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Kansas City may be famous for Barbeque and Blues, but in the automotive world it is known as one of the top markets for the Ford F-150 pickup. More than 26 Kansas City regional Ford dealers have helped make the Ford F-Series the best selling truck in America for over 26 years by dominating the regional Kansas City market. When Ford announced that it was introducing a completely redesigned F-150 for 2004 there was a great deal at stake. Trucks account for almost a third of Ford Division sales. The Kansas City Ford Assembly Plant is one of the plants producing the F-150 so local jobs are dependent on the success of this new model. Reviewing a truck with roots deep in Kansas City, it was only natural to take it to one of the premier Barbeque and Blues places in the region. Walking through the doors of B.B.'s Lawnside Bar B.Q. is like walking into a museum of Blues history with Lindsay Shannon, host of the Sunday night Kansas City's Blues Show on KCFX 101 The Fox, as your guide. The 2004 Ford F-150 parked in front of B.B.'s represented two of Kansas City's traditions together. Ford expanded on more than 85 years of truck building tradition to meet the diverse needs and wants of a newer generation. Five distinct models, the XL, STX, XLT, Lariat and FX4 combined with three cab styles, the Regular Cab, Supercab and Crew Cab provide maximum seating and feature configurations. Even the regular cab model features the accessibility of the four-door design. Two V-8 engines and your choice of four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive provide power flexibility. Three box lengths, 5 1/2, 6 1/2, and 8 foot, make this the most versatile light duty truck available. However if you want a five speed six cylinder truck you will have to stick with what Ford calls the "Heritage" edition essentially a "rollover" of the 2003 F-150. The Lariat edition that I drove posed the question, just how luxurious can you make a pickup and still have a working pickup. Previously the now discontinued Lincoln Blackwood had only answered the question, how luxurious can you make a pickup. While very lavish and prestigious, it could not do as a "work truck" because it was only produced in a two-wheel version without adequate payload capabilities. But this year they got the question right by combining luxury with capability. The 2004 Ford F-150 Lariat is by far the most luxurious and toughest light duty pickup on the market today. The new exterior design is a blend of refinement with the intimidating grill of a tough competitor. Inside I thought I had stepped into a Lincoln Navigator with some of the richest leathers, wood grain and brushed aluminum ever to grace a pickup. Attention to detail and the overwhelming supply of features appear custom crafted to a passenger cabin that is six inches longer than previous F-150 Supercabs. This extra room combined with a best in class audiophile system bathed the cabin with music from my favorite blues performers. Automatic Climate Control, memory heated leather seats and adjustable pedals make this truck more luxurious than many luxury cars. In addition to the luxury features, this truck with it's new fully boxed frame, improved suspension and sound absorption qualities made driving a effortless experience. A 5.4-Liter, 3 valve Triton V8 producing 300 horsepower and an astonishing 365 ft.-lbs of torque pulls a 9,500 pound trailer for work or pleasure. Standard anti-lock brakes bring the four huge vented disc brakes to a controlled stop in a panic situation and the new rack and pinion steering helps make this the safest Ford truck yet. I found the optional sonar based Reverse Sensing Aid to be very helpful in tight spots. The pricing is only a few hundred dollars higher than the 2003 even with much improved design and equipment. Manufacturers Suggested Retail Prices start under $22,000 but our Lariat still seemed a bargain at $33,360. No matter where we went in this vehicle, people stopped and stared. Thumbs up, waves and jealous glances were the responses from everyone we met. Barbeque may meet the Blues at B.B.'s Lawnside Bar B.Q. but on this night it was the 2004 Ford F-150 that seemed ready to fulfill its tradition here in Kansas City, a tradition of excellence that won't leave you singing the blues.
Vehicle:
Base MSRP: $30,545
Destination
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©2003 - Stan Risener