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Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 03:50:20 -0700 (MST)
From: owner-fordtrucks80up-digest ListService.net (fordtrucks80up-digest)
To: fordtrucks80up-digest ListService.net
Subject: fordtrucks80up-digest V1 #205
Reply-To: fordtrucks80up ListService.net
Sender: owner-fordtrucks80up-digest ListService.net


fordtrucks80up-digest Wednesday, November 5 1997 Volume 01 : Number 205



=======================================================================
Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1980 And Newer Trucks Digest
Visit our web site: http://www.ford-trucks.com
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To unsubscribe, send email to:
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with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message. For help, send
email to the same address with the word "help" in the body of the
message.
=======================================================================
In this issue:

Gross [Midwest96 aol.com]
4wd lubrication [Harold Bucks ]
performance sites [JOUZA1 aol.com]
Re: 96 Ranger Bumper ["Jerry Dean" ]
Re:performance sites [Geoffrey Hoffman ]
SuperPac? [Luke Wells ]
1997 F-150 Rear End ["Joseph P. Silk" ]
The 1999 Big-uns [rsmall isgroup.net (Robert Smallwood)]
Conversion of '85 F-150 5.0 to Mass Air Metering ["Lopez, Raoul"
Re: 4wd lubrication ["David J. Baldwin" ]
Big screw up ["Casey Vandor" ]
Re: Front add-a-leafs [Joe Maleski ]
4R100 automatic transmissions - was Re: The 1999 Big-uns [John Yee
Re: 91 Explorer ["Dan & Pam Voss" ]
Ford plans four-door versions of full-size, compact pickups [Mitch Biarsk]
Re: sparkplugs [Bill Funk ]
Re: Factory Fog Lights on Ranger ["Jerry Dean" ]
Re: 82 F100 suspension [Bill Funk ]
Re: carburator [Bill Funk ]
ordered my 99 250 [Michael Ruth ]
Re: Ranger 5 speed-Mitsubishi?-NO ["Bill A'Hearn" ]
Re: Ford plans four-door versions of full-size, compact pickups ["Bill A']
Speed of Posts [Midwest96 aol.com]

=======================================================================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 18:57:25 -0500 (EST)
From: Midwest96 aol.com
Subject: Gross

In a message dated 97-11-04 03:23:17 EST, you write:


Don (the "G" is silent - like the "P" in swimming...) >>

The subject says it.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 19:06:53 -0500
From: Harold Bucks
Subject: 4wd lubrication

My old Bronco owners manual instructed owners to lock the hubs and drive
for 10 miles once a month to insure the front diferential was properly
lubricated. My '95 manual doesn't make any reference to it at all. I
still do it as I figure it can't hurt. ( 4 wd not engaged of course! )



Harold - waiting patiently for '98 Ranger to be delivered

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 19:18:15 -0500 (EST)
From: JOUZA1 aol.com
Subject: performance sites

I am looking for a website dedicated specifically to the Ford 4.0 V6, and a
shop with a mail order catolog. Or if anyone knows of a shop close to were i
live in Chicago Illinois that has a wide selection of 4.0 performance parts.
This informatoin would be much appreciated.

Josh J.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 19:20:56 -0500
From: "Jerry Dean"
Subject: Re: 96 Ranger Bumper

I also have a brand new rear bumper for a 96 Ranger if anyone is interested.
It was taken off because I put on a roll-pan. $50.00 plus shipping if
anyone is interested.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 19:31:41 -0500
From: Geoffrey Hoffman
Subject: Re:performance sites

At 7:18 PM -0500 11/4/97, JOUZA1 aol.com wrote:
>I am looking for a website dedicated specifically to the Ford 4.0 V6, and a
>shop with a mail order catolog. Or if anyone knows of a shop close to were i
>live in Chicago Illinois that has a wide selection of 4.0 performance parts.
> This informatoin would be much appreciated.

vanir is your best bet. they specialize in _only_ the ford V6. got a lot
of good stuff there. web is: http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://members.aol.com/vanirv6/vanir.htm

see ya....

