Big 3 gear up for turf war over pickups; new F-150 inspires battle

[NFS4]

The Cargo Cage Bed extender extends the length of the bed to 6 feet. Without it, it's probably 4-4.5 feet. It's based off the Ranger platform anyway - Ranger bed length is 6 feet also. You get the usefulness of being able to seat 4 people comfortably with the bed of a truck. (Not many people need a full 6 feet anyway, so 4 is perfect)

Then why not get a Ford F-150 Crew? Explorer Sport Trac looks pretty useless (and ugly) IMHO.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: NFS4

The Cargo Cage Bed extender extends the length of the bed to 6 feet. Without it, it's probably 4-4.5 feet. It's based off the Ranger platform anyway - Ranger bed length is 6 feet also. You get the usefulness of being able to seat 4 people comfortably with the bed of a truck. (Not many people need a full 6 feet anyway, so 4 is perfect)

Then why not get a Ford F-150 Crew? Explorer Sport Trac looks pretty useless (and ugly) IMHO.

The price is the main factor if you're buying new. My best friends has one, and she loves it She's always helping me when I need to move things, etc

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: NFS4

The Cargo Cage Bed extender extends the length of the bed to 6 feet. Without it, it's probably 4-4.5 feet. It's based off the Ranger platform anyway - Ranger bed length is 6 feet also. You get the usefulness of being able to seat 4 people comfortably with the bed of a truck. (Not many people need a full 6 feet anyway, so 4 is perfect)

Then why not get a Ford F-150 Crew? Explorer Sport Trac looks pretty useless (and ugly) IMHO.

Not everyone needs a full size truck.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Ladies Man
no regular cab??? what the hell?

it is a regular cab, they just put a door back there so you can get your crap in and out easier.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Ford will produce the current F-150 for another year under the Heritage name and steer the large incentives to that model.

That's an interesting marketing plan...

 

[Rudee]

I'll take a full size Dodge truck over a Ford any day of the week.

 

[Rudee]

double post. oops

 

[WinkOsmosis]

No manual?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
No manual?

Nope...no big loss in a vehicle that big IMHO.

I wouldn't mind a manual in a compact car or a mid-sized. But when you're dealing with a 5,000+ lb vehicle, I'll take an automatic thank you

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Ladies Man
no regular cab??? what the hell?

Who the hell buys a regular cab these days anymore? It's not cost efficient to build those damn things anymore. Either get an extended cab or Crew, simple as that. I don't see what's to complain about having a foot or two extra space behind the front seats STANDARD on a pickup

I love regular cabs.

I know you get more space, but to me nothing beats driving a regular cab, short bed pick up. I just want to get another truck, I hate driving cars!

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Flatline
Still not as bad as the Mitsubishi Galant recalls, though...there was one recall in the mid-90s citing a flaw that could make the wheels fall off at highway speed

Nothing could be worse than the Focus. Something like 14 recalls within two years.

My wife has a 2nd year (2001) Focus and it's only had 1 recall.

I will have one of these trucks when my lease is up on my '02 F-150 in December .

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: bunker

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Flatline
Still not as bad as the Mitsubishi Galant recalls, though...there was one recall in the mid-90s citing a flaw that could make the wheels fall off at highway speed

Nothing could be worse than the Focus. Something like 14 recalls within two years.

My wife has a 2nd year (2001) Focus and it's only had 1 recall.

I will have one of these trucks when my lease is up on my '02 F-150 in December .

Article link is dead now, but here is the text (dated 11/04/02):

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. said on Monday that it was recalling about 572,795 of its compact Focus vehicles from the 2000 and 2001 model years in North America because of potential safety problems including engine fires.

The Focus has suffered a string of quality problems since its introduction in 1999 and Ford, which is implementing a wrenching turnaround plan after losing $5.45 billion last year, has now issued 11 safety recalls for the vehicle. The world's No. 2 automaker said the latest recalls stemmed from two separate issues that could have safety consequences. One involves a bolt in the front suspension assembly that can become loose and cause noise and vibration or, in a small number of cases, lead to separation of the ball joint, Ford said in a statement. It said the other concern involved Focus vehicles with Zetec engines in which potential problems with the placement of a battery cable could result in smoke, wire melting or under-hood fires.

A company spokesman said there had been no reports of injuries stemming from either of the potential defects in the recalled vehicles, but two accidents are alleged to have been caused by loose or missing front suspension bolts. Additionally, Ford said it was extending a service program on 2000-2001 Focus vehicles in North America because of concerns over a rear-wheel bearing seal. An earlier service program because of the problem involved vehicle owners in 21 U.S. States. But Ford said North American customers outside those original areas, including owners in Canada, would now be encouraged to bring their cars into dealerships to have the seal replaced. Ford announced in September that it would offer a "powertrain coverage plan" for the 2003 model Focus good for five years or 100,000 miles, which could be transferred between owners.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021104/ts_nm/autos_ford_recall_dc_4

 

[nan0bug]

I like it. Especially the black one with chrome accents. I'd want an extended cab for speaker space and a black cap on the back with no windows though.

