97up-list-digest Saturday, February 20 1999 Volume 02 : Number 047



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

FTE 97up - Tracking VIN Number
FTE 97up - New Truck
Re: FTE 97up - new truck
Re: FTE 97up - F150 XLT 4x4 wait time
Re: FTE 97up - Ford's V10
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Rust specs
Re: FTE 97up - F150 XLT 4x4 wait time
FTE 97up - Dealer Allocation - Top Secret?
FTE 97up - EPA Reply
Re: FTE 97up - Dealer Allocation - Top Secret?
Re: FTE 97up - Ford's V10
Re: FTE 97up - EPA Reply
FTE 97up - Limited Slip Differential being repaired under warrantee
FTE 97up - Dealer Allocation - Top Secret? -Reply
Re: FTE 97up - EPA Reply
Re: FTE 97up - Limited Slip Works Fine, But be careful
Re: FTE 97up - Dealer Allocation - Top Secret? -Reply
FTE 97up - Re: Ranger Mileage
FTE 97up - new oil for PSD
FTE 97up - Re: Thanks!
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ranger Mileage
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ranger Mileage
FTE 97up - Re: Chassis Vs Pickup
FTE 97up - Re: Ford Locator
FTE 97up - Fwd: Ford Truck Enthusiasts post
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ford Locator
Re: FTE 97up - Fwd: Ford Truck Enthusiasts post
Re: FTE 97up - Fwd: Ford Truck Enthusiasts post
Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ford Locator

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

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 07:28:35 -0600
From: "Jack"
Subject: FTE 97up - Tracking VIN Number

Will someone (again) post the URL for tracking deliveries by VIN number?

Thanks - Jack



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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:14:35 -0500
From: ryana asg.com (Ryan Allen)
Subject: FTE 97up - New Truck

Just had to post. Picked up my new F150 S/C XLT 4x4 ORP TTP ALL GOODIES
yesterday. Thanks.

Ryan
Intranet Specialist
Intranet Development Team (IDTeam)
Allen Systems Group
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.asg.com

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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:20:37 -0500
From: Jean Marc Chartier
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - new truck

George Rigney wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
SNIP
>
> I do have one question, though. I have seen people driving around with ice
> boxes in the beds of their trucks. How do you get it in there? Do you
> build a ramp with some scrap lumber? Is there a type of lift that can be
> rented? Anyone who has moved a fridge with a pickup, please advise me.
>
> Regards,
>
> George & Raffy
>
> 74 Gran Torino Elite 351W
> 84 LTD Crown Victoria 302
> 99 F250 SD CC V10 SB
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

George,

First congrats on your truck, excellent choice. Second,
it takes 2 people to put a fridge in the bed of a pickup
truck. If the use warrants you could build a ramp out of
2x6 or 2x8s.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier
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------------------------------

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:23:50 -0500
From: ryana asg.com (Ryan Allen)
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - F150 XLT 4x4 wait time

At 11:37 2/18/99 , you wrote:
>What is the wait time when factory ordering a F-150 4x4 XLT SC?
>How long will Ford take factory orders for new '99s this year?

I ordered mine on Dec. 30... I had a VIN and a build date by Jan. 10 or so.
Had the truck Feb. 18. So very quickly. But I might have gotten in at
the end of the cycle for 5.4L's. No piston slap yet, that I can tell.
It's a beauty. I think Ford will stop taking orders in March or April.

Cheers,
Ryan
Intranet Specialist
Intranet Development Team (IDTeam)
Allen Systems Group
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.asg.com

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:16:47 -0600
From: "Union Auto"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Ford's V10

Sounds like he must have a V-8 on the lot he wants to sell you. I just got
a V-10 scheduled last night so I know their still available. Actually I
think their easier to get than 5.4L's since they've changed the production
rate.

Nathan Bernard
Union Auto, Inc.

