97up-list-digest Friday, September 11 1998 Volume 01 : Number 209



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

FTE 97up - Re: Rear Spring Compression Advice
FTE 97up - F150 Trailer fuse problem--Jean Marc Chartier and others
Re: FTE 97up - F150 Trailer fuse problem--Jean Marc Chartier and others
FTE 97up - How can I get my alarm to work in my 98 Ranger???
FTE 97up - Mixing Centers
Re: FTE 97up - F150 Trailer fuse problem--Jean Marc Chartier and others
FTE 97up - Re:Camper certification
FTE 97up - Re:V10 mileage
Re: FTE 97up - Mixing Centers
Re: FTE 97up - Mixing Centers & Fuel Line Prob
RE: FTE 97up - Fw: Fwd: MT ONLINE - LETTER TO THE EDITOR
FTE 97up - 1998 F-150 question from a brand spankin' new member
FTE 97up - Springfield!!!

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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 09:19:33 EDT
From: JDavis1277 aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Rear Spring Compression Advice

Derek,

You probably do NOT need airbags for your rear suspension.

If your truck rides approximately level or slightly high in the rear when your
fiver is hooked up you should be OK.

One reason the truck is so high in the rear when unloaded is to provide plenty
of suspension travel when fully loaded. If you are not exceeding the maximum
capacity you don't need airbags, IMHO.

Thanks, Butch Davis-
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:47:48 EDT
From: Gnfishin5 aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - F150 Trailer fuse problem--Jean Marc Chartier and others

This is a follow-up to my previous post. 1998 F150 with a factory installed
trailer tow package blew the 20 amp fuse that operates the trailer stop/turn
signal lights. Dealer relaced fuse and it blew immediately. Found a problem
with the wiring as it routs on the left side by the spare tire, fixed it and
the 20 amp fuse did not blow.

I pulled my trailer with it yesterday and the 20 amp fuse blew. Inserted a
new 20 amp fuse and it blew in a few miles. Because it was night and I had a
90 mile drive I inserted a 30 amp fuse and it did not blow. This problem does
not occur with my 1996 jeep. According to the owners manual it is also fused
with a 20 amp fuse.

I have checked all wiring on the trailer and find no shorts. Have pulled the
wires a short distance through all rub points and no evidence of worn wires.
Spoke with my dealer this morning and the mechanic that "fixed" the previous
problem. They say it is the trailer problem and the jeep is just wired
different. They did reluctantly agree to contact the factory to see if any
other reports of a problem. My next step is to find a similar trailer and see
if it blows the 20 amp fuse, and if it does not, return to the dealer and
press the issue further.

Does anyone have any similar experiences? Any advice. Dealer of course said
do not use the 30 amp fuse.

Thanks in advance.

Bob D.
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 11:47:53 -0400
From: "jmc.chartier"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - F150 Trailer fuse problem--Jean Marc Chartier and others

Gnfishin5 aol.com wrote:

> This is a follow-up to my previous post. 1998 F150 with a factory installed
> trailer tow package blew the 20 amp fuse that operates the trailer stop/turn
> signal lights. Dealer relaced fuse and it blew immediately. Found a problem
> with the wiring as it routs on the left side by the spare tire, fixed it and
> the 20 amp fuse did not blow.
>
> I pulled my trailer with it yesterday and the 20 amp fuse blew. Inserted a
> new 20 amp fuse and it blew in a few miles. Because it was night and I had a
> 90 mile drive I inserted a 30 amp fuse and it did not blow. This problem does
> not occur with my 1996 jeep. According to the owners manual it is also fused
> with a 20 amp fuse.
>
> I have checked all wiring on the trailer and find no shorts. Have pulled the
> wires a short distance through all rub points and no evidence of worn wires.
> Spoke with my dealer this morning and the mechanic that "fixed" the previous
> problem. They say it is the trailer problem and the jeep is just wired
> different. They did reluctantly agree to contact the factory to see if any
> other reports of a problem. My next step is to find a similar trailer and see
> if it blows the 20 amp fuse, and if it does not, return to the dealer and
> press the issue further.
>
> Does anyone have any similar experiences? Any advice. Dealer of course said
> do not use the 30 amp fuse.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bob D.

