Even though most of us are happy with our trucks, what are some ways in your opinions that ford could improve upon it's current line of F150 trucks?

 

Crash worthiness in SC cabs and better assembly quality. More reliable engines and transmissions.

 

What do they need to improve?
parking brakes
motors- something thats going keep up with the new dodge hemi
they need need to go with a 4 vavle head and dual overhead cam setup
lower gears ratios- like a 3.73
put grease fittings on the trucks

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Sep-02 AT 09:21 AM (EST)]AMEN to the grease fittings. If Ford thinks we just drive a truck for two years, then come back and buy a new one, they are sadly mistaken. Especially in these economic times, we want a truck that will last as long as we keep maintaining it - and we'll stop buying those that don't - or are too expensive to maintain.

EASIER MAINTENANCE - Tried to replace your main belt, fuel filter or spark plugs lately? It has really gotten ridiculous in the latest models. You need special tools and a contortionist with the strength of a gorilla for some of these. The designers obviously DON'T have ease of service in mind. Why bend the fuel filter bracket back with two hands when a simple screw fastener would have worked just as well? If they are trying to entice more of us back to the dealership for routine maintenance, I'd rather sell it and buy a Toyota.

DISAPPEARING OIL - Our family has owned Ford's for as long as I can remember and ALL of them have used a quart or two between oil changes. Even on my brand new F-150, I noticed the same after about 20,000 miles. It doesn't leak onto the driveway, it just disappears. My Dad says that his Fords have always done that. Why? Why is it that my Chevy ElCamino ran to 98,000 miles and was NEVER a single quart low? Every time in the 10 years I changed the oil, there was the same amount still in there from last time. Why can't Ford build an engine that tight? I'm not saying the Chevy 305 was perfect, but I never had to check the oil between changes.

FIX THE PROBLEMS - All it takes to learn about them is to just hang out in this forum for a few weeks. You can see the same problems reported over and over again by different owners. The differential, the door cracks, the front brakes, etc. If Ford were to just fix the problems mentioned most frequently here, it would go a long way toward improving the quality...that is, if QUALITY really is JOB 1.

 

RHODCO

I guess we can't win. I went from a Tacoma 4x4 back to a Ford FX4 because of the cost of maintenance and screwing by the dealers. At least the plugs were easy to change. But, $5K to $7K to replace an engine. $1200 to replace the rack and pinion (guarantteed to fail if you off road), $400 for power steering pump, etc. Timing belt at 60K miles and should include water pump. And forget it if you need a tranny or transfer case. Also, the service techs decide how much to charge and change the price as they go.

Gee, I just bought a 2002 FX4 about a month ago and already had the engine replaced.

Pete

 

I agree with the comments about the same problems occurring over and over.

My wish list would be a way to align the truck without having to install the cam kits for $300 to $400, but Ford makes its money on service, not selling trucks.

Second would be getting rid of the Goodyear Wranglers on any truck. My experience on six vehicles is an average of 20K on each vehicle and much $$ spent on alignments, etc to prevent the cupping. Ford should realize the tires are Pieces of S--T and go with Bridgestone or some other decent tire.

That's more than two cents.

Drhuntr

 

I've put Michelin tires on my truck now, but two of my Goodyear Wrangler tires had about 95,000 miles and still had considerable tread left. I think the 17 inch tires make a big difference in the tire longevity.

 

Rhodco,

Are you sure you are pouring the oil into the right resevoir? I have owned new Fords since 1987 (87 Mustang GT, 93 Mustang GT, 93 F-150 302, 97 F-150 4.6L currently 114,000 miles, and a 2002 Explorer 4.6L and not once have I had to add oil in between 3000 mile oil changes.

 

I would say it is the little things. Like I wish I had one touch for all my windows, both up and down. Being that I have a Screw it is a pain in the *** to hold down those buttons to roll the windows down.

I wish they would move the changer to maybe under the seat for better access. It is a pain to drive and try to get that trey out of the counsole. I can live with it just seems like there can be a better way.

I also wish with the XLT you can get auto air.

Other than that, it is unstopable and I will buy the new one in 04.

Rich Gann
f150@niosys.com
Owner RWBhosting.com

02 Screw
Bullet Exhuast
MAC Air Intake

 

Put the dam lighting motor in a extended cab. bigger brakes- some of us tow u know. true dual exaust, how about giving a longer factory warranty 6/100k mile. also better paint Jobs, mine has smuges under the orange peel clear coat. climate control and a trip computer like expedtion would be nice. let the F150s have all the goodies ford puts into models such as the blackwood. high intensity MV lights, and please don't square the front end

 

My pop has a '46 ford with a 351C in it. After owning a fairlane with the original engine in it, a mustang, etc. I can say that the older ford engines have a couple very FORD characteristics.

#1 They eat oil, not a lot, can vary, but almost all of them do.

#2 Hard starting during cold weather months. (on the fairlane and the 351C.

#3 Always run just a tad hot. (all of them)

and the older ford engines tend to develop small oil leaks. around the valve covers and/or oil pan.

Nothing detrimental though.

 

FORD builds a decent truck, but small details can make a big difference. My 1999 F-150 XL 4x4 with the 4.2L V6 could use some improvements. I wish FORD would start painting their frames again instead of using that worthless wax coating that dissolves the first time hot drain oil hits it. It would also be nice if the oil drain plug came out of the bottom of the pan instead of the side, where it shoots oil on the crossmember. An oil filter that was not angled, but straight up and down, so it could be primed with a full quart of oil before installation, would be nice. Grease fittings would be greatly appreciated. I think I found two. The factory spray in bedliner is a joke. It is sprayed on way too thin and the paint in the bed was not scuffed up or sanded prior to application. This has resulted in the liner peeling off in many places. One last thing that is missing is a solid front axle with manual locking hubs.
I love FORD trucks and would not own anything else, but they are not perfect.

 

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Oct-02 AT 08:55 PM (EST)] I have sat here and read all those. This is probably why I will stick with my old ford rather than buying a new one. They change things and sometimes the changes aren't necessarily better. I have spent some time under my truck and and looking at the engine. From what I can tell.

My truck has grease fittings.
My oil plug is near the bottom although still on the side.
I have an aftermarket clip-in bedliner.
TWO switches for my power windows. (Only two windows but hey. );-)
My truck doesn't use but about a half quart between the 3000 changes.
Spark plugs are all in a nice row. (I6)
My truck starts great in the winter time it is summer that I have trouble starting it.
Heck, its been a great truck to learn mechanics on. I have only had it in the shop once from a breakdown.

The rest of this is, I am a poor college student and can't afford a brand Screw or PSD or even buying another old truck should mine be killed. So, for those of us that barely have the money to reg maintain our Blessed Fords, quit complaining. If you love Ford and have the ability to buy with a warranty, go ahead and let them do the work.

Sherlock and Watson with 4.9 I6
Maybe you can send me the money for a K&N Filter $45.99 at Autozone by the way.