So far this truck is really the best new vehicle I've owned to date. Even my dad whose a GM loyalist really likes this Ford. It's been more reliable and trouble free than any of the 3 Nissan trucks I've owned, more reliable than the Chrysler and GM(JUNK) I've also owned. My mileage has improved to 18.5 mpg for mixed driving, 1.5 mpg better than my previous 2005 4.0L DOHC V6 Pathfinder. These 2 vehicles engines aren't that far apart on size. The Pathfinder's 4.0L DOHC 24 valve V6 had 266 Hp (by new ratings) and 288 lbs of torque. The Sport Tracs small V8 is a 4.6L with a SOHC & 24 valves. Only .6L bigger but is only a SOHC with 3 valve/cyclinder. It has 292 Hp and 300 lbs of torque (however Ford rated it in 2009 for the same HP but 315 lbs of torque). I have to believe the 315 lbs of torque because 12 lbs wouldn't be that noticeable and let me tell you, this 'HEAVIER' Ford has gobs more torque at all RPM ranges. It's very noticable with accidental tire spin, and that's with the fulltime 4WD system! All in all, a great truck with 1/2 ton capacities for thousands less than the F150, much better gas mileage which will save hundreds per months, and more truck capability than any other midsize on the market. Ford has a winner here!

said MikeUp1 2008.10.04 at 11:14:41 PDT

This truck is really a 1/2 ton in midsize. It's payload is just slightly under some fullsize trucks and equalling many others. It's towing at 7000 lbs is also not far behind the fullsize offerings. For me, the payload of the truck is the limiting factor considering tongue weight instead of the actual weight of the trailer. I haul 4 people many times with some gear. My trucks payload with integrated bedliner, integrated hitch, running boards and hard, locking tonneau is 1218 lbs. A comparable Ford F150 4WD SuperCrew with 5.5' bed has a starting payload of 1630 (much less for the weaker tow rated 4.6L version). Add a 120 lbs fiberglass lockable tonneau, 100 lbs running boards, 40 receiver hitch, 20 lbs bedliner, 10 lbs for the oil cooler and additional trans oil, and 32 lbs for power seat and larger wheel/tire upgrade and your at a total payload of 1308 lbs of payload. That's only 90 lbs more payload than my Sport Trac. Now add all of your interior options as power rear window, side and curtain air bags, Stability control and others and the payload would quickly equal or near mine. I had a fullsize with lower towing and lower payload than my Sport Trac. It was a 2004 Crew Cab 4WD Off Road XE Nissan Titan. The XEs didn't have the tow package and were rated for 6500 lbs of towing and 650 lbs of tongue weight. The 5.7L power gave me 13.3 mpg of mixed driving to work. With the 4.6L V8 Sport Trac, I get mixed driving with 17 mpg, plus I have higher payload, and more tow capacity at 7000 lbs and tongue weight of 730 lbs. Hard not to go with the midsize when it's a true 1/2 ton in capabilities as far as payload and towing. You do give up the bed cargo room with a shorter than usual 4' bed, but it's big enough to carry most everything though. It'll even carry 4' X 8' pieces of plywood when 2X4 risers are used to get the pieces on top of the wheel wells. It's designed for this.

said MikeUp1 2008.04.23 at 21:19:23 PDT