- -----Original Message-----
From: Roger J Hutflesz
To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 12:49 AM
Subject: FTE 97up - Ford's V10


>
>Greetings,
>
>This afternoon I was at our local Ford dealer's (Sunset Ford, Bell Ave,
>Glendale AZ) trying to get some measurements to see if their F250 Ext
>cab, LB would fit into my garage....Anyway during the discussion with the
>salesman he indicated the gasoline V10 was no longer available.
>
>Something to the effect they have made their allotment for the year and
>they (Ford) were changing the factory where they were made. Any input?
>Was this just an indication that this particular dealer had used up his
>allotment???
>
>Thanks....keep up the good work.
>
>Roger Hutflesz
>


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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:22:07 -0600
From: "Union Auto"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Rust specs

I haven't seen any Super Duty's with this yet, but it was common on the
F-150. What happens is metal filings from production get on the paint as
the trucks are being driven out onto the lots. If you wax the truck (and
wax hard) it will remove this and it usually doesn't come back.

Nathan Bernard
Union Auto, Inc.

- -----Original Message-----
From: Harald
To: Ford Trucks List
Date: Thursday, February 18, 1999 1:26 PM
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Rust specs


>From: "Todd E."

>I also waxed my truck, 5500 miles, and noticed many >nice little red rust
>spots on the tailgate. I have a cap on the truck, and >apparently all
kinds
>of debris pelts the rear end of the truck.

Todd,
I found rust spots on my super duty also that I had to buff out. I think
they might have come from the rail cars during transport. My truck sat in
lots and on rail cars for over a month last summer while waiting
transportation.

Harald

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

This year will go down in history! For the first time, a civilized nation
has full gun registration! Our streets will be safer, our police more
efficient and the world will follow our lead into the future! Adolf Hitler

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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:19:39 -0600
From: "Union Auto"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - F150 XLT 4x4 wait time

We do a lot of locating vehicles and dealer trading them. On a Ranger (or
just about anything but Super Duty) we can usually locate one and get it.
However due to the short supply of Super Duty's most dealers don't want to
trade them and there are so few out there that its hard to find what you
want.

Nathan Bernard
Union Auto, Inc..

- -----Original Message-----
From: JJ Thomas
To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - F150 XLT 4x4 wait time


>All seemed right until you uttered "allotment." I had forgotten about
>that. The last time I went truck shopping I looked at both the Toyota and
>the Fords. (Put down the flame thrower, I bought a Ranger) The Toyota
>dealers were willing to search within 500(?) miles and get a truck from
>another dealer if I wanted. I talked to a Ford dealer about doing that and
>he said no. It would seem to me that would be an easy way to please a
>customer and well as sell trucks. My $.02.
>
>Thanks for the explanation.
>
>-Julian
>


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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:06:21 -0600
From: "Charles Abraham"
Subject: FTE 97up - Dealer Allocation - Top Secret?

When shopping around for a new Super Duty, how does one know
the dealership's current "allocation"? This past weekend I stopped or
called several dealerships and all claimed a greater allocation of Super
Duty's than the other dealership.

Can you take their word on this? Before placing an order can a customer
ask to see some proof to backup their bagging? I mean say if you can get
the same deal over invoice, $2000 off the lot or $200 ordered, from several
dealers. If I choose to order, the deciding factor would have to be the dealer's

allocation - how soon will it be built.

Charles.


Union Auto wrote:

> What happens is when a order is scheduled it will take 6-8 weeks to be built
> and arrive at the dealership. However, some dealers don't have the
> allocation to get the unit scheduled. Thats why one dealer can get a truck
> in 8 weeks while the one next to it might have to wait 5 months for the same
> truck. Also the number of Super Duty's on the lot doesn't necessarily mean
> quicker delivery, some dealers are hoarding these trucks to sell for an
> outlandish price. While their holding these trucks Ford won't allocate more
> as they assume they have a good supply. They call in turn and earn, meaning
> the more you sell the more you get. Confusing, huh?
>
> Nathan Bernard
> Union Auto, Inc.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: JJ Thomas
> To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
> Date: Thursday, February 18, 1999 7:32 PM
> Subject: Re: FTE 97up - F150 XLT 4x4 wait time
>
> >I'm confused. I thought the dealer had to wait for Ford to built the
> >vehicle. How is that more of a function of the dealer then it is of Ford?
> >It would seem to me that it is was more of a function for the dealer, I
> >could just shop around for a dealer that could give me the truck faster.
> >Up here in the Puget Sound region, I see dealers with wall to wall SD, and
> >others with one or two on the lot. Would I be better off going to a dealer
> >that is wall to wall, or go to my previous dealer?
> >
> >Thanks for answering, btw.
> >
> >-Julian
> >
> >At 13:35 02/18/99 -0600, you wrote:
> >>These are more of a function of dealer than Ford. I'm running about 6-10
> >>weeks on orders for SD's and V-10's and V-8's seem to be less of an issue
> >>than before. I still hear from other dealers that their backlog could
> mean
> >>6 months.
> >>
> >>Nathan Bernard
> >>Union Auto, Inc.
>
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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:17:39 -0600
From: DanBrotzman
Subject: FTE 97up - EPA Reply

