The 2004 Ford F150 received another minor facelift.  A larger grille helped to cool the two F150 Triton engine options; a 4.6L V8 making 231 horsepower and a new 3-Valve 5.4L V8 making an impressive 300 horsepower.  These engines were only available with an automatic transmission, and F150 4x4 models were available in all configurations.  There were 4.2L V6 F150 models available in 2004, but only in limited numbers and only as a fleet purchase.  A 2004 F150 buyer could pick from either a short or long bed, mated to a regular cab, super cab, crew cab, or super crew.  Like the first year of the previous generation, the 2004 F150 met rave reviews, being named the North American Truck of the Year and Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year.

2005 was not a year of big changes, but the 4.2L V6 F150s became available on a non-fleet basis, and V6 F150 buyers could select a 5-speed manual transmission.  The only notable update during 2006 or 2007 was the addition of the 2007 FX2 trimline, which was a 2 wheel drive version of the FX4.  There were no major changes to the 2008 F150, but Consumer Reports did name the 4.2L V6 powered F150s the most reliable trucks ever offered in the US.