I'm serious. I'm a lifelong Ford owner who has owned two F-series trucks in addition to several Ford cars. Last year I made the dealer rounds hoping to purchase a new F-150. I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants!. Now, I'm not saying that the F-150 is without function. It is obviously functional in that you can load your groceries in the back or toss a camper shell on it and go fishing or drive around town. But it lacks a specific function and it is now a "light duty" truck. When I was growing up the F-150 was considered *the* standard farm truck. Now it's a city-slicker truck. What significant task can an F-150 perform that a toy Ranger couldn't do as well or an F-250 couldn't do better? If you're an electrician or plumber the proper box on the back of a Ranger is sufficient. If you are towing trailers that are too big for a Ranger to handle you might as well get the F-250 and enjoy its toughness.

Let's start with engines. Why limit the consumer to two V8 engines, with the largest of those a small block 5.4--also known as a 100,000 mile disposable engine? The overall design doesn't get any better. The extended cab lacks the support post between the driver and the rear of the cab. The suicide door is kind of nice, but not at the expense of roof support. Want a crew cab? You ain't getting a full size bed if you do, so get used to standard size loads sticking way up out over the tailgate. 4x4? Why get four wheel drive on a light duty vehicle? In high school I had a VW bug I used when I wanted to trash a vehicle off-road. When you get right down to it the F-150 is a truck for people who want to say they own a truck but don't really need one. If they *really* needed one they would have spent the extra 8-10 grand and bought the F-250.

Or, perhaps I'm not the type of consumer Ford is targeting anymore. The article I read that referenced this forum hinted that Ford was trying to capture the female market. That's fine, but that still leaves the rest of us without a standard duty truck made by Ford. And that means that Ford has probably lost me as a truck customer. The F-250/350 series trucks are fine, but they aren't worth what the Edmunds TMV indicates and not everyone needs a super duty truck. Chevy's all wheel turning and Dodge's new hemi are both trucks I will definitely be looking at. I'd buy an 1970 F-150 with a 390 and do a full body-off restoration before I'd buy a new F-150, and it's a close call as to whether I'd buy one of the new Nissan or Toyota full size trucks before I'd gut it up and spend the money on an F-250. But in either case I am both dissapointed and disgusted with Ford for doing this. It just puzzles me as to why Ford would allow their product to slip like that.

 

Good luck finding a 1970 F150 - you might have better luck looking for a F100 like Uncle Jessie had in the Dukes of Hazard

have you looked at the payload of the 03 F150s compared to older half-ton trucks you are referring to? off the top of my had my y2k has something like 1800-1900 lb payload, the trucks of yesteryear that you are refering to have a 1000 lb payload (hence the old term half-ton). If you need even more truck out an F150, step up to the 7700 lb GVWR option, which essentially the same thing as the old F250 LD, which was truck of choice of the farmers around me. and the F100 series has always been a light duty truck.

One thing the F150 can do that a Ranger can't do is fit a sheet of plywood in the bed. If I want to tow something, then why don't I step up to an F450 or F550, it would pull the load even easier than a F250SD. What function can a F250SD do that an F350, F450, or F550 do better?

How many V8 options do you need? You have 3 engine choices, and guess what, you have 3 engine choices in the SD line, too.

What do the Chevys and Dodges have on the Fords that