety-seat anchor points. Lariat-trim F-150s are the most luxurious, and they come standard with features like 17-inch wheels, power adjustable pedals and leather seating.

　　Even more car-like is the F-150 SuperCrew. It has been designed for consumers who want more interior space without compromising the functional capability and versatility of a full-size pickup. Unlike the SuperCab, which has smaller hinged doors that swing out from the C-pillar, the SuperCrew actually mates an Expedition cabin with a shortened cargo bed. It has four full-size doors separated by a B-pillar on each side, with inside and outside handles on each door. Despite the larger cabin, the F-150 SuperCrew is still the same overall length as the SuperCab model.

　　On both pavement and rocky trails, the F-150 offers up a stable ride and plenty of power. Steering is somewhat twitchy, but otherwise this truck can be used for long freeway trips with no problem. The front seats are comfortable, and the extra rear-seat space in SuperCab models is perfect for extra cargo or children. Use the handy Super Crew for adults who need to ride in back. The interior design mirrors that of the popular Expedition SUV, with most of the controls and switches easy to find and operate.

　　Overall, the F-150 is an excellent blend of style, comfort and utility. The full-size trucks from General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and Toyota all have their individual advantages, but none can match the Ford's level of competence in all areas. About the only significantly negative thing you can say about a F-150 is that there's just too many of them on the road!

　　

2001 F-150 Highlights

Type: SVT LightningSuperCabRegular CabSuperCrewRegular Cab

　　Trim: XLXLTSVT LightningXL

　　

Base MSRP	$17,245
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$226/month
Seating	3 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	8,600 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles