I wish I waited for 2004...

[smo0othride]

2 things that my 03 doesn't have that 04+'s have is fold flat middle seats and SAT ready radios. The radio I can upgrade, but I don't think there's a way to make the fold flat middle row?

Anybody else have things they wish they would have waited for? You can mention pre +03 things too

 

[monsta]

My 03 seats fold flat...
The middle seat has a tether sticking out on the right side (if you're sitting in it).

And the two outer seats fold flat after you put the back down.

I don;t get any kind of SAT transmission here in Hawaii. Damn shame...

I would like to see the lighted running boards come back.

 

[Keydo]

My '03 seats fold flat as well. Perhaps they designed the '04s with a more intuitive design?

Also, I would prefer the aftermarket SAT radios than getting it from the factory as you can get a portable SAT and take it with you in whatever vehicle you have.

My friend has a portable that plays through the stereo FM and his portable has a built in FM Transmitter (I think he has XM). My first thought was that the FM Transmitter probably transmitted with some background noise and static, but it doesn't. It's actually clear. The only time you lose signal is under a tunner or under a rather large leafy tree. I was surprised the built in FM Transmitter was sending a strong signal (vs the portable FM Transmitters that you buy at Best Buy and Radio Shack).

The lighted running boards would be nice, but I guess the engineers thought the integrated light in the side mirrors was enough (they're bright enough)

 

[smo0othride]

My middle seats fold nearly flat, but the 2 sides are higher then the middle. The 04+'s I thought fold completely flat like the 3rd row?

 

[danketchpel]

In my '04 the 2 side seats of the middle row fold down and then will slide forward and down to become nearly flat like the 3rd row.

Maybe your 2nd row outside seats will also do the same, have you tried that?

I wish that Ford had included a folding cover for the gap between folded 2nd row seats and the 3rd row like was in the earlier body style. I feel that was a major omission and wasn't that hard to engineer. A folding panel on the rear of the 2nd row seats would have done it.

My major wish was for a good diesel engine option, but I've said that before on this board. My main points for improvement would be;

1. Diesel engine (mileage and towing)
2. 1 ft longer
3. Active suspension, it begs for it.

Maybe next time......

 

[Keydo]

I know what you mean about that gap between the 2nd and 3rd row when folded.

I have a folding sun shade that I place over the gap that covers most of it. It's the hard board folding one, not the flimsy rolling one.

 

[ritexada]

"2 things that my 03 doesn't have that 04+'s have is fold flat middle seats" ??????????????????????
What are you talking about???? I have an 03 and my middle seat folds flat. As a matter of fact, If you fold the side two seats completely flat to the floor, You could place a large piece of flat plywood in there complete flushed to the floor. Have you tried this yet? The side seat will let down completely to the floor by pulling the latch out and forward and that is in the seats. You have to pull the latch after the seats have been folded.

 

[smo0othride]

Alright, I'm an idiot. I went out and tried it and it worked. I can't believe after a year and a half I never knew that.

 

[2000expy]

My wife is 5'3", and didn't know for 3.5 years that she could raise the seat height. Don't feel bad.

 

[joethefordguy]

15 years later, I join the club of idiots. I've owned my 04 since last April, and this thread wised me up. I went out and tried it, and of course it works fine. I'm sure the third row will do likewise once I get power to it.
thanks guys.

 

[TobyU]

One of the things I love about my 03 Navigator.
The rear fold flat (although not in love with the power only for fear it will break or stick) and the 2nd row fold two ways and one is flat.

I hate the console between them though.
Make the folding flat almost useless unless you are transporting a water heater.
They should have a console or a seat rather that the top folds to a large armrest or console top or even have a lid on it to open and be a real console.
THEN--like magic--- they could copy the seat bracketry and let it fold down flat just like the outer seats.
NOW COME ON???? How hard would this really be?????