Open letter to Ford
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5
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From: Rockford, MI
Open letter to Ford
Open letter to Ford.
I purchased a 2000 F350 Crew Cab V10 in December. I have four kids and was surpised that when I took delivery of my new truck that there was no passenger air bag on/off switch. I would later find out that
Ford's reasoning behind this was that if you have a crew cab you are going to put everyone in back anyway. Well, needless to say, I cannot do this. So I started looking into getting the OEM switch installed. Ford installs these switches at the factory on all Super Duties, except the Crew Cab.
Well, after much research I discovered that there needs to be three components added to my truck to get this to work, a switch, a dash trim plate, and a modification to the GEM module to add switch functionality.
My next step was to call Ford Customer Care. I spoke to a very nice gentlemen who said sure, Ford has had numerous requests for this and that I need to have a tech from my chosen dealer call and speak to someone at Fords tech hotline and that all this information would be placed in my file and forwarded to said dealer.
Apparently, according to the service manager at the dealership, Ford told them that sure it was possible to do this modification, and even told them the parts they needed, that they do not offer it in a 'KIT' and hence there is no instructions or liability waiver, therefore, said dealer would not touch my truck.
Now I found these statements very interesting, considering Ford stated that they would support doing this modification to my truck. So, on the phone again to Ford, this time a different person, very nice,
but after telling my situation and verifying they understood what I wanted I was told more research needed to be done. Well, on my answering machine that nite was a message from Ford, 'Sorry, but at this time no Passenger Air Bag switch kit is offered for your truck, we regret this inconveniance and don't hesitate to call if you need anything else.' HELLO, can you say 'an about face'. Needless to say I am very dissapointed, from a technical perspective I think this modification is very straightforward and is no more complicated or dangerous than replacing an airbag that has been discharged in an accident or for that matter, installing one new as the truck rolled down the assembly line in Kentucky. Come on Ford, support your customers! Wouldn't you rather see me use your OEM equipment rather than some aftermarket switch that may or may not be reliable, let alone installed by someone who is less than qualified. I know I would rather have a Ford tech work on my rig than someone who travels around the country working on all kinds of different cars and trucks, wouldn't you?
And yes, I do have the permission slip from the NHTSA to put a switch on the airbag, and yes, I do blame myself for not doing enough research or reading the fine print to find out that these trucks do not have this switch, if I had known, maybe I would have bought a supercab, not the crew cab.
Finally, I love this truck and have had no problems in 2500 miles, but right now I am very disappointed in Ford and would like to see them address this issue now, so others like myself can take advantage of
something already designed for this truck.
Send comments and/or questions to: _cwadlow@excite.com
Thank You!
I purchased a 2000 F350 Crew Cab V10 in December. I have four kids and was surpised that when I took delivery of my new truck that there was no passenger air bag on/off switch. I would later find out that
Ford's reasoning behind this was that if you have a crew cab you are going to put everyone in back anyway. Well, needless to say, I cannot do this. So I started looking into getting the OEM switch installed. Ford installs these switches at the factory on all Super Duties, except the Crew Cab.
Well, after much research I discovered that there needs to be three components added to my truck to get this to work, a switch, a dash trim plate, and a modification to the GEM module to add switch functionality.
My next step was to call Ford Customer Care. I spoke to a very nice gentlemen who said sure, Ford has had numerous requests for this and that I need to have a tech from my chosen dealer call and speak to someone at Fords tech hotline and that all this information would be placed in my file and forwarded to said dealer.
Apparently, according to the service manager at the dealership, Ford told them that sure it was possible to do this modification, and even told them the parts they needed, that they do not offer it in a 'KIT' and hence there is no instructions or liability waiver, therefore, said dealer would not touch my truck.
Now I found these statements very interesting, considering Ford stated that they would support doing this modification to my truck. So, on the phone again to Ford, this time a different person, very nice,
but after telling my situation and verifying they understood what I wanted I was told more research needed to be done. Well, on my answering machine that nite was a message from Ford, 'Sorry, but at this time no Passenger Air Bag switch kit is offered for your truck, we regret this inconveniance and don't hesitate to call if you need anything else.' HELLO, can you say 'an about face'. Needless to say I am very dissapointed, from a technical perspective I think this modification is very straightforward and is no more complicated or dangerous than replacing an airbag that has been discharged in an accident or for that matter, installing one new as the truck rolled down the assembly line in Kentucky. Come on Ford, support your customers! Wouldn't you rather see me use your OEM equipment rather than some aftermarket switch that may or may not be reliable, let alone installed by someone who is less than qualified. I know I would rather have a Ford tech work on my rig than someone who travels around the country working on all kinds of different cars and trucks, wouldn't you?
