As America’s best selling truck for 26 years, the F-Series doesn’t just carry baggage (as in cargo), but a stellar reputation. For 2004, the all-new truck goes upscale. All the cab choices – Regular, SuperCab and SuperCrew – now have four doors. Cargo box length – 5.5-feet, 6.5-feet and 8-foot – assumes an added two-inch depth. The new Tailgate Assist really does make opening and shutting the backboard an uneventful effort, even for 100-pound weaklings. F-150’s rear suspension places the shocks outboard of the fully boxed frame rails, which makes for a noticeable ride and handling upgrade. The new look F-150 offers two engine choices, a 4.6-liter, 231 horsepower Triton V8 as well as the 5.4-liter, 300 horsepower Triton V8. Engines mate to 4-speed automatic overdrive transmissions. F-150 makes a vast detour from its previous interior. The 2004 model is not only quieter, but the overhaul puts the durable-wear appearance within a more exclusively appointed environment. There’s the overhead rail system that provides a touch of customization to the user’s storage needs. (A rear seat DVD entertainment module will be among the later available modular units for the overhead rail system.) Each series – XL, STX, XLT, FX4 and Lariat – has unique interior treatments. For instance, the Lariat dresses the interior in a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather 40/20/40 split bench seat, in-dash message center, audio/climate controls on steering wheel, power adjustable foot pedals, and more. The lone complaint after a one-week test drive was a ‘warped’ windshield – hopefully just a bad glass batch. MSRP of F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 SS is $35,570.