>From herbie ford-trucks.com Fri Oct 2 06:11:48 1998
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 06:11:48 -0400 (EDT)
From: owner-97up-list-digest ford-trucks.com (97up-list-digest)
To: 97up-list-digest ford-trucks.com
Subject: 97up-list-digest V1 #232
Reply-To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Sender: owner-97up-list-digest ford-trucks.com


97up-list-digest Friday, October 2 1998 Volume 01 : Number 232



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

FTE 97up - Re: Loose Lug Nuts
Re: FTE 97up - Production Allottment to F250 SD Lariat
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Loose Lug Nuts
FTE 97up - delivery dates
FTE 97up - '99 F250 LD Purchase - Thoughts?
Re: FTE 97up - '99 F250 LD Purchase - Thoughts?
FTE 97up - 87 Octane Fuel?
Re: FTE 97up - 87 Octane Fuel?
Re: FTE 97up - 1999 Navigator Engine - 300HP 32Valve 5.4L?

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Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 07:30:40 EDT
From: SSeeplane aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Loose Lug Nuts

I bought the truck ( '98 F-150 SC) new from Isbell Ford in OK. I haven't
received any correspondence regarding the lug nut issue from Ford. I was made
aware of the issue here on this list before I bought the truck. (Thanks,
Ken!) I checked the wheels every 1000 miles (a pain, but not difficult) and
always found more than half the nuts backed off a full turn (no I didn't use a
calibrated torque wrench), two nuts were loose enough to turn by hand (no lug
wrench required) at the first inspection. I'm still gonna check the new nuts
for a while tell I am convinced the problem is actually fixed.

Thanks,

Steve S.
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Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 07:54:20 -0500
From: "Union Auto"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Production Allottment to F250 SD Lariat

Lariats are a short supply item, but are being built and scheduled I just
got two of them (both sold) so I would doubt the salesman.

Nathan

- -----Original Message-----
From: MarkS79255 aol.com
To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 1998 2:04 PM
Subject: FTE 97up - Production Allottment to F250 SD Lariat


>On June 15,1998 I ordered a 1999 F250SD, 7.3L PowerStroke, Lariat,
>SuperCab,4x4, SWB, all terrain wheels/tires, two tone paint plus every
other
>option. Today my salesperson told me that she just found out that Lariat
>production of F250SD was suspended around the time that I ordered and would
>resume 10/1/98. She thought that a problem with the supplier of the
leather
>seats had caused the delay. She also said that 330,000 F250SD had been
>ordered and only 110,000 had been delivered/produced to date. This
includes
>all models and not just Lariat models.
>
>Earlier Nathan had replied to a previous post that he was receiving F250 SD
>orders with these options in around 12 weeks so I wonder about the
information
>I am getting from the dealer. I have actually seen one 1999F350SD Lariat
Dual
>Wheel LWB so I know that at least one has been delivered ;).
>
>Can anyone shed any light,or confirm/dispute this issue? Have any of you
>ordered a 1999 F250/F350 SD Lariat and how long was the time between order
and
>delivery? Thanks in advance. This is a great group and I really
appreciate
>the tips and info that others have contributed.


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Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 10:43:37 EDT
From: ROBBCWZ aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Loose Lug Nuts


received any correspondence regarding the lug nut issue from Ford. I was made
aware of the issue here on this list before I bought the truck. (Thanks,
Ken!) I checked the wheels every 1000 miles (a pain, but not difficult) and
always found more than half the nuts backed off a full turn (no I didn't use a
calibrated torque wrench), two nuts were loose enough to turn by hand (no lug
wrench required) at the first inspection. I'm still gonna check the new nuts
for a while tell I am convinced the problem is actually fixed.>>

Steve:

If at least 3 of the 5 nuts per wheel were backed off a full turn (as you
suggest in your note) you would have been subjected to some pretty noticeable
vibration, noise and peculiar happenings! Probably would have ruined a couple
of the studs, maybe loose a whole wheel too.

There only appears to be one significantly loose nut on your truck... !

(And what happened to the center cover? The way that is attached tends to
stop the nut rotation, so did you loose the covers as well?)
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Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1998 12:18:25 -0500
From: Janster
Subject: FTE 97up - delivery dates

Hi everybody,

I ordered my F250SD, SRW, SC, 4x4, Lariat back on May 1st. I received it
on September 25. Almost 5 months. There's heavy demand for these
Superduty trucks. Dealer allocations also has alot to do w/ the delivery
times. Good luck!

