zipnzap

Class 4 (the beginning of the medium duty classification) starts at 14,001 lbs. GVW The E-450 is limited to only 14,500 lb. GVW (and for a majority of its history [until 2008], it was only up to 14,050 lb.): https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/2008/whatsnew2008.pdf The E-450 barely qualifies as "medium duty" So what is he talking about, specifically? And it can't be Type II (cargo van-based) ambulances. The E-Series cargo van stopped production immediately as the Transit went into production.

But for an E-350/450 replacement, it's pretty decent, no? Upfitters. Coachmakers and bodybuilders (RV makers, bus manufacturers, etc.) would have had to completely and abruptly change their tooling to accommodate the new completely new bodies. Both are being sold side-by-side while giving them a chance to ween off the E-Series, while also allowing some time for Ford to properly address both E-350 and E-450. Plus, Europe and the rest of the world doesn't need a Transit 450 (or a Sprinter 4500, or a Ducato 450 [though, the Iveco Daily exists]), hence, it wasn't a priority (and would most likely have added more issues to an already heavily-delayed [and currently backlogged and bottlenecked] launch). EDIT: They say as much here: Ford executive Jim Farley says Transit van will eventually replace Econoline for ambulances, other commercial vehicles http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/12/ford_executive_jim_farley_says.html

Thing is, neither International nor Freightliner sell a Class 4 vehicle. TerraStar starts at 16,000 lbs GVW. As of right now, there's no Class 4 TerraStar, or any Class 4 International truck for that matter. Nor is there any Class 4 M2. Even Hino previously offered both a Class 4 (Hino 145 and Hino 165) and a Class 5 (Hino 185) variant of their Hino 600. But, lo and behold, both of them ended up discontinued for whatever reason. I'm really not sure why a Class 5 has to be tied into the E-350/450 replacement to begin with. The last time Ford tried to sell an E-550, it completely bombed. If Ford really wants to introduce any sort of Class 5 other than the F-550, they would most likely just tie that into whatever they're doing with the F-650/750 and use it to add volume to that. BTW, I'm not really sure what's wrong with the Transit's visibility. It has a much, much larger windshield than the current E350/450, and both of them are slanted at similar angles. Transit also has a taller cab.

Is even trying to tackle both the E-350/E-450 market and true Medium Duty market with too similar a product a good idea? I remember 7Mary3 wrote this a while back:

But isn't the GAZon Next itself (which this is taking components from) literally a medium duty truck based on the (older) Transit cab? https://www.google.com/search?q=%22GAZon+next%22&rlz=1C1OPRA_enUS556US556&oq=%22GAZon+next%22&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.1274j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8 The GAZon Next is not a light vehicle. Not sure, but are you aware of any issues that have popped up with the GAZon Next so far? EDIT: Not the Transit. I think that GAZon cab comes from the LCD Maxus van?

Would this require some sort of weight reduction on the chassis itself, probably for the sake of engine longevity? The problem is that Ford isn't even using the Ecoboost in the cutaways, for whatever reason. The replacement would probably have to be naturally aspirated.

I'm not sure the 2.7 or 2.3 EB would be a good idea. Doesn't the 2.7 work for the F-150 because of the lighter weight aluminum body (which still has a steel frame)? Also, I'm not sure it would be a good replacement for the 3.7. They need a naturally aspirated engine for CNG and LPG conversions, don't they?

You're probably right. Apparently, the new Duramax 2.8 puts out 181 hp and 369 lb-ft. http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/05/2014-refreshed-sprinter-van-is-ready-to-take-all-comers.html http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/28/2016-chevy-colorado-duramax-diesel-181-hp-369-torque-price/ Though, it probably wouldn't be too difficult to tweak the 3.2's numbers.

See, that's what I don't get. Why do this? Engineering and pre-production plans have already been set for years. They fully know this is going to come back and bite them.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/07/06/general-motors-ford-pickup-truck-wars/29768225/ One on the GM Commercial Fleet channel: Another on the Chevrolet channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFe8g7E2sc A separate, different ad, from the ones above (this one, being the one in the article). Most likely targeted towards the retail market/for television: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIC7Fw1rFF4 A slightly different version for the Latino/Spanish-speaking market: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsDAbaOX-HU And yet, another ad: They're pretty much going to have to end up doing the same thing, aren't they? Aren't they just going to end up eating their words?