- --
Geoffrey Hoffman gch2 cornell.edu
Cornell University http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.pobox.com/~hoffy

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 19:57:22 -0500
From: Luke Wells
Subject: SuperPac?

I found the name of the Super Charger like product that is less
expensive. It is called SuperPac.
I really don't know how it works because it doesn't use pulleys. It was
in Sport Compact Car magaxinne.
Has anyone heard of this?

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 5 Nov 97 00:49:00 UT
From: "Joseph P. Silk"
Subject: 1997 F-150 Rear End

I have a shortbed flareside extended cab 4x4 which has a rear end shudder on
acceleration. I had this problem on a full size chevy 4x4 and the only way
they could fix it is to install heavy duty springs and shim the shims and
center support. On my F-150 the dealer has installed a new slip yoke(per
technical service bulletin) and that didn't work. On the second try they
replaced the same part and shimmed or increased the pinion gear backlash.
That also didn't work. Now the dealership service manager is saying that
that is normal. Three weeks after their last repair attempt the rear end
makes a "clunking" noise on acceleration. I have called Ford and they have
not provided any help. If anyone has a recommendation for a dealer in the
Phoenix area please let me know.
Any suggestions or comments is appreciated.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 19:59:23 -0600
From: rsmall isgroup.net (Robert Smallwood)
Subject: The 1999 Big-uns

Just something I picked up on one of the "push" services. Might make me
think about how long I'm going to keep my 1995 F-250 PowerStroke
Supercab, would love to have them 4 doors.


Four-Doors Two-Ways: New Ford
Super-Duty F-Series Revealed at SEMA Show

November 4, 1997 3:02 PM EST

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Jac Nasser, Ford
Automotive
Operations president, and Bob Rewey, Ford group vice
president, Marketing
and Sales, introduced the all-new 1999 Super Duty
F-Series truck here today
at the 1997 SEMA Show.

The Super Duty line up includes the industry's first
SuperCab with standard
four-doors in the over-8,500 pounds GVW truck segment,
in addition to a
four-door Crew Cab and the two-door Regular Cab models.

/Note: A photo of this event will be moved on the AP
Photo Express today
(keyword Ford). A photo will also be available for free
downloading from the
Wieck Photo Data Base at 972-392-0888, or a photo and
news release will
be available from Ford's media only website at
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://media.ford.com./

More Size, Power for New Ford Super Duty
F-Series

Continuing to meet customer demand for trucks that work
and play tough,
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) will increase the power,
size and capability
of its work-truck lineup, when its 1999-model Super
Duty F-Series debuts in
January.

The 1999 Super Duty F-Series is an all-new full-size
truck developed and
built on a separate platform from the under 8,500-pound
gross vehicle weight
(GVW) F-150 and F-250, and extends to the F-250, F-350,
F-450 and
F-550 models. These Super Duty F-Series' replace the
F-250HD, F-350
and F-Super Duty models currently in Ford's
over-8,500-pound GVW
lineup.

The implementation of this two-platform strategy
recognizes the significant
differences between the commercial and personal-use
markets, while meeting
the needs of both.

"We discovered that the real volume opportunities with
our work truck
depend on our ability to compete in multiple niche
markets," said Ross
Roberts, Ford Motor Company Vice President and General
Manager of
Ford Division. "So we've added four-wheel drive to the
dual-rear-wheel
trucks and raised the GVW ratings, increased horsepower
and torque on our
engines, and designed the vehicle to be capable of
snowplowing in SuperCab
and Crew Cab configurations."

The 1999 Super Duty F-Series trucks feature new
5.4-liter Triton(TM) V-8
and 6.8-liter Triton(TM) V-10 engines and an improved
intercooled 7.3-liter
diesel engine. Each engine offers more horsepower,
higher torque and better
fuel economy than the one it replaces. New power
steering gears and pumps
and an enhanced suspension system result in significant
improvements in
vehicle ride, handling, responsiveness and
maneuverability.

