dave91gt

Local (WV) dealer inventory has been nil with the Super Duty for quite a while. Those found were marked up to insane levels. Two weeks ago, while returning from a family trip to KY, I glanced over off the interstate at a Ford dealer and saw 5 new Super Duty's- three of them Tremors. I had a 21 F150 Lariat (Traded my 2018 F250 PS for it last Oct) and was contemplating ordering a 23 Tremor next year. But- I don't care for some aesthetics of the 23 and really felt I missed the boat by not getting a 22. So- I called the dealer up and asked about mark up- and to my surprise they had removed adjustments the week before. The salesman said they were "surprised" when the transporter rolled in with so many trucks. I was down there the next day. The Three Tremors were optioned differently. One was a 6.7 Lariat Value package (no heated seats). One was a Lariat Ultimate with the 6.7 ($85K). And the one I wanted (and bought)- a 7.3 Lariat Ultimate. I received good trade value for the f150 and jumped on it. Build date on mine was Oct 28. One XLT truck they had was a 6.7 and the fender badges were blanks. Had a frank conversation with the sales Manager and we were talking about EV. I will leave the conversation out of the chat here, but he pointed at the lightning sitting outside (has been there for quite a while). He has no real public interest in it and can't keep anything ICE powered on the lot for long. And BTW- that 7.3 is incredible. Great gas option for a Super Duty!

We have a reservation and are looking forward to getting in a Bronco. However, eliminating X Plan availability in addition to the potential options and colors becoming available next year has us pausing and likely just waiting until they are in supply and X plan availability. This will replace my wife's 2018 Wrangler Unlimited. Our conundrum is the absolutely horrible steering issues and electronic issues that plague it. Both are well documented issues and the local dealer is dodgy on applying the TSB on the steering (new gearbox). On top of that, the new steering gear has fixed many owners vehicles but others are reporting new issues. Then there's the matter of "several months" backorder. We were hoping to trade it and just avoid the hassle. The electronics are really annoying. On at least 50% of the startups, the radio will freeze with no ability to change anything- including the HVAC controls. You have to shut it down and restart. But we will either wait it out and get a Bronco or trade it on another Ford. We are a Ford family with a soft spot for Wranglers. The other Wrangler is the wife's summer cruiser (lifted 98 TJ) and it drives better on the interstate than her 2018. C'mon Ford GIVE ME A BRONCO!

Was reading about the 6.8 on Sloppy Mechanics FB page. One of the posters Is a trades worker and dropped some hints. Said there’s mules running around MI. And the press just leaked what they’ve known for a couple years. Got them all fired up saying “just wait and see” what’s coming for the Raptor. He could be messing with them because they were talking about the LS. I’m hoping the 6.8 is real.

Overall I'm happy with what they did. I am curious as to how well the Coyote handles the cylinder deactivation long term. I was hoping for a Trail Boss competitor. Yes we have the Raptor. But why not a Tremor package? Id be all over it. If you watch any of the comparison videos of the GM twins, its usually a Trail Boss. A mild lift, good tires, off road modes, and an appearance package like the SD would sell like gangbusters and not require massive investment. TFL just did a comparison on a TRD PRO and the Trail boss. I believe they both stickered for $55K. Ford doesn't have a direct competitor as the Raptor is significantly higher. They tried to halfway dip their toes in the water with the quiet offering of a front leveling kit with FOX shocks. But c'mon Ford- a Tremor F150 would sell like hotcakes!

One of my coworkers has a late model Fusion with the 2.0 EB. Has been problem free for 75K. The dealer he bought it from had a lifetime powertrain warranty. Two weeks ago, his wife calls him and says a warning light for coolant low or temp high (I don't recall) and he had to add coolant. Was also getting a random cylinder misfire. Took it to dealer. Cracked block is what they told him and they replaced it last week with a used engine with 35K miles.

Beat me to it. Evan Smith has already started swapping one before its even released to the public. Tell me Ford isn't behind the scenes on this one? That fits in there as easy as the Windsor in my own FoxBody.

Funny how many forums that mule has reached. Ford got their moneys worth with that abomination. The Jeep JL forum is talking about it in their “Looks like Ford is serious with the Bronco” thread.

Not a bad idea imo. GM has the Trailboss and it’s the least ugly of their new trucks. Watched an off-road review and it actually has some performance. Not Raptor performance but the clearance and traction for hunting leases or mild off-roading many do. I see more of them than any of the other versions. Lots of owners throw a leveling kit and off-road accessories on their trucks. I am one of them. Ford would be smart to have it as an option. Really glad they are doing the Super Duty.

