Remember...to turn the F150 into something lighter, less capable, marginally more efficient, and less durable would alienate those of US who buy F150s for their capability.

The ranger has a payload of over 1/2 ton...so what's wrong with that for you? What's wrong with those of us who NEED something as heavy as the -150, but do NOT need a Super Duty?

Want a crew cab? Get a Sport Trac! NO better MPGs, less capacity, less power....pretty much what you want....right?

 

Here's what I want. 2003 F150 capabilities and weight with 2009 engine/transmission.

My 2000 can get 20hwy, 18 is no problem all hwy. 14 is no problem city without towing.

So 9 years later, another valve, and 2 more transmission gears and all you can offer me on the special fuel economy model is 1 more city and 1 more hwy with 3.15 gears?

This isn't even a thread about the regular F150. This is about the special fuel economy model, and I think it could have achieved more.

Mike

 

Man, I can't wait until some of you guys get out and actually DRIVE an F150, and then you can tell from your own experience what Ford has achieved and what it hasn't. If there isn't some configuration in this lineup that doesn't do what you need a truck to do, you probably have unrealistic expectations.

Yeah, I guess I woudn't mind a manual myself. So get a Super Duty.

 

probably if they offered it on the regular cab or even supercab. If they wanted the top mpg, they would have done this on a reg cab 2wd IMO...

There will be plenty of people dissapointed it doesn't get 25mpg... and if it does, there'll be plenty of people dissapointed it doesn't get 30mpg. And if it does, there will be plenty of people dissapointed it doesn't tow more than a civic.

Can't please everyone

 

All I'm saying is that if you're going to make a special fuel economy edition, then do it all the way. Don't just put really high gears in it and some special tires.

It would be like an F150 Lightning before they were supercharged.

Mike

 

How much did the pre 97 trucks tow? Imagine one of those with a 4.6 3v and six speed. Im wondering how much they weighed as well. Half tons have gotten into such a contest of mine is bigger than yours that they are basically 3/4 tons from yesterday it seems to me.

I have to agree with blk94150 that it would be nice to have todays engines in a lighter truck and even less capable one for those that dont tow or haul constantly but do need to do so on occasion. For those that need more get a F250. Those old trucks would do a ton of work abit maybe slower but they would get it done.

Its too late now anyway we are going to get what we get and it cant be changed. Too bad they killed the F100 as it might have filled a nice niche.

 

i was going to say that they need to bring on a f100 again. something that can haul a few full sheets of plywood, look good, be semi fuel efficient, but not be built to haul a mobile home. to create such a truck as a totally different truck, not "special" f150 might be plausable. as was said earlier, ford can't and won't please everyone... i'm happy with my truck, areo-dynamic as a brick, heavy as a bus, uses as much fuel as it needs, and it does everything i ask it to. thats why i drive a ford F150.

 

The whole weight factor for a sfe vehicle should be reduced, and can in many ways. This isnt a heavy tow f150 people, its a sfe!

Crazy 001 in post 46 you posted that you need to have a f150 that could tow. Fine, get the heavier f150, not the sfe model!

The way I see it, ford is on the right track with offering this model, they are on the way to trying to please everyone.

 

The way I see it, ford is on the right track with offering this model, they are on the way to trying to please everyone.[/quote]

They can try but.....no 300 I-6 -unhappy people,no manual-unhappy people,less than 30 mpg-unhappy fonefiddy,etc etc!! Some people are NEVER happy.

 

Yeah i know some people are never happy, but it seems like they are trying to cover all areas with the f150.

They must have a reason for not offering manuals anymore. I know I hear alot of people on here that say they like them, but I wonder if with new sales they arent a hot seller.

 

Why? What you have described is the F150, at least what I think it should be. The F250 should be the 11K+ tow machine, the F350 somewhere above that, and the F450 as the max. The Ranger needs to be below the F150 with a new, more fuel efficient power train, maybe a hybrid or something.

I'll give Ford kudos for trying with the SFE and it looks like it worked to some degree on paper anyway. I'm still not sold on highway performance even empty with the 4.6, 3.15 gears, 30.5 inch tires, and .69OD ratio. That's only going to be turning that 4.6 at 1556 RPM @ 65 or 1676 @ 70.

I'd think towing you can forget gears 5 and 6.

Mike

 

One of the biggest reasons is that with the efficiency of modern automatic transmissions there is no advantage in fuel economy with a manual. Look at how many vehicles with 6-speed automatics match their six-speed manual counterparts' fuel mileage. In some cases, they exceed it.

Personally, I like the added control a manual gives me in hilly and curvy terrain. Manumatics are pulling up even with manuals in this territory too. I haven't owned an automatic since 1985, when I sold my 1967 Mustang 390 GT/A Fastback. I could easily contemplate an automatic at this point of auto trans development, though.

 

Good point. I guess that was directed toward those who insist on neutering the F150 down to nothing, just to satisfy their own personal wants. Believe me...the SFE won't be on my wish list, but I think it's darn impressive that they can make a truck tow that much, while still getting 21 MPG on the highway...

and it's STILL A TRUCK...not the neutered thing some insist will get 30 MPG....

 

Speaking of that...any insight as to why Ford doesn't have a "manumatic" option, like some of the competition has? I've heard good things about the tow/haul mode, and the kickdown when you tap the brakes, but why not give us full control?

 

I drove a new jeep cherokee with that manumatic, or whatever it is called, and that is so handy to have.

I guess ford cant have everything, but a manumatic would be the next best thing to a manual!