The new trucks also offer several new Ford exclusives,
including the F-350
SuperCab dual rear wheel 4x4 Chassis Cab and selected
F-450s and F-550s
in Crew Cab models and 4x4 configurations.

They also offer standard four-wheel power disc brakes
- -- an industry
exclusive. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard on
all vehicles over
10,000-pounds GVW and optional on 8,800- to 9,900-pound
GVW
vehicles.

Customers will have the choice of 44 vehicle
configurations, compared with
24 available on the current model. Among the choices
are:

-- Pickups or Chassis Cabs available as Regular Cab,
SuperCab, or Crew
Cab

models, as well as a Class A Motor Home Chassis model.

-- An industry-first 17,500-pound and 19,000-pound
gross vehicle weight

offering designated as the F-550.

-- Two- or four-wheel drive.

-- Short- or long-box configurations and a box-delete
option.

Super Duty F-Series pickups and Chassis Cabs are
configured as follows:
-- Body styles: Regular Cab
SuperCab (Standard four-door)
Crew Cab
Class A Motor Home Chassis

Short box (6 3/4 feet) --
available only on SuperCab
and Crew Cab
Long box (8 feet)
Box delete
Single rear-wheel axle (SRW)
Dual-rear-wheel axle (DRW)

-- Powertrains: 5.4-liter Triton(TM) V-8 (235
horsepower)
6.8-liter Triton(TM) V-10 (275
h.p.)
7.3-liter direct-injection
Powerstroke Diesel
(projected at 235 h.p.)

4R100 automatic transmission
(replaces the E40D
transmission)
M5HD five-speed manual
transmission
M60D six-speed manual --
standard with the diesel
engine

-- Series: Super Duty F-250/350 Pickups
XL - standard trim
XLT - value level trim
Lariat - luxury trim

Super Duty F-350/450/550 Chassis
Cabs
XL - standard trim
XLT - value level trim

-- Gross Super Duty F-Series Weight Ratings (in
pounds):
F-250 Pickups and Long Wheelbase (LWB) Box
Delete 8,800
F-350 SRW Pickups and Chassis
Cabs 9,900
F-350 DRW Pickups and LWB Box
Delete 11,200
F-350 DRW Chassis Cab gas
engines 11,200
F-350 DRW Chassis Cab diesel
engine 12,500
F-450 DRW Chassis
Cabs 15,000
F-550 DRW Chassis Cabs (6.8-liter gas
engine/7.3-liter

diesel) 17,500

Regular Cab 4x2 only 19,000 SOURCE Ford Motor Company

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 19:06:06 -0600
From: "Lopez, Raoul"
Subject: Conversion of '85 F-150 5.0 to Mass Air Metering

I have a 1985 F-150 4X4 with a 5.0 EFI. I spoke with someone on the
Ford Motorsport SVO Tech Line about converting my '85 to mass air.
Their reply was Ford makes a conversion kit for '87 and newer 5.0's but
85's and 86's were excluded for some reason and they couldn't help me.
If I can convert I believe it makes the addition of cams, headers,
superchargers, etc. easier. Does anyone have any info on converting an
'85 from speed density engine management to mass air metering?
Thanks,
Raoul Lopez

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 18:30:07 -0600
From: "David J. Baldwin"
Subject: Re: 4wd lubrication

Harold Bucks wrote:
>
> My old Bronco owners manual instructed owners to lock the hubs and drive
> for 10 miles once a month to insure the front diferential was properly
> lubricated. My '95 manual doesn't make any reference to it at all. I
> still do it as I figure it can't hurt. ( 4 wd not engaged of course! )

Ford has learned since they made your Bronco how to make more money on
parts and new vehicles! :^)

Like I had a vehicle where the owner's manual called out for engine oil
changes every 10,000 miles! Get real! Hey, why not go for 20K
miles--that way you could just drive it until it was out of oil and then
refill it! Oooh! and then we could eliminate the drain plug and take a
cost savings! Don't laugh. A beanie at FMC has probably thought of it.

