Ok Ok then what does Ford need to do to get their MOJO back?

[wendell borror]

I'm not so sure ford plans on catching up when it comes to big output motors in the F-150. The 6.2 was supose to be a hemie killer and available in the F-150. Then when gas sky rocketed. ford said the 6.2 would only be a replavement for the 5.4 in the super duty. The only F-150 with the 6.2 is supost to be the new SVT F-150 raptor. Rumor's abound during these times, so it's hard to say. I feel ford would be making a big mistake not to offer the 6.2 in the f-150 as dodge and chevy are walking away from them in hp and torque. Gas is now down and hope will stablize, competeion is the name of the game and the 150 is fords gold mine, they need to make it the best it can be, it should be 2nd to none. That should also include a diesel, dodge is going forward with thier diesel in a 1/2 ton for next year. Ford will get thier butt kicked if they don't offer a diesel when the rest do. It's time to move stuff from the rear bunner back to the front if you want to stay the truck sales leader.

[preppypyro]

Wendell thanks for answering my reply

You were lucky to have grown up in a v8 dominated era. I was born in 79 and grew up (was raised?)through a much less exciting times for vehicles. During the 80's and 90's is when I have seen alot of domestic quality problems. So that MIGHT shed a little light for you as to where most of my experience with the not so good is

As for the diesels they are a huge part of Ford, and I hope your right about the inhouse diesel. Time will tell on that one!

Originally Posted by wendell borror

the 150 is fords gold mine, they need to make it the best it can be, it should be 2nd to none. That should also include a diesel, dodge is going forward with thier diesel in a 1/2 ton for next year. Ford will get thier butt kicked if they don't offer a diesel when the rest do. It's time to move stuff from the rear bunner back to the front if you want to stay the truck sales leader.

Now your talking my language

With the f150 right on top right now, that bigger powerplant would have put them way ahead of the competition, not just slightly. Thats where I think it comes down to options. Im a man of options, and the more the better. why not offer that big ol powerplant in a variety of styles instead of just the raptor. Im sure guys would buy the big engine in a plain jane worktruck, sometimes they dont need power windows, but they do need the power.

I think diesel is a must too. Ive towed with older diesel and gas trucks before, and diesel is just plain nicer to tow with. Add the benefit of the better economy while towing (hopefully!) and you would have a great truck for guys that want to tow their rv around more then a few times a year.

Anyone remember the 6.2 chevy's in their halftons? They werent huge powerhouses, but they did get great economy and sold like hotcakes!

[valdor]

Just my thought, not nessarsarilly desire. Mebe carrying on with the older body style would have dropped them back in the sales figures leaving them in even more trouble. I reckon they plan on introducing al the nice thingies in phases to keep interist in each model year. Like the mebe diesel and ecoboost engines etc. Introduced in phases is a way of keeping interist no? Also it mite 've been to expensive doing it all in one go. Also i have read that the market is shifting back to the work as oposed to the leisure sector and mebe getting payloads and towing up was a bigger priority.
The 6.2 / Raptor projects baffles me a bit as it is a (very nice) but expensive-toy-combination. Sure, you wanna make waves but i think project money could 've been spent wiser. If any thing, the 6.2 should be available to the volume seller as option. As for the superduty application, well its up on the hp but down on the tq on the V10. Dont think SD are made to race.... Mind you im not sure about the ever important mpg factor.

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by Faber

Don't hang me....doesn't the Tundra have a higher tow rating then a F-150?

I think they claimed that the Tundra I owned could tow something like 9,800 pounds.....I forget the exact number.
But long before that weight it felt out of control, and like it was about to crash out of control.

I have had the same Terry27 foot travel trailer for years.
I towed it with my 2001 F150 fine.....then with my 2004 F150 just fine....Got my 2007 Tundra and it was basically out of control, it was all over the road....Now my 2007 F150 tows it just fine.

So that tells me that toyota way over estimates their towing ability.

[Saleenguy]

If ford is too stupid to put the new 6.2 they are developing in the F150, then at least put the already existing 6.8 in them.

More torque is always nice when towing.

[tseekins]

Originally Posted by valdor

Just my thought, not nessarsarilly desire. Mebe carrying on with the older body style would have dropped them back in the sales figures leaving them in even more trouble. I reckon they plan on introducing al the nice thingies in phases to keep interist in each model year. Like the mebe diesel and ecoboost engines etc. Introduced in phases is a way of keeping interist no? Also it mite 've been to expensive doing it all in one go. Also i have read that the market is shifting back to the work as oposed to the leisure sector and mebe getting payloads and towing up was a bigger priority.
The 6.2 / Raptor projects baffles me a bit as it is a (very nice) but expensive-toy-combination. Sure, you wanna make waves but i think project money could 've been spent wiser. If any thing, the 6.2 should be available to the volume seller as option. As for the superduty application, well its up on the hp but down on the tq on the V10. Dont think SD are made to race.... Mind you im not sure about the ever important mpg factor.