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Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1998 17:50:14 -0400
From: Dick_Dorff baynetworks.com (Dick Dorff)
Subject: FTE 97up - '99 F250 LD Purchase - Thoughts?

Hi all,

I'd like to solicit thoughts on various items regarding our
upcoming (soon) placing of an order for a new, '99 F250 LD.
We'll be towing a small (20-22') 5th wheel for summer camping
trips, often through hills or small mountain ranges (MA, NH, VT,
ME, etc). I'd basically like it heavy duty enough for that even
though it's a small percentage of the time the truck is used.
Other than that, it's just 'round the house usage; the
occasional hualing of lumber, dirt, or mulch, or, more
frequently, kids and groceries. It'll be mainly my wife's
vehicle; I'll bike or drive a car to work.

I'd posted many of these questions to the various message boards,
and received some very helpful comments; thanks much! I
apologize if some are seeing these twice, but thought I'd make a
final effort to get any input, mainly on the reliability of the
E40D, from those who don't frequent the boards but do participate
in the email forum.

Currently planning: F250 LD, XLT, SC, SB, 5.4l, E40D, 3.73, 4x4,
Tow Pkg, Block Htr ($30 - what the heck), Sliding Rr Window,
Floor Mats, and tentatively Harvest Gold.

1) F150 vs F250 LD?
We're pretty sure we'll opt for the F250 LD. Though bouncier,
the ride is tolerable, and what we expected from truck. The F150
had a sweet ride, thoroughly unexpected (except that I'd read
most of the reviews), but I feel the small 5th wheel calls for
something a little heavier (rear disc brakes, heavier frame (acc.
to brochure), springs, and shocks, and the E40D). Seems somewhat
worth the extra $1400 for our config.

2) E40D vs new 4R70W?
I've seen some scary stories of E40Ds in the various archives,
but it looks like some were attributed to pre-/1997s
trannys. Are they improved since then? It still seems like it
must be a heavier-duty tranny just 'cause that's all they offer
in the F250 LD. The 4R70W was enhanced to handle the 5.4l in
F150s for '99, but it still seems that it'd be less-heavy duty,
and that the E40D might be a safer bet for towing. Longevity is
the main concern. Any experiences?

Test driving each: the E40D shifted slightly less disgustingly
than the 4R70W. (Note, I'm still bent on the Ford, but those
automatic transmissions pick strange times to shift. Shift kit
might be in order. I know there's lots of info in the archives
and I'll start there.)

Why on earth don't they offer a real manual gearbox for the Light
Duty series. The current LD manual causes a trailer weight
rating of minus 700lb or something (slight exageration). They
trucks otherwise still have decent towing capabilities. I'd
rather tow with the manual and replace a clutch once in a while,
than do the inevitable burn-out and replace of the automatic.
Guess I'm still bitter over our current '87 Bronco II's auto
tranny frying at 130k, with regular fluid/filter changes, and
only occasional towing of a tiny tent trailer. Oh, I didn't mean
to rant now. Better do that another time.

3) 3.31 vs. 3.73 - mileage vs. towing?
Pretty obvious from comments received already that any serious
towing, even if a small 5th wheeler, through un-flat terrain,
calls for the 3.73 for power and shifting. I guess it was more
of a real question when I was considering the F150, with either
the 3.55 or the 3.73. Just wondering if anyone has tried the
3.31 with towing, or can comment on it's gas mileage vs. the
3.73? I think I've heard some comment on no appreciable
difference in mpgs. I calculated that even if a 2mpg difference,
over 100k miles, it's about $600 difference at todays (MA) gas
prices. I'm conscious of the environment, and cost savings, but
it seems extremely secondary when $600 is spread out over 8-10
years, and the easier load on the gears, tranny, and engine seems
the foremost concern (hence the 3.73).

4) Pricing.
I plan on getting an estimate from Invoice or Less, and have the
Kelley BB '99 pricings, and the Edmunds and CarPoint '98 pricings
(no '99 info there yet, bummer). I'm leaning on trying the
dealer first though and see if one will sell for 1% over. Seems
safer to order one from a human to which you can complain if the
order gets goofed up. I've got preliminary estimates of 2-3%
over. In case none bite at 1% (~$260 over), can Invoice or Less,
or some other on-line purchase places be trusted? What if the
order gets screwed up? I've never bought a new vehicle before;
do you pay all up front, a deposit, or all at the end? I assume
a deposit.

