Bob Rosadini

thx-never thought of it from a manufacturing perspective. Got it..just thinking from an economy of scale I'm thinking those 4 bangers are a big number when you look at all the Fords using them-unlike my reference to the Yamaha in the SHO.

For sure! What current GM's share what with a 283,327,350? Think of what the new Vette powertrain must have cost..for one very unique market. Oh, education needed.. what does the 6.8/7.3 have in common with a 6.2?🤔

AK..Almost a billion to catch up to......? Something that Lawler thinks has no business as an inhouse product? Or I guess you can make the case that he is saying "we are done..going forward we can save by outsourcing any future developments.

Amazing huh? Apparently GM dropping almost a BILLION on a new V-8 says either Ford or GM is going to be a big loser. As to Ford's position as stated by John Lawler, at what point is Ford no longer a true manufacturer? One more thing for Toyota to add to ..."the best built vehicles last the longest",..."We take pride in insuring what we sell we build". And if we look at HD trucks..and I'm not talking about a 2500 Silverado or an F-250, as years ago when diesels took over the market, a buyer could chose from Cummins, Cat, or GM, or they could buy a Mack as Mack while offering those engines too, prided themselves on their in house complete proprietary power trains. But in terms of volume, far different from what Lawler is talking about. I can see unique vehicles with n outsourced engine- as in the Yamaha in the original SHO, but if we are talking about large numbers, what is the point of losing your identity? Another interesting thought....Mr Lawler thinks we should outsource engines while his boss thinks nothing of building a Formula 1 engine 🤔 Thought this old coin I have is a good example of Ford Pride:

TT, Thx, interesting that these guys have never encountered one of these before...then again they get a lot of commercial/farm equipment. And a lot of it in the "rode hard, put away wet" class-including high mileage foreign vehicles that I assume the current owners cannot afford taking to the dealer😎

HRG..thx..that had to be a good cost saver. I guess it makes no difference if it is upstream of muffler or down.

At friends shop Friday and a Maverick, AWD was up on a lift. So in checking it over I found this on the exhaust pipe about 12-15" from the tip. Assuming it has something to do with exhaust tone. Appears solid-push on it and a bit deflexion Any thoughts?

My usual speech on this. They should own the class 6/7 market and COULD do a lot better with some simple changes- like put the 6.7 Cummins/Allison transmission in 650/750 and add air brakes in the Gas versions. But I'm sure the party line is they make more selling internal sourced engines and transmissions. Air brakes in the gas versions with or without an Allison would put them back in business on the west coast. Ford owned the fuel oil delivery segment here in the Northeast-now it is Paccar and International. And we read that Lawler says the industry may be turning to more outsourced engine options...🤔

LN with LTL Hood.htmlLN with LTL Hood.htmlJust saw this posted in BigMack website...currently for sale. I can't believe this is for real..if so someone did an unbelievable job fitting that LTL grill, shortened hood on an LN

Your statement says to me, too many layers in the chain of command..and perhaps that goes back to something we seem to have read about- each layer of authority is just another choke point before an issue is finally addressed.

Or "kicking ass and taking names". This sounds like such an obvious consideration. "you are putting larger tires on? And you didn't verify the change would not create other issues?"

Seems to me this starts at the top. If the pressure is to cut costs, that "comes with a cost". You get what you pay for. Someone once told me, you can get whatever you want from China or Taiwan..."check the box as to quality level you want". And the same must apply to domestic production as well. As to "disgruntled" suppliers linked to project cancelations, I would have to believe that all those cancelations had penalty clauses in them that Ford had to live up to. Plus are they not two different issues? One case involves a major plant expansion, the other is the ongoing process of providing a given component for a vehicle. I would have to believe that is where the dissatisfaction with Ford is. Vertical integration does have some benefits. Also, my late wife would be all over me for this, but I have to believe that prior adherence to DEI objectives has played a roll in some of this.

Probably -or they got a nice used cab and started "cutting to fit"-and for sure if you looked at grill they raised the cab as well. In any case a clever "mod" IMO.

I did a search for Thibault on you tube..did not get to a corporate site but a few pix of C model fire trucks with the Thibault badge..also at least one GM cab over that was very similar to a C model. As for that aerial truck with the set back axle, looks like the 6-71 power was very accessible with side panels. If I had to bet, I would say these guys got a C cab and fitted it to a chassis they probably built. And given the 6-71 was in its own "dog house", there was no reason to make that cab tilt- just come up with a good system to make it fixed. And that is not to say that you could NOT put a big inline 6 under that Ford/Budd cab. Mack did it with the N model. If you didn't see the Bulldog and the "Mack " script you would think is was a Ford..until you opened the door. While the Ford feature a full width bench seat if you wanted it, the Mack had a big dog house where that 673 Mack "lived".

