Can someone please explain?

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Mar 18, 2008 | 07:00 PM

tseekins

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From: Maine, Virginia

Can someone please explain?

Good day all! I've been wondering for the last 9 years or so why Ford decided to give the F-150 and SD's different identities. I'm not complaining mind you but it seems that Ford's sales were just fine in the previous generations. I will admit however that it really chaps my a$$ that such a large price difference separates the two trucks.

Do any of you guru's see the body styles merging again in the future? I really want a SD for it's looks, but the F-150 more than meets my needs.

Thanks

Tim

Mar 18, 2008 | 08:33 PM

LxMan1

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That's a good question, GM and Dodge use the same bodies for both. It would seem more cost effective for a company losing billions of dollars to reduce tooling cost and make them all the same. They did fine having one body style up until 96!! I too prefer the SD, but can not afford one.

Mar 18, 2008 | 08:58 PM

powerstroke1350

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I think its genious! it seperates them! you know whats a 3/4 ton and one ton! think about when the f150's came out in 97. could you imagine a crew cab long bed dually with that look? it would not look right...I think they did the right thing seperated the hd's from the half tons. excuse me super dutys.

Mar 19, 2008 | 12:47 AM

horsepuller

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Couple of reasons, I think. One is that it's enabled the F250/350 trucks to get bigger and heaver with bigger engines, brakes and tow capacities. Without having to be compromised by having concern over the F150 getting so heavy that it's capacity would be so diminished that it may as well be dropped from the roster.

Ther main reason though, I believe was to keep up the long winning streak of "best selling truck." Ford recognized that there was a large segment of the public whose needs were not being served served by automakers... women. For the first time, a large part of Ford's customers were single women. They wanted trucks, but didn't want big intimidating fire snorting behemoths. They wanted a truck that could park in the garage or parking stall with ease and had the same versatility as a midsize SUV. Actually, an SUV with a pickup bed.

I believe Ford met both of those objectives with the '97 F150.

I too prefer the same identity on a truck series. But realistically, though GM and Dodge truck series may look the same, the half ton trucks frames are completely different and though they look similar, I kind of doubt if you could switch body parts between them and have them fit.

Mar 19, 2008 | 10:05 AM

JKBrad

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From: San Antonio, TX

Super Duty also helps Ford's medium duty line profitable. The same cab that's used on the F250-F550 is used on the F650-F750.

The same basic suspension is used on F250-F550. Super Duty trucks are actually toned down medium duty trucks that can do much more work than they are actually rated for.

For GM to compete they would need to make a 3/4 ton and 1 ton Top Kick.

Dodge has once again entered the over 1 ton market now with their cab and chassis along with the Sterling Bullet clone. (a Dodge truck with the Sterling name on it)

Trucks with over 6600 GVW also sell well due to various tax write offs available for them as "work" vehicles. (hence the popularity of the 8 lug H2)

Mar 19, 2008 | 11:32 AM

bpounds

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tseekins

that such a large price difference separates the two trucks.

I don't see this at all. If you price the F150 vs the F250, with similar trim features, not trim badge, you'll see they are really very close. Ford actually brought the features in each trim package closer together with the '08 MY than they were in '04-07. The prices are so close that the main reason to choose an F150 are fuel economy and the smooth ride.

Bill

Mar 19, 2008 | 01:28 PM

Ryan50hrl

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From: Neenah, Wisconsin

and i really don't see the design similarities....other than a grille...which fords doing across the board....but they are two different trucks in my opinion...