Bob,

Double check the mechanic's work to see if he repaired it properly. If it was
rubbing near the spare tire, the cure is to find out why it was rubbing and
correct that, and then fix the bare wire. By your post it sounds like he taped
the wire and it still rubs or it has rubbed in more than one place. Do you have
access to a multi-meterr? Check the continuity of the connector prong to ground.
There should'n be any. If there is the wire is still touching ground some where.
Now if the 2nd trailer doesn't blow the fuse it is the old trailer's fault not the
truck.. It could be an intermitent ground that blows the fuse. Remove the 30 amp
fuse and replace it with a 20 amp immediatly, this could save you, or an expensive
fire. The trailer turn signal wires are hot when the truck flasher is on so you
fuse could blow even when the trailer is not hooked up. Check your 20 amp fuse
regularly to see if it blows. If it does take your truck in and argue that the
fuse blew without a trailer so the problem is in the truck. Good luck.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 09:23:26 -0700
From: "Alan Wilson"
Subject: FTE 97up - How can I get my alarm to work in my 98 Ranger???

Any help would be appreciated.

I am having trouble getting an alarm installed in my 98 Ranger. The alarm I
have(Diablo II) is repeatedly triggered by the door sensors in the truck.
My technician tells me that the 98 Ranger has door switches deep inside each
door instead of on the outside of the door like most vehicles and this may
be causing it to trigger.

Has anyone else had trouble with their alarm? If not, what kind do you
have? I'm taking the truck back for the 5th time today to fix this problem.
I'm very tired of this &*^%^&%!

There has to be a way to install an auto alarm in this truck, right???
Someone has told me that maybe by disconnecting the alarm from the door
sensors and connecting it to the Dome Light, it might alleviate this problem.

Please help.

Thanks.
Alan Wilson


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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 12:17:41 -0500
From: "Jack B"
Subject: FTE 97up - Mixing Centers

Calling Nathan or any other Ford insiders.....

My truck has shown a railcar number in the status column for about 12 days
now. So therefore, I have a couple of questions for you assuming the
following information: F150 Flareside built in Kansas City on or about
8/24/98 for delivery in the New Orleans, LA area.

1. Are the completed vehicles loaded on a railcar at the factory and then
sent to a mixing center? If so which mixing center would it go to? I've
been told possibly Shelbyville, KY or another one.

2. Once at the mixing center what is the normal process for delivery? Are
they put on trucks and shipped to the dealers immediately or do they wait
for a full load for that particular dealer? Just curious to know what the
usual delay is once it arrives at the mixing center.

3. Where are the "ramps" for the New Orleans area? i.e. after the mixing
center they are sent to a "ramp" correct?

Thanks for any input you can provide.
Jack




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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 12:35:43 -0500
From: "Union Auto"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - F150 Trailer fuse problem--Jean Marc Chartier and others

We had one truck that had a short around the spare tire. We've also had
20-30 that had trailers with faulty wiring. Your best bet would be to have
someone else hook to your trailer, or you hook to someone else's. This
should determine what side of the plug the problem is on. Tell the dealer
the results of this because many people come in upset with the truck because
the wiring doesn't work only to find out its their trailer. If you come in
knowing (with proof) that it works differently than other F-150's, there
isn't any room to blame the trailer.

Nathan Bernard
Union Auto, Inc.

