i've owned an '04 2wd regular cab flareside STX since 2009 and still love it, but it's a stripped-down version with no power windows, etc, so lately i've been checking out some upgraded versions of the same truck.
i only like 11th gens (2004-2008) because unlike any other late model 1/2 ton out there, regular cabs have 4 doors with storage space behind the seats and plenty of room for leaning the seats back. all the others rear bulkhead is immediately behind the seat leaving no room to recline and little to no storage. plus the short 126" wheelbase (6.5 ft bed) makes it the best overall looking truck imo.
there were some real nice FX4 and XLT regular cab versions i looked at - even some STX's with 4wd and power options - but was leaning towards a sunroof this time which wasn't available on the regular cab. so i bought this 2004 FX4 supercab with the smaller 5.5' bed (133"wb). to me the dimensions of this combo make the truck look better than the more common - albeit more functional - supercab with a 6.5' bed (145"wb). still doesn't look as good as a 126" reg cab flareside tho =) flareside beds only came in the 6.5' length.
of course it's way more substantial and equipped than my STX and i am looking forward to owning and monkeying around with it. i'm definitely not a fan of the triton 5.4 3-valve tho, and will have to see about locking those cam phasers, etc, down the road. i don't really drive my truck too much - i dd my terminators - but still need it to go to lowe's etc. i usually keep my vehicles forever and will hold onto my STX unless i find a sweet fx4 reg cab at some point lol. i plan to pull the 4.6 engine out of it and give it a refresh this winter.
upgrades:
- 4wd > 2wd
- 9.75" ring gear > 8.8" ring gear
- 275/65/18 > 255/65/17 (32" factory)
- leather > cloth
- power sunroof > none
- captains chairs/center console > split bench seat/column shift
- power windows and locks > manual crank windows (by a long shot! lol)
- fx4 dashboard > stx dash
downgrades:
- no sliding rear glass < sliding rear glass
- 5.4 3-valve < 4.6 2-valve
anyway here's some pics, new truck and old
i only like 11th gens (2004-2008) because unlike any other late model 1/2 ton out there, regular cabs have 4 doors with storage space behind the seats and plenty of room for leaning the seats back. all the others rear bulkhead is immediately behind the seat leaving no room to recline and little to no storage. plus the short 126" wheelbase (6.5 ft bed) makes it the best overall looking truck imo.
there were some real nice FX4 and XLT regular cab versions i looked at - even some STX's with 4wd and power options - but was leaning towards a sunroof this time which wasn't available on the regular cab. so i bought this 2004 FX4 supercab with the smaller 5.5' bed (133"wb). to me the dimensions of this combo make the truck look better than the more common - albeit more functional - supercab with a 6.5' bed (145"wb). still doesn't look as good as a 126" reg cab flareside tho =) flareside beds only came in the 6.5' length.
of course it's way more substantial and equipped than my STX and i am looking forward to owning and monkeying around with it. i'm definitely not a fan of the triton 5.4 3-valve tho, and will have to see about locking those cam phasers, etc, down the road. i don't really drive my truck too much - i dd my terminators - but still need it to go to lowe's etc. i usually keep my vehicles forever and will hold onto my STX unless i find a sweet fx4 reg cab at some point lol. i plan to pull the 4.6 engine out of it and give it a refresh this winter.
upgrades:
- 4wd > 2wd
- 9.75" ring gear > 8.8" ring gear
- 275/65/18 > 255/65/17 (32" factory)
- leather > cloth
- power sunroof > none
- captains chairs/center console > split bench seat/column shift
- power windows and locks > manual crank windows (by a long shot! lol)
- fx4 dashboard > stx dash
downgrades:
- no sliding rear glass < sliding rear glass
- 5.4 3-valve < 4.6 2-valve
anyway here's some pics, new truck and old