Thanks to George Croll for answering questions about EPA regulations =
pending. Its refreshing to hear from a goverment employee that actually =
thinks like the rest of us! My impression of most EPA employees are =
urban dwellers that commute in little tin cans to work, and think of a =
nature walk as a stroll in a city manicured park. Nothing personal, just =
my impressions. I would like to have an EPA employee bring one of their =
fuel efficient 4 cly. cars to my farm and hook my flat bed trailer to =
the car, then load a 14,000# tractor on the trailer and haul it to a =
tractor dealer for service. How about pulling my 28' travel trailer =
3,000 to 4,000 miles per year for our family vacation with an =
environmentally friendly fuel efficient front wheel drive unibody tin =
can? Or is big brother going to tell us that we don't need to have a =
travel trailer to tow, or a boat to tow, or snowmobiles to tow, or =
implement trailers to tow, or service bodies to haul? Yes, I like to =
protect the environment also, but somewhere common sense has a place in =
the picture. Hang in there George, please continue as our voice of =
common sense in Washington.

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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:18:39 -0600
From: "Christopher T. Patrick"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Dealer Allocation - Top Secret?

pundmann ford in st. charles MO has super dutys on the lot
314-946-6611


At 09:06 AM 2/19/99 -0600, you wrote:
>When shopping around for a new Super Duty, how does one know
>the dealership's current "allocation"? This past weekend I stopped or
>called several dealerships and all claimed a greater allocation of Super
>Duty's than the other dealership.

==========================================
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.877pcparts.com
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.inlink.com/~cpatrick
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.jeepthing.com ||
CHRIS PATRICK | || \
360 ci ______| _||___\____
Th400 (|==== |_____| ___ | |]
SOA (>| = \___________/ = \____|=
4"lift *** '84 CJ-8 ***
Dana44 ** **'98 F150 ** **
35"x16.5 ** ** ** **
BOGGERS *** ***
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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------------------------------

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 10:51:51 -0500
From: Jean Marc Chartier
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Ford's V10

Roger J Hutflesz wrote:
>
> Greetings,
>
> This afternoon I was at our local Ford dealer's (Sunset Ford, Bell Ave,
> Glendale AZ) trying to get some measurements to see if their F250 Ext
> cab, LB would fit into my garage....Anyway during the discussion with the
> salesman he indicated the gasoline V10 was no longer available.
>
> Something to the effect they have made their allotment for the year and
> they (Ford) were changing the factory where they were made. Any input?
> Was this just an indication that this particular dealer had used up his
> allotment???
>
> Thanks....keep up the good work.
>
> Roger Hutflesz
>

Roger,

They build them here in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on the
same line as the 5.4L. It would be in the local paper if
they were to move the production to somewhere else. The CAW
would be all over Ford if they tried to do it.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier
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------------------------------

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 11:27:55 -0500
From: "Jody Villa"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - EPA Reply

*************************************************************
- -----Original Message-----
From: DanBrotzman
To: '97up-list-digest ford-trucks.com'
Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 10:24 AM
Subject: FTE 97up - EPA Reply


Snip

>I would like to have an EPA employee bring one of their fuel efficient 4
cly. cars to my farm and hook my flat >bed trailer to the car, then load a
14,000# tractor on the trailer and haul it to a tractor dealer for service.

What will happen in my opinion is that the gov't will require special
registration and need shown to own such vehicles in the future.

>How >about pulling my 28' travel trailer 3,000 to 4,000 miles per year for
our family vacation with an >environmentally >friendly fuel efficient front
wheel drive unibody tin can? Or is big brother going to tell us that >we
don't need to >have a travel trailer to tow, or a boat to tow, or
snowmobiles to tow,

What makes you think the EPA is going to let you have or operate these toys
in the future?. You won't need a truck for this becausse they won't be
available anymore.