Cost reductions are taken seriously at FMC. Like the reason why they
spell the word "employee" at Ford with only one "e"...

- --
Best Regards,

Dave Baldwin
Dallas, TX
- --------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 16:25:24 -0900
From: "Casey Vandor"
Subject: Big screw up

I was trying to be smarter than the computer and respond to the list, but I
sent the whole &)# &! list. Sorry for my mistake.
Casey
I will stick to writing people at there email addresses!

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 17:18:30 -0800
From: Joe Maleski
Subject: Re: Front add-a-leafs

What I did was install a pair of Air Lift springs on the front leaves.
This brought the nose up an inch or so but where it really added was in
stability with the Lance Camper that I normally carry. I also have one of
those Warn bumpers which probably adds another 100 pounds of weight or so
to the front. The ride is firm with about 80 psi to the front springs, and
the truck handles so much better with the weight. Joe-Bob recommends it!

Joe

>I own a 1997 F250 HD 4x4 460 5sp. and I want the get the front end level
>with the
>back. The front sita about 2" to 3" lower than the rear. Has anyone done
>this with a
>set of add-a-leafs? is this the easiest way the make the front level with
>the back?

************************************
Joe Maleski
Santa Clara, CA
1994 F-250HD SuperCab 4X4, 460/5-spd

mailto:jmaleski auspex.com

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 17:33:05 -0800
From: John Yee
Subject: 4R100 automatic transmissions - was Re: The 1999 Big-uns

Gee, thanks Robert...

What does the group know about this transmission mentioned here?
Since Ford seems to run a lot of their stuff though the Fleet market
what is known about this transmission?

In particular:
Durability
maintainability
torque handling (Power Stroke upped from 425 to 500 ft. lbs for 1999)
improvements over it's predecessor
etc...

4R100 automatic transmission (replaces the E40D transmission)

And to be fair, what about the manual transmissions mentioned?

M5HD five-speed manual transmission
M60D six-speed manual -- standard with the diesel engine

thanks,
- -john

Note: I tried to access http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://media.ford.com./, but apparently you need to
be part of the news press. I'm not....

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 18:16:42 -0800
From: "Dan & Pam Voss"
Subject: Re: 91 Explorer

Bob, Please let us know what you find. I had somewhat of the same problem
on my 1991 Explorer except the gauges and lights fluttered in sync with my
voice while using a CB! The 108" antenna was clamped to the front bumper on
the right. It was a stock CB with only a 1 amp draw during transmission.
Never found out what it was because the CB was only in the rig once or
twice a year for a couple of days.

Dan
Washington State

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 21:44:14 -0500
From: Mitch Biarsky
Subject: Ford plans four-door versions of full-size, compact pickups

Tuesday, November 4, 1997

Ford plans four-door versions of full-size, compact pickups
By Katherine Yung / The Detroit News

LAS VEGAS -- An American icon is getting more practical.
Ford Motor Co. announced Monday that it plans to build four-door
versions
of both its full-size and compact pickup trucks for the first time next
year.
"We will have four doors on three platforms very soon," said Jacques
Nasser, president of Ford's automotive operations.
The No. 2 automaker will begin selling four-door versions of its
heavy-duty
F-Series pickups, followed by four-door Ranger compact pickups and
finally
four-door F-150 full-size pickups.
Ford's decision to add four doors is the latest sign of how pickup
trucks,
America's most popular vehicles, are becoming more car-like.
Adding extra doors to trucks is a trend that began first with
sport-utility
vehicles and then spread to minivans.
Ford was criticized for not adding a fourth door to its Windstar minivan