Seemed to be a good comparison test. We are a Ford-first family (two Super duties and two fox body Mustangs currently) with two Wranglers. One is a 2018 Wrangler JLU that will likely get replaced by a Bronco. The other is the wife's favorite- her 98 TJ. Anyway, regarding refinement of Jeeps Pentastar, I'm mixed. It does deliver pretty good overall power, the 8 speed auto is decent. But the programming is not what Id call exactly smooth . The engine feels at times like it goes through stages of power delivery that isn't linear and the transmission will hold gears at times before commanding an upshift. It delivers pretty good mpg though. Its the rest of the Jeep we have issues with. Love the interior layout and seats. But the hardtop squeaks, the radio has blinked out multiple times, and the steering is horrible. As in her 98 Wrangler steers better. Lots of wandering issues and death wobble (at 5400 miles). Jeep has a ton of documented quality concerns and all of ours are on that list. Ford did good getting this version of the Wrangler to market as a stopgap until the next iteration comes out. I would expect it will address a lot of the concerns noted in this comparison. Id bet a Raptorized version will be out as there is a market for it. AND I would expect a second and maybe a third engine option. Imagine a 2.7 in a Ranger? That would be stupid fun.

I am split on the whole SFA/IFS direction. We have two Wranglers in our household. Both lifted. The first is a 98 TJ with a 4" lift and the other is a 2018 JLU with a Mopar lift. Jeep has a well documented issue with their SFA and death wobble, steering wandering, etc. They have numerous "fixes" in the pipeline. Ours has already received a new stabilizer shock and a tracbar. With 6,000 miles on it- and prelift. Big forum argument about the Bronco right now. Several owners are chomping at the bit to see it. They want the "lifestyle" vehicle but don't need the hardcore capability of the SFA.

My personal thoughts on the Bronco: Chevy just reintroduced the "blazer". Which turned out to be just another crossover. Its $52K for the TFL video example- and its an Edge competitor. At least with the Edge ST in that price range, you get a niche with the performance crowd. The Wrangler is unchallenged. My wife has a 98 TJ that she adores. Its lifted and a really clean example of a TJ. We tried the JKU back in 2010. She didn't like it. We are in the market now for her a daily driver and she really wanted to like the JLU, but kept asking about the Bronco. Unfortunately we cant wait and it looks like an Edge ST is in our future (not a bad choice). I have been following a YouTube channel called "litebrite". Its a married couple that has been chronicling their JLU through various build stages and they then go to all sorts of trails. They drive this Jeep on 38's all over the place. They wheel it (hard) and in most episodes its a whole community of cult Jeepers. They beat the snot of these things. Flexing them over rocks, going through mud, snow, etc. Ford doesn't have that vehicle- yet. To really invigorate this base and attract Jeep folks, it needs to be relatable. A modern day Jeep is honest. It has a fancier interior but getting out of a TJ and sitting in a JL, you know you are in a Wrangler and not a Grand Cherokee. Ford needs to appeal to that market. It should be a throwback shape with good departure and break over angles and class leading ground clearance. It doesn't need to be exotic inside. Any ecoboost V6 will already destroy the Pentastar. But above all else, in my opinion, it needs the strength and simplicity of solid axles front and rear that can take abuse for those that want to really wheel it. Not a poser. You cant take an explorer and drag it off boulders like you can a Wrangler. Ford seems to be "getting it" lately so I am optimistic they don't waste the opportunity. The Expedition and Navigator have hit the marks they needed to hit. The 7.3 pushrod motor has sparked a resurgence on every enthusiast site I frequent. Its the holy grail of the motor world right now and it hasn't even been dropped between the fenders of anything yet. The Edge ST is awesome and the new Explorer looks strong with a full frame and RWD architecture. Maybe Ford has found a way to appeal to all sides. I just hope the Bronco retains an honest image and capability and they don't try to appeal to everyone. If they do, it will not excel in the core market they need to hit.