>Hang in there George, please continue as our voice of common sense in
Washington.


I agree, also if your concerned about your rights to own these things, join
the Blue Ribbon Coalition. They are protecting our open space for the use of
everyone and not just environmentalist elitist's.



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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:41:43 -0800
From: STEPHEN_WITTE hp-sandiego-om2.om.hp.com
Subject: FTE 97up - Limited Slip Differential being repaired under warrantee

Some of you may recall discussions about limited slip differentials
not appearing to be limited slip. I have one of those trucks, '97
F350 CC 460 4x4 LS 3.55. I brought it in to "Vista Ford" last august,
and they came back with "nothing wrong".

I observed in our local mountains the other day that it would spin one
wheel and leave the other one stationary, even when the stationary
wheel was sitting on hard packed snow. I really thought there was
absolutely no difference between the behavior of this LS diff and my
old '77 chevy 3/4 4x2 truck.

Anyway, I brought the truck to a Ford dealership in San Diego that
specializes in big trucks, repairs and sales. They said that indeed
the LS was not performing correctly and they are replacing (adding?) a
shim kit to correct the problem.

My guess is that this type of failure is extremely common, and
probably even a class failure, but most customers are not smart enough
to figure it out.

I played with all the previously mentioned tricks when I was testing
this problem out in a dirt lot. These tricks are like partially
applying the parking brake, etc. Basically the tricks work as well as
they used to work on the old '77 chevy, the LS did nothing to provide
power to the stationary wheel when the other was spinning.

I will keep you all posted if I can actually measure an improvement
after the repair is done.

If anyone can provide a good mechanical engineering perspective on how
F350 LS is designed to work, it would sure help my understanding.

- Stephen Witte
F350 CC 4x4 460 5spd, Poway, Calif.

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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 13:28:53 -0500
From: GEORGE CROLL
Subject: FTE 97up - Dealer Allocation - Top Secret? -Reply

Don't think you can't get a good deal on a SD off the lot. I bought a 99 regular cab SD, V-10, 4x4, auto, XLT with AC,
PW, PDL, CC, Keyless Remote, Premium sound w CD and Tape, the aluminum rims, sliding rear window, Shift on the
fly (an option I didn't want) running boards, rear bumper, tow package, for 100 over invoice (24,600) at Hill and
Sanders Ford in Washing DC area. I would recommend this dealer to anyone. I went there twice and both times they
made me great offers on trucks. Unfortunately they did not have the truck I wanted the first time. This truck had 2
miles on it and wasn't a dealer demo and has had no problems. It was also very close to the truck I would have
ordered. Had I ordered one I would have gotten the manual tranny and a receiver hitch.

My basic strategy was to wait until they had a big sales advertisement and go in with the idea that I would order a
truck if I couldn't find one I wanted. Let the dealer know you are willing to wait to get the better price and then look at
what they have. A good dealer will give you a good price on what you want from what they have on the lot if it is
the right truck. I tried this approach with other dealers and got the same old line about demand on SD trucks.

Good luck
George Croll
EPA-OAR-ARD
(202)564-0162
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------------------------------

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 14:33:33 -0500
From: "Keith Veren"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - EPA Reply

As I said before, if the EPA takes away my V-10 pick-up trucks or
"downsizes" it to a tin-can toy, I will buy a 20,000 pound dump-truck
(hopefully, construction will still be allowed) or delivery truck or
"handicapped-travel van" (they certainly won't take those away, would not be
politicaly-correct), throw another axle on it (probably will have to go
underground to find a mechanic willing to do this) to get 4-WD, customise
the interior and drive around comfortably looking down on all the
uncomfortable drones pedaling their manadated comuter-scooters. Now, if the
EPA decides that no-one can have trucks anymore, perhaps I will think about
purchasing a nice big train locomotive!

Keith

PS, By the way, EPA has targeted snowmobiles, ATVs and other toys for excess
pollution according to an acticle in today's Boston Globe.

