7Mary3

The Volt could be a real game-changer. Yes, it will probably sell for $35k, but I have a feeling if you buy one, you will get a pretty hefty tax break. That will make it easier to swallow. And consider what an all-electric or plug-in hybrid will do to GM's CAFE.

There's a difference between Hino and Freightliner- Hino's a quality truck! Nonetheless, Hino sales seem to have stalled a bit lately. I have looked at Hino closely, and there are problems spec'ing them for a lot of vocational work. Much like the 2000-2002 F650's and 750's. As for single axle city tractors, I too have not seen one Ford since the Louisvilles went away. Have seen a few GM's, there is a beer distributor around here that buys them. International is far and away the leader in that segment. As for the 650 and 750 after 2009, I have heard some rumblings but I am getting a little skeptical. It is odd that the dealers don't even know.

I see a lot of F-750 crew cabs, along with similar Topkicks and Internationals. Movie studios love them with big boxes and liftgates.

I have it from a pretty reliable source that the next generation Super Duty 4X4's will have IFS. 350 DRW's and the 450/550 will still have 'Monobeam' front drive axles. There are supposed to be some very valid reasons for this (complaints on ride and handling, need to lower the front for crash standards?). Of course, 2011 is still a ways off, and things change.......

I think Dana-Spicer supplies clutches, drive shafts and U-joints. Since Dana's backruptcy it's hard to figure out what they still make and what got sold off!

I think that is only in Europe. Spicer's medium and heavy truck transmission business in the U.S. got merged into TTC along with TREMEC and Borg Warner. Spicer still sells axles in the U.S.. Eaton merged with Fuller some time ago, and the axles are Eaton designs and the transmissions are Fuller designs. 'Roadranger' was originally Fuller's trade name for their line of twin countershaft transmissions, but now that name is used for Eaton/Fuller drivetrains in general.

Ahh, I think you need to go back a read my post a little more carefully again! Not an arguement. Never said Spicer was better than Eaton/Fuller. As far as clutches go, I don't see anything but ceramic and cera-metallic anymore. There is a technique for driving them, and it is not to slip them at all- 'pick it up off the floor'. The International you drove probably was abused or spec'ed with screwed up ratios. Some are harder to take off in that others, that's for sure. The 60 is a fine engine, and works good with a plain old 9 speed Roadranger too. 7 years is a good start. I have been at it close to 30, driving, wrenching, and managing.

Dana-Spicer axles are not bad. That's what Ford uses on the Super Duty 450 and 550. Some of the 650's have a Spicer too. As far as heavy trucks go, Spicer doesn't really make anything for those trucks anymore. Most class 8 trucks (semi's) have either Eaton or Meritor (formerly Rockwell) axles. Ceramic and cera-metallic clucth discs are pretty much standard now, I have not seen an organic disc in a big truck in decades.

That's right, and the new Sterling Bullit is part of Daimler's commercial vehicle plans for the U.S.. I seem to remember reading that supplying the Sprinter to Dodge dealers is part of the agreement between Chrysler and Daimler on the Sterling Bullet.

There are 2 points to the Bullit. First, most Dodge dealers are not set up for commercial truck sales. Giving a clone to Sterling truck dealers gives Dodge a good sales outlet for medium duty trucks. Second, Diamler Trucks N.A. wants to clobber Ford in light and medium duty commercial trucks. With the Bullit, Sterling now has a competitive truck for every commercial truck Ford sells, plus an extensive heavy duty line all the way to class 8.

That new Sterling is eating into F-450 and 550 sales in my area. What makes it bad is that most Sterling dealers were Ford Heavy Truck dealers, and still sell Ford light and medium (F650-750) trucks. So, the Bullit is right at the same dealership. Many 450 and 550 owners who bought less than perfect 6L Powerstrokes are very interested in the Bullit's Cummins/Aisian drivetrain.

Really? Tell us more!

GM did a large 60 degree V-8 diesel back in the 60's. It was a 4 stroke, not a Detroit Diesel product. It had both intake and exhaust manifolds on the outboard side of the heads, with the injection pump in the center of the 'V'. I can't imagine this new diesel is in any way related to that old relic, but it does prove that the concept will work.

As posted before, no problem to add a tag axle to an F-750. As for a tandem being the next expected option, I would have to say not for a while, anyway......

I have a 2002 F-550. Strangest thing, it has rust in the roof. Started as a small bubble in the paint, now it's about .50" around. Right in the middle too, not around a window or a seem. BTW- this truck has spent it's whole life in Southern California.

People are reading way to much into this Kerkorian deal. He bought Ford because the stock is cheap, and he figures he can make a bunch of noise and get the stock price up enough to make the investment worth his while. He couldn't care less about Ford or Mulally. As soon as he makes a couple of bucks, Kirk will be gone.

That has pretty much happened. GM bought Isuzu's interest in the Duramax plant in Ohio, and GM will no longer supply pickups and SUV's to Isuzu for sale in the U.S.. GM will still continue to build the NPR and buy engine castings and parts from Isuzu.

Tracinda's motive is to usually invest in a company, become a 'shareholder activist', bully the board around and increase share value and dividends. The thing is I hear that many members of the Ford family are unhappy over what their shares are worth (who wouldn't be). They may stand to gain if Kirk pulls this off. And at this point, who is to say that members of the family would sell if they can get a good price? Might be a lot more here than what meets the eye, but I am not thinking it is going to be good. Get the Ford family out of the picture, and Ford will get bought.

Bingo! My guess is Ford will part with Navistar sooner rather than later. Remember Navistar has a new best friend- G.M..

I would think the V-10 should work. Ford does sell an industrial version of the Triton V-10. I was told back in 2001 or so that a V-10 F-650 was all set to happen, and then it was dropped when Ford joined with International in 'Blue Diamond'. In my area, GM has been selling a lot of the gas engined Topkicks lately. A lot of the local municipalities have been buying them.

Never will pay for itself. Where I am at, regular gas is $3.79, diesel is $4.69. Diesels are expensive options, and with the new emission controls, the economy isn't that much better than a gas engine. Diesels don't last as long as they once did, and they often require expensive repairs before 100,000 miles. I am not buying one.

Thanks to the ongoing legal battles which stopped Ford Econoline ambulance production last year, GMC has seen fit to enter the formally exclusively Ford market with a competitive chassis of their own: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet...amp;docid=43714 That little drama scared ambulance manufacturers like Wheeled Coach to death due to the fact that there wasn't a competitive chassis available from any other manufacturer.

I think International did the chassis. Wonder what will become of the LCF when Ford and International go their separate ways.

5.9L B Series Cummins!

I agree, I doubt Ford would give up on the 450 and 550. The larger trucks are in question.