RE: Good price on F250 V10?
That's a pretty good deal.
You might be able to shave another grand or so, but maybe not. Since it's not on their lot, they are not going to even bother if there's nothing in it for them.
Good luck.
jb
RE: 1/2 Ton Ford Diesel Status?
It's on hold.
I don't have specific details, but you could probably find more info here.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php
Edit: More details here..
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/16/fords-light-duty-4-4l-v8-diesel-doa/
Cheers,
jb
RE: Couldn't resist the 0%
We've started counting how many times we see the "saved by zero" commercial in a given evening. Watched 2 hrs of TV the other hight, 3 different stations, saw the ad about 20+ times....you know they are serious about unloading trucks....
The funny thing about those ads is that they refer to Toyota not the consumer. Toyota is hoping they will be saved by the zero-percent promo.
OTOH, if you're in the market for a new truck, why not take advantage of the slump to get the best price and financing you can find?
Congrats and good luck with the new truck.
Cheers,
jb
RE: 2009 F150
More new parts than you can shake a stick at.
You're wrong. There's no stick available for the f-150 so it would have to be "more new parts than you can shake a PRNDL at".;)
I like the new truck. I just can't get past the whole transmission thing.
Cheers,
jb
RE: Which is the most economical vehicle to pull a 12 foot PUP ?
As others have said, just about any mini-var or the smaller suv's would work fine.
The new Ford Flex looks like it would be the perfect tow vehicle for a pop-up, or even one of the smaller hybrids (< 19 ft).
With the tow package, it has tow rating of 4,500 lbs.
It also has decent wheelbase and lots of room inside for stuff.
Good luck,
jb
RE: American Cars, trucks, vans
I have owned thirty-some vehicles, made in many parts of the world. Some were good, a few were great, a number were good for artillery practice and little else, and virtues and vices were not attributable to any particular point of origin.
Sluggo
Well said, but you forgot the "except the one's made in England" part.
Cheers,
jb
RE: 2009 F-150 evaluation
Thanks for the link.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it is amazing the things they say about the automatic.
"doesn't up shift when you don't want it to"
"down shifts when you want it to"
It's like, with another 20 or 30 years of development, they will have an auto that works as well as a manual.
The extended cab length is a welcome change. If you buy the crew cab to haul the family around on camping trips, any extra room up front is a bonus.
Cheers,
jb
RE: American Cars, trucks, vans
I'd say 3/4's of all complaints about vehicles of any make are related to automatic transmissions, and yet, manuals are as rare as hen's teeth.
If the F-150 was available with the V-8 and a manual, there would be one in my driveway right now.
Besides the transmission thing, my main gripe with auto manufacturers of all types is the packaging of options.
Options come in 4 categories.
1. One's I have to have.
2. One's I'd like to have.
3. One's I absolutely DO NOT want.
4. One's I don't care about, but don't want to pay extra for.
They way they package options, there is no way I can get a vehicle with the must haves but without the must NOT haves.
For example, the Ford Flex is available with 4wd, but only with the dead cow interior. That's never going to happen in this house.
My Mazda 5 had to be spec'ed at the lower level (sport) to get a 5 speed and avoid climate control and then optioned up to the same level I wanted (Touring), but at least I was able to do it.
Guess what's in my driveway? The one that could be gotten the way I wanted it.
Cheers,
jb
RE: Ford 6 Speed Automatic Tows 9200lbs? - How So?
I believe the motor is a little more powerful and the chassis is a little bit lighter. Most of the improvement would come going from 4 to 6 gears.
That allows a shorter first gear and smaller jumps between the gears.
Cheers,
jb
RE: stick
The only problem with a stick-shift is finding one.
They aren't available at all on a lot of models and require a special order on others.
If you walk into a dealer and ask if he has stick-shifts on the lot, he'll look at you like you have three heads.
Good luck, if more people express an interest in manuals, maybe they will become easier to find.
+1 on Caddywhumpus' comments. In 99% of the traffic I encounter, my manual is easier to control than an automatic.
Cheers,
jb
RE: Hard to find? 99-03 F250/350 CC/LWB/6sp
F-250/350 CC with six-speed is available by order only.
At least for 08 and 09.
I want a manual too. It is a common rant for me on these forums.
The dealer says no one buys them, but they never have any to sell?!?!?!