>
>Snip
>
>>I would like to have an EPA employee bring one of their fuel efficient 4
>cly. cars to my farm and hook my flat >bed trailer to the car, then load a
>14,000# tractor on the trailer and haul it to a tractor dealer for service.
>
>What will happen in my opinion is that the gov't will require special
>registration and need shown to own such vehicles in the future.
>
>>How >about pulling my 28' travel trailer 3,000 to 4,000 miles per year for
>our family vacation with an >environmentally >friendly fuel efficient front
>wheel drive unibody tin can? Or is big brother going to tell us that >we
>don't need to >have a travel trailer to tow, or a boat to tow, or
>snowmobiles to tow,
>
>What makes you think the EPA is going to let you have or operate these toys
>in the future?. You won't need a truck for this becausse they won't be
>available anymore.
>
>As

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 14:56:17 -0500
From: "Keith Veren"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Limited Slip Works Fine, But be careful

I have the 3.73 LS rear in my '98 Expedition and in my '99 F-350 V-10 4X4
SuperDuty and my wife's '98 Explorer V-8, they all work perfectly. I can be
on ice, snow, mud, dirt or sand and can just step on the gas and both rear
wheels end up spinning within one or two seconds (almost instantly). If
going around a sharp curve (slowly) on a sandy street and I step on it, I
have to be careful because both wheels will spin and the rear will slid
sideways! Also need to be careful on ice when stopped at a stop sign on a
road with a "tilt" to one side, if I give it too much gas, both wheels spin
and lose traction and the truck want to slide sideways into the ditch (of
course, I let-up on the gas before that happens)! Even with these
"problems" I love having the extra driving wheel, makes getting traction a
lot easier in most cases.


Keith



- -----Original Message-----
From: STEPHEN_WITTE hp-sandiego-om2.om.hp.com

To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Cc: WITTE_STEPHEN/hp-sandiego_om2 hpbs4993.boi.hp.com

Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 12:45 PM
Subject: FTE 97up - Limited Slip Differential being repaired under warrantee


> Some of you may recall discussions about limited slip differentials
> not appearing to be limited slip. I have one of those trucks, '97
> F350 CC 460 4x4 LS 3.55. I brought it in to "Vista Ford" last august,
> and they came back with "nothing wrong".
>
> I observed in our local mountains the other day that it would spin one
> wheel and leave the other one stationary, even when the stationary
> wheel was sitting on hard packed snow. I really thought there was
> absolutely no difference between the behavior of this LS diff and my
> old '77 chevy 3/4 4x2 truck.
>
> Anyway, I brought the truck to a Ford dealership in San Diego that
> specializes in big trucks, repairs and sales. They said that indeed
> the LS was not performing correctly and they are replacing (adding?) a
> shim kit to correct the problem.
>
> My guess is that this type of failure is extremely common, and
> probably even a class failure, but most customers are not smart enough
> to figure it out.
>
> I played with all the previously mentioned tricks when I was testing
> this problem out in a dirt lot. These tricks are like partially
> applying the parking brake, etc. Basically the tricks work as well as
> they used to work on the old '77 chevy, the LS did nothing to provide
> power to the stationary wheel when the other was spinning.
>
> I will keep you all posted if I can actually measure an improvement
> after the repair is done.
>
> If anyone can provide a good mechanical engineering perspective on how
> F350 LS is designed to work, it would sure help my understanding.
>
> - Stephen Witte
> F350 CC 4x4 460 5spd, Poway, Calif.
>
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>

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 15:38:48 -0500
From: Jean Marc Chartier
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Dealer Allocation - Top Secret? -Reply

GEORGE CROLL wrote:
>
> Don't think you can't get a good deal on a SD off the lot. I bought a 99 regular cab SD, V-10, 4x4, auto, XLT with AC,
> PW, PDL, CC, Keyless Remote, Premium sound w CD and Tape, the aluminum rims, sliding rear window, Shift on the
> fly (an option I didn't want) running boards, rear bumper, tow package, for 100 over invoice (24,600) at Hill and
> Sanders Ford in Washing DC area. I would recommend this dealer to anyone. I went there twice and both times they
> made me great offers on trucks. Unfortunately they did not have the truck I wanted the first time. This truck had 2
> miles on it and wasn't a dealer demo and has had no problems. It was also very close to the truck I would have
> ordered. Had I ordered one I would have gotten the manual tranny and a receiver hitch.
>
> My basic strategy was to wait until they had a big sales advertisement and go in with the idea that I would order a
> truck if I couldn't find one I wanted. Let the dealer know you are willing to wait to get the better price and then look at
> what they have. A good dealer will give you a good price on what you want from what they have on the lot if it is
> the right truck. I tried this approach with other dealers and got the same old line about demand on SD trucks.
>
> Good luck
> George Croll
> EPA-OAR-ARD
> (202)564-0162
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