two years ago. The automaker doesn't want to make the same mistake with
pickups.
"When in doubt, add a door," Nasser joked at the annual Specialty
Equipment
Market Association convention here.
Ford will become the first automaker to sell a compact pickup with four
doors in the United States. It is expected to offer the four-door Ranger

next spring. The automaker had planned to add a door to the Ranger this
fall, but it was delayed.
However, Ford isn't the first automaker to add four doors to large
pickups.
This fall, Chrysler Corp. began selling four-door versions of its Dodge
Ram
full-size pickup.
Ford already sells three-door versions of some of its F-150 pickups.
General Motors Corp. sells three-door versions of both its full-size and

compact pickups.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 21:16:38 -0700
From: Bill Funk
Subject: Re: sparkplugs

> From: "Scott C. Pollins"
> Subject: Sparkplugs (Platinum Splitfires)
>
> Hi,
> I have a 91 Ranger with a 4.0. I would like to replace the existing
> plugs.
> Does anyone have experience with the platinum Splitfires. Are they
> worth
> the extra cost? Does anybody have any recommendations for a good
> quality
> sparkplug?
>
> Thanks
> Scott

Hi, Scott...
Forget the gadgets (splitfires). For a stock engine, the stock plugs
work just fine. More expensive plugs, despite the ads, won't ignite the
air-fuel mixture any better. Once it's lit off, the plug's done its job;
paying more for it to do that job doesn't make much sense, IMO.
Just replace the plugs with what the manufacturer recommends; pick a
brand name you can trust, like AC, Motorcraft, or any of the other
nationally known brands, and don't bother with the trick plugs, unless
your engine has a specific need they can meet.

Bill Funk

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 23:22:24 -0500
From: "Jerry Dean"
Subject: Re: Factory Fog Lights on Ranger

Yeah, I tried to 100 Watt bulbs and they burned out within 2 days. They
just burn to intensely for the bulb and it ends up just being a waste of
money. So I went back to the local off-road shop and just purchased 55 Watt
bulbs and they put out plenty of light to still annoy the occasional
oncoming driver.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 21:28:40 -0700
From: Bill Funk
Subject: Re: 82 F100 suspension

> From: Randy Dees
> Subject: 82 F100 suspension
>
> I just bought an 82 F100 to do some work to. One of the first things
> I
> will have to work on is the suspension - it has a broken leaf on the
> drivers rear. If I have to work on it to start with, I'd just as soon
> beef
> it up - I have a bad habit of overloading the box, towing overloaded
> trailers, etc., and I would like to get some more cargo capacity so
> that I
> can overload it even heavier ;>
>
> Can anyone give me some wisdom before I start this? I haven't tried
> to
> modify suspensions at all before - I have replaced parts, but never
> tried
> to modify the factory configurations.
>
> Thanks
> - --
> Randy Dees

Randy,You can, of course, put heavier springs on the truck, but that
will not raise the GVW. There are a lot of components that would have to
be upgraded to do that. Then, you want to tow overloaded trailers, too?
It would be a *whole lot* cheaper, easier and safer to simply buy an
old, beater F-250 and start with what will do what you want it to do. It
will have the components needed to carry the loads and tow the trailer
built in.
If you insist, consider: the suspension only serves to keep the frame
from hitting the axle. You will have to upgrade a lot more than the
springs. The axle itself will probably need replacing (the diff,
bearings, axle shafts, and brakes all play a part here). Then, there's
the front end (the load won't be just on the rear axle unless it's *all*
behind the axle). What about the transmission/clutch? Are they up to the
extra load? Probably not.
Here's an idea that's practical: find an F-250 of the same year, and put
the F-100 body on it. All the running gear you need for what you want,
and the F-100 body and tags, too.
Trying to make an F-100 into an F-250 seems like a lot of work and
money.