5) Delivery Lead Times:
For those who read this far, and are the least interested, I've
been quoted 6-8 wks and 8-10 wks from two different dealers, but
this is for an LD 250, no leather (cloth).

6) Towing a 5th wheel in a shortbed.
Someone tipped me off to some concerns there, and suggested
checking out the October issue of Trailer Life. Haven't done
that yet, but will. I think this is just one thing we'll have to
make work, because a Long Bed SC won't fit in the garage, and the
three children won't fit in a regular cab. I'm guessing the
hitch can be mounted far enough back in the bed. Even though
optimal weight distribution is probably over the rear wheels, the
F250 LD should help make up the less optimal weight placing.
Sliding hitches another alternative perhaps, but haven't looked
into this yet.

7) Bed height and 5th wheel vertical clearance.
I saw in archives or message boards that the SD 250 bed heights
might not provide enough clearance between the bed rails and the
underside of the 5th wheel. No mention of the F250 LD though. I
did see a spacer block between the rear springs and the axle that
ought to be removable (replacing U bolts with shorter ones
perhaps) if neccessary. The F250 LD bed seemed roughly 4" higher
than an F150, but I'm guessing this can be worked around if
neccessary.

Way too much, I know. I just don't want to leave too much to
chance before ordering our first new vehicle. If you have any
thoughts on any of the above, they're more than welcome. You'll
probably want to remove the questions that you're not replying to
though, in your reply, so that the whole list doesn't have to
re-read all my other drudgery. Feel free to email privately and
I'll summarize and organize the interesting responses and post
that in return. Either way.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to officially joining the
club.

Dick Dorff
Massachusetts
dick_dorff baynetworks.com

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Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1998 18:00:16 -0700
From: dwhipkey gte.net
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - '99 F250 LD Purchase - Thoughts?

Dick,

In my opinion, you are already very borderline by buying a LD F-250.
I think you'll be jumping into unpleasant territory by using a LD
shortbed for a 5th wheel. No matter what people do or say, the Hitch
should be right over the rear axle or up to 2 inches forward end of
story. Since money (for a S/D) doesn't grow on trees, I would think it
wise to get the S/C, L/B F-250 L/D and build a carport for the longer
truck.
If you're gonna drop 25 or 30K for a new rig, don't buy one you'll
regret or want to trade in right after the loss off of the lot.
Maybe a 97 or 98 F-250 S/C L/B with low mileage and some warranty left
would be an option: That way you'd have a heavy duty rig for less $$$$,
although you still couldn't garage it.

Just my humble $.02 worth

Dave
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Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 23:03:45 -0500
From: "Jack"
Subject: FTE 97up - 87 Octane Fuel?

Does Ford not want you to use anything but 87 octane fuel in the 4.6L v-8?
I read it in my manual and was suprised to see that. I have always used
Premium before and especially since its so cheap now.

Any comments

Jack

1999 F-150 XLT SC FS 4.6L



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Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 23:41:37 -0500
From: "Mike Fairleigh"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - 87 Octane Fuel?

I was a little surprised by that, too. However, that's all I've used in my
'98, and at 9,400 miles I've had no problems.

Mike Fairleigh
mikef sky.net
...Always remembering their sacrifices.



>Does Ford not want you to use anything but 87 octane fuel in the 4.6L v-8?



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Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 02:07:36 EDT
From: KWkM3 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - 1999 Navigator Engine - 300HP 32Valve 5.4L?

In a message dated 9/27/98 2:28:24 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
thermomonkey yahoo.com writes:


available) and add them to the older 5.4L. I have a 97 Expy and am
looking to get some more power from the motor. I have played with the
idea of boring the valves .030" over to gain some more power that way.
I know adding headers and the power chips will get me up near 280hp,
but, I figure, if I'm going that far, might as well do the job right.
I figure the heads will end up costing about $1500 for the pair.
Thanks Thermo.
97 Expy, Nerf bars, Pioneer FH-M95 Double DIN Radio.
P.S. I'm working on making some sub enclosures, one for the passenger
side, one for the drivers side. Let me know if you are interested.
>>

Sean Hyland Motorsport already has done this swap and sells it. It made at....

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