I understand your logic but I disagree with Ford's decision not to offer the 6.2L, the diesel or a stump pulling M6OD in the F-150. Even in light of $4.00 p/g gas, the prices were going to come down eventually as they are going back up now. The 6.2L would have been / will be a hot ticket item. Truck enthusiasts would have bought them so fast that the dealers couldn't keep them in stock, IMHO.

Options wise, the next year or two will be interesting for Ford. This year we seem to be so restricted as to what we can have with a certain trim level. That just sucks. Instead of moving forward, we've digressed. I want a base XLT with some chrome and a 3.73 locker. Why can't I have that from the factory? They put towing heated power signal mirrors on the SD, why not the F-150?

I'm not buying squat until I can have what I want. I'm not going to spend that kind of money and settle for what Ford wants me to have. Loyalty goes both ways.

It's my opinion that if you spend the money for a platinum, all options available should be included. Then each trim level should step down a notch offering the options that you want to BUY. Then you have the base XL model. It comes with intermitent wipers, a/c, V-8 and a radio. That's cool. But, why can't a man who buys a work truck for work have heated and cooled seats and SYNC for example. That's the truck that most likely needs the tool management system more than the Plat!

When I walk on the dealer's lot to shop, my thoughts are NOT focused on Ford's or the dealer's profitability or any commissions paid out. Ford couldn't care less if I'm shoving biscuits in my kids mouths. My thoughts are very simplistic and extremely self centered. I want the most for the least. Likewise, the dealer and Ford are looking to GET the most for the least.

Sorry for the rant. I just don't know why I get so wound up over this.

Tim

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by tseekins

I understand your logic but I disagree with Ford's decision not to offer the 6.2L, the diesel or a stump pulling M6OD in the F-150. Even in light of $4.00 p/g gas, the prices were going to come down eventually as they are going back up now. The 6.2L would have been / will be a hot ticket item. Truck enthusiasts would have bought them so fast that the dealers couldn't keep them in stock, IMHO.

Options wise, the next year or two will be interesting for Ford. This year we seem to be so restricted as to what we can have with a certain trim level. That just sucks. Instead of moving forward, we've digressed. I want a base XLT with some chrome and a 3.73 locker. Why can't I have that from the factory? They put towing heated power signal mirrors on the SD, why not the F-150?

I'm not buying squat until I can have what I want. I'm not going to spend that kind of money and settle for what Ford wants me to have. Loyalty goes both ways.

It's my opinion that if you spend the money for a platinum, all options available should be included. Then each trim level should step down a notch offering the options that you want to BUY. Then you have the base XL model. It comes with intermitent wipers, a/c, V-8 and a radio. That's cool. But, why can't a man who buys a work truck for work have heated and cooled seats and SYNC for example. That's the truck that most likely needs the tool management system more than the Plat!

When I walk on the dealer's lot to shop, my thoughts are NOT focused on Ford's or the dealer's profitability or any commissions paid out. Ford couldn't care less if I'm shoving biscuits in my kids mouths. My thoughts are very simplistic and extremely self centered. I want the most for the least. Likewise, the dealer and Ford are looking to GET the most for the least.

Sorry for the rant. I just don't know why I get so wound up over this.

Tim

Tim, it sounds like what you want is about exactly what I bought in 2007.

Have you looked at buying a 2008 with the options you want?

I have seen some smoking discounts on leftover 2008 models here, and so far the dealers are pretty much scared to even bring in more than a couple 2009 F150's as they are finding truck sales are way down from previous years.

I have been extremely happy with my 2007 XLT supercrew 4x4.
I have some extra options on mine, and it sounds like the truck you may be happy with also.

The edge tuner has made mine snappier, and if you want more yet its easy to add boost.

I know that the prices I see on the 2009 f150s will mean no way in hell i will be buying one, and I also do not like the dash, or the front end looks of the 2009 as much as the previous generation.

Just my thoughts.

[tseekins]

Originally Posted by Saleenguy

Tim, it sounds like what you want is about exactly what I bought in 2007.

Have you looked at buying a 2008 with the options you want?

I have seen some smoking discounts on leftover 2008 models here, and so far the dealers are pretty much scared to even bring in more than a couple 2009 F150's as they are finding truck sales are way down from previous years.

I have been extremely happy with my 2007 XLT supercrew 4x4.
I have some extra options on mine, and it sounds like the truck you may be happy with also.

The edge tuner has made mine snappier, and if you want more yet its easy to add boost.

I know that the prices I see on the 2009 f150s will mean no way in hell i will be buying one, and I also do not like the dash, or the front end looks of the 2009 as much as the previous generation.