- -----Original Message-----
From: Gnfishin5 aol.com
To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Thursday, September 10, 1998 10:03 AM
Subject: FTE 97up - F150 Trailer fuse problem--Jean Marc Chartier and others


>This is a follow-up to my previous post. 1998 F150 with a factory
installed
>trailer tow package blew the 20 amp fuse that operates the trailer
stop/turn
>signal lights. Dealer relaced fuse and it blew immediately. Found a
problem
>with the wiring as it routs on the left side by the spare tire, fixed it
and
>the 20 amp fuse did not blow.
>
>I pulled my trailer with it yesterday and the 20 amp fuse blew. Inserted a
>new 20 amp fuse and it blew in a few miles. Because it was night and I had
a
>90 mile drive I inserted a 30 amp fuse and it did not blow. This problem
does
>not occur with my 1996 jeep. According to the owners manual it is also
fused
>with a 20 amp fuse.
>
>I have checked all wiring on the trailer and find no shorts. Have pulled
the
>wires a short distance through all rub points and no evidence of worn
wires.
>Spoke with my dealer this morning and the mechanic that "fixed" the
previous
>problem. They say it is the trailer problem and the jeep is just wired
>different. They did reluctantly agree to contact the factory to see if any
>other reports of a problem. My next step is to find a similar trailer and
see
>if it blows the 20 amp fuse, and if it does not, return to the dealer and
>press the issue further.
>
>Does anyone have any similar experiences? Any advice. Dealer of course
said
>do not use the 30 amp fuse.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Bob D.


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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 11:40:35 -0700
From: "Harald"
Subject: FTE 97up - Re:Camper certification

Here's my thoughts on camper certification. First, the weight in the Ford
brochure assumes a base truck with no options so add 80 lbs for super cab
rear seat, X lbs for V10, etc. The camper certification that comes with the
truck assumes a 150 lb passenger in each seat (that's 6 people in the super
cab) so adjust if you don't carry that many people. I carry a 11' 10"
Alpenlite camper in my 99 F350 SC, SRW, 4.30 gears, V10. The listed dry
weight on this camper is 2900. With bigger frig, bigger heater, a/c,
generator, all tanks full, and full of gear my truck tipped the scales at
10700 lbs. Yep, I'm over the gross weight rating of 9900 lbs. Am I
concerned? No, because the truck still brakes fine, accelerates fine and
I'm not exceeding the weight rating on the tires (I weighed both axles
separately). I checked a identical truck to mine except it was Dual rear
wheel. There's no difference except a higher GVWR of 11200 and 2 extra
tires to handle extra weight. This leads me to believe that the tire weight
rating is the main limiter in how much weight you can carry. My truck sits
level with camper installed. I've bumped the rear tire pressure up to the
tire's max of 80 psi (not what's listed in the door jamb - 70 psi). The
thing I keep in mind is that I must go slow, leave stopping room, and don't
try slalom racing because I'm not driving a sports car. The 75% rule
applies even to me, because I'm not going over 75% of the truck towing
capacity. After weighing my rig, I had to laugh because the RV salesman
told me I could carry that camper with a 3/4 ton truck! If I didn't like
the looks and empty handling of dual rear wheel trucks, I would definitely
go with that setup for camper hauling.

Harald

"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: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 11:40:32 -0700
From: "Harald"
Subject: FTE 97up - Re:V10 mileage

My 99 F350 SC, SRW, 4.30 gears averages 10 mpg. On a recent trip over
mountain passes in Washington state with my almost 4000 lb camper in the
bed, I averaged 9.9 mpg. The worst I've had was about 8 mpg with the camper
installed around town (stop and go on hills). I haven't taken a highway
trip unloaded to check best possible mileage.

