97up-list-digest Tuesday, July 14 1998 Volume 01 : Number 150



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1997 and Newer Trucks and Vans
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In this issue:

Re: FTE 97up - ranger oil light
Re: FTE 97up - Questions about gas tank, tow package, anti-theft system, CD changer
FTE 97up - 1999 Super Duty
Re: FTE 97up - Questions about gas tank, tow package, anti-theft system, CD changer
Re: FTE 97up - ranger oil light
Re: FTE 97up - 1999 Super Duty
Re: FTE 97up - 1999 Super Duty
FTE 97up - 98 FORD RANGER XLT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FTE 97up - F-250 vs F-350
FTE 97up - ADMIN: FTE Incorporation
Re: FTE 97up - F-250 vs F-350
Re: FTE 97up - Transmission to Buy?
FTE 97up - Gas tanks, tow packages, etc
Re: FTE 97up - Replies to my Aux fuel tank questions

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Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 07:44:56 -0700
From: alanh galaxy.nsc.com (The Hepburn)
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - ranger oil light

> The way that the "low oil light" works is that there is a "float" in the
> side of the oil pan and it will sense when the oil level has dropped below
> that point.

So it is an actual level-sensing warning, rather than the typical
"idiot" light that comes on when you lose pressure?

- ---

Alan Hepburn | |
National Semiconductor | Proud to be part of the |
Santa Clara, Ca | Vast Right Wing Conspiracy |
alanh galaxy.nsc.com | |
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Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 12:31:42 -0400
From: Chad Royse
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Questions about gas tank, tow package, anti-theft system, CD changer

I can answer some of those for you. Look below for my responses.

Tiger wrote:
>
> 2. TOW PACKAGE. When I ordered options XH9 (3.55 ratio limited slip axle)
> and 535 (trailer towing package), I was under the impression that it came
> with everything I needed to tow should I decide to do that. However, a
> friend looking at my truck said "where's the tow hitch on the bumper?" All
> I see is an electrical outlet and a large square connector beneath the
> bumper which is where I thought the trailer ball attached. I thought the
> ball was supposed to come with the tow package. I guess not. How is it
> supposed to work?

Due to different truck heights and applications, you need to buy what's appropriate
for you. For example you may need a 4 inch drop and a 2 inch ball. You may need a 2
inch drop and a pintle hook. Probably not though. What you do want is to have your
ball and coupler size match and for your trailer to sit level.

> 5. RADIO ANTENNA. I never bothered to look at the antenna until after I
> bought the truck. I noticed that it is not powered and doesn't retract. Are
> all Ford F-150 antennas this way, or did I forget to ask for a power
> antenna option?

Ford doesn't put them on their trucks. You should be able to find some aftermarket
> ones, if you really wnat them.
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Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 11:30:36 -0700
From: "Harald"
Subject: FTE 97up - 1999 Super Duty

Almost 3 months after ordering my 99 F350,V10,SRW,ESOF,XLT it finally
arrived. A couple of things to be aware of if ordering that I found out
after the truck arrived.

Contrary to what it says in the Kelly Blue book web page, the truck doesn't
come with a spare tire or even a carrier. I didn't want to order the
optional spare because I intended to replace the wheels and tires and
figured why pay extra for a fancy wheel and wrong size tire. I'll be
looking for a wheel and tire and parts to hang it under the bed now.

Read the camper weight specs carefully. They are for a base truck and the
weight rating goes down for every option you add like PSD or V10, rear seat,
etc. I was shocked to see the camper certification that was in the glove
box was for 2595 lb.. Of course this assumes a 150 lb. passenger in each of
the 6 seats on my extended cab. You can subtract accordingly if you're not
carrying that many people. I thought I'd have 3741 lb. capacity according
to the Ford published specs, but it's actually more like 3200 lb..

My only complaint about the new truck? Those power trailer tow mirrors
really need to be retractable.


Sincerely,
Harald Stenger


"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -Ben Franklin


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Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 13:20:28 -0500
From: "Mike Fairleigh"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Questions about gas tank, tow package, anti-theft system, CD changer

> I finally bought a 98 Ford F-150 Super XLT 4.6L V8 with
>automatic.

Personally, I think you made a fine choice (but then I'm biased, since I own
the same truck).

>1. GAS TANK. I know the F-150 comes with a 25.1 gallon gas tank, but how do
>the markings on the Fuel Gauge relate to how much gas is actually in the
>tank? In other words, what's the reserve fuel capacity below where the
>needle points to empty?


I believe the owner's manual mentions the amount left either at "E" or when
the "low fuel" light comes on (I don't recall which). I think the amount
was 2 gallons, but I'm not certain of that.