Just my thoughts.

I gotta tell ya that I've held on to my '88 so long mainly because I'm pretty tough to please. I'm really unhappy with the post '97 4x4 system. I fell in love with the '04-'08's but my bride says only one car payment at a time. The '04 Expy will be paid off next year. I really want a SD but I don't need that much truck. I'm kinda waiting to see what's over the horizon IRT engines, options and incentives. If gas stabilizes over $3.00 p/g, I'm getting a Fusion and I'll hang on to my '88 even longer. That old truck just runs soooooooo damned good it's a shame to get rid of her. But, the thing that really screwed me up was this past summer my wife had a knee totally replaced (we're not that old) and I drove her Expy all summer as she couldn't egress the Taurus. I got spoiled plain and simple. Now I want a new truck. I work hard, I earn great money and I've made many sacrifices in my life and I deserve to get what I want, petrol permitting.

Tim

[wendell borror]

Valdor, pleasse don't knock the raptor, it talkes us so long to get anything from SVT anymore. Nows a perfect time for the raptor with slumping truck sales, we need a poster child that brings thoughts of excitment, even if most of us will never own one, it's cool to day dream. I don't see how ford can't go forward with the 6.2 and diesel, as the competetion is all over it. The rumor mill really keeps you guessing and maybe thats fords intension. Like it wasn't very long ago that the 6.2 was suposed to be canceld, but yet here it is ready for production. A lot of mind games get played from ford. not so much for us, but thier competetion. Since you can't keep a secert in Detroit, they just throw out a bunch of crap to see what sticks to the wall.

[tseekins]

Yesterday I made my weekly sweep through the local dealer and all the same F-150's remain. Most siginifiantly is the 41K FX4. That sweet and sexy XLT 4x4 with the 4.6L 3V sold with three days. It was just what the doctor ordered most of us. All the gas SD's are gone leaving the expensive diesel packages behind. The people going after the high dollar 4x4 trucks are the minority. Naturally a dealer wants to sell everything as soon as they get it in but I'm curious as what time frame that a car could sit and Ford would still consider it highly sought after package. 30, 60, 90 days?

I peaked in some windows yesterday of the Flex, Edge and Fusion. I've never taken the time to even look at these guys as I'm a truck fanatic. I was impressed with the way the interiors appeared to me through the side windows.

Setting the economy and national mood aside, I think this is as good a time as any to be a Ford saleman. However, with that said, there wasn't anything real exciting on the lot for the exception of the Mustangs. There must be 100 sedans on this guy's lot and nothing was really screaming at me except for the Shelby Stangs. Ford's styling is ultra conservative in the car segment. Again, this is an observation from a truck enthusiast.

I'm sorry but the Ranger has got to go. This goodie looks old sitting still. We deperately need a mid sized truck with a new Bronco.

Tim

[wendell borror]

The ranger isn't going, were just getting a brand new one in 2012. I personally love the ranger and will miss it. I mean the one we have now. I get tired of them changing stuff just for the sake of change. I wish I could still buy a 76 bronco of a CJ-7. The ranger is one plateform that has stood the test of time and us ranger owners are really comfortable with it. It's like an old friend and a fine wine, it just gets better with age. The biggest complaint we get over at the ranger forum, is the lack of a crewcab, not the unchanged plateform. Well, we will be getting a crewcab and a changed plateform. There's an old saying, be carefull in what you wish for, you might just get it. The ranger has become an american small truck icon and a lot of it's lure is that it hasn't gone through a lot of radical changes. For us old conservitives, we like stability in a vehicle, were not big on change. We still wish we could get a manual t-case and lockout hubs. Nothing last forever, not even the ranger, it will soon be changing and I hope it's for the better. I still believe ford should bring out the F-100 and I haven't heard offically that there not, time will tell.

[tseekins]

Originally Posted by wendell borror

The ranger isn't going, were just getting a brand new one in 2012. I personally love the ranger and will miss it. I mean the one we have now. I get tired of them changing stuff just for the sake of change. I wish I could still buy a 76 bronco of a CJ-7. The ranger is one plateform that has stood the test of time and us ranger owners are really comfortable with it. It's like an old friend and a fine wine, it just gets better with age. The biggest complaint we get over at the ranger forum, is the lack of a crewcab, not the unchanged plateform. Well, we will be getting a crewcab and a changed plateform. There's an old saying, be carefull in what you wish for, you might just get it. The ranger has become an american small truck icon and a lot of it's lure is that it hasn't gone through a lot of radical changes. For us old conservitives, we like stability in a vehicle, were not big on change. We still wish we could get a manual t-case and lockout hubs. Nothing last forever, not even the ranger, it will soon be changing and I hope it's for the better. I still believe ford should bring out the F-100 and I haven't heard offically that there not, time will tell.