New England Ford dealers have been running an ad recently pushing commercial trucks. And the opening shot actually has a 650/750 that looks like it is pulling a tag with equipment on it. I'll have to pay closer attention. Someone in marketing must have missed the message that " we don't push class 6/7 trucks"!

Wow, I would have to say impressive..all the little details that make sense. Like the ability to replenish the Indian pumps.. not one faucet but four! Only thing IMO missing? Adequate "brush bars" to protect the vehicle pushing through the woods. Only other "wildfire" truck more far out than this one is a C series that was in Texas-not sure where it was built, but it was powered by a V-903 Cummins. Not quite sure how they managed to fit that under the cab of a C model but they did.

No argument about Mexico but to me another example of a half baked solution that does not go into the details before pulling the trigger. This "agreement" should have been a good example that can be followed by others. This has Peter Retardo written all over it to use Musk's description of the ultimate butt kisser in Trump's circle🤔

But he keeps kissing Trump's ass. That was Musk's term for him..he also called him "Peter Retardo".

Peter Navarro is a Harvard grad. By definition that means he has no common sense..part of the curriculum in the Ivy League🤔

Agree on "factory ..light pickup". That GMC that 7M posted is a beauty in any case..says 3/4 ton but it looks heavier than that. If you want to see something interesting go to ..Americanheritagemuseum.org This is an unbelieveable museum nearby in Hudson/Stow Ma. Click on "exhibits" and then "WWI Trench Experience". After you go in the main entrance, this is the first exhibit/show you will see-you have the option of being in that trench or viewing from an upper balcony. But it is a "show" and you are then listening to the shelling etc. Not something you would take a 5 yr old to see. Note it identifies the ambulance as a Model T..which I thought was the predominant WWI ambulance.

7M, When that became official the export market must have been booming? Even with our winter time salt conditions that raise hell on vehicles there are still a ton of pre 2011's on the road.I had commercial plates on my B-61x...1956..up until two years ago. Registered for 35,000 lbs. Only issue I ever had was suddenly on my plate renewal they asked for a DOT number. I had a battle over that as I was not a business, I just happened to have a big truck that I used to maintain my property, my kids property, charity work at fairgrounds etc. Finally got in touch with a live person at DOT in DC and his attitude was..."we have told these state agencies we don't want the system cluttered with guys like you". He put me in touch with the right Fed DOT guy in Mass. and in turn I passed info to my rep in State Legislature and suddenly my renewal showed up. When I switched to Antique plates, I got insurance through Hagerty saving about $1000 in insurance and about another $1000 in registration costs. Do miss the sound of the turbo though when its loaded😎 Think I may sell it and put the money in my 68 Bronco.

Amazing that there are idiots out there that think in this day and age they could get away with something like this. Plenty of LTL's still working up here-and most of them look like show trucks!

Well I finally took the time to read the order guide. A 25,999 downrated plate is available WHEN the GVR is rated for MORE than 26,000 lbs. In other words you pay for a heavier specs but can't register for the weights the specs support. Obvious benefit? NO CDL required plus you avoid the 12% FET Also, you can get a 33,000 lb plate with a Higher rated chassis as long as you dont spec a 43P front axle -12,000lb with a 47X rear-26,000 for a 38,000 total But you can get a 33,000 lb plate when you spec a 14,000 pd front with a 23,000 lb rear for a 37,000 lb rating assuming proper tire ratings This means you can get a class 8 750! but it is listd as a class 7. so in both cases you have a capable truck of handling more than the factory plate but you are taking your chances of an overweight fine if caught😎

JP, actually the commercial truck guy at my dealership has told me that 600 has robbed from 550-that was probably almost a year ago. I guess the attraction was 4WD in a 600 at 22,000 GVW and a "friendlier " truck for the inexperienced driver to handle vs high hood of a 650. As for 750's this guy stocks mostly 750's with derated plates-26,000 gvw. Trucks look heavy with high rated big rubber-no clue if they are 10/23 axles but one thing they do is avoid a cdl driver and the FET tax for a 33,000 gvw. Probably should spend some time and go through the order guide instead of guessing.

Lot of truth in that..look at the 2010-19 SHO? I had one great car..can say that I never saw a separate add of any type. In 2020 (?) I had like 120,000 trouble free miles on it and sold it to a relative-who still has it. But before that I started looking for a CPO 2018-19 SHO. Nothing here in Northeast Then someone on this site suggested I look for a Fusion Sport or a 3.0 MKZ..Found a CPO 3.0, never knew anything about it ....Then I start reading all these online posts about what an unbelievable vehicle this 400HP AWD was..a true sleeper! Agree..another example of a vehicle ignored by Ford marketers. Last year I bought an extended Ford warranty package and I'll never hit it..in part because I love driving my Coyote 150. But my sons can decide what to do with it someday😎