Harald

"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: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 14:57:36 -0500
From: "Union Auto"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Mixing Centers

OK, some vehicles are direct ship (if your close enough to the factory).
For me these are F-Series LD and Ranger. Explorers also come direct ship
from Kentucky (even though Kentucky SD's are railed). If they go through
the mixing centers (or Mix up centers) they are loaded at the factory and
taken to a mixing center by truck or train (I believe most mixing centers
are at the factories though). Then they are shipped to the Mixing center
that serves your dealer and are unloaded. Here many vehicles are getting
"lost" leading to the delays of a week or two sometimes. After being
unloaded they are released to the Convoy companies. Then it varies how long
they take to ship. Allied brings our F-150's direct from KC and as soon as
they are released to convoy I have a truck in a day or two. E&L Transport
brings our vehicles from the mixing center, and some come in 1-2 days and
some are weeks late. I don't know if this is the company or the mixing
center at fault. They don't wait for a full load to the dealership. I had
two 99 Police Interceptors built the same day (VIN's 1 digit apart) and one
arrived a week and a half ago and the other one is still sitting at the
mixing center.

Mixing centers are also referred to as ramps on the computer printouts.

This probably makes as many questions as answers, but thats the way it is
for us as dealers also. Things are getting better the ETA is usually within
a week (the ETA is the week of not the day of so plan up to 2 weeks from the
day of the ETA)

Nathan Bernard


- -----Original Message-----
From: Jack B
To: Late-Model F-150 Mailing List ; 97 Ford Trucks

Date: Thursday, September 10, 1998 12:38 PM
Subject: FTE 97up - Mixing Centers


>Calling Nathan or any other Ford insiders.....
>
>My truck has shown a railcar number in the status column for about 12 days
>now. So therefore, I have a couple of questions for you assuming the
>following information: F150 Flareside built in Kansas City on or about
>8/24/98 for delivery in the New Orleans, LA area.
>
>1. Are the completed vehicles loaded on a railcar at the factory and then
>sent to a mixing center? If so which mixing center would it go to? I've
>been told possibly Shelbyville, KY or another one.
>
>2. Once at the mixing center what is the normal process for delivery? Are
>they put on trucks and shipped to the dealers immediately or do they wait
>for a full load for that particular dealer? Just curious to know what the
>usual delay is once it arrives at the mixing center.
>
>3. Where are the "ramps" for the New Orleans area? i.e. after the mixing
>center they are sent to a "ramp" correct?
>
>Thanks for any input you can provide.
>Jack


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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 15:34:18 -0500
From: "Jack B"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Mixing Centers & Fuel Line Prob

Thanks Nathan, you cleared up most of my questions. The reference the "mix
up" center scares me now. But my hands are tied. Your right about the
mixing center problems though. It seems my dealer ordered my truck one day
(DETA of 9/6) and another two days later (DETA of 9/14) and the vin #'s are
39 digits apart and the second is currently showing being at the ramp and
mine still on the railcar b/w KC and Nashville, TN. Explain that one?

Although I did just hear that there is an article in the Times-Picayune
today about Ford having some type of fuel line problem with the new F-150's
and that might be part of the delay. I haven't personally verifed this info
yet but will as soon as I get my hands on newspaper this evening.

Thanks again
Jack

- -----Original Message-----
From: Union Auto
To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Thursday, September 10, 1998 15:03
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Mixing Centers


