I love the controls on my 90' also. My 84' was the same way. Only difference was the fuel tank selector switch was next to the A/C and heater control. My fiances Civic is a whole world of difference. Two multifunction switches on the wheel. One is for the winshield wipers mounted opposite of the turn signal multiswitch. Countless times in it when i make a turn i will accidentaly turn on the wipers. Really is irritating and distracting. Then again it is real hard to be 6'3" driving a little Civic.

 

76super, where in Maine? I used to live in Augusta, and I know what you mean. My 80 Bronc had the original windshield, without a scratch, but my father's 91 Mazda had a beat windshield.

Jared

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Jan-03 AT 03:49 PM (EST)]As the one person on here who prefers the hi/lo switch on the steering column, I'd better get my two cents in.

I've got one truck with vent windows and the hi-beam/low-beam switch on the floor, and one without vent windows and the switch on the column. Both have a rear slider - I've bought trucks without them, but I definitely prefer to have the rear slider even if it *is* less secure. I don't like the fact that the sliders on the new trucks seem a lot smaller than the old ones - not sure why that is, though it's probably either because it's more secure or because it's less likely to leak.

Anyway, in the past 30 years I've probably replaced 10 of the floor switches - they tend to get salt & snow in them in the winter, and then rust up and don't work any more. Also, with a manual tranny there are times when your left foot isn't free to hit the switch because you're working the clutch.

Not that the column-mounted switches don't have drawbacks as well - sometimes they aren't easy to use when you're busy turning the wheel, and they cost more and are more difficult to replace. So far I haven't replaced one, though I'm sure I will have to eventually.

Overall, I prefer the switch on the column - though it can be confusing to drive two vehicles that have different setups. I got used to the new truck, and then when I drove the old farm truck I actually ripped the end off the turn signal trying to hit the high-beams. Oops! But, I fixed that with a bit of duct-tape - so it's as good as new again.

As far as vent windows go, I really like them in my older truck without A/C - but in the new one I have A/C, so I find that I don't miss them all that much. There does seem to be less wind noise with the 'new' non-vent window, but if they offered vents as an option I'd probably pay extra for them.

I did order the XL, because I wanted a manual transfer-case lever, manual windows and locks, and no carpeting. I might be okay with A/C and the new hi/lo switch, but I still shy away from most of the yuppie accessories - they just don't seem right on a work truck, and are just something else to break. The transfer-case lever doesn't really feel mechanical to me, though - at least, not the 4-hi to 2-hi shift - I think it might just be tripping an electrical switch of some sort. I haven't checked it, because if it really isn't mechanical then I'll be annoyed...and I don't feel like being annoyed right now.

Forgot to add: One thing I HATE about the new trucks is how they split the headlight switch into two switches - one to turn them on, and one for dimming them and turning on the dome light. I long for the olden days, where you pulled the switch out one click for parking lights, two for headlights, and rotated it for dimming & the dome light. For some reason this just seemed a lot more 'natural' to me than the new switch setup - everytime I need to dim the lights or turn on the dome light (& cargo light) I wind up hunting around the dash trying to find that dang switch. I'm used to the new wiper setup, but I'm still not used to the headlight switch.

LK

 

I agree with most everything here, and I hope some ford exec. are reading this. I love the dimmer switch on the floor, and I love the vent windows. My 86 has factory locking vent windows, and the rear sliding window laches securely too. I love the 'old' push/pull headlight switches. I HATE multi-function switches. It is a turn signal lever, it's soul purpus should be for signaling turns! Put the wiper switch back on the dash wile your at it too! We don't need 15 different delay settings! I get by with rain-X and my 2 speeds just fine. I find it hard to belive that I will ever buy a new car. I am quite happy with my '86 F150 and '67 mustang. Oh, and I love those cable operated floor vents too! You want retro conceps, bring this back!!!

 

My 88 F-150 has the switch on the floor and just love those vent windows in a truck without AC the switch finally went last summer (hey it was 14years old) i was coming back from picking up a b-day cake for my daughter and had to go over a dirt mountain road turned on my headlites and nothing!! talk about darkness.

 

 

I have a 94 with vent windows. That's one of the things that tipped the scale when I was looking to get this truck. They are great during summer and for smoking b/c they suck the smoke and ash right out.

I also like the look of them.

 

i never liked the vent windows i just turn on the a/c

 

Do not miss the vent windows at all. I've had floor switches crap out due to snow and mud, but never a problem with the light switch dimmer. As for the rain gutters, I put in snap in plastic visors.