I had a 2013 Raptor with an MBRP exhaust. It was burly sounding. It also ran strong. Went to trade on a new 18 Raptor (long story- wife and I were trading the Raptor and her Expedition in on one vehicle as I received a company car). All was good until the test drive. Had the family of 4 in the new one and while it ran good, the sound didn’t fit the presence of the truck. If it would have had a quiet exhaust, maybe I could have convinced myself to spend $75k. Ended up buying a loaded F250 diesel. For far less money im personally stoked about a “big block” pushrod motor hitting the lineup. Yes, the example they are building is tuned for heavy truck use. But being pushrod, it’s a cam and intake change away from turning it into a stronger motor suitable for performance. I built a 351W to replace my 302 in my 91 Mustang. The stock from Ford 351 was also tuned for truck use. Guess what? I changed heads, cam, intake, exhaust and I tell you it’s stupid fast for such easy changes. This motor (7.3) has a forged crank and 6 bolt mains. The heads have to flow well. So, the architecture is there for easy changes to move the powerband around. Even the LS guys on the Sloppy Mechanics FB page are excited to get their hands on it. Not that they are an authority but the LS has a cult following due to their simplicity and affordability. This 7.3 may give us Ford fans a way back into the same grassroots conversations. It’s undeniable a used Coyote motor is at least 4x the cost on average compared to a LS. Then to swap into our older Ford’s is a challenge due to space and controls. Let alone hot rod it before the swap. And then there’s the Hemi. A buddy has a 71 Duster. Pulled a 150k Hemi out of a Ram and changed the cam and valvesprings (cheap). Dropped it in, upped injectors, added a cheap China turbo, and tunes it himself with a $500 microsquirt. Put down over 800 hp and runs 5.90’s in the eighth. He drives it everywhere in the summer. He has spare motors he has been hoarding and got them cheap. That market has went away for some of us Ford guys and arguably we started it with the old 5.0 motors. Ford really gave it away to GM and Chrysler starting with the 4.6. Im not saying the current Mustang isn’t competitive- the new 5.0 has shown it’s capable. Ford has nailed it with their OHC program and ecoboosts. But they have left a void for a large group of customers that enjoy the torque rich nature of a pushrod motor and the simplicity of maintenance and modifying. I say offer both the pushrod motor in a performance variant for the Raptor and Mustang along with their current offerings and let us choose. I’d buy a Raptor in a heartbeat if it had a V8 again.

We test drove a used Taurus SHO at a local Chevy dealer last week. We were in our 18 F250 Lariat. Salesman was all over it as we were checking out the SHO. As we were test driving, I asked him how the new 1500's were selling. He admitted they haven't been doing well. They are selling a ton of the older body styles due to lots of cash on the hood. I asked if he saw pics of the 2500's and he said he was worried. I admit, I do not mind the side profile so much (1500's). They rounded the fender-wells some. But to see that grill and front style in person it is just ugly and mismatched. Its like they started at the rear and when they got to the front, they just started stretching body and trim panels to make them attach. The whole truck doesn't strike you as a GM in person. At least it didn't me. They had a black trail boss and the black hid the ugly better than other colors. I don't think there will be enough black on a 2500 to make that front end tolerable. ALL of my GM buddies are shaking their heads. Even the diehards.

Thank you!

Ok- so I cant figure out how to post a link. Its in the "tag"

We bought a new 18 F250 Lariat Ultimate PSD last month. And I tell you- its the nicest vehicle we have owned. While I will likely never test its max towing abilities, I hate to see reviews like this.

Not a flattering review for a vehicle Ford is planning to be one of their entry level vehicles.

In a society today where everybody wants to protest and resist- I'm not surprised. Personally- an automaker would be foolish in any environment to not offer consumers options around fuel mileage and capability. It is a consumer driven market period. Innovation will always exist (as it always has) due to competition. The funny part about the Excursion- we had an 01 4X4 Limited with the 7.3. It got an honest 20 mpg on long trips. It was comfortable, safe, and capable. Yes- I understand that's not the only measure of efficiency and environmental impact but nevertheless it was what it was. Again- my 0.02- I don't want the government dictating what I drive. I have been overseas and have seen all of the little econoboxes roaming the highways. Didn't see a single one pulling a 40ft fifth wheel. We have a Japanese coordinator with us for 3 years. I helped him pick his vehicle- he wanted an F150 badly. So got him hooked up with a 2016 Screw 4X4 Sport. He loves it and says he honestly considered trying to ship it back when he goes. But- the cost is too high.

Ram definitely has my attention. They have quietly smacked GM in the face with better small details in their redesign. While the design is pretty conservative, their front end doesn't look like a geometrically challenged project (new Silvy) I can see GM struggling to compete honestly. Ford? If I were designer for a day- Make the FX4 relevant as a Rebel and Trail Boss contender. More lift, larger tires, etc. Make it cost competitive. No chrome- Sport package inspired. A true bad a$$ macho look. All about the stance and off-road capability on a budget Bring back the 6.2 as an option. Its already in their portfolio. While I am a huge EB fan, I get stoked when I fire off the 6.2 in my 13 Raptor (MBRP catback). Couldn't imagine the fun with the 10 speed. The 5.0 is competitive but the 6.2 has down low grunt Consider boosting the 5.0 instead of the 6.2 option. Imagine 500 easy hp While the back seat is very roomy, add the reclining feature. Nice touch for those of us with kids. My Raptor already dwarfs the wife's 15 Expy for rear seat room. The reclining feature would just be icing Improve marketing. Ford hasn't really had to do much here so they play it safe. Show some burnouts, off road crawling with mud slung up the sides, pulling a heavy boat up the interstate. You know- America.