>OK, some vehicles are direct ship (if your close enough to the factory).
>For me these are F-Series LD and Ranger. Explorers also come direct ship
>from Kentucky (even though Kentucky SD's are railed). If they go through
>the mixing centers (or Mix up centers) they are loaded at the factory and
>taken to a mixing center by truck or train (I believe most mixing centers
>are at the factories though). Then they are shipped to the Mixing center
>that serves your dealer and are unloaded. Here many vehicles are getting
>"lost" leading to the delays of a week or two sometimes. After being
>unloaded they are released to the Convoy companies. Then it varies how
long
>they take to ship. Allied brings our F-150's direct from KC and as soon as
>they are released to convoy I have a truck in a day or two. E&L Transport
>brings our vehicles from the mixing center, and some come in 1-2 days and
>some are weeks late. I don't know if this is the company or the mixing
>center at fault. They don't wait for a full load to the dealership. I had
>two 99 Police Interceptors built the same day (VIN's 1 digit apart) and one
>arrived a week and a half ago and the other one is still sitting at the
>mixing center.
>
>Mixing centers are also referred to as ramps on the computer printouts.
>
>This probably makes as many questions as answers, but thats the way it is
>for us as dealers also. Things are getting better the ETA is usually within
>a week (the ETA is the week of not the day of so plan up to 2 weeks from
the
>day of the ETA)
>
>Nathan Bernard
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jack B
>To: Late-Model F-150 Mailing List ; 97 Ford
Trucks
>
>Date: Thursday, September 10, 1998 12:38 PM
>Subject: FTE 97up - Mixing Centers
>
>
>>Calling Nathan or any other Ford insiders.....
>>
>>My truck has shown a railcar number in the status column for about 12 days
>>now. So therefore, I have a couple of questions for you assuming the
>>following information: F150 Flareside built in Kansas City on or about
>>8/24/98 for delivery in the New Orleans, LA area.
>>
>>1. Are the completed vehicles loaded on a railcar at the factory and then
>>sent to a mixing center? If so which mixing center would it go to? I've
>>been told possibly Shelbyville, KY or another one.
>>
>>2. Once at the mixing center what is the normal process for delivery? Are
>>they put on trucks and shipped to the dealers immediately or do they wait
>>for a full load for that particular dealer? Just curious to know what the
>>usual delay is once it arrives at the mixing center.
>>
>>3. Where are the "ramps" for the New Orleans area? i.e. after the mixing
>>center they are sent to a "ramp" correct?
>>
>>Thanks for any input you can provide.
>>Jack
>
>
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>



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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 17:18:32 -0500
From: "Beaman, James"
Subject: RE: FTE 97up - Fw: Fwd: MT ONLINE - LETTER TO THE EDITOR

johny wrote:

> Story is online:
> Check out:
>
> http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.motortrend.com/sept98/v10/v_f.html
>
> Union Auto wrote:
>
> > The best part of this is that Motor Trend compared the Dodge and Ford
> V-10's
> > (I beleive in the current issue but cant remember exactly) and the Ford
> was
> > .1 seconds quicker accelarting empty and 2 seconds quicker with a load.
> >
The online article johny pointed out does not list the rear end ratio of
each. Can anyone check it on the magazine article? If both trucks had the
same ratio, I am even more impressed with Ford. Based on the performance
numbers, I would expect the Ford to have a higher numerical ratio which
would hurt fuel economy. Does the magazine article also list the fuel
economy numbers? Maybe I'll just have to go buy it and see for myself.

James Beaman
james.beaman lmco.com
Houston, Texas
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 20:43:40 -0700
From: dwhipkey gte.net
Subject: FTE 97up - 1998 F-150 question from a brand spankin' new member

Fellow ford fans,

I have a new 1998 F-150 Short fleetside (styleside) truck on it's way
from Ontario. I had a really simple and silly question first: The new
truck has a stripe about 6 or 7 inches up from thr bottom of the truck
that divides the Oxford White Clearcoat from the Grey. The question is,
does anyone know if this stripe has clearcoat over it? We hate the
purple in the stripe that we saw on all of the rigs at the dealer and
want to remove it. Any info on how easy (or not) this might be would
help too.
Any performance tricks, secrets, part sources, etc. would be
appreciated too...

THANKS !!!!!!

Dave in Seattle
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Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 00:48:44 -0400
From: The Neighbors
Subject: FTE 97up - Springfield!!!

Hey Y'all!

I will be arriving at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Springfield,
Ohio Saturday morning. For those of you who will make it to the
Springfield show/swap meet. look for a blue Tempo and a blue Kelty tent
almost as big as it is, over in the camping area near the livestock
barns. As for me, I will be wearing my black "Grover" (the muppet, not
my truck) tee shirt.
I'd like to meet around noon at the playground there at the
fairgrounds. The only reason I picked that site is because it is easy to

identify, so don't go fighting with the little kids over the monkey....

---

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