Bill Funk

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 21:33:03 -0700
From: Bill Funk
Subject: Re: carburator

> From: Christopher Smith
> Subject: carburator
>
> I drive an '85 F250 4X4 w/ 351 and 4bbl. on cold mornings it starts
>
> strong but as it is warming up the engine seems to flood itself out
> and
> it dies. Is this the choke pull off not functioning properly? If not
>
> what could cause it?

It sounds like you nailed the problem. To check, simply pull the air
cleaner and look down the bore (engine off, of course). The automatic
choke may not be responding to the warming engine.

Bill Funk

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 05 Nov 1997 00:36:36 -0500
From: Michael Ruth
Subject: ordered my 99 250

Hey everyone!
I am so excited... I just ordered my 1999 F250 4X4 Powerstroke Lariat!
Any questions??? I had the dealer copy me the info. Also many thanks
to Jason for him giving me answers to questions to hold me over untill
today! List of colors is not so extensive. Actually I had a hard time
finding a color I might like. NO Blue for the Lariat model
No Metallic Red at all.
New colors...
Woodland Green????
Deep Violet ??????
Who knows?

Mike
xplorit erols.com

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 22:42:19 -0800
From: "Bill A'Hearn"
Subject: Re: Ranger 5 speed-Mitsubishi?-NO

My Chilton Ranger/Bronco II & Explorer (83-91) manual lists both Mazda and
Mitsu 5-speed tranys for these trucks. Who knows what they're using now...

Bill A'Hearn
88 Ranger SuperCab
97 Explorer

*********** REPLY PARTITION ***********

On 11/4/97, at 2:08 PM, Nathan Heid wrote:

>At 01:15 PM 11/4/97 -0500, MR JOSH J TENNEY wrote:
>>Ranger's manual trannys are made by Mazda, not Mitsubishi. If
>>Ranger's 5 speed trannys were made by Mitsubishi, I would not have
>>one right now!
>>Josh
>>'98 Ranger 4x2 4.0L 5 speed manual
>
> Maybe Ford is using both Mazda and Mitsubishi 5-speeds. My books on the
>'87 Ranger show both a Mazda and a Mitsu.
>
>+-------------- Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1980 and Newer --------------+
>| Send posts to fordtrucks80up listservice.net, |
>| Send Unsubscribe requests to fordtrucks80up-request listservice.net |
>+----------------- Site: http://www.ford-trucks.com -----------------+
>

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 23:04:13 -0800
From: "Bill A'Hearn"
Subject: Re: Ford plans four-door versions of full-size, compact pickups

The latest issue of Popular Mechanics has a pix of a 1999 4-door Ranger.
It is loosely based on the Adrenalin Concept Car which was shown at the
1996 LA & Detroit Car Shows. The article goes on to say that Ford plans an
Adrenalin version of the Ranger 4-dr and a 4-door version w/2 half doors
for the 19981/2 model year. Check it out at Popular Mechanics' Page at:
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://popularmechanics.com for the Nov pictures (presently showing Sept
pics-99F150 hmmmm...).

Hopefully Ford will provide the 4.0 w/OHC engine in 99.=A0 Keep your
fingers crossed!!

Bill A'Hearn
88 Ranger SuperCab 2.9l
97 Explorer XLT 5.0l
(Future) 99 Ranger 4-door/Adrenalin

*********** REPLY PARTITION ***********

On 11/4/97, at 9:44 PM, Mitch Biarsky wrote:

>Tuesday, November 4, 1997
>
>Ford plans four-door versions of full-size, compact pickups
>By Katherine Yung / The Detroit News
>
>LAS VEGAS -- An American icon is getting more practical.
>Ford Motor Co. announced Monday that it plans to build four-door
>versions of both its full-size and compact pickup trucks for the first
time next
>year.
>"We will have four doors on three platforms very soon," said Jacques
>Nasser, president of Ford's automotive operations.
>The No. 2 automaker will begin selling four-door versions of its
>heavy-duty F-Series pickups, followed by four-door Ranger compact....

---

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