kstwister

I'd recommend the EL over the standard length Expy for what you are look for. Maybe another quote from captain obvious. Just fyi. Good luck!

Wonder if this non-boxed frame will allow the f 150/navigator/expedition to use all the same driveline components for a change? I'm under the assumption that the suvs will keep their irs. But from there forward being the same will go a long way to allowing drivetrain commonality.

A consistent interior theme and updated switchgear would help the inside. The 5.0 and the boosted V6 would help the drivetrain. I still think they should go with the 6.2 for the high roller Gator but its nice to see the changes. 420 ft lb of the torques out of that V6 and a 3.73 rear end would make the avg Expy a stoplight brawler! Or at the very least pull the hell out of your family and full size travel trailer.

Pure speculation on my part, but look at the demographic that buys the Tundra and Titan? Construction crews? Manufacturing? Fleet buyers? Don't know but looks not so much. If we assume it's mostly individuals then who's going to buy the diesel in that demo? Sure the media and "public" will say that want it, but who's going to buy it? Not the retired old white guy that drives to the lake on the weekend pulling a 2500# boat and trailer. Not the young guy who buys it to take to college because Toyota's have "good resale". I would guess the take rate on the 5.0 diesel would be so low that they'll drop it within 5 years. 5.0 is not really that small compared to a 6.something straight six cummins and the 6.7 fords. don't know what duramax displacement is. I think Ford is onto something with the I5. Hopefully they prove it in the Transit and can make a smooth transition to offering in F 150/Expy within2-3 years....if the market demands it.

The new GM twins are butt ugly but if they've got power the men will buy them and the women who drive them don't care. Plus if their interiors are updated, the women will be happy because when they are driving.....they don't see the outside! To preface this entire statement we have to determine that what we(the enthusiast) wants is different than what Ford can/will provide for the masses(soccer mom). Doubt I get the GT500 supercharged 5.4 out of the Cobra...damnit! Ford sold around 40k of these last year. That's not many in the grand scheme. So my thinking is this: I hope Ford drops in the Ecoboost 6 and finally updates that interior. Should swap out the 5.4 for the 5.0 V8 as well. Then you have complete interchangability between F150 and Expy/Navi on drivetrain. Ford SHOULD keep the independent rear and the superior cabin space and seating position that provides. We've got the interior issue, it's basically the same in 2014 as it was in 2007! Maybe some more bells and whistles on the dash, but that's it. That's not acceptable. Trim them up to resemble F series and get the interiors "put together" with some common themes. I'd like to see the Expy keep substantially the same hood and grills because I like the style but that's just my opinion. Could change the rear tails and french them in a bit more to smooth the exterior. I changed the exhaust on my '08 Expy to point out the back. Adds about 1' more pipe to the system and eliminated the interior resonance from my hooker aerochamber muffler. Maybe Ford is playing with the exhaust on that mule too...

a Mustang and a Fairmont in the same post....blasphemy! It's true and it's hurts....but I still don't half to like it!

I'm a Ford fanboy so my allegiance is going to result in a definite bias. That said, the only thing GM is dominant in is filing for bankruptcy and sucking on the teat of the American tax payer. So yes, they are dominant....in sucking...as it were. I'm not trying to start an internet bitch fight with you Borg. I just think the dominance you speak of is non-existant. Good day sir!

Whatever happened to that 7.0 V8 Roush(?) built on that track only Mustang? It's been a couple years back but I thought there was some direct fomoco involvement in that. Call it a....wait for it....Boss 429. A guy can dream right?

Blasphemy! My bad. 5.8 is more better. I noticed that as soon as I posted it and wondered how long it would take somebody to take me to task. I'll go say 10 Henry Fords and ask for forgiveness.

Can't comment on the rumor per say but thinking 5.7 liter ala 351 cid has way more appeal than a 5.2 liter anything. Maybe I just want to see the Boss 351 return and a bumped Coyote would be fricking great. Still slot the Boss above the GT and under the Cobra. I'm thinking the Cobra will be forced induction via the twin turbo 5.0. Should make crazy power with good reliability. Tuners are running Coyotes up to 700+ hp without much done to the internals.....

True, no premium for me. The diesel guys have good luck with the chips but they don't have the octane variation. It'll be hard to find my cake and eat it too but I'll just keep my eyes open. Thanks for the input.

Our 08 Expy is a fine vehicle but if I could get a chip and get even 1 more mpg the annual dollar savings would almost pay for the programer in one year. Have any of you ever done it to your rig? If so what unit did you use? Edge, Hypertech, etc. What gains did you see from the updates? Thanks for any input!

So you are saying building the Mustang is a bad idea? Interesting point of view.....

Hasn't Ford's deal lately been to try to have best in class mpg and hp kinda sorta? If that is the mantra then they could have the 6.2 Gator with 425 hp and lead the class. Then have the standard 3.7 V6 as a mpg getter in 4x2 models. Our 2008 4wd EB standard length Expy scales at 6000# with minimal stuff in it. IMO, you need every bit of that 5.4 you currently have. With 3.73s it's pretty zippy but I'd hate to pull a boat or heavy camper much or else you'd have your foot on the gas hard....most of the time. I don't know if the 3.7 standard V6 is up to that much of a load. The 6.2 extinction is interesting though. I can't imagine Ford putting that much into development on a motor then dropping it in less than 5 years of production. But stranger stuff has happened. I see the 5.0 standard with the ecoV6 as an option on the Expy with the Gator getting the ecoV6 standard with the 6.2 option. Or at least thats what I hope!

Am I safe to assume the Nav/Expy will still be body on frame "trucks" yes?? If so I can't imagine they will back down towing much. However, if after the redesign the rigs themselves are lighter, and I hope they are, there may be some adjustments made to the tow ratings. I love the idea of the ecoboost v6. A real world boost of 3-5 mpg would be f'n huge on these things.