I had a lengthy conversation with a dealer about this. I was ready to buy if he had, or could find, the truck I wanted, he couldn't, said I'd have to order, but the 08 order window was closed and they hadn't started taking orders on 09's yet.
Now, with gas prices and the economy, i'm sitting for a few more months.
An F-150 with the 5.4 and a six speed manual would be the perfect truck for me.
To get the manual, I'd have to get an F-250 (and order it).
So, I can get something I don't want (F-150 with an auto) or something I don't need (An F-250).
And Detroit wonders why they aren't selling any trucks!
Though, in fairness to Detroit, you can't get a Tundra or Titan with a manual either.
RE: 2009 Ford 1/2 ton
The numbers are impressive. The truck only weighs 5-10 pounds more. With the HD package the truck has a 100 pound heavier GVW and will carry about the same weight.
They're right when they say they just don't build them like they used to.
Yeah, that proves what we all already know.
The 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton terminology has long since become meaningless.
Cheers,
jb
RE: 2009 Ford 1/2 ton
A regular cab long bed 5.4L 1/2 ton weighs more than my 1972 F-250.
Plastic must be getting heavier.:W:B
So are air-conditioners, anti-lock brakes, sound insulation, cd changers, Power brakes, power steering, Automatic transmissions (ughh!), Power windows and door locks, catalytic converters, etc, etc.
Many of those things are major improvements, some definitely are not, but in either case, it all adds up.
Cheers,
jb
RE: 2009 Super Duty Line
Last thing I am interested in is a Harley Davidson edition. Why in the hell would I want is my truck being associated with these underpowered wheezing junkpiles piloted by a bald headed thug wannabees. Just stick to the proven recipe, quality heavy duty reliable truck. The F-450 can stand high on it's own laurels. Maybe a USMC or USN edition would be cool. Something to be truely proud of.
Agreed.
But, there's a market for these things.
There are as many (if not more) posers on 4 wheels as on 2.
On topic content:
Not many real changes for 2009, not that any were expected.
The factory spray on bed liner is a nice addition, but not earth shattering.
I like the F-250/350. It's just a bit overkill for what I need.
What I'd really like to see is the 6 speed manual in the F150.
That would be perfect for me.
Cheers,
jb
RE: Liquid Gas vs. Propane
All white gas for me.
I have two different sized MSR bottles so I can carry just what I need.
And top up before each trip. You can't top up a propane cylinder.
Carrying a propane cylinder on a motorcycle or in a backpack would be just too heavy.
Plus, you never know how much you have in the cylinder or have any way to gauge how much you use in a typical weekend.
RE: going for a walk
I'll post a link to a better TR, but the short version is I ended up twisting my ankle with 3 miles to go to the 1st camp. My buddy picked me up at the next road crossing.
It was a wonderful day for the most part but pain will slow an old guy like me down. I stopped when it wasn't fun any more :)
That's too bad, but you have a good attitude.
No point in making a death march out of it.
We had a good day Saturday, but got soaked overnight.
My 45 lb pack weighed about 60 with all the wet gear.
There's always next time.
Cheers,
jb
RE: 2 WD diesel gets more mileage?
For the record, 4X4 will not prevent you from hydro-planing on wet roads or sliding on black ice.
Agreed. However I do believe it will reduce your chances of the rear end sliding WAY out when you are accelerating and hit black ice, so its not useless either.
For the record, 4wd will prevent hydroplaning, as long as you stay on the gas. Once you lift, all bets are off.
Yessir, then when you slow down, the compression braking on the front wheels makes them break loose on the ice, and you can't steer. I really don't like having to power through a slippery turn!
You'll find the clutch very handy in those situations.
Why are the 4X4 fan(atic)s so adamant that one MUST have a 4X4 truck? I have done just fine with my 4X2, towing the 5er, towing and launching the boat, hauling hay, towing a car hauler with an AMC Eagle on it, towing a gooseneck trailer with a load of hay on it out of the field and home, etc.
But, please, keep it up. Some of the posts (especially the ones about how helpless a 4X2 dually is) are really quite amusing to one who has lived in Montana most of his life.
Methinks thou dost protest too much.
Feeling a little defensive?
Nobody said you have to have 4wd. Nobody gives a rodents rectum what you drive.
I thought we were discussing the relative merits of 2wd vs 4wd for tow vehicles.
They each have their advantages and disadvantages. We all live in different areas and put out vehicles to different uses, so there is no one size fits all answer.
Regards,
jb
