Who needs 10 speeds? Seems crazy. With the 6R140 I always have the right gear, and it's proven. Even with the 5R110 I'm not wantin' for gears. With the 4R100...it's only OK. But we have one truck with the C6 and it desperately needs another gear.

The 10 speed has been trouble in other applications.

 

If it’s lowered all the better for the big 5th wheel towers, especially those with newer DRV’s

 

The fact that they are lower will make our lifted trucks stand out, looking good.

 

Isn't it just the 250 that has been lowered for 2020?

 

Fleet sales. Every bit of additional fuel economy is a big thing for fleets controlling their operating costs. Most people on this forum are too busy picking out aftermarket leather for their seats or arguing over the chrome chipping on their 20’s to remember that the core market for light/medium duty trucks is commercial fleet use.

 

Fleets also want reliability. The new 10 speed is most welcome... after the leather pickers, chrome chippers, early adopters, and gotta have the latest-er's test it out for a a couple years first. We jumped on a '19 because of that.

 

Both SRW and DRW will be lowered.

Ford engineering states:

Front by 1/2"
SRWs Back 1 1/2"
DRWs Back 1"

Around minute 11.

 

Hmm maybe it's the Rams then? Or the person misspoke but I swear I remember a video where the 3/4 ton model was lowered but 1 ton wasn't

 

There was a video where they were talking about a F250 and the comment was made about lowering. Some took it to mean only F250s. That's not the case. Ford is lowering them all for ease of access and 5th wheel hookup.

 

I thought so too. But havent taken time to find it. Could be I misheard too.

 

@5:50

Funny thing is, I believe that was filmed the same day as the other video posted.

 

Just a heads up...

If you are in CA and are subject to retire or repower rules for your over 14K GVWR diesel trucks, and have any 2000-2003 Class 4 and Class 5 chassis cabs that sunset 1/1/20, and were thinking of ordering a 2020 model to replace them, which is why you might be monitoring this thread...

Here is some sobering news: The order bank for 2019 reportedly already closed over a month ago, on April 12, 2019. The order bank for 2020 will open on August 14, 2019... however, Job 1 will not commence until November 4, 2019. Since it takes a minimum of 6 weeks from build to deliver via rail car to California, you will want to order within the first week the bank opens in August, and hope to be scheduled in the first week of production in November, if you want to receive your bare chassis prior to the January 1 deadline, and even then, it will take another month or two for your upfit if you don't transfer your own vocational body over.

I noticed that Ram is doing the same thing... a very early closure (also back in April) of 2019 chassis cab orders, and a very late start (October/November) in 2020 chassis cab builds. GM/International seemed similar as well, although I have forgotten the dates.

Since the typical production cadence has been mid May closure, and Job 1 of the following model year in late July, this early closure and late start is a curious anomaly. Especially in the face of a newly enforced mandate for replacement now linked to DMV registration ability. I predict price gouging this fall.

 

Knew I heard that!

 

Stockpiles of truck and other vehicles are way up, there’s reports of farmers in the Midwest cutting back on purchases due to the ongoing trade war, (John Deere is in the toilet) and there’s constant news of another government shutdown looming. Ford has an opportunity to burn through leftover 2019’s before swinging into the 2020’s, so they’re gonna take it. Where did you think all those PCO’s come from?

 

Domestic raw materials miners have raised their prices as their imported competition has dwindled from tariffs. So we never get a break. Rather than tariffs on imported materials making domestic materials now suddenly more affordable by comparison... domestic materials shoot up sharply in price also, due to lack of competition and reduced available supply. We can't win a trade war.

When it comes to these trucks however, the issue in California is that in 7 month from now, it will be illegal to operate, and impossible to register and insure, a diesel powered light or medium truck used commercially in trade or business or government affairs for that matter if it is over 14K GVWR and older than 2004. While this law has been on the books for a decade, we have finally arrived at the appointed time when it was scheduled to be enforced.

So economic prudence on the part of business operators... choosing to run older trucks for a few more years until the trade war is over... is not an option in a region where an enacted mandate dictates otherwise. This mandate forces a demand for new trucks in spite of the economy or financial sense. Non compliant vehicles won't be eligible for registration.