theoldwizard

I have not heard of any other aplications so far. I have to find an excuse to visit my buddies in Livonia, including that sweet lady in charge of the software development ! Boy could I tell stories on how not to do computer/software development on this program ! If Mullaly ever found out, heads would roll and rightfully so ! Of course most of them are have retired ... except for 1 !!

Actually this a new big part of The Way Forward Interiors, sheet metal, chassis and powertrains will be introduced independent of each other. You could see a new powertrain on a 2-3 year old vehicle (like the 4.4L diesel in 2011MY on the 2009MY F150)

NO ! There was a "bad marriage" and and even more expensive "divorce" between Ford and ZF over the CVT ! PowerShift is Getrag/Ford ! PowerShift is Getrag/Ford ! PowerShift is Getrag/Ford ! PowerShift is Getrag/Ford ! (actually I think PowerShift is ® Ford)

Its a Getrag/Ford design with Luk clutches. The control mosule is designed by Siemens VDO which is currently being bough out by Continental I don't know which plant (or even on which continent) the actual tranny will be built in.

Boy are you wrong ! Ford Getrag The head of Getrag US Engineering is a retired Ford person. He just hired another Ford retiree from the Research and Innovation Center (a.k.a. Sci Lab) 2 or 3 recent retires, working through a contract company, are (or were) over in Germany "bailing out Getrag" (their words not mine).

True, but this can be solved also. Lower bumper heights on pickups/SUV/CUV Raise door sill heights on all cars Better side intrusion (check NASCAR "Car of the Future") Funny thing about small cars that is in their favor. Their small tires (small contact patch) allow them to easily slide when hit from the side.

Yeah, so what IS the answer ? I remember back during the first oil shortage in the 1970's, GM's research folks said the most effective way to improve fuel economy was to reduce weight. This is what started GM on their "all front wheel drive" kick. Interesting they are now going back to RWD for larger cars FWD is not cost effective for anything over about a C-size car. Yes, the D3xx cars would be more cost effective as RWD, but then it would be very difficult to make them AWD, something the marketing boys think is important difference.

F-100 is dead according to Blue II. I concur. Who said that ! The global Ranger is very much alive. Where it will be built, what powertrains and when it will show up in the US are the only things that need to be resolved. (Oh yeah, emission and crash. Minor things that the Ford engineers in SE Asia, or Mexico, or Brazil can handle ... NOT !)

Forbes magazine rated the 10 worst "Value Losing Cars" They said the Crown Vic was worth 41% after 2 years, 34% after 3 years and 22% after 5 years of the original retail price. Wait until the 2008 models are in the showroom at a big volume dealer and stop in the used car area. Tell them you are looking for a 2006 coming off lease with at least 30,000 miles. Kelley Blue Book says a 2006 Crown Vic LX with 30,000 should have a wholesale value of about $12K but the dealer will want to sell it for at least $16K. Now you know where to start the negotiations !

Why RWD ? Whats wrong with the MK Z ? To fit these engines you will have something the size of the current Panther. They did. It was called the Lincoln LS. Okay, it didn't have the monster engine you wanted, but it actually got the MT "Car of the Year" in 2000. The LS was a really nice car that was just ignored by the masses !

Check the Kelly Blue Book No way ! However, you should get 24-26 mpg on long highway trips at a steady 70MPH. I have seen it first hand.

About as much chance as me getting a tree to grow $100 bills !

Anyone rock crawling like that without a complete roll cage is an IDIOT and deserves what they get ! That's the problem with evolution. It takes too darn long to weed out the bad ones !

I think this is good news. None of us wanted a Ford Ridgeline, which is exactly what a D3 F100 would be. I guess the SportTrac is a write off also. This definitely opens the door for the "global" Ranger making it to the US. Where it will be built, when it will show up in the US and exactly which powertrains is all a mystery to me ! :reading:

So you want to know "The Truth" ? Can you handle The Truth ? Find your favorite Product Development Engineer who has been to the latest "future product" movie now shoving at WHQ. Ply them heavily with their favorite adult libation and convince them that the non-disclosure agreement they signed (with threat of dismissal) doesn't really apply. Probably should not be done at the common Ford hangouts (hmmm ... not Millers, not Chellies, not Shields; might have to go to a "gentleman's club" !) I'll see what I can come up with next week !

As mentioned by others, I would go with something a bit newer. Residual values on 4-5 year old Panthers are about 20-30%. I would stick with the Crown Vic or Marquis and save a few bucks. Change the shocks. Buy the best Monroe or similar "gas over". Shouldn't cost more than about $250 installed. It will make a huge difference in the ride. I would also stay away from the "factory" air springs. However, if you do plan to carry some heavy loads (5-6 passengers or use the trunk like a mini-pickup like my Dad use to) or you back end is dragging, install AirLift air assist springs. They work great as a booster spring. Don't wast the money on the onboard compressor. Buy the best tires you can afford. Costco and Sam's Club have good deals on Michelin's. If you are going to do a lot of miles, I would consider switching to Mobil 1, engine oil (also available at Costco or Sam's), rear axle lube and trans fluid (change the trans filter when you change the fluid). It will pay back. You can stretch your oil changes to 7500 or longer. Be religious about checking oil level and keep an extra quart or 2 in the trunk. Use a good oil filter (Motorcraft aren't bad; Mobil 1 is good; stay away from Fram). If you are going for the 15K between oil changes, change the filter at 7500. Pre drive-by-wire 4.6L would sometimes clog up the IAC. Pull it and clean it. Expect to have to clean/replace the EGR valve/passage sometime after 50K. Regardless of what year, you will be driving a PCM with software that I helped write !

You need to "pull the codes" from the PCM. Most big Auto Parts stores will do it for free when they are not busy. I'll bet it is a stuck/gummed up IAC.

The new (or completely re-tooled) plant in Mexico will build the new 4.4L diesel engine. I think Ford will renege on the "new plant in NA" statement.

... and Santa Claus will be in town in about 5 month ! You have a rich fantasy life !

But doing "The Right Thing !" is how you keep customers !!

It does not matter if you use the cruise or not ! The first reports were from F150, "spontaneously igniting" while parked !

Let's make certina we have the "facts" straight ! From Ford recalls 3.6 million vehicles A good friend worked on the design of DC motor cruise control system before it made it to production. At that time, the "brake pressure cut out switch" was NOT wired HOT. It was wired through "key on" contacts in the ignition switch. The only reason we can think that this design was change was because the total "key on" power exceed the contact ratings and adding a "key on" relay would cost to much (couple of bucks).

The BP press release indicates that it does have more "oxygenates". At $22/gal, it doesn't sound to "feasible" to me !

Qualification. Not ALL engines have knock sensors. If an engine is designed to uses 87 octane, and 87 octane is the recommended fuel, why have a knock sensor ?

I had to add that !