What features would you like to see?

[110Dave]

A 6 speed manual would be nice with the V-8 and make it available with the upscale trim packages. Believe it or not the wifey prefers and will only drive stick shift trucks. Her 2002 F-150 will be ready for replacement in a couple of years and if ford doesn't offer a manual tranny option in the new F-150 we will be moving her up to a Super Duty or buying a competitors truck.

[dwrestle]

Thats one thing I always USED to like about Ford, they gave you options. Like I have seen plenty of 92-96 F-150's that were all decked out with captains chairs, and pushbutton 4x4, super cab, auto hubs, and then it had a 300 six and a 5 speed tranny. thats just an odd combo for me, I would think that truck would be an automatic and a V8. I've also seen what looked like a plain jane work truck have an auto tranny, with locking hubs, and push button 4x4. I wish Ford would go back to those days, but I'd be happy if they made a work truck package with an available manual tranny with any engine, and locking hubs with a shifter for the transfer case. The only options I would get would be A/C, tilt/telescoping wheel, power pedals(I'm fat and short), cruise, and a nice sound system, all with the 5.4 and a 6 speed tranny.

[David85]

I know what you mean. Heard of one guy that ordered an 1985(ish) f150 with several high end options, a clark 4speed overdrive tranny, 3.08 gears, 4.9L, and full marker lights. Even some guy at the assembly line was confused by it, he put the wrong size lug wrench in it, must have figured it was an F250.

Options are nice, having choices is better.

[ec_fritz]

My 89 is a XLT Lariat with a V8, manual trans and manual hubs, if I could get something similar now I would be at the dealer tomorow.

[AZ_Catskinner]

I look at my current truck (1975 F-100), and wish I could get an identical setup, but in a new truck (single cab, short wheelbase 4x4, larger V8, and a 4 speed).

How many years was this setup the one that flew off of the dealers' lots?

I was talking with a friend that works at a dealer, and he was laughing at my ancient truck pulling a much newer boat - asked me when I was going to upgrade the truck to match the boat.....I told him as soon as Ford decided they wanted to sell me one that met my approval. It breaks my heart knowing that the only manufacturer that will build the truck I want is Dodge.

[ec_fritz]

Originally Posted by AZ_Catskinner

It breaks my heart knowing that the only manufacturer that will build the truck I want is Dodge.

I'm with you 110% on this one.

[David85]

Originally Posted by AZ_Catskinner

I look at my current truck (1975 F-100), and wish I could get an identical setup, but in a new truck (single cab, short wheelbase 4x4, larger V8, and a 4 speed).

How many years was this setup the one that flew off of the dealers' lots?

I was talking with a friend that works at a dealer, and he was laughing at my ancient truck pulling a much newer boat - asked me when I was going to upgrade the truck to match the boat.....I told him as soon as Ford decided they wanted to sell me one that met my approval. It breaks my heart knowing that the only manufacturer that will build the truck I want is Dodge.

Thats something I just don't get, why did ford stop offering high powered engines in light duty trucks?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think in the mid 70s you could get an f100 custom with a 460 big block. I doubt even the MPGs would be all bad either, since diffy ratios as lean as 2.5:1 were also avalable back then. A 460 could certainly move with that much power in such a light setup. And then there were the tranny options too.....

Then came 1980, and the f100 was offerd a 3.8L V6, no good .

I'd hang on to that f100 if I were you.

[dwrestle]

I bet if classic 4 speeds were offered today, like the T-19, or the NP-435, or the SM-465(or is it 456), I guarantee you they would still sell a million because people love them.

[AZ_Catskinner]

I'd wager that if Ford returned to the 92-96 (Arguably the best compromise between the sheer toughness of the earlier trucks, and modern conveniences) style F-Series, that they wouldn't be able to build them as fast as they sold them.

The Bronco would make a killing today, especially offered in a stripped "work" version. We've got 87-91 Broncos still running around the pit, and the Expeditions/Explorers have a life measured in months.

Ford has killed themselves by paying more attention to Motor Trend and other "critic" media than they have bothered to listen to their lifeline in the truck market, the average blue-collar American.

I'll stick with keeping my old truck alive, rather than drop $40K+ on a (horrendously ugly) new SuperDuty or a totally non-responsive to my requirements F150.

[David85]

For me, the writing was on the wall when I saw a ford infomercial promoting its new 2004 F150, and the host kept tripping over himself to use the term SOPHISTICATED to describe the "all new" truck.

For me a throwback body style would be great, but I have my doubts that ford will be able to part with the high technical complexity of its current designs. EFI simply isn't good enough for me to risk the cost of repairing it in one of my trucks.

Makes me wonder if some one should be reconditioning the older trucks. I have heard of that idea before, don't know how practical it would be to impiment though.

[dwrestle]

I don't mind Ford making a super nice truck or having all kinds of technology behind the truck, but I want the option to not have that crap. If they went back to the older style I would like it to be more aerodynamic, and also be as light as the older trucks. I won't say much about the boxed frame because thats probably one reason it does so well in crash tests. I would like to see one thing sophisticated in newer trucks, and thats the tire pressure stuff like the Hummer has, under inflated tires eat a lot of gas, and there is a company that can give us that Hummer technology for a lot less than the Hummer cost.

[DearbornDerek]

F-150 does have TPMS.

[relee]

I would love to see a "real" manual trans. offered with gearing much like the 6-spd zf in the super-duty. I like to tow with a stick and the mazda doesn't do it very well. Also the 4.5 diesel would great. Will be looking to buy in the near future.

[RealTruckMan]

I would love to see a built in truck bed step.

[sowder]

300 6cyl. with carb. and manual with od. Why did I sell my 79?