>
>2. TOW PACKAGE. When I ordered options XH9 (3.55 ratio limited slip axle)
>and 535 (trailer towing package), I was under the impression that it came
>with everything I needed to tow should I decide to do that. However, a
>friend looking at my truck said "where's the tow hitch on the bumper?" All
>I see is an electrical outlet and a large square connector beneath the
> bumper which is where I thought the trailer ball attached. I thought the
>ball was supposed to come with the tow package. I guess not. How is it
>supposed to work?


If you get down and look up underneath, you'll see that that *is* the hitch
(and a nice one, in my opinion). This type of hitch is known as a receiver
hitch. The only thing missing is the ball and the piece the ball mounts on,
which together shouldn't cost you more than $20 or so. They can't include
this in the package because your needs will vary depending on what you tow.
Trailer heights vary, and there are at least 3 different ball sizes in use
to match various trailers.

It also sounds like your friend was expecting to see a ball mounted on the
bumper itself. You can tow using the bumper instead of the hitch, by prying
the appropriate round plastic cover off the bumper and mounting a ball
there. However, your towing capacity is less when towing with the bumper,
and I can't think of any reason to do that when you're all set up to do it
"properly."

>
>3. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. I admit I didn't properly research the features of
>the anti-theft system. I went solely by the recommendation of another Ford
>F-150 owner who told me it was cheaper to have an anti-theft system factory
>installed in the truck. All I asked the salesman about the anti-theft
>system was "if I get the remote keyless entry/anti-theft system do I need
>any other anti-theft system installed?" and he said no. So I paid an extra
>$225 for option 904 (remote keyless entry/anti theft). When I took delivery
>of the vehicle, I asked how all the features of the anti-theft system
>worked. This guy said "What features? All it does is prevent someone with
>the wrong key from starting your vehicle." Huh? Doesn't any key do that?
>
>On pages 34-35 of the manual, it describes a "Perimeter Alarm System (if
>equipped)". I assume this is what I got? It says "when unauthorized entry
>occurs, the system will flash the parking lamps and the theft indicator
>lamp, and chirp the horn". That's really helpful... Unauthorized entry how
>and where?
>
>Somehow I feel like I flushed $225 down the drain for this feature. I
>thought I was getting something comparable to a $350 Alpine system I
>priced. Now if I get the Alpine system, the $225 system has to be removed
>or disabled?


When you leave the vehicle and arm the system (done simply by locking the
doors, either with the 'lock' button on the door interior or by pressing the
'lock' button on your remote), if anyone (including you) then opens either
door by any means without first disarming the system (by pressing the
'unlock' button on your remote) then all the flashing and honking happens.
Even if you have the system armed and you unlock the truck with the key and
open the door - without disarming using the 'unlock' button - the alarms
sound. If (when) this ever happens, just get in the truck, put the key in
the ignition, turn it to 'on' (not 'start') then back to 'off' and the alarm
is turned off.

BTW, it isn't just the parking lamps that flash. The headlamps do too, or
at least they do on my '98. It's always possible that a design change has
been made since.

I'm not familiar with the Alpine system, but if it's one of those where the
alarms go off because the wind blew or someone walked within 10 feet of the
truck, well, you can have it, AFAIC
.
>
>4. 6-CD CHANGER. I'm very glad I paid the extra $340 for this. I found out
>that I would've had to pay about $400 to get a new cassette/CD changer set
>from Circuit City. AFAIK, it's a Clarion system. I priced how much an extra
>CA-122 6-CD magazine costs and I nearly fainted... $35 each! Does anyone
>else with this 6-CD changer know where to find these CD magazines cheaper?

I'd buy a case of them at $35. I paid almost $50 at my nearest dealer. Of
course, the part number on mine is different than what you mention, so
perhaps it's a different unit.

>
>5. RADIO ANTENNA. I never bothered to look at the antenna until after I
>bought the truck. I noticed that it is not powered and doesn't retract. Are
>all Ford F-150 antennas this way, or did I forget to ask for a power
>antenna option?


They don't have the option. Having had a power antenna on my previous
vehicle (a 1984 Pontiac Trans Am), and having had to replace it twice during
the 11 years I owned the car because it simply wore out, at a cost of about
$300 each time (the nylon cord that drives the antenna up and down tends to
break from all the flexing over time), I was very happy to have a simple,
fixed antenna that will never need attention.

Congratulations on your new truck.

Mike Fairleigh
mikef sky.net
Freedom of the press does not mean freedom to lie and manipulate.


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Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 15:23:31 -0500
From: daryl.rue juno.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - ranger oil light

does that mean there is not one in a diesel but there is a float in the
gas engines?

Thanks,

Daryl
On Mon, 13 Jul 1998 07:44:56 -0700 alanh galaxy.nsc.com (The Hepburn)
writes:
....

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