twintornados

This has to take top honors as the dumbest post of the week...possibly the month, or even year....what the f@#& does "muslim built" mean?? And for the love of god....no one thinks it is intended to replace E-Series.

True...but if, say, the seats got improved with the help of Volvo technology to mitigate any whiplash and protect the occupants, then Ford could, and should exploit that connection.

The only way a 2010 Transit will be in the US is at a Ford "Skunkwerks" project building as they work to integrate Transit and Econoline into "One Ford" But as for general sale.....Richard is 1000% correct!

Econoline is an enigmatic vehicle in Fords lineup.....a true work horse, and they sell a ton of 'em...but you don't see a lot of them at "XYZ Ford Store"....a kinda "behind the scene" machine that is a profit maker for Ford. They haven't been "re-engineered" in decades, makes the Panther look young in comparison...is the last hold out for Twin I Beam (thats right Wiz...I said Twin I Beam!) So, any changes will significantly alter the landscape of modern work-a-day America....Ford must be very careful when replacing this stalwart.....she will not go quietly into the night for sure!

The full size van market is a valuable market to Ford, I am sure that when they redesign Econoline and Transit into a "One Ford" chassis sharing program Ford will consult with their partners to ensure that there is a smooth transition to the new version. As for naming...I would be betting that in the North American market, the name Econoline will continue to be used on any "One Ford" replacement to the segment.

Richard, if you go to the Ford website, you will find that the the E350 is indeed available as a "regular" cargo van, E450 models are available as chassis/cab only. http://www.commtruck.ford.com/

http://apps.dealerconnection.com/dealers/l...lerPACode=08559 Here is a cut -n- paste of the above link to an actual 2008 E150 Econoline van.....I highlighted the appropriate section below. Enjoy your pablum Wiz!!! ******************************************************************************** ****************************************** Disclaimer: This window sticker is only representative of the information contained on an actual window sticker, and may or may not match the actual Window Sticker on the vehicle itself. Please see your retailer for further information. Vehicle Description VIN 1FTNE14L98DA11584 ECONOLINE 2008 E150 CARGO VAN 5.4L EFI V8 ENGINE ELECT. 4-SPD AUTO O/D TRANS Exterior OXFORD WHITE CLEARCOAT Interior MEDIUM FLINT Standard Equipment INCLUDED AT NO EXTRA CHARGE EXTERIOR . INTERVAL WIPERS . SOLAR TINTED GLASS . HINGED SIDE CARGO DOOR . SEALED HALOGEN HEADLAMPS . LT225/75R16E BSW TIRES . MANUAL TELESCOPIC TT MIRRORS . SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL . BLK NOSTRIL BAR GRILLE . BUMPERS, BLACK INTERIOR . AM/FM STEREO W/CLOCK . TILT STEERING WHEEL . TACHOMETER . VINYL FRONT HEADLINER . DUAL VINYL BUCKET SEATS . CENTER & REAR CARGO LIGHT . FRONT VINYL FLOOR COVERING . AIR COND, MANUAL FRONT FUNCTIONAL . TWIN I-BEAM INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION . ELEC THROTTLE CTRL . POWER STEERING . HANDLING PACKAGE . AUX TRANSMISSION COOLER . POWERPOINT, FRONT . 35 GALLON FUEL TANK SAFETY/SECURITY . 4-WHEEL ANTI-LOCK DISC BRAKING SYSTEM . DRIVER/PASSENGER AIR BAGS . PRETENSIONING FRT SEATBLTS . SIDE IMPACT DOOR BEAMS . HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP WARRANTY . 3YR/36000 BUMPER TO BUMPER . 5YR/60,000 POWERTRAIN . 5YR/60,000 ROADSIDE ASSIST Price Information MSRP STANDARD VEHICLE PRICE $23,725 Optional Equipment 138 INCH WHEELBASE 2008 MODEL YEAR OXFORD WHITE CLEARCOAT MEDIUM FLINT VINYL PREFERRED EQUIPMENT PKG.740A .STANDARD TRIM .AIR COND FRT ONLY-CFC FREE .ELEC AM/FM STEREO W/CLOCK .16" SPORT WHEEL COVER .16" STEEL WHEEL - SRW 5.4L EFI V8 ENGINE $975 ELECT. 4-SPD AUTO O/D TRANS .LT225/75RX16E BSW ALL-SEASON 3.55 RATIO REGULAR AXLE X29 COMMERCIAL CARGO VAN PACKAGE $1,125 .SPEED CONTROL .MIRRORS, PWR RH & LH EXTERIOR .BLACK REAR STEP BUMPER .POWER GROUP .REMOTE KEYLESS ENT/PANIC ALAR COMMERCIAL VAN PACKAGE DISC. $-1,125 FRONT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET VINYL FLR CVRG, FRONT & REAR $65 SWNGOUT SD/FIX RRCARGO SIDEFLP $185 8600# GVWR PACKAGE DULUXE ENG CVR CONSOLE C/K $40 TRAILER TOWING PKG CLASS I DOOR, SLIDING SIDE CARGO $100 INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR QUIET FLEX COMPOSITE RAX&BINS TOTAL VEHICLE & OPTIONS $25,090 DESTINATION & DELIVERY $870 TOTAL MSRP $25,960 Disclaimer: Option pricing will be blank for any item that is priced as 0 or "No Charge". Estimated Annual Fuel Cost: $ CITY MPG HIGHWAY MPG Vehicle Engine Information NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS UNIT Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition. Results reported to EPA indicate that the majority of vehicles with these estimates will achieve between and mpg in the city and between and mpg on the highway. For Comparison Shopping all vehicles classified as have been issued mileage ratings from to mpg city and to mpg highway.