So they get the buzz going with a bright red / no chrome truck with a factory lift kit and more off road oriented tires. I think that was smart marketing to get some hype up. Its not as conservative and brick shaped as the current abomination. I saw a rendering of the GMC in a regular package and it was atrocious. I will reserve judgement until I see the Silverado in a normal configuration. I like some of the things they did with the red one. I wish Ford offered a mild suspension lift / level from the factory as part of the FX4 package. Face it- how many level a F150 as soon as they buy one? I will say a lot.

Great timing for this post. The only non Ford vehicle we own is my wifes 98 TJ Wrangler. Its just a toy as she normally drives our 15 Expedition. We just lifted the Jeep and put some 33's on it. Even with the 4.0 and 3.73's, she wants more power. She literally just asked me how hard it would be to put an ecoboost in it. The expy is a rocket with the eco. Unfortunately, there is zero chance given my mechanical abilities and the cost associated for me to try and make it happen. As much as I love Ford, they are just not swap friendly in a lot of cases. As least as much as GM LS motors. I have buddies on Sloppy Mechanics fb page and they swap LS stuff into everything. One of my buddies stuffed a 6.0 (junk yard motor) into an older loaded BMW. Used a Chinese ebay turbo and intercooler and tunes it with a microsquirt. He has less than $5K into the entire kit and caboodle and it is insanely fast. Ford stuff (late model) just isn't as easy. I love the EB, Coyote, and 6.2 (have a Raptor). But trying to get all of that swapped into something else is not for the average Joe. So I will sit back and watch you guys do it.

Don't be surprised if this 7.xx has pushrod architecture.

I had 2 Excursions. A v10 with 4.30 gears that averaged between 10-12 mpg. Would pull a house but was thirsty. My other was a 7.3 PSD 4X4 limited. It averaged 16 mpg in daily driving and an honest 20 mpg on a trip. Exact mpg as our 2015 Expedition- I would like to see an Expedition EL body stacked on a SD platform with the 6.7. Imagine the benefit of diesel mpg, towing potential, and the lighter weight aluminum body. Yeah- I'm dreaming, but it would be a beastly vehicle for sure with unlimited capability.

I would like to see Ford get more aggressive with their marketing. Not saying a direct competitor attack, but more real world commercials instead of the cartoonish ones. For example, a cool commercial would be an F150 pulling a huge fifth wheel up a steep mountain passing "slower" traffic. In the same commercial, show the same truck unloaded getting the "V6" mileage they tout. Men are visual creatures. We like to see what we are purchasing in action. They brag about towing and fuel mileage, so put it on a real commercial. They have the towing video's showing them killing the competition. Why not spin that into a real life commercial? Bragging about the aluminum without bashing steel would be a main point- lighter weight allows higher tow ratings, better acceleration, etc. From my perspective, GM and RAM are throwing the kitchen sink at F series sales right now while Ford is down. I just hope Ford truly does recover and keeps their crown.

I agree it needs an overhaul. We are buying a 2015 Limited tomorrow. We have been looking around for a few months and honestly, the inventories haven't moved in any of our local dealerships. It seems all we find are white and black. She wants Ruby Red. But, that said, the 2015 has just enough to bring us back. Primarily the Ecoboost and the MFT. My wife had an 08 Eddie Bauer we traded on an Explorer Sport early last year. It had every option but Navigation. We actually liked the vehicle a lot but we bought it used with a replacement motor and once it started giving me issues I pushed to trade. The 5.4 and 3.31 gears were pretty lame living in WV. The Explorer is a blast. Lots of fun to drive. Our problem is space. We have 2 kids-a nearly 6' tall 14 year old and a rapidly growing 7 year old. So, we began searching. We drove the Expedition and the Sequoia. The kids liked the 2nd row 10X better in the Sequoia. It had a center console, sliding rear seats, blueray player, etc. Plus, the rear windows actually roll all the way down. But the price is insane (dealers wouldn't budge) and the wife didn't like driving it. Plus, the Expedition had noticeably more kick in the pants with the Ecoboost. I drive a 14 F150 FX4 (Eco) and both it and her Explorer have the MFT. Neither of us have had any issues whatsoever and she is used to navigating it. So, IMO, Ford did just enough to make it relevant. As far as the GM twins, I just don't get the love. I do not like the looks of the new ones at all. The interiors though are pretty nice. I have always liked the appearance of the Expedition. GM hit the nail on the marketing head with the twins. I see soccer moms everywhere driving them.