Alright i am going out on a limb here to see if anyone out there agrees with me. I am 21yrs old and an extremely loyal Ford man. I have been raised by a family that for generations has always owned Ford pickups. In high school i rebuilt a 74 F100(good truck-for shows and enjoyment) and i also currently drive a 86 F150(work truck). Both 2wd and manual transmissions-just plain jane, well built, extremely tough, and hard working trucks. As i look at the future as a young potential truck buyer and I just don't know what i will do. I am a farmer and all i really want is a simple basic work truck-give me a manual transmission, a small V8 or an old straight six like they used to make and a regular cab with a long bed and i will be happy. Is there any one out there that would like to see something like this built today? As i look at what Ford is building right now it sure is along way from what i want. The superdutys are okay but all i really need is a half ton. It seems like today everyone wants a big truck-so the companies put massive grills and body panels on them but i dare say that they are as tough as my old 74 or 86. Henery Ford was for the common hard working man-he built cars and trucks that were affordable and ready to work- i think his vision may be lost in some ways. All i know is i will drive my 86 as long as i possibly can- in my opinion that was built when trucks were trucks.
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.....the current trucks have stronger frames, tougher axles, better transmissions, more powerful engines, and better build quality. Sure they might have some electronics, and they might have some nicer interiors, but for those of you that want basic trucks, there are still XL trucks.....and they coem with everything you want except a manual transmission.....and as its been discussed before....manuals are on their way out with every manufacturer. So I wonder...you say you want a simple basic work truck, small v8, regular cab and long bed, plain jane, simple tough truck. What part of an XL isn't that?
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2007 Lariat screw - tri coat met - chrome package - Black leather captains chairs - sunroof - audiophile
If we want US auto manufacturers to survive, we all have to get over this macho, mine is bigger, faster than yours attitude.
The US has fianally realized what a fossil fuel based economy does. It make us dependant on foreign suppliers. "Over The Barrell"
The futureof US manufacturers, if there's going to be one, is going to have to be in lighter, more effcient vehicles. I cannot beleive that 80% of F150 owners need a 10K lb towing rating. And a 400 HP engine.
I'm a Contractor and need trucks to do my job. I own a couple of older F250 Diesels, because they are the most efficient trucks I can find, that'll do the job. If you look at most of the trucks on the hiways, you cannot say the same thing.
We need to get the F150 back to what it's supposed to be, a 1/2 ton truck. Not a glorified, over grown commuter vehicle. It needs to loose 1500 lbs, and get more efficient. For the sake of the whole country. Let alone, our beloved Ford Motor Company
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93 F One Fiddy- 5.0/AOD/3.55 230K OEM
93 F Two Fiddy Scab- 7.3/ZF5/4.10/Sidewinder II,94 Turbo pump,G Inj's, Velvet Ride, Turbo Bumper, Alcoa's
85 F Two Fiddy-6.9/C6/3.54/ Holley Red, Racor, Soup Bowl,AutoJet 3",Ride Rite Rear
we all better try not to buy anything that foregin made, we need to do this whenever we get the chance. also we all need to start speaking out against the foregin auto companies, all the profits off those vahicles go over seas, on a toyota 93% of the sticker price of a vehicles goes back to japan and others a prolly close to the same they are not made here just asymbled. also all that money that good ol george w is going to use for that tax thing again this year, the government is going to BORROW all of the money from china to do it. i have a decal for my truck that says " your american flag clashes with your foregin car".
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EAT RICE, DONT DRIVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
In response to what Ryan said about the new XL F150. I am not totally disagreeing with what he said I am simply and respectfully trying to voice my own opinion. Yes its true the XL is the basic plain work truck. My main point is that 22 yrs ago Ford built my current pickup- that truck with the manual transmission and 300ci big six cylinder has amazing power and torque and still gets 18mpg down the road. Yet it is suprisingly simple to maintain and work on. These new vehicles you basically have to be an engineer to do anything on them-not just a simple old farm kid like me. My question is why can't something be built like that again. We don't need the massive engines and huge bodies-we need to build another straight six-they have what work trucks should have-torque. And as far as manuals go-in my book a real truck will always be manual. I agree these new pickups have better towing capacity and payload-but honestly who buying a half ton needs that much payload and towing? People towing alot are going to spend a little more and get a superduty. I will never support any of the import companies-I know everyone says now days that they are just as good-I dont buy it-I believe Ford still provides the best quality out there and I will always buy truly American autos. In closing I still do and always will love Fords- I just wish they might rethink a few things and take us back to simpler times, but I will always drive a Ford.
i agree give me a manual and inline in a 150. great fuel economy and enough power to get almost any job done. Auto's are nice for women and inexperinced drivers but in my opinion all real trucks have a stick.
Its best to leave the past were it is. I'm 25 and I have a '95 F-150 as my daily driver and I do love it. but I realized that some of the technology that is in my truck is now over 40 years old. way before me. I never was a fan of Granny Gears but I do agree that the trucks from the 1970's and 1980's were some of the best Ford ever produced.the point is as stated earlier Technology in these truck have come along way especaliy within the last 10 years. To me if we want to see Ford Succeed we must not be afraid of the Future. I think the '09 F-150 is going to be a truck to talk about 20 years down the road.
__________________ Dre' T
'95 F-150 Ex-Cab XLT 5.0L (302) Louisiana Chapter Member
mchbts I hate to be the one to point this out but to me at least it is more your generation that is promoting the bigger is better big bang for your dollar stuff. I know that there is alot of the older people on here that want it to but for the most part ford is trying to sell more to the younger generation. I am not saying that I am not part of the younger crowd on here I am only 37 but I have to agree with this thread big time. You bring up some very good points, but as far as the manual tranny goes sorry you can say good bye to that. but welcome aboard if nobody else has said it yet glad to have ya.
