Yes, things are going to be drastically different for America in the coming decades but we're looking at this the wrong way. We really can make this a good thing. For example-did anyone see the 4WOR magazine retrospect that showed the 1980 F150 4x4 ad? The truck got 15mpg city/20mpg highway, better mileage than a 2007 f150. That's hardly progress and it isn't Ford's fault, it's ours as consumers. They built what we wanted, and now when gas prices go up we bitch about the oversized pickup we had to have while Ranger's sat unsold on the lot. We should have learned our fuel economy lesson after the 1973 energy embargo but we didn't. Same thing has happened with housing. Our McMansions have bloated up to foolish sizes using more resources to build, heat, cool, and maintain, all with an equally bloated up front price tag financed with a sketchy adjustable rate mortgage. We should have learned our lesson about these loans when interest rates soared up to the 20-21% range during the "Reagan Years" but we didn't. The bottom line is that America can't continue on this consumptive orgy. We also cannot import the massive quanities of foreign goods but we do. The future will be smaller, more efficient, cleaner, American made, and not bought on loose credit. And Ford will give us the products we want and need. They always have.
Yes, things are going to be drastically different for America in the coming decades but we're looking at this the wrong way. We really can make this a good thing. For example-did anyone see the 4WOR magazine retrospect that showed the 1980 F150 4x4 ad? The truck got 15mpg city/20mpg highway, better mileage than a 2007 f150. That's hardly progress and it isn't Ford's fault, it's ours as consumers. They built what we wanted, and now when gas prices go up we bitch about the oversized pickup we had to have while Ranger's sat unsold on the lot. We should have learned our fuel economy lesson after the 1973 energy embargo but we didn't. Same thing has happened with housing. Our McMansions have bloated up to foolish sizes using more resources to build, heat, cool, and maintain, all with an equally bloated up front price tag financed with a sketchy adjustable rate mortgage. We should have learned our lesson about these loans when interest rates soared up to the 20-21% range during the "Reagan Years" but we didn't. The bottom line is that America can't continue on this consumptive orgy. We also cannot import the massive quanities of foreign goods but we do. The future will be smaller, more efficient, cleaner, American made, and not bought on loose credit. And Ford will give us the products we want and need. They always have.
Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself.
I am a huge fan of the global economy and don't think we should be asked or forced to buy american made. Instead we should buy the best made and force america to compete.
BUT, after thinking this over there are some problems with this. The big problem is the energy to transport all the products from overseas to here. I have no idea about the energy required to do this but its an interesting thought. Anyone know?
I am a huge fan of the global economy and don't think we should be asked or forced to buy american made. Instead we should buy the best made and force america to compete.
BUT, after thinking this over there are some problems with this. The big problem is the energy to transport all the products from overseas to here. I have no idea about the energy required to do this but its an interesting thought. Anyone know?
I agree about fuel economy, but the ranger was not a very economical truck for its size. It used less fuel than an F150 (except maybe the 300 inline six), but the 4.0L V6 was(is) a gas hog.
As for international trade, it depends on what your are importing. Our aluminum supplier gets all their stock from mainland china, and the price is calculated based on the market value + small markup (so cheap labor is not the major factor despite what some may think). The material is transported by container ship to the port of vanouver. Currently the price is as good as any other bulk supplier, maybe a bit better, though we are occasionally forced to buy from the states or brazil if we need something thats rare quickly, and it of course costs a good 10-20% more. Though thats partly because of the small order size.
Fresh produce is another story because it usually has to be flown, but it is still possible to be competitive. Right now chile is exporting grapes to canadian supermarkets (probably to the states as well), and the sale price is as good as anything that gets exported from california, for example. On average, they are also much better quality too. Galla apples from new zealand are another example, higher quality than even what are grown in BC, (I hate wax), and usually at the same price or even better.
We do have some bleeding hearts in canada that are saying that its a bad for the environment to buy imported produce because of global warming (all that burned jet fuel). Frankly I'm getting sick of the GW debate (its too late anyway), our province just slapped a carbon tax on everything that moves because of it. Policies like that, which can borderline on protectionism, and the rising cost of fuel may make long haul transportation more expensive, but it will have to get very expensive before shipping by sea gets too high since the cost is still so low.
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1986 F250HD Ex cab Fresh built up 6.9L diesel Lariat AC leather seats power everything w/full cluster, sterling rear 3.08LS gears, E4OD trans, ram intake ATS 088 turbo
1986 F150 Ex cab Lariat rollercam 5.0L on LPG AOD trans 3.55 gears 390 000Ks
All of you are correct and incorrect and like all humans, we tend to remember the things that make us comfortable. No I'm not a Dr. Phil wannabe.
The new trucks are put together with shoddy pieces of plastic. My '04 Expy is essentially and F-150 w/ 49K and is still as solid as ever.
My dad had '76 F-150 with the 360 CID and C-6 trans. To this day, the old '76 has been the most capable truck that he ever owned. However, the 360 is pure JUNK. The damned thing spent more time in Ford garage than in the driveway. Push rods fell apart, lifters went to hell and the valves wouldn't seat themselves properly during break-in. The truck needed a valve job at 8K! How is this better? Modern engines may be tough on fuel but look at what they are expected to do besides turn the pilot shaft in the trans. A/C compressor, smog pump, pwr steeering, 100 amp alternators and air pumps and hydraulic pumps for those of you that may have recovery units or snowplows.
The boxed frame is heavier and also safer. The outter shell of the '09 F-150 cab was made a little bigger to accomodate the side air curtain system. I don't agree with the air bag systems and the detonation systems in the new seat belt restraints. These systems are heavy, expensive and expensive to repair.
How many '70's era engines made it past 150K without some engine work?
As for the 300CID, God bless you if you really love yours. I had an '86 with the 300 and 3.08 axles. What a dog! Great mileage, no power and very dependable. The inline needed a better gear set and a granny transmission in order to compete with the 351. My '88 with the 5.8 is twice the truck and has been just as reliable.
Yes it's no secret that even though the trucks where good in the 70's, that much of the v-8's went downhill. dad had a 69 ranger w/a 360 and it wasn't up to much. gas pig and valve job @ 30k. Said it wouldn't hold a candle to his 64 galaxie's 390. i had a 400 in a 77 i liked it but pushrod out the oil pan cause i over revved it. 2wd-version 351m's weren't as ballzy as 4wd versions. they could've been popular if those gm biased magazines only gave'm a chance half as much as 350's
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Lariat AC leather seats power everything w/full cluster, sterling rear 3.08LS gears, E4OD trans, ram intake ATS 088 turbo
