Ford redesigns America's best-selling pickup for 2004 with roomier cabs, more power, and new styling and features. Regular-, extended-, and crew-cab body styles return. All cabs have four doors and are 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider than their predecessors. The regular cab joins the SuperCab extended cab with standard rear-hinged "half doors." The SuperCrew crew cab has four conventional doors. Extendeds and crews have a rear bench seat for 6-passenger capacity, with the extended's rear seatback now at the same angle as the crew cab's. Crews have a 5.5-ft-long cargo bed. Other F-150s use beds of 5.5, 6.5, and 8 ft, depending on model. All come in flat-side Styleside form; the 6.5-ft bed also comes as a flare-fender Flareside.

Two engines are offered, both V8s. The base 4.6 liter has 231 hp, the optional 5.4 has 300, up from 260 last year. A 4-speed automatic is the only transmission; it's available for the first time with a floor-mounted shift lever. All models offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. No side airbags are available. Extended cabs' rear half doors can be fitted with roll-down windows, unique among full-size pickups. Tailgates have helper springs designed to make them easier to close.

Five model levels are offered: work-oriented XL, sporty STX, mainstream XLT, off-road FX4, and luxury Lariat. Trim variations and three different instrument-panel designs help differentiate the models. Cabs are available with modular overhead storage compartments to house rear DVD entertainment, among other accessories. Sold alongside the redesigned F-150 is the previous-generation F-150, renamed F-150 Heritage.