I had to replace one of my reverse aids. Just looked on ebay tonight. This listing below has them for $7.99 a piece!! They are the same OEM part number that is stamped on my original. Much cheaper than the $88 at the stealership. Just thought I would let some other people get a great deal too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...ht_3275wt_1363

 

ahhh, why do u need thos fancy things, back in the ol' days we use to just twist our necks and look back and never hit anything, i see all these fancy new trucks with those sensors on the bumper and most of them are dented or smashed in,

 

Do you have any idea how many people accidentally back over and kill their own children every year? It's the whole, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" thing. There was a time when we didn't NEED those fancy seatbelts either.

 

No firemedic, I don't know, how many are there?

Reality is, accidents will still happen. Tragic yes, but accidents happen, accidentally.

-Tung

 

what do you do with the sensors and system when you install an aftermarket bumper?

 

Hey Tung, I seem to have hit a soft spot. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. All I'm saying is why wouldn't you take precautions to prevent accidents when it's so simple. I'll tell you what, since my entire career as a fireman/paramedic is mostly based on "accidents" as job security, why don't you unplug your airbags and ABS, let your kids ride in the bed of your truck and smoke a cigarette, text someone, and change radio stations all at the same time!

 

Tung, after my last reply, I googled "backing over child" and copied and pasted this from consumerunion.org:

Back-over incidents have increased dramatically claiming the lives of 474 children from 2002-2006 compared to 128 from 1997-2001. Backovers now account for half of all non-traffic fatalities involving children. The federal government does not collect data about non-traffic incidents, so the actual fatality numbers are likely much higher.

I just thought you might like to know.

 

The simple fact is, visibility to the rear of our trucks is pretty poor with the bed gate being so high. In my case, with the bed cap, it's even worse. I'm very happy to have backup sensors. They even saved me from running into something I couldn't see once.

I can't imagine the anguish I'd feel if I ran over someone, especially a child.

- Jack

 

That was my whole point. My wife's 2007 Explorer came with a reverse sensing system (RSS) and when I went shopping for a new truck, I knew I had to have it as well. Finding an XLT with RSS was pretty hard. I had my pick of Lariats with it, but I can't stand leather and Lariats don't come with a cloth interior. My F-150 Supercrew has a 6.5 ft. bed (as opposed to the usual 5.5 ft. bed) which makes it as long as an F-250 Supercrew, so it barely fits in parking spots and I'm pretty much forced to use my RSS all the time.

 

firemedic,

My nerve isn't to be inhumane; it's that you can't prevent everything. It could be that I've read some of Darwin, or it might be that I am cynical. Nothing could feel worse than an accident fatally wounding your own child.

However, driving takes practice, understanding, and caution specific to each vehicle, not each license.

Sometimes, I drive a 40,000lb 30ft long, straight truck, that doesn't have a center rearview mirror or RSS. It requires patience, precaution, and knowing your blind spots, plus a little "un-common sense".

My point is, I don't want more rules or more government. I don't want every vehicle to have a front bumper look down mirrors, fold out arms, a white strobe, three places of egress, yellow paint, and 3M diamond grade reflective chevron striping.

It might make sense to ban driveways and make everyone park in the street. Alternatively, we could have children wear a NERF suit, painted like a class 3 DOT vest, with high intensity LED lighting.

But in reality you didn't answer your own question: "Do you have any idea how many people accidentally back over and kill their own children every year?"

474 children in 4 years IS TRAGIC. But think of the magnitude of how many cars back out of driveways in one week.

Lastly, I had a hunch you would spew something back about not giving a crap. You'll be glad to know my skin is thicker then to have my panties in a bunch over this thread.

So to rebut your statement: "why don't you unplug your airbags and ABS, let your kids ride in the bed of your truck and smoke a cigarette, text someone, and change radio stations all at the same time!"...
I don't listen to the radio since I installed a DVD player. Plus, growing up I frequently rode in the back of my dads truck.


-Tung

 

Tung,

I won't mention you watching a DVD instead of listening to a CD because it's too easy and you'd probably answer back with something like, "I don't watch WHILE I'm driving," so I'm going to end the friendly banter on that now.
However, I agree with your statement that we don't need more government, look down mirrors, fold out arms, etc., but my point is that if we have the technology to lower the odds a little bit in our favor, why not use it. My dad never had a truck when I was growing up, but I rode in the back of friends trucks. We didn't know any better at the time. I don't know how old you are, but I'm 36 and no one heard of child safety seats or bike helmets when I was growing up. Does this mean we shouldn't use them now? Of course not. My great grand parents were allowed to work in saw mills, factories, etc. as children instead of going to school. Was that the right thing to do? I could keep going on down to slavery and past that, but that would just waste our time.
Unfortunately, I can't answer my question as accurately as I'd like to because, as I wrote in another reply, "The federal government does not collect data about non-traffic incidents, so the actual fatality numbers are likely much higher." That question was meant to be rhetorical anyway.
I think your extreme exaggeration of banning driveway use and instituting NERF suits for children is uncalled for. We started out discussing the value of an option called a reverse sensing system that Ford offers. I say we just agree to disagree and end it here. We've gone WAAAAAY off track.

 

firemedic,

Actually, the banter started when you made a statement based on a fallacy. The value of the RSS was never an issue to me.

However, you did answer what I was looking for in your last Email, "That question was meant to be rhetorical anyway".
Generally speaking, my concern comes from someone making a fallacy of emotional appeal, as a professional in the emergency services.

I also agree, people should evaluate their situation and reduce the odds of an incident. But most people haven't taken the basic step of a drivers confidence course with their current vehicle.

Agreed, between gentleman, to disagree.

For the record, I do watch videos while driving. I do have back up sensors.

Lastly, 2006FX4 thanks for providing your information. As I wish to make a mod like a Land Rover Range Rover, with 4 front sensors programmed to actuate during braking.

-Tung

 

Off the immediate topic, but can the sensors be painted to match? I have the AZ beige bumper and wanted to paint at least the outer ring to match. I see many high end cars that have PTM.
Thanks

 

ckforker,
I've seen them painted on other vehicles.
However, I just checked my truck and their black, my bumper is gray.

I'd think as long as you don't paint the rectangle in the middle you'd be ok.

Best of luck,
-Tung

 

Thanks, I am going to give it a try. If I mess it up at least I know where to find another one Thanks