And yes, I do have the permission slip from the NHTSA to put a switch on the airbag, and yes, I do blame myself for not doing enough research or reading the fine print to find out that these trucks do not have this switch, if I had known, maybe I would have bought a supercab, not the crew cab.
Finally, I love this truck and have had no problems in 2500 miles, but right now I am very disappointed in Ford and would like to see them address this issue now, so others like myself can take advantage of
something already designed for this truck.
Send comments and/or questions to: _cwadlow@excite.com
Thank You!
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City TX USA
Chip, "I feel your pain".
Be interesting to see if you get a response. Anyway, I have the same problem. I did lots of research on the Internet and found some information at the NHTSA website I was able to use to get it done.
Here is the address
http://www.nhtsa.com/airbags/referral.html
This address lists several toll free numbers. The cost here in Texas was between $300 - $400. I don't really remember how much but they set up and appointment and come to your home or office to do it. Hopefully you can find similar in your area.
Good luck
Be interesting to see if you get a response. Anyway, I have the same problem. I did lots of research on the Internet and found some information at the NHTSA website I was able to use to get it done.
Here is the address
http://www.nhtsa.com/airbags/referral.html
This address lists several toll free numbers. The cost here in Texas was between $300 - $400. I don't really remember how much but they set up and appointment and come to your home or office to do it. Hopefully you can find similar in your area.
Good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
Well, the only good part about this was that I knew BEFORE I ordered my CC that I was not getting the turn off switch. Yes I was quite upset about it and when talking to the dealer they didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I had to take them on the lot and show them a CC (a Lariat w/everything) and NO switch!!! I honestly didn't put up much of a fuss because I've only got two kids and perfer them in the back. For me it worked out as a great reason for them to stay in the back. Sorry, If I had just thought about others with more kids I would have realized that I should have registered a complaint. It really would cause Ford no extra to add this switch on the CC, after all it's standard on the reg & super cabs.
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2000 F250 Crew Cab 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, mud flaps
Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards
rear privacy glass, 265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate)
------------------
2000 F250 Crew Cab 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, mud flaps
Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards
rear privacy glass, 265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate)
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Rockford, MI
RickK,
Did you have the OEM switch installed or some aftermarket kit with the switch in the glove box? or ? I can have this done as well, for about $350.00, but IMHO why, when Ford makes all the parts necessary. Maybe if they feel enough pressure they will comply with my request.
Thanks for your support!
Chip
Did you have the OEM switch installed or some aftermarket kit with the switch in the glove box? or ? I can have this done as well, for about $350.00, but IMHO why, when Ford makes all the parts necessary. Maybe if they feel enough pressure they will comply with my request.
Thanks for your support!
Chip
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City TX USA
Chip, its on the dash. I can't tell you if it is OEM or aftermarket. I told the folks when I scheduled it all the details on the interior of my truck and they brought everything necessary when they came. I may be wrong on this but I was under the impression that the switch had to be visible with the warning light glowing that the bag is turned off. Hence, if this is true, I would not think they could put it in the glovebox. I may well be all wrong about this. Mine looks OK...it ain't great but it is not bad looking either.
For me, it was simply a necessity also. Not only do I have a small child but my grown daughter is on 4'10" and she is in the high risk height group, plus I have 2 grandchildren. I cannot afford the luxury of having a large SUV and a crewcab truck. So, the truck was functional for my purposes but the bag absolutely terrifies me when someone is riding up front. I tell everyone who rides up there who is not in my family, they can either turn it on or turn it off...does not matter to me.
Also, I talked to my dealer about the switch and they told me in no uncertain terms that I was on my own. They were listed as one of the places by the NHTSA who would do it but they said NO. I agree that Ford should put them in the vehicles. I really makes no sense to put them in the supercabs, extended cabs or whatever they are called and not put them in the crewcab, IMHO.
[This message has been edited by RickK (edited 03-09-2000).]
For me, it was simply a necessity also. Not only do I have a small child but my grown daughter is on 4'10" and she is in the high risk height group, plus I have 2 grandchildren. I cannot afford the luxury of having a large SUV and a crewcab truck. So, the truck was functional for my purposes but the bag absolutely terrifies me when someone is riding up front. I tell everyone who rides up there who is not in my family, they can either turn it on or turn it off...does not matter to me.
Also, I talked to my dealer about the switch and they told me in no uncertain terms that I was on my own. They were listed as one of the places by the NHTSA who would do it but they said NO. I agree that Ford should put them in the vehicles. I really makes no sense to put them in the supercabs, extended cabs or whatever they are called and not put them in the crewcab, IMHO.
[This message has been edited by RickK (edited 03-09-2000).]