A question for those of you....

[luckster]

I'm with the manual shift also. When I engage the lever, no doubt its in, no delay, no its too cold, no oh crap the water puddle screwed up the electronics.

Thought process is flawed. He says "it is cheaper to do this way" As an engineer, should be "this method provides most reliable 4wd engagement"
Sounds like a bean counter point of view.

When I need 4wd, I NEED it to work. A/C can quit, no more stereo, etc. but If I need 4wd, that is how I get back home or not.

[()smoke()]

manual with manual locking hubs? would be cool

manual with the current hub mechanism...i'd rather have the esof

[fordtruckguy8706]

I think it would be neat to see the F-150 Heavy Duty (8200 GVWR) offered in all of the trim packages and cab styles, along with a set of Super Duty, 8 lug axles underneath. Manual hubs and a solid front axle for 4x4s and twin I-beam for 4x2s. MSOF would be great. Simple, yet strong. Since this would be for the F-150 HD, more people will be willing to sacrifice a little ride comfort, knowing that this would be exclusive to this Heavy Duty package. Other than that, give the Tritons a little more power, especially in torque to match the competition. IMO, the body style and frame are great. So far, I had one issue with the ESOF not enguaging right away when I was in a muddy field on a hunting trip back in November. It eventually kicked in and worked, but it did leave me a little concerned. Since then I have not had any isues with it. It worked great in the past couple of snow storms.

2006 SuperCrew (5.5 bed) Lariat 4x4 5.4L

[LxMan1]

Well most people don't realize that even with the stick, the front differential works the same. I prefer the extra floor space, so make mine electric. If you turn it on once a month to keep things moving, it is a trouble free system.

[Fosters]

I would pay extra for the manual. the ESOF doesn't work well in -20F at all, when it's most needed...

[msalyer]

my bad.............

[WheelMA1]

All I want is real hubs!

[DearbornDerek]

The links have been sent to the engineer for this topic and the "what you would like to see" topic. Keep posting because he will be checking back from time to time.

[fruth04]

ive owned newer trucks with both, and sometimes roads go from bad to REALLY bad like right now and u cant me bending down to pulll a lever u need to be able to just hit the button and go. the old ESOF in the early 90s had a few glitches if u didnt use it, but i have no complains with my 03, my 00 had MSOF and it sucked getting it in and out of 4 low ( yes i use that from time to time ) if u guys want to think up something cool design a rearend that is limited slip and can be locked into posi at the push of a button, or one that has different gear ratios, in other words "today im pulling a trailer" i want 4.55s.... "tomorrow im driving to work " i might want 3.31s

off the topic but might spark some ideas

[hoxiii]

The handle on every MS ford i've ever driven has been long enough to just give it a yank without bending over as you drive. . .

GM's on teh other hand, with the shifter pushed right down against the floor. Those are a PITA.

Justin

[rusty70f100]

Here's my thinking.

Sure, go electronic. If it's reliable. This does not mean drive it 30,000 miles and see if it still works. This means rattle the heck out of it, have some rocks flung up in it's general direction, cycled on and off some ridiculously high number of times, and go through an equally high number of heating and cooling cycles. It still must work, work reliably, and shift as quickly as new.

If those factors cannot be met, make it manual. I have bad memories of the Explorer / Ranger electronic 4x4 shift motor, and even worse memories of changing it out...

Also, IMHO Auto 4x4 is kind of, um, redundant. I really dont need it kicking on and off every time I run over a snow drift, wearing out the 4x4 shift mechanism.

OBTW, I would hope the engineers review this thread or pass it on to the appropriate people:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/58...t-isnt-so.html

[1979 Ford]

My 1979 Ford spent most of its life off road. It has been beat several times. Snow, water, mud it spent a lot of time as a ranch pickup.

What makes it a good pickup is it still runs. I have no qualms about running down the road. It still gets 15 MPG loaded.

About the only electronics on it are the radio and ignition. Everything else is mechanical, and reliable.

[KrAzYKARL]

I love the idea of a solid front axle in a fx4. heck do a FX4 Level 2 Package like the rangers. Give the f150 FX4 L II a solid front axle, BFG All-Terrains, bilstein shocks, and front and rear lockers. oh and some beefy skid plates .

[gui88ford]

Originally Posted by KrAzYKARL

I love the idea of a solid front axle in a fx4. heck do a FX4 Level 2 Package like the rangers. Give the f150 FX4 L II a solid front axle, BFG All-Terrains, bilstein shocks, and front and rear lockers. oh and some beefy skid plates .

i like that idea...that would be cool.....

[ec_fritz]

I would like a manual transfer case (shift on the fly of any kind not really necessary IMHO) manual hubs and a manual transmission available with all engine and chassis configurations. The lack of a manual transmission option is the one and only reason I have not replaced my old truck yet.