Engineered Obsolesance

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Apr 19, 2007 | 09:01 PM

XLnAK

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Tuned

Joined: Oct 2006

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From: Eagle River, Alaska

Engineered Obsolesance

To preface this topic, I should say that, I do have great admiration for Ford Trucks. I've owned four ,and currently have two. I Recently brought home a 2004 super duty and BSEG really discribes my thoughts about the investment. But, I have found a couple things that should be shaired with the multitude of fellow Ginners. My "used" 50,000 mile strong 04 purchaise came to me, without the fender liners, that block off the rear vertical area of the front fenders, rear most opening inside the door jamb. This at first glance, seemed to be no big deal . I can install the blockers by dropping the inner fenders or maybe removing a couple bolts I thought . But just odering a set turned difficult, using factory parts breakdown drawings and terminology. Are they blockers , braces , liners or you know something else. I had to show the counter guys the units on a 2007 to get close to a understanding . Any ways who needs em ? How often do ya stair at the door jamb, right? Well, it turns out that the nifty blockers hide a flaw. After a good washing that included the door jambs, I noticed alot of road fling (spring melt) had made its way all the way to the area above my upper door hinge, in very short order. It should be noted that the rig, doesn't have mud flaps yet, but will soon. I found a area down at the bottom of the back portion of the fender, where the inner fender(main liner)flips to the outside of the fender for attachment(push pins). Just at that transition point, the inner liner creates a Inch or so slotted opening for road debis to enter, and be trapped. With the blockers installed the area has got to be almost impossible to flow small stones out of, and the muck, will retain moisture at the fender mounting point. For the short term, I fashioned D shaped rubber flaps to cover the slots out of 1/8" sheet and pressed them down over the push pins retaining the rear of the inner liner. Its a reach for smaller hands to do, inside the fender through the jamb. This has protected my seals and hinges well, and seams to have kept stones and mud out. Also. My older rigs have gotten rear wheel opening rustout, at the top of the openning, so I took a close peak at the 04 to see if the factory had addressed this issue. I found the long standard, inner, upper opening panel still in use, creating the arched outer pocket that spawns rustout in this area. This inner panel creates a tough(strong) arch with a time limit. I hope to under coat this real hard to reach area, but untill this can be done, I found it notable that, for some profound reason (maybe factory under coating) the support/deflection panel now is produced with two large holes(3/4" -1"). Right above the tires? The 3/4" hole is round but the 1"r is oval shaped, making my(factory type) plug search alot more difficult. No. They don't last forever but rust, is no way to go for such proud looking rigs.

Apr 19, 2007 | 09:46 PM

carls 250

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Joined: Apr 2006

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I have an 06 SD that I bought new and it don't have the front liners on the rear the rear wheels but my 06 ford parts cataloge gives a part no. for them iI wounder if left them off because there is mounting holes for them.

Apr 20, 2007 | 12:10 PM

johnnysF350

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Joined: Dec 2006

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From: New Jersey

I'll say one thing about them leaving parts off and that is that it wouldnt surprise me. When I had my '03 it had factory installed body colored side mouldings on the passenger side front and rear doors. It did not have the moulding on my driver side front and rear doors. As **** as I am, it took me 9 months to notice this. I went back to my dealership and at first I think they thought I was nuts and then thought I was trying to scam them because it was so long after I bought the truck. They did order and install the mouldings on the driver side though. So much for quality control.

Apr 22, 2007 | 03:08 AM

PHWLEE

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Joined: Jul 2006

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From: New York

I've noticed that "rubber/foam thing" too and am in the process of getting mud flaps as well. You would be surprised how much gunk is thrown by the tires in the rain and such.

Apr 25, 2007 | 08:02 PM

XLnAK

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 361

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From: Eagle River, Alaska

Thanks for the support. It helps to know your not alone. Most of the missing items are not real noticable. But then again some really catch you , yikes! We must be the quality control team.

Apr 25, 2007 | 08:14 PM

carls 250

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yes and those front deflectors in the rear wheel wells are 24.50/each from ford kind of makes you feel real good inside.

Apr 25, 2007 | 09:15 PM

XLnAK

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2006

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From: Eagle River, Alaska

The front deflector in the rear wheel wells are a gota have. My 04 Lariet Has a nifty U shaped lip on the bottom of the front bumper that cathes alot of what makes it up over the tires to be shot forward. It fills up with some not so little stones. I hope to take some time soon to develope bracing and block off plates for this prob. 49$ would be well spent to protect the gas tank and alot more . As new as your rig is Carls 250 the dealer should fess up to that opps. Good luck

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Apr 25, 2007 | 10:39 PM

Customz

Postmaster

Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Utopia

wow long-winded, I took one look at that paragraph and figured there wasn't enough hours in the day.

Apr 29, 2007 | 05:32 PM

#10

XLnAK

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 361

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From: Eagle River, Alaska

Sweet, slow reader eh..

Apr 29, 2007 | 07:31 PM

#11

carls 250

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Joined: Apr 2006

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I was told from ford that the front liners for the rear wheel well was suposed to be in there,seeing how I wated to say somthing now I will have to buy them @ 24.95/ea. I told them they could keep them.I guess that is fords way to say thank you for me buying my third new ford truck in five years if you know what I mean.

May 8, 2007 | 08:38 PM

#12

XLnAK

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Tuned

Joined: Oct 2006

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From: Eagle River, Alaska

carls, That dealer needs to to be pushed . After the kind of dedication to the Ford company You have shown . Mention that several of your friends and Family are in the market for newer rigs, and that the 48 dollars of items that should have been part of your purchase should in no way stand in the way of your self, or anyone you know doing bussiness with such a great dealership or this american based company. Arg ! Your waiting to fix this un notified problem shouldn't be an issue on an 06 truck. Its not as if your asking to have the underside of the bed repainted or all the items the flaps protect replaced. Best wishes - Power to the people, he he.

May 8, 2007 | 09:58 PM

#13

Redrider910

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Joined: Jan 2007

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my 07 does not have them

May 9, 2007 | 12:46 AM

#14

Soilman

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Joined: May 2007

Posts: 356

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From: Dinwiddie, Virginia

My local dealer well do anything for me and my family. Any service done is done right and right away even without appointment. They will come pick a truck up at my house and service it and bring it back. Good price offered on trade ins and great price given on new orders. I don't know what yalls problem is with your dealers. I just think you need to deal with the country dealer and stay out the big city. I'm sure having a six member family that is responsible for buying 80+ new Fords over a twenty year period has got nothing to do with it. They going to treat you the same way you treat them. I never have bought a used truck and have never bought anything but Ford and have never been to another dealer.