What do you know....you think that the E150 models don't have twin I beam suspension ....when Ford replaces Econoline....the whole lineup will get changed out. The only thing that may possibly remain is the name itself.

My feeling is that in the North American market place...it will be named Econoline....

PS...for the record, I think Ford should keep Volvo as well. It has a a "safety cache" that, if done correctly, would enhance Fords image in a tightly competitive marketplace....but, these are extraordinary times. Remember the "Powered by Ford" valve covers of yore?? How about "Active Safety System by Volvo" on a tag stitched into the seam of a headrest. of emblazoned discreetly on the deck lid of "XYZ" model....

You can replace "Volvo" with "Jaguar" in the above statement to describe what was the line of thinking around the time Ford got rid of Jag/LM.....fast forward to "now" and lets see how Jaguar is doing......um, never mind.....

yeah.....just what I thought...silence

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseC...7622&EDATE= Which begs the question...if Ford is going to "can" Ranger....why? Maybe a reprieve has again been ordered?

Oh...I'm sorry....you must've missed the part where I said every Econoline has twin I beams....every one of 'em!!! And just to be sure, I was at my local Ford dealer getting my Fusion looked at and whaddaya know....2009 E150....surprise....twin I beams!!!! http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/eseries/gallery/index.asp If you notice...when it is describing the E-Series, it refers to the suspension system of E-Series, the front suspension is twin I beams for E150, E250, E-350....etc etc etc....just admit it Wiz....you are not correct. E-Series has twin I beams, not SLA....it does however, have ball joints....attached to the top and bottom of the I beam..... And I suppose I will continue to wait...I don't care if it is 80 degrees and sunny....you will never be able to take that picture since it has twin I beams....

Hey!!! Town Car sales waaaaaaaay up! 147.6%!!!!! Whooooo Hoooooooo...go Panther, go Panther....it's your birthday!!!!

And that is what the draw will be for any possible buyer. High growth in the above listed markets and a dedicated presence here in North America. That, Volvo has in spades....and should make it worth more than Jag and Land Rover

Still waiting on Wiz to produce a picture of his SLA suspension setup on his Econoline....I have been looking at Econolines....every last one of 'em has twin I beams.....except the 4X4 conversions that is....

Volvo is a great name but it has little luxury cache...it is looked upon more realistically as a "near premium" marque and Ford dumped a ton of cash trying to move it upmarket....money better spent on bringing Lincoln seriously upmarket and to the worldwide stage. Volvo, in it's home market is akin to a Chevy, Ford or Dodge in the USA.

Honestly...if you were Carlos Ghosn....what would you rather acquire, Volvo and strengthen your European markets, or Chrysler and have added US outlets for product that is inferior to what you currently manufacture.

Oh man....that was funny!!!!

From the way it is reported, I would think not....it cracks me up that he scoffs at Fusion hybrids 41MPG, yet the Camry hybrid gets a "respectable 33MPG"...wonder what he thinks of Fusions' 23/34MPG for the 2.5L / six speed combo....

Just a thought here, but the F100 could be F150 sized, but with a lighter duty frame, coil spring rear suspension, and an AWD setup as opposed to a 4WD two speed transfer case....Ford could really send the likes of Dodge, Chevy and most notably Toyota crying for market share with a setup like that. It would not cannibalize F150 sales, and give Ford yet another market outlet for such things....

I am going to ring in on Armada Masters' side on this one (god help me....) In the early 90's, I had a 1981 F100, it had stamped steel twin I beams, a smaller diameter bolt pattern on the wheels and a lot less content compared to a F150, it was however a full size truck. It was phased out when Ranger hit the scene. It was included in F-Series brochures and was surely counted in annual F-Series sales.

I've stated this before in another thread that was basically the same topic, but have any of you seen the Dodge "Ram Challenge"....the new Ram takes on.....other Rams.....don't really get that test....

Hey...got any pics of the removed front suspension pieces?? I need to show "someone" what a Twin I Beam suspension looks like on the 2009 E-150.