So GM is looking to form a Blue Diamond-style partnership with Navistar. http://www.forbes.com/sites/billvisnic/2015/06/30/general-motors-believed-ready-to-announce-commercial-truck-venture-with-navistar/ http://www.ccjdigital.com/sources-indicate-gm-navistar-nearing-partnership/

The 5R110 is still being used on the 5.4L.

I checked and you're right. Nice catch. http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/eseries-cutaway/specifications/ It also seems like they're using the 6R140 (which is basically the 6-speed TorqShift). http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/Prelim_FL16RVTTgde_Mar25.pdf

I'm referring to Ford offering the 6.8 in the F-750 for 2016. http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/brochures/2016/2016_F650-750%20Spec%20Sheets-8.pdf http://www.automotive-fleet.com/news/story/2014/03/ford-offers-all-new-f-650-f-750-trucks.aspx https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/03/03/all-new-ford-f-650-f-750-medium-duty-trucks-are-tough-on-work--q.html It's fine for Ford to offer it in a class 7 as it is, right?

BTW, photos of a finished product:

Speaking of stripped chassis, would it be possible to do what Mercedes has done with the Sprinter for the Class A RV industry and produce a Transit 250 and Transit 350 stripped chassis? http://winnebagoind.com/products/class-a-diesel/2015/via/exterior/chassis http://winnebagoind.com/products/class-a-diesel/2015/reyo/exterior/chassis

Not a bus, but there's also this: http://www.utilimaster.com/Newsroom.aspx?id=1137 http://www.utilimaster.com/velocity/

I have a question, arising from the V10 thread. So one of the changes provided by the redesign is the option of the 6.8 in the F-750: http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/brochures/2016/2016_F650-750%20Spec%20Sheets-8.pdf http://www.automotive-fleet.com/news/story/2014/03/ford-offers-all-new-f-650-f-750-trucks.aspx https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/03/03/all-new-ford-f-650-f-750-medium-duty-trucks-are-tough-on-work--q.html Is this the way to go? There's questions on whether the 6.8 can actually support the GVWR (I actually thought this was the case). Seems there's also this: http://mbcbus.com/product/ct-series/

So, that's it? Full stop? There's nothing done to make the 6.8 handle a class 7 weight rating? Chassis components? Anything? Makes me wonder why Ford feels comfortable going with it. Are we 100% sure the 6.8 can't?

Yeah, Ford has constantly been making big deal about gas when it comes to the 2016's, which includes mentioning both F-650 and F-750 for 6.8 usage: http://www.automotive-fleet.com/news/story/2014/03/ford-offers-all-new-f-650-f-750-trucks.aspx https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/03/03/all-new-ford-f-650-f-750-medium-duty-trucks-are-tough-on-work--q.html

Typo? There's also this for the diesel: http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/brochures/2016/2016_F650-750%20Spec%20Sheets-5.pdf Also, Ford has the wrong idea about going with the 6.8 for 750 usage? Maybe we're not taking into account the modifications made to the chassis itself (lighter weight, etc.)

But then what does Ford do at the end of the 6.8's lifespan, while still satisfying applications and markets that require the 6.8 currently? How long does Ford plan on keeping the 6.8 around? Or better question, how long would it be feasible to keep it around, exactly?

That's 2015. It's the outgoing model.

Meant recently. Available in new model 750's at least: http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/brochures/2016/2016_F650-750%20Spec%20Sheets-8.pdf

What about rental fleets? Companies like U-haul only rent out gas vehicles. As of right now, different versions of the 6.8l V10 are shared between the E-350 through the F-750. You mean a similar sharing arrangement with the E-Series replacement up through the F-750 won't be feasible or cost effective? Or does this go back to the 6.8 possibly being inadequate for medium duty usage?