I live in Canada so maybe this doesn't apply. This
week I went in to spec out a 99 F250 SD 4x4. I saw the
computer printout with Dealer cost and I was told that they
only add $500 to Ordered trucks. He also said that they had
4 SD allocations for March so I could order any time before
March 15th and have it for Mid May when my leased 97 F150
expired. My point is the dealer will not sell his on the
lot vehicles at a loss. He should give you a deal on a New
order, he has no $$$ tied up in it.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

Jean Marc Chartier
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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 17:34:22 -0500
From: Gary & Nancy Brinck
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Ranger Mileage

> I have a 98 Ranger with the 3.0 and the 4-speed overdrive
> automatic. (4x4) and 14.5 is at the high end of what I've ever
> gotten! In the summer it is about 14, and in the winter it's
> averaging around 10mpg.
>

That's pretty dismal if it is typical. I just sold a 97 Dakota 5.2L V8
Automatic that got 16 mpg. Had 3.55LS axle and 2WD.
- --
Gary
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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 18:08:27 EST
From: RSnovi aol.com
Subject: FTE 97up - new oil for PSD

Today i got my shipment of Redline 15W40 diesel oil, going to give a try, i
use their products in my race car exclusively and love them so i figured i
would give the diesel oil a try. I also got the diesel fuel catalyst, i have
plenty of it since they sent me a case so if any wants to try this stuff i got
it a good price. Also going to put their Water Wetter in the water sys. to
see if their is any results from its properties it reduces heat very well in
the summer time i have found in previous vehicles, they claim it works well in
diesel as well as gas motors. I also plan to switch to Syn ATF soon.
If anyone has any questions i have the brochure handy, also you can visit
them at redlineoil.com


Ross Smith
RSR Inc.
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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 11:27:20 -0600
From: "Bud Feuless & Miki Magara"
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about pinging. It sounds
like I was on the wrong track with the computer and now will have to look at
other, some more traditional, possibilities. Some of you raised some
interesting/unique possibilities that I had not thought of and I will be
taking a look at these in the next few weeks. I'll let you know what gets
it.

Thanks again for all of you help! - Bud


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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 17:09:23 -0700
From: Jeff Richardson
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ranger Mileage

I've got a '99 4x4 with the 4L and 5spd automagic - I drive highway 70% of
the time and have been getting 17.5 mpg. Are you driving with the parking
brake engaged? :-)
~Jeff

At 05:34 PM 2/19/99 -0500, you wrote:
>> I have a 98 Ranger with the 3.0 and the 4-speed overdrive
>> automatic. (4x4) and 14.5 is at the high end of what I've ever
>> gotten! In the summer it is about 14, and in the winter it's
>> averaging around 10mpg.
>>
>
>That's pretty dismal if it is typical. I just sold a 97 Dakota 5.2L V8
>Automatic that got 16 mpg. Had 3.55LS axle and 2WD.
>--
> Gary
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>
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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 19:22:58 EST
From: Speir2 aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ranger Mileage

In a message dated 99-02-19 17:48:45 EST, you write:


> automatic. (4x4) and 14.5 is at the high end of what I've ever
> gotten! In the summer it is about 14, and in the winter it's
> averaging around 10mpg. >>

I have a Ford Diesel 7.3 have kept a record on all fuel
purchased since new, local driving 19.01 MPG towing
a 7300 GCVR 12.48 MPG Auto Trans, 3.73 rear, I have
gotten over 21 MPG no load on trips, but over all 19.01
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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 18:29:41 -0500
From: Gary & Nancy Brinck
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Chassis Vs Pickup

> Actually, the bed weight is not in the 1300# difference! We're talking
> about the GVWR (rating) not the curb weight here.
> The bed weight has already been added to the empty weight of (about) 7500#
> for the pickup versus the (about) 7100# of the Chassis Cab.

