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I was recently invited to an event where the topic is the new International class 4 &5 trucks. These guys must be planning a real push as these are introduced as they are doing this one on a Sunday in just over a week. About all I know other than the topic is that someone from a dealer in Y-town will be there.

There never were FT versions of the 427/428, closest was the FT 391. 427 was an all out performance engine, 428 was originally meant to power large cars and later performance versions evolved.

If I remember right that was done by Seamaster, not by Ford.

In regards to a performance version of the 7.3 gas - ever heard of performance versions of the old 401/477/534? There is a reason some engines are designed for certain duties.

Sometimes a bit more than that. Around here if you cannot get a Cummins in it , the departments do not want it. Sort of like "the Cummins/Allison has worked so well over the years, why change".

A new one - decontenting before the first sale!

Instead of flathead, why not Y block?

Silence.

When I dove by on Friday, there were six at a display lot, two box trucks added. The dealer is Hometown Chevy. It seem that mediums are a regional thing - either there is an aggressive dealer in the mediums, or just several who will do a medium if a customer specifically asks, and maybe have one of the larger mediums on the lot.

How about some more wild speculation - stacked intake ports, deep skirt side oiler block, and mushroom tappets anyone?

A Chevy dealer I drove by in Whitehall NY today had 4 of the Chevy version of the Isuzu NPR chassis cab on their lot.

But those need space for the battery pack, and the associated weight. The transmission may be simpler with those, but will still be fairly heave to handle the torques involved..

Chicago built? Avon Lake is closer to Cleveland.

Huh? Any class 6,7,8 truck will have a fairly large engine. The F Max just stuffs it under the driver like any COE.

The only scooters that I see on the road are Amish scooters (foot powered with 12 to 16 inch wheels). And they are becoming more popular lately in rural areas. A friend rides one to get around.

The problem for me is that these new utilities just do not have the "utility" I am used to with my hatchback sedan. Less room, less cargo space, more wasted space (at least in the ones on the market now that I have looked at). Reminds me of when the Edge first came out - I looked at it and it offered less room and utility than the Saturn LW2 wagon I was driving at the time.

Now, an updated version of the '67 Custom 500 might be something. A bit taller than todays sedans, with a more upright seating position. Would fit right in as a SUV/CUV with the right styling.

One reason that Ford may be doing this is that to meet the 2019 thru 2021 CAFE and GHG emissions standards (I think NY, NJ, CT, MA and a few other states have adopted the CA vehicle emissions standards) it that a much higher mix of hybrids and plug in hybrids will be necessary. With the low fuel prices, and consumer preferences for vehicles that do not fit the government goals, people are going to have to be "influenced" to buy what someone else thinks is an appropriate vehicle. The auto companies have dumped and are dumping huge sums into vehicles that meet upcoming mandates, and they somehow must get the customers to buy these vehicles.

I see this engine as a response to the tightening regulations on carbon dioxide emissions. I recently read an article in an SAE publication about current (MY 2018) powertrains and how only about 6% of light duty trucks are able to comply with the 2021 regulations today. The 2021 model year is only 2 years away.

For quite a few years now, the trend to go single source has been going on. It can reduce costs, but there is always the risk of a supplier issue causing interruptions in production. I guess the cost benefit vs risk were such that a manageable risk was acceptable.

Wonder how much the battery weighs.

Funny thought, a fully dressed Coyote nearly takes up the same space as the old Super Duties (401, 477, 543).

The old Astro/Safari awd vans have a considerable and loyal following around the snow belt. I know people doing much to keep the ones they have on the road. For the size , interior space, and capability there is not much on the market today that can equal it.

On Ram moving to class 6&7, maybe. In Mexico, I have seen Ram trucks with the same cab as on the class 3,4,5 trucks, but with much deeper straight frame rails and stake bodies. The only badging I could see was Ram HD. If they have the capacity to make the cabs, the frames, drivetrains, and axles are pretty much purchased components that can be put together.

Low speed opposed piston engines have been used for years in the power generation and backup power world. Efficiency and longevity were just two of the reasons. This is just using the opposed piston principle in a different application with current materials and technology. I say go for it!