ZF is a pioneer in these wired systems:   https://www.zf.com/mobile/en/technologies/by_wire/by_wire.html   Going down this road would result in the elimination of considerable hydraulic and mechanical components.

I believe NG F150 is fall 2028 release as 2029 model. So before the “F 100” and Bronco truck come out. 

I remember the brake by wire, but forgot about the steer by wire one.....     Perhaps I'm connecting unrelated dots, but.........that rumor could actually support the idea of some sort of modified body-on-frame/giga-casting combo, as they'd theoretically be able to assemble the entire front compartment (with dash attached like the Fathom approach as one piece, then merge it with the cab, then drop it all onto the frame similar to now.   So instead of having the 3 section giga-cast approach of Fathom (front with dash, rear with motor, center passenger cell with seats all put together), it'd still be 3 sections, but different: 1) front end with dash 2) passenger cell with seats/interior in place 2b) those two are merged 3) assembled bed added behind the cab 4) dropped onto frame (preassembled with powertrain etc. like current methods)     It'd allow some of the assembly efficiencies/less strain on workers with the tired and true bof approach

I seem to recall articles for some time talking about a roughly 50/50 split, but that more recently it's skewed more hybrid?  I could be wrong on that.     That's why I've been saying to not set the expectation bar too high on design (and therefore sales), as this thing has to in a way both thread a needle customer wise, and appeal to a broader audience to succeed.  It'll have to appeal to a picky EV crowd for features, range, etc, while also broadly appealing to enough ICE/hybrid buyers to get them to switch.   I also think it helps that Maverick is already around, as it's a proof of concept of at least the sizing and capabilities of the vehicle.  Customers like the smaller size, but also based on reports, only do mild truck activities like throw some mulch in the bed on a Home Depot run, with largely limited towing.....doesn't mean it won't tow, but if you really want to tow, you go up to Ranger or beyond.  But as you point out, Maverick also benefits from "trucky" styling, whereas the Fathom is more aero-first design.  Who knows, maybe it'll look different than we're thinking, but we'll see.......I'm picturing a modern take of the '97-03 aero F-150 look.     Well, we don't have any official numbers yet, so the jury is still out whether it'd be able to do what you want.

This is often attributed to driver error, stuck shoe, carpet, etc.   A branch of this topic is 'tin whiskers' which is partly a false meme.   The following is neither.   An Unintended Accel occured on my 'essentially new' 250 SD while just beginning to accelerate in reverse while backing up a slight hill to a parking spot, and just as the 'auto brake on a hill' (whatever the proper term is) had just released. The vehicle was backing and just started to break over the incline toward level ground, the engine surged unexpectedly, had not done so in the past, just as I'd begun to depress the accelerator pedal. The accel was greater than the accel I'd given it  or, an unexpected delay in that acceleration.   IOW, the 'hold on the hill', vehicle load and accel pedal input changed about the same time.   The vehicle has not done so in other driving modes of situations. When manuvering like this, I keep my left foot hovering just above the brake pedal just in case...   There was no loss of vehicle control that caused any risk. 

"fuses are hot with key off" is 1970s tech. This is 2020s. Circuits are computer controlled. There may be a delay in shutoff of any particular fuse branch, or the shutoff function may be physically after the fuse. Wait 10 minutes before checking fuse power.   Fuses are to protect wiring, not necessarily load devices- those should have protection built in. Theres no particular reason to turn fuses off.

Patent Suggests Ford Bronco Could Get Integrated Cargo Area Door Storage   A new set of door storage "slat" type things in the cargo area related to that other permit    

Oh, just remembered one other REALLY fun part about a Tremor package on a Ranger... Just like other models, you can't buy a Raptor of any kind on Plan pricing programs. They're ineligible across the board. Tremors, you can. So, for an X-Plan eligible buyer, or A/Z, or D for that matter, having this option will be prety nice.

Good point. There has been press rumors about steer by wire and brake by wire. I can see that providing some significant cost and also weight savings. And that would fall into the “radical change” category. Ford has proven in the past they aren’t afraid to make radical changes in the F-150 (e.g. aluminum body and V6 Ecoboost). 

I kind of wonder something... after digging around a little, I didn't see anything "official" that talked about Ranger rebranding as F-100. But looking at it from the Ford Pro angle, you could do some really interesting things with a fleet/pro "Ranger" that the "civilian" market wouldn't really support well. Regular cabs, long boxes, stripped down for work. Sure, some normal buyer might be interested in those, but they could be their own thing under Pro, and if someone really really wanted one, there could be ways to get one ordered. That work truck would be a great F-100, even if it's really a Ranger under the badge. That would let those units be counted in the F-series total count. I know that's really "cheating", but it's been a thing for a very long time. That seems to be exactly how Ranger is handled elsewhere. For giggles, the other day I went into Ford Brazil, pulled up their Build & Price, and checked out their Ranger lineup. Regular cab, Supercab, Supercrew, various box lengths, everything from very basic work trucks to a very top of the line Supercrew. I did a mock-build of a loaded up one, adding the power retracting running boards, and did a currency calculations. I about fell out of my chair when it clocked in at $75000 US! I think Lincoln had a run where they really struggled hard to figure out any kind of identity. When your target market literally dies off, you have to find a way to appeal to a new audience. When you can't find that audience, and have no idea what they'd want anyway, that causes some weird combinations on a vehicle.