I stand corrected - box weight does not, of course, affect GVWR. For some
reason my mind was on the payload rating, where every extra pound of body
weight reduces the available payload.
- --
Gary


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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 19:10:16 -0500
From: Gary & Nancy Brinck
Subject: FTE 97up - Re: Ford Locator

> The Toyota
> dealers were willing to search within 500(?) miles and get a truck from
> another dealer if I wanted. I talked to a Ford dealer about doing that and
> he said no. It would seem to me that would be an easy way to please a
> customer and well as sell trucks.

Ford dealers certainly have that capability, whether a dealer chooses to
use it or not. My F250 was on a truck enroute to another dealer in the
area when my dealer searched for what I wanted. He made a deal with me,
then made a deal with the other dealer to swap another truck for the one I
wanted.

In my experience, some dealers hate to special order a vehicle and always
want you to buy from stock. Some won't even use the vehicle locator, again
wanting to sell from stock. Fortunately, a lot of others don't seem to
have these hang ups.
- --
Gary


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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 19:20:51 -0800
From: JJ Thomas
Subject: FTE 97up - Fwd: Ford Truck Enthusiasts post

I am debating between a Ford F350 SD, F150 or a Ranger, all 4x4's. I like
the simplicity of the solid front leaf spring suspension on the F350's. I
am concerned as to how the new SLA suspension on the F150's is holding up.
Are they having problems with it, or is it going to be trouble free for
200,000 - 300,000 miles.

Any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks.

Julian



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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 21:11:41 -0600
From: Glenn S See
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ford Locator

On Fri, 19 Feb 1999 19:10:16 -0500 Gary & Nancy Brinck
writes:
>
>In my experience, some dealers hate to special order a vehicle and
always want you to buy from stock. Some won't even use the vehicle
locator, again wanting to sell from stock. Fortunately, a lot of others
don't seem to have these hang ups.
>--
> Gary
>
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>

I had the same experience trying to get an XL with minimum frills. I
would give the local dealer salespeople a list of what options I wanted
and they would then proceed to try to sell me something which may only
have had one or two of the listed options along with a lot of features I
didn't want. Had they been able to meet my minimum requirements I would
have accepted a few "extras". But the salespeople seemed to be more
interested in moving their stock than in selling me what I wanted.

Fortunately, Jim Isbell Ford in Hennessey, OK, caters to picky buyers
like me and sold me a special order '98 F-150 with just what I wanted
(and at "$99 under invoice"). Now why can't every dealer be that way?

Steve
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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 23:03:40 -0500
From: "Keith Veren"
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Fwd: Ford Truck Enthusiasts post

Get the F-350SD. You can run either one of your mentioned choices empty or
with a moderate load, but if you ever have to tow or carry some real weight,
you will be glad you got the F-350. Also it sits higher and is physically
bigger (wider) than the F-150.

Keith


- -----Original Message-----
From: JJ Thomas
To: 97up-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 10:21 PM
Subject: FTE 97up - Fwd: Ford Truck Enthusiasts post


>I am debating between a Ford F350 SD, F150 or a Ranger, all 4x4's. I like
>the simplicity of the solid front leaf spring suspension on the F350's. I
>am concerned as to how the new SLA suspension on the F150's is holding up.
>Are they having problems with it, or is it going to be trouble free for
>200,000 - 300,000 miles.
>
>Any thoughts would be helpful.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Julian
>
>
>
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>

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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 23:55:55 EST
From: CERESJohnG aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Fwd: Ford Truck Enthusiasts post

It kind of depends on what you think you want to do or need. Obviously the
150/350 is a lot bigger truck than the Ranger. Bunch more money as well. Just
driving around town "on road" Ranger will be OK. Get on a long trip and I
suspect the Rangers smaller size will be evident. Go off road in stock form
and you will find out what a toy it really is. Hauling stuff, 4x8 sheet of
plywood won't fit.

So if big pickup is what you want remember, 150 will travel better, generally
get better gas mileage, is more carlike and probably is enough truck for most
people. F 350 SD lightly loaded will be a hard ride and generally cost more
to operate. No question though, if you want an impressive truck and can afford
it, way to go. It also is a trailering fool and off road should be
outstanding. I've got a friend who uses his 150 off road for hunting and has
no problems. He has broken a torsion bar sitting in his driveway though (no
fooling) but that's another story.

John G
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Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 00:20:58 EST
From: CERESJohnG aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 97up - Re: Ford Locator

You guys have to remember that the floor plan chews on these dealers a lot.....

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