syrtran Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Forget reinforcing anything. IMHO, it is not possible to pass the side impact regs without a B Pillar, period. I hope you mean "on this vehicle" because the RX-8 seems to do just fine. It has a hidden b-pillar just the way RJ posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Max torque load on the JV transmission is somewhere around 300-315lb-ft. Perhaps an updated version will be on the market in a year, when the TwinFource EcoBoost arrives in the MKS, or perhaps Ford will go with an off-the-shelf Aisin unit that can handle that much torque. Ultimately, it seems, Ford will want an inhouse solution that can handle that much torque, but I think that may come after, not at the same time as, the EcoBoost. Sourcing ANY other vendor for a transmission (other than the JV) for the TwinFource EcoBoost MKS is just not cost effective ! You will likely see "torque truncation" on WOT shifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 D3 Well that settle's it, Explorer is dead, Ford gives up another segment to the Japs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmwill Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Where has anyone in authority said it is a D3? Well that settle's it, Explorer is dead, Ford gives up another segment to the Japs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Well that settle's it, Explorer is dead, Ford gives up another segment to the Japs... Why?? Let me hear your reasoning................ oh he who knows everything about everything. You have never laid eyes on this vehicle. You have never driven this vehicle. You have not even read all the specs on said vehicle. Yet, you state, with absolute certainty, that it sucks............ that Explorer is dead............. and that Ford will completely lose the market (to whom I ask, since pretty much everyone else is getting out of midsize SUV's). The reality is, noone will even know what platform it is on, if Ford does it right. You know, I would really like to see your crystal ball............. you know, the one that can see a couple of years into the future. Could you let us know what gas prices will be at that time??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P71_CrownVic Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 I hope it is not based on the D3. In fact, I don't like the fact that the majority of Fords new cars are D3 based. Seems like they are putting all of their eggs in one basket...which has not proved good for them in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 I hope it is not based on the D3. In fact, I don't like the fact that the majority of Fords new cars are D3 based. Seems like they are putting all of their eggs in one basket...which has not proved good for them in the past. Using a common architecture under many vehicles is a good thing. It amortizes cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Why?? Let me hear your reasoning................ oh he who knows everything about everything. You have never laid eyes on this vehicle. You have never driven this vehicle. You have not even read all the specs on said vehicle. Yet, you state, with absolute certainty, that it sucks............ that Explorer is dead............. and that Ford will completely lose the market (to whom I ask, since pretty much everyone else is getting out of midsize SUV's). The reality is, noone will even know what platform it is on, if Ford does it right. You know, I would really like to see your crystal ball............. you know, the one that can see a couple of years into the future. Could you let us know what gas prices will be at that time??? Oh good. He brings out this response in other people too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P71_CrownVic Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Using a common architecture under many vehicles is a good thing. It amortizes cost. I agree...but it seems like they are going D3 crazy over there in Detroit. Plus, it is always good to have a backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 I agree...but it seems like they are going D3 crazy over there in Detroit. Plus, it is always good to have a backup. Well, the backup would be GRWD and EUCD2/CD4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 (edited) I hope it is not based on the D3. In fact, I don't like the fact that the majority of Fords new cars are D3 based. Seems like they are putting all of their eggs in one basket...which has not proved good for them in the past. CD3 - 400,000 D3 - 131,000 + Flex + MKS + Lincoln Flex + Explorer See the pattern? Edited January 7, 2008 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Why?? Let me hear your reasoning................ oh he who knows everything about everything. You have never laid eyes on this vehicle. You have never driven this vehicle. You have not even read all the specs on said vehicle. Yet, you state, with absolute certainty, that it sucks............ that Explorer is dead............. and that Ford will completely lose the market (to whom I ask, since pretty much everyone else is getting out of midsize SUV's). What part of FWD D3 sled do you not understand? I know some of you feel the need to rationalize everything dumb Ford does, I don't need to see or drive it to know that it isn't an Explorer as much as as a FWD V6 Mercury Cougar wasn't a Mustang. Understand? The reality is, noone will even know what platform it is on, if Ford does it right. You know, I would really like to see your crystal ball............. you know, the one that can see a couple of years into the future. Could you let us know what gas prices will be at that time??? Yea, my crystal ball on page 5 that says this is a D3... READ the thread before getting your panties in a knot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 What part of FWD D3 sled do you not understand? Where has it been said that it is FWD? The same poster who said it's D3 has been hinting at a RWD D3 for some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Where has it been said that it is FWD? The same poster who said it's D3 has been hinting at a RWD D3 for some time. Let's not forget that the concept is on D3. Remember the 2005 Mustang concept rode on a DEW98 platform but ended up on something else. Until the production version is announced, we don't know what will underpin it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 A Sportrac version of this would look awesome. A unit-body "lifestyle" truck would be a nice compliment to Ford's stable. I wonder if Ford has gotten anywhere with Hybrid D3s. (Hybrid Explorer SUV and Trac would be awesome). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 D-3 will be fine. The extra width for large people wearing winter clothes is important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ds91776 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 D3 (or D4 by the time this and the new Taurus debuts) is a great platform that has proven itself to be reliable (500/Freestyle/Taurus recommendeds from Consumer Reports, a far better record than the 300 by the way) and is large and flexible enough to support a large sedan and several crossover offerings. It also makes sense for Ford to have a primary platform (ala d3/d4) for North American vehicles such as Taurus, Flex, Explorer, so that international products such as future Fusion/Mondeo, Focus, Escape/Kuga, etc can be shared while giving Ford the ability to make no compromises what so ever on NA specific vehicles. BTW I love this new Explorer and everything about it. GREAT JOB FORD!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 (edited) D-3 will be fine. The extra width for large people wearing winter clothes is important. Now you're being kind, LOL. Edited January 7, 2008 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Let's not forget that the concept is on D3. Remember the 2005 Mustang concept rode on a DEW98 platform but ended up on something else. Until the production version is announced, we don't know what will underpin it. BlueII said it's D3 and he's a Ford insider. In fact, he's been saying that the next Explorer would be D3 for some time now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 A Sportrac version of this would look awesome. A unit-body "lifestyle" truck would be a nice compliment to Ford's stable. I wonder if Ford has gotten anywhere with Hybrid D3s. (Hybrid Explorer SUV and Trac would be awesome). A Ford Ridgeline, I don't know, maybe. If done right, I guess a unibody Sport Trac might work. Couldn't really do any worse then the current one. There was a rumor that there was going to be an F100 unibody based on the next Explorer, but lately the rumor has been that the F100 will be on a narrowed and shortened F150 frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 (edited) BlueII said it's D3 and he's a Ford insider. In fact, he's been saying that the next Explorer would be D3 for some time now. Actually he knows people on the inside but he's not an insider. However, point taken. I was merely offering up another possible alternative. Edited January 7, 2008 by TomServo92 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Now you're being kind, LOL. No, actually I was being of great circumferance myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 No side mirrors. Driver's side has 2 regular doors, passenger's side has a slider and no B-pillar. Clever, but impact regs mean that probably won't happen, unless Ford spent a lot of money on high-strength alloys to reinforce the passenger-side. The slider gets around using a half-pillar (like the 50's 'hardtops') or reverse, 'suicide' hinges. I'd assume the sliding door would be so people can see the interior better on the concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Actually he knows people on the inside but he's not an insider. However, point taken. I was merely offering up another possible alternative. I thought he was an insider, oh well. He also said they were working on a RWD version of D3. Maybe GRWD program is D3 based. I've looked under a new AWD Taurus and if you were to yank out the engine and transaxle and mounted an engine & transmission longitudinally, it would be pretty easy to make it RWD. Plus, there is a ton of room under the hood. Only thing I don't know, is how much the firewall and tunnel would need to be modified to fit a tranny. Imagine a Taurus with the GT500 drivetrain, what a sleeper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 I thought he was an insider, oh well. He also said they were working on a RWD version of D3. Maybe GRWD program is D3 based. I've looked under a new AWD Taurus and if you were to yank out the engine and transaxle and mounted an engine & transmission longitudinally, it would be pretty easy to make it RWD. Plus, there is a ton of room under the hood. Only thing I don't know, is how much the firewall and tunnel would need to be modified to fit a tranny. Imagine a Taurus with the GT500 drivetrain, what a sleeper! What about a GT motor like that one Five Hundred? LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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