theoldwizard1

There are am amazing amount of Panthers still driving around SE MI. I wonder how many there are in FL ? These are very stout cars and can take quite a bit of bashing !

The chip shortage will continue through ALL of 2022CY and probably into 2023. The only thing I have heard (through the Internet) is that some of the key short supply chips have been identified and priorities for deliveries have been shuffled. The END is not yet "in sight" !

There would be a big difference between an RV built on a T450 and an E450 !

Exactly my point ! Why not make a "US only" variant that has a wider stance, better rear brakes, and heavier springs and frame. By doing it only on the CA/CC version, no sheet metal would have to change and no impact on ROW versions.

My point is, the T350 is such a WEAK player in the CC/CA market (BTW, the CC/CA is NOT unibody. It has a frame !). I am sure the RV builders would love it. Currently a niche that is not being filled. Everytime I see a tall T350 dually I keep asking myself why the wheels are tucked under and not outside like all dually pickups.

So what do people think about a T450 ? Even if it is just CC/CA ? Upgrade the frame and springs but most of all UPGRADE THE REAR AXLE ! Wider "stance" and better brakes. I am certain the RV industry would love it, especially with a 5.0L.

That COULD simply be because of dual rear wheels vs single rear wheel. Duals have more rolling resistance.

With this combination, do you find the 10 speed transmission overly "busy" ? How about towing vs not ?

Yes ! The VVT came in 2 flavors. With or without computer controlled fuel control. (7200 vs 2700). Later the infamous 2150 was modified to have fuel control.

Gasoline engines do engine braking better than diesels (unless you have a Jake brake). In theory, if the ratio RANGE of the 10 speed transmission is wide enough, torque would not be an issue. Why do you think they used to make 18 speed Class 8 trucks l

Internally it was ! I worked on EEC-I and EEC-II at the same time. Same processor. (For you geeks, this was a true RISC processor ! Besides ADD, SUB, MULL and DIV it only had another 10 or so instructions. 12 bit data and address.)

No tubes were used in EEC-I either !

The only way to move a vehicle without a ECU/PCM is to push it ! No assembly plant is going to build vehicles that have to be pushed off the end of the line !!

WOW ! So much mis-information being thrown around ! First, I worked as a design engineer in Ford's now definition Electronics Division for over 10 years. Before, during and after that I was intimately involved in the software and hardware design of everything from the EEC-I through the PTEC (or whatever the marketing name was). The ECU/PCM is (likely) the most COMPLEX electronic module in the car simply because the government changes OBD requirements every year ! I am sure it has more Flash memory, more RAM memory than anyover module. It has non-eraseable memory for storing certain DTCs (no more disconnect the battery and it will forget). Designers are constantly fighting for more memory. These chips are only redesigned every few years. Redesigns means new features means new software. Most of the ICs in the dozens of modules are very simple 8/16 bit chips with no floating point and a very limited amount of Flash and RAM. Remember the module that drunk that fancy display in your F150 Lariat matched the same video driver as dozens of other consumer devices. The only module that had serviceable memory devices was the EEC-I and the EEC-II. The cost of sockets was too high. You will NEVER see automotive technician in the field opening modules and installing integrated circuits !

Not exactly new news but ... I just read that the world's largest integrated circuit (chip) manufacturer is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). They have already agreed to built a very large manufacturing facility in AZ, BUT full production will likely not be until 2024 ! TSMC has many customers, but most notably is Apple. Apple is willing to pay what ever is required to keep their position of first in line. The various electronic modules used in Ford products include 100's of different chip from very simple to very complex. I am sure that they come from many different manufacturers.

When I retired I was back in Dearborn on the engine side. I have been retired for over 10 years, so fewer and fewer contacts.

I just read that the 2 EcoBoost engines offered in the Bronco will take advantage of Premium fuel and produce more horsepower ! I have been waiting for this for a long time !! Sadly they can't do this with E85 unless the add an auxillary injector.

Hmmm ... You have to wonder what "suspension and cabin interior components" really includes ! It could be a complete stripped chassis or ???? There are quite a few differences between the EU FWD version and the US RWD version. FWD has never passed US crash test.

A fancy new famous in the Midwest is NOT going to attract and keep the best and the brightest. Especially since 99% of engineering management has no clue about computers. Most think programming is just like making a spreadsheet !

IMHO, medium duty trucks are NOT a key business component to Ford ! Admittedly, they are selling every Transit they can make but it is a weak replacement to the E-Series vans. Low payload, negligible towing. Why do "dually" Transits tuck the second tire INSIDE the body when all F-Series add fender flair (no sliding door option on dually would solve that problem). The rear brakes are a joke ! You have to remove the axle to remove the rotor ??? Real world life expectancy for rear brakes is ≤30K ! Leaving all design decisions in the hands of EU is a big mistake.

For A, X and A plan, you get what every "discounts" are available when the deal closes.

History, although somewhat sketchy. The first computerized ordering system was based on orders placed on keypunch cards and feed into large IBM mainframes back in the 60s. A "run" of all the orders key punched for a day was only done at most once a day because it took so long for the mainframe to process the data. This is where all those weird codes you see on Order Guides evolved from. Also, it was possible to take the keypunch cards and re-arrange them, putting an order at the head of the line.

Data comes from driving by stations. None by my house are reporting their price but most a charging a premium for E85.

MI is right next to the "corn belt". Why does E85 sell for a higher price than regular grade gasoline ?

HE is a long way off. More than 10 years. Probably more than 20.