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.....the current trucks have stronger frames, tougher axles, better transmissions, more powerful engines, and better build quality. Sure they might have some electronics, and they might have some nicer interiors, but for those of you that want basic trucks, there are still XL trucks.....and they coem with everything you want except a manual transmission.....and as its been discussed before....manuals are on their way out with every manufacturer. So I wonder...you say you want a simple basic work truck, small v8, regular cab and long bed, plain jane, simple tough truck. What part of an XL isn't that?
The newer trucks are made with ONE THING in mind: PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE.
Gone are the days when simple repairs took minutes, and back then, there were no such thing as pulling codes...what a freakin' joke. The average Joe can no longer fix his vehicle.
A 5.4 is more powerful engine than a 390, a 460, or even a 352?
Yeah right...it can barely out pull a 302.
And...all the newer piles have paper thin sheet metal, plastic everywhere, computers, calibration codes, thin uncomfortable seats, crappy brakes.
The build quality is better?
Take another look: Compare your '95 with your '07: The current piles have: horrible paint quality that's rife with orange peel, misaligned plastic parts held together with plastic clips, paper thin aluminum trim that tweaks when you put your fingers on it.
It doesn't take long for all that plastic crappola to start a squeekin' and a rattlin.'
Stronger frames? Ford used C channel for 90 years, and still use it on Super Duty's, and most of the other vehicles. The current F150's have fully boxed frames...all that did was add weight...lots of it.
...and as far as tougher axles...and better transmissions go...
THE BEST REAR AXLE EVER: FORD 9 INCH
THE BEST AUTO TRANSMISSION EVER: FORD C6.
Both were expensive to make, so they were replaced by what you call tougher ones. Uh huh.
Not ONE automatic since the demise of the C6 has been worth a damn...
Have an AOD?
Better STAY OUT of OD in heavy stop 'n go traffic, otherwise the little charmer will fry its guts. It doesn't take too long for this to occur, either.
The A4LD was so bad, that dealers ordered Ranger and Bronco II's with 5 speeds.
The 8.8 is a poor (and that's being kind) substitute for the 9 inch.
Gas mileage...despite all the so called improvements, the gas mileage is no better on these new plastic throwaway piles than it was 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years ago.
Want a rude awakening? Spend some time BEHIND the scene.
You'll soon discover what the reliability factors are, of all these so called improvements.
__________________ Bill / Retired Ford Partsman ~ 1962/97
Part number research: Trucks 1948/02 / Cars 1949/91
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.....the current trucks have stronger frames, tougher axles, better transmissions, more powerful engines, and better build quality. Sure they might have some electronics, and they might have some nicer interiors, but for those of you that want basic trucks, there are still XL trucks.....and they coem with everything you want except a manual transmission.....and as its been discussed before....manuals are on their way out with every manufacturer. So I wonder...you say you want a simple basic work truck, small v8, regular cab and long bed, plain jane, simple tough truck. What part of an XL isn't that?
HOGWASH! the newer trucks are not stronger or anymore reliable then the 73-79 fords. PERIOD
One thing Bill forgot to mention thpugh. when Ford went to fuel injection on there engines in the eighties it was a dramatic improvement over the carbuerated models from the ealier years. All off the pollution crap on the engines was a nightamere. With fuel injection engines last longer an are pretty trouble free. I still have an 88 Mercury that runs perfect with 150,000 miles. That being said I think Ford cheapened out on there trucks to much in 1980. That was the year off the brand new style an the frame was full off holes an the factory bunper was a joke. The mid eighties trucks were actually much better in build quality then at the start. I think the new trucks off today are much better built then the 1980 model. I have a supeerduty myself an I was in the same boat as the poster. I have 96 150 an wanted a newer truck. I thought the superduty was the best thing for me and Im glad I got it. Ford still has a work truck the superduty. I do agree that these new half tons are getting way to big for comfort for me.
Yah Henry Ford was for the common guy but that thinking got him in trouble. Case in point. Henry loved all colors for automobiles as long as they were black. Well everybody else was going to more colored cars so Henry had to change an do the same. Henry thought the Model T would last forever an kept making it too long an everybody else was going ahead with new designs. So wala the Model A. But the problem was Ford quit producing cars for several months. Which literally broke dealers.
I think the one biggest complaint about the trucks any more is fuel mileage.
Yah Henry Ford was for the common guy but that thinking got him in trouble. Case in point. Henry loved all colors for automobiles as long as they were black. Well everybody else was going to more colored cars so Henry had to change an do the same. Henry thought the Model T would last forever an kept making it too long an everybody else was going ahead with new designs. So wala the Model A. But the problem was Ford quit producing cars for several months. Which literally broke dealers.
Why were most Model T Fords black?
One VERY GOOD reason.
Prior to 1924, there was NO SUCH THING as enamel paint.
Vehicles were NOT painted...they were VARNISHED!!
It took several days to prep/varnish/sand/varnish/rub out the final coat, for just ONE body.
Anyone who has ever used varnish, knows what the drying time is between coats.
Ford used three coats of varnish on every Model T.
The "paint" deparment at FoMoCo was huge, with hundreds of ppl working on 1000's of bodies daily.
Black Model T's = Black varnish dried the quickest.
1924: The DuPont Chemical Company introduced enamel paint, they called it DUCO.
Now y'all know why Henry said: "You can have any color, so long as it's black!"
__________________ Bill / Retired Ford Partsman ~ 1962/97
Part number research: Trucks 1948/02 / Cars 1949/91
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