I'm sorry sir, I disagree. But, that's what keeps this so interesting. The Ranger is a good truck, no denying that. An American Icon? A fine wine that gets better with age? No sir, not even close. I can think a few American Icons and they've all changed with the times. The Corvette and Mustang for instance have rolled with the changes for decades. The Jeep is an Icon. They've made changes over the years, some good and some not so good. But they have evolved and survived. They could thrive if they were backed by a better nameplate.

At one time the Explorer and the Ranger shared more than a nameplate. The Explorer was taken in a different direction, given a new engine line-up, IRS, and increased overall size. The Ranger stayed the same except for a new IFS with auto hubs and tranny improvements. I think Ford should keep the Ranger name, just change the truck.

Tim

[wendell borror]

The jeep CJ is an icon, just like the 66-77 bronco. These new chryslerized jeeps are posers. Especailly after the the death of the TJ. The ranger must have something going for it, I've bought 7 and there still selling. Like I say, it's not really a problem with wana be changers, cause they are develping a brand world ranger in austraila to be released in 2012. It's gonna be the same size as the current ranger if not a tad smaller and it will be 4 cylinder based. It will keep the name. I just read in an article in motor trend at the doctors office. It said ford was looking at selling volvo to the chinese so they have more delevlopemnet money for the F-100 mid size truck. It will have ecco boost enignes from the V-6 to a turbo 4 and a V-8 option. Thats the same plateform that will spon the new bronco. So you'll probobly get your F-100 mid size, now leave us poor rangers guy's alone and keep your mouth off of our trucks ha ha. I would like to see a 4x4 ranger offered again with a 4 cylinder and a 6 speed manual, that would make for a good econimcal work truck. I love my 4.0 and I get decent mpg, but if gas prices start climbing again and I'm sure it will. My wife rolled my 09 last tuesday on black ice, I'm waiting to see if the insurance is going to fix it, or do I need to order another new one. It didn't look that bad to me, but the insurance may see it different. It just looked like a bad day at baja to me hee hee. The important thing she was allright, she's a bit sore and bursed up. My truck only had 600 miles on it. Like a timex, it rolled and kept on ticking, she had to shut the motor off. Yep the old rangers are as tough as nails!!!!

[tseekins]

Originally Posted by wendell borror

The jeep CJ is an icon, just like the 66-77 bronco. These new chryslerized jeeps are posers. Especailly after the the death of the TJ. The ranger must have something going for it, I've bought 7 and there still selling. Like I say, it's not really a problem with wana be changers, cause they are develping a brand world ranger in austraila to be released in 2012. It's gonna be the same size as the current ranger if not a tad smaller and it will be 4 cylinder based. It will keep the name. I just read in an article in motor trend at the doctors office. It said ford was looking at selling volvo to the chinese so they have more delevlopemnet money for the F-100 mid size truck. It will have ecco boost enignes from the V-6 to a turbo 4 and a V-8 option. Thats the same plateform that will spon the new bronco. So you'll probobly get your F-100 mid size, now leave us poor rangers guy's alone and keep your mouth off of our trucks ha ha. I would like to see a 4x4 ranger offered again with a 4 cylinder and a 6 speed manual, that would make for a good econimcal work truck. I love my 4.0 and I get decent mpg, but if gas prices start climbing again and I'm sure it will. My wife rolled my 09 last tuesday on black ice, I'm waiting to see if the insurance is going to fix it, or do I need to order another new one. It didn't look that bad to me, but the insurance may see it different. It just looked like a bad day at baja to me hee hee. The important thing she was allright, she's a bit sore and bursed up. My truck only had 600 miles on it. Like a timex, it rolled and kept on ticking, she had to shut the motor off. Yep the old rangers are as tough as nails!!!!

Thank God she's ok dude! Viva la Ford! I don't personally care about the F-100 as I'm never having anything smaller than an F-150. I think it would be very competetive to have one and what a great launch pad for a Bronco.

Selling Volvo is a mistake! I was tooling on Ford's homepage and linked to the 2010 cars coming out. The Fiesta is bada$$! The new Taurus, the Fusion and the Stang are all new for 2010 and definately will make heads turn. It's tough to impress with any sedan but I gotta say they are nice.

Tim

[valdor]

You know i spend more time reading posts than sending em and the fact that there are a number Ford defenders pleases me. I also grew up in a Ford employed home. I definitely agree that the Raptor should be cept as it indeed showcaes Fords abillities. But im more conservitive in my thoughts and guess i would like to see better equipped work trucks roll off the assembly line BEFORE Special vehicles hit the streets. Tim i beleive you are rite in wanting to have any option available. Also beleive that the decision makers should spend more time browsing forums like these to see what consumers want.
Keep up the interisting posts, its good reading 'em.