97up-list-digest Monday, September 7 1998 Volume 01 : Number 206



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

FTE 97up - Re: Slide-in Camper weight ratings
Re: FTE 97up - Mixed bag of general Ford F-series truck questions
FTE 97up - Re: Upgrades
FTE 97up - 1999 F-150 1st Impressions
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Upgrades
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Upgrades

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Date: Sun, 06 Sep 1998 09:50:42 -0400
From: Rick Waldbart
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Slide-in Camper weight ratings

I don't pretend to be an expert, but I'm considering a similar rig
to what you describe and have given a good deal of thought to some
of the questions you are trying to figure out.

I haven't purchased either of the parts yet, still trying to figure
out what will work and what won't...despite what many many people
may try to tell you.

Is it possible that the actual available paylods reflects what is left
over after one adds the shipping weight of the truck to the weight
of the options you have chosen in the truck itself? It may well be that
things like the 'camper package', while adding some desirable handling
characteristics, actually do reduce load carrying capacity. What I
have seen as the real payloads available after figuring out all these
weights is pretty low...and fits with what you are concerned about.

I am looking at one of the heavier campers out there, and just
completed a two week rental of one that was carried on a P/U that was
similar to what you describe. Exceptions were that the truck was
a '96, had 4 WD, crew cab and P/S. All these things 'cost' you in
payload capacity and may or may not apply to your rig.

If you are missing anything it is contained in, " But, Good Lord,
I thought I was buying a big enough truck to handle most any slide in
camper available."

Folks really get a chuckle out of what my plans are. If I had to order
today I would order the '99 SD F-550 (17,500 GWR) 4WD P/S DRW among
other options.

Surprising as it is, this is what it seems to add up for me to bring
the weights in at 75% of capacities. Figure it out for yourself and your
chosen rig.

I can tell you this. I loved that Ford truck for power. That P/S,
even the '96 model was plenty! But I knew I wanted more truck under
me for what I want to do. The folks who rented me the rig were
absolutely positive it was adequate.

Any help? Plenty of people have helped me figure this out. Don't
hesitate to email me if you want to go to further discussion.

Rick Waldbart *
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Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 15:27:28 EDT
From: F150DML aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Mixed bag of general Ford F-series truck questions

First off SHO is a type of high performance Taurus not a pickup. It (SHO)
comes with high tuned race suspention and a beefed up 3.4L V-8 engine opposed
to the standard 3.8L v-6. I believe SHO stands for Super High Output, but
don't quote me I am more of a truck guy. Powerstroke is Ford's name for their
Diesel engines. Dodge calls theirs Turbo Diesel and Ford says its is a
Powerstroke Turbo diesel. Ford makes a WIDE range of trucks. For instance,
you can have a light and heavy duty F-250. The light duty looks like a
regular F-150, the heavy duty has the new aggressive wide front end found on
the F-350, F-450's and F-550's. Hope this helps in the future. One more
thing, if you have a F-150 like me its a light duty.
Best Regards
David
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Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 16:23:16 EDT
From: Bear6522 aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Upgrades

I purchased a "lease return" 1997 Expedition Eddie Bauer (28K miles) 4X2 a
month ago. I'm lucky to have found a great deal with a vehicle just as I'd
wanted. Sunroof, 5.4L V-8, no trailer towing package, Mach Sound System w/CD
changer, 3rd row seat.

My first few improvements have made a big difference.

- - Edelbrock IAS Performer Shocks - this was a dramatic change from the stock
setup, more control, more all around drivability. To drive it now is totally
different than when i purchased it. Even the service man noticed!
- - Hellwig Rear Sway Bar Upgrade - not that the shock improvement wasn't
enough, but now it's a flat handler for sure! much less body roll and sway.
- - Clarion speaker upgrade - Even with the Mach sound system, i felt the front
area was missing the "highs", so I installed Clarions 6X9 plates instead of
just their tweater separates on the front door forwards. BIG difference!
- - Light upgrades - Driving lights were changed from 51watt bulbs to the
100watt upgrade, and yes, you can tell the difference. I also replaced the
backup lights with upgraded bulbs too, now folks in the next state know when
i'm backing up!
- - K&N air filter - more sound on acceleration, can't really tell if it
improved performance, but if sound is an indication, i guess so.
- - Mud Guards - from the local Ford dealer, 33.33 per set, took a week to get
em.

Planned for next month(s)
- - a new exhaust system, i've gathered info on Borla and Gibson, but am leaning
to a custom Flowmaster setup with duals exiting behind the tires on both
sides. I saw it on a F150 and it looked and sounded great.
- - a set of custom wheels and tires, probably moving up to 17inchers, nothing
too fancy, just to say, "hey that's a bit different"
- - rear air deflector, i've looked at several, just haven't made up my mind,
pictures just don't seem to do enough...

Ideas????
- - A underhood insulating panel - I believe the Navigator has one, would like
one to cover the inside of the Ford hood as well. A big Blue Oval in the
middle would be nice!

I'm upgrading my web site to include my new truck, as soon as it's finished,
i'll get the word out!
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Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 17:10:59 -0500
From: "Jack"
Subject: FTE 97up - 1999 F-150 1st Impressions

Well, I finally had the opportunity to see my first 99 F-150 in person this
morning. Actually, I saw 4 of them at another dealer in town. All were
styleside built in Norfolk (KC trucks {Flareside} haven't arrived in this
area yet) and all had the new "eggcrate" grill.

First, for those that might be considering the new dark wedgewood blue and
haven't seen it yet, check it out when you can. This new color is IMO one
of the better blue's Ford has come out with in a while. I only wish I had
not been so hesitant about ordering it on my new 99, which is dark tord. red
and due this week. The dealership had two of the new blue and two of the
dark tord. red sitting side by side and no doubt about it the new blue
prevail's.

Second, and most important to those on this list I believe, is the new
grill's....as I said I only saw the eggcrate grill and not the mesh grill
and I think Ford might have missed the mark on this one! The new eggcrate
grill seems way out of proportion with the rest of the truck. The front end
looks "heavy" or weighted down...too bulking. As most of you probably know,
I did prefer the mesh grill over the eggcrate for 97-98 so that being said,
I was willing to give these new front ends a chance once I saw them in
person. When my new 99 arrives I will order a color keyed surround and mesh
grill immediately! I was not impressed at all. So, I recommend to check it
for yourself before ordering or purchasing one. Remember that now you can
get the mesh grill on a 4x2 XLT for no charge if you order the special
appearance pkg. I believe the code is 47F or something like that. This
package gives you the mesh grill and color keyed surround and color keyed
side mirrors, but only if you ask or order it. If you wait till later it
will cost you....about $300!



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Date: Sun, 06 Sep 1998 20:49:16 -0700
From: Matt Adams
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Upgrades

> - Edelbrock IAS Performer Shocks - this was a dramatic change from the stock
> setup, more control, more all around drivability. To drive it now is totally
> different than when i purchased it. Even the service man noticed!
>

Ill agree with you there! The guy at Meineke that installed mine said they were
the best-looking pair of shocks he had ever installed!

> Planned for next month(s)
> - a new exhaust system, i've gathered info on Borla and Gibson, but am leaning
> to a custom Flowmaster setup with duals exiting behind the tires on both
> sides. I saw it on a F150 and it looked and sounded great.

Well, whatever you do with the exhaust, go as big as you can! :). I got the 3
inch tips, and wish I had gone bigger (if possible), they look kinda small now
since I've beefed up the truck so much.

> - rear air deflector, i've looked at several, just haven't made up my mind,
> pictures just don't seem to do enough...
>

Are we talking about for the regular cab, or for a camper? Have you seen one for
a truck with a camper? The guy at 4-wheel parts recommended one made for an
expedition or something, I want something a bit more custom...

> Ideas????
> - A underhood insulating panel - I believe the Navigator has one, would like
> one to cover the inside of the Ford hood as well. A big Blue Oval in the
> middle would be nice!
>

What for? Why would you want to keep all that heat in? True, it would dampen the
noise a bit, but so what? I think the dangers of insulating that area would be
more uncomfortable than rolling up your windows...

- --
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.pcisys.net/~mattbert/mattbert.html
Owner of 1998 Ford F-150, Supercab, shortbed moonlight blue 4.6L V8 truck
with accessories including but not limited to (from front to back):
Elephant Bar Euro Style Brush Guard, Bugflector II Bug Shield, BF Goodrich
285-75/16 all-terrain tires, Skid Plates, door sill covers, door side
moldings, 6-Disk CD Changer, 10" 300 watt subwoofer (coming soon), Sliding
rear window, Black Smittybilt Nerf Bars, snugop hi-liner topper, bedrug
bed-liner, Off-Road Decals, Towing Package, tail light covers, Gibson
Dual-Catback Rear Exhaust, Ford logo hitch cover, and much more!


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Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 22:55:39 EDT
From: Bear6522 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Upgrades

thanks for the advice and comments
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