 

[NFS4]

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6174

 

[flyfish]

Toyota Tundra King Cab ownz jew all (or something like that)!

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: AvesPKS

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Ladies Man
no regular cab??? what the hell?

Who the hell buys a regular cab these days anymore? It's not cost efficient to build those damn things anymore. Either get an extended cab or Crew, simple as that. I don't see what's to complain about having a foot or two extra space behind the front seats STANDARD on a pickup

Aren't they more expensive, though?

I don't think that people would bitch about a $300 increase for some more space. Seriously though, 90% of the pickups I see on the road are either extended cab or crew cab. Why waste money to develop a standard cab model for 10% of production? And they're usually only seen on REALLY base model pickups anyway.

Guess I'm a 10%er, but I LOVE my regulary cab "Effie" and for the record, it's FAR from base model. 2001 XLT, Flariside Sport 4x4 with 5.4L, 3.73 locking rear end and towing pkg. Whoever it was that posted how they love regular cab short beds, I agree completely! Nothing better looking than a full size SB w/ regular cab. Not that extended cabs are bad, but I've never had the burning desire to have one.


Edit: BTW, that new "Effie" is one SHARP looking truck! If I didn't owe so much on mine I'd seriously entertain the idea of trading. Not to mention and extra 40 HP is never a BAD thing!

 

[Pliablemoose]

Nother regular cab short bed owner mt, checking in...

Pics

Just hauled a bunch of landscaping edging, some bushes, and a mattress 2 days ago

Next project is to jack around with stock rear end, put in diff gears & a locker.

<---hugs his truck

 

[rufruf44]

Originally posted by: flyfish
Toyota Tundra King Cab ownz jew all (or something like that)!

But the Tundra is only 7/8 of a full size truck :

Makes sense Ford held nothing back for F-150, considering its been their bread and butter for a long time. Can't wait to see it go head to head with Nissan Titan

 

[thedarkwolf]

That interior is spiffy

 

[AvesPKS]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: AvesPKS

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Ladies Man
no regular cab??? what the hell?

Who the hell buys a regular cab these days anymore? It's not cost efficient to build those damn things anymore. Either get an extended cab or Crew, simple as that. I don't see what's to complain about having a foot or two extra space behind the front seats STANDARD on a pickup

Aren't they more expensive, though?

I don't think that people would bitch about a $300 increase for some more space. Seriously though, 90% of the pickups I see on the road are either extended cab or crew cab. Why waste money to develop a standard cab model for 10% of production? And they're usually only seen on REALLY base model pickups anyway.

I'm going to be cautious here, because I have no hard numbers to back up my argument. But how many 'base model' pickups constitute fleet vehicles? Many. When GSA buys Crown Vics to lease out, they don't even come with tape decks. And most of the pickups I've seen here in Coast Guard are base mode, regular cab models...so it surprises me that they are actually going to exclude the regular cab from their GSA schedule.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Like the outgoing model, the '04 F-150 will be available in three cab configurations, but all come with four doors. The Regular Cab features two narrow access doors, which open suicide style (only when the fronts are open). The SuperCab has two conventional-size pickup-style rear-access doors. The passenger compartment is six inches longer for each, providing 13 inches of behind-the-seat storage in the Regular Cab and seating for three in the rear of the SuperCab. Extra space allowed Ford to lean the rear seatback to a more rakish angle, so back-seat passengers won't feel like they're hunched over in a penalty box. The SuperCrew returns with two rows of seats and four full doors, again offering the comfort of a big sedan.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: Rudee
I'll take a full size Dodge truck over a Ford any day of the week.

Ughhh. No thanks. My company diesel 3/4 ton 4x4 that I have to take on trips all the time. I absolutely hate that truck. Interior is beyond cheap, seats are unconfortable, cab is too confined, etc etc. Plus the thing's an absolute peice of crap and is always breaking down. Everything from tranny problems to the gears in the rear diff chewing themselves up to the seal on the rear window failing. My friend bought one of those too when they were new and wen't through 5 trannys before he finally said screw it and got a ford. Dodge=crap imo. Give me my F-150 any day

 

[NFS4]

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/100353/article.html?tid=edmunds.h..reviews..19.*

http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.cfm?id=10900
http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0307/03/b01-207841.htm

 

[Angrymarshmello]

http://www.f150online.com/2004f150/firstdrive_intro.cfm

They also mentioned the new 5.4 feels a little sluggish. Not good news, maybe they'll have it tweaked/fixed by the time it comes out? (Albeit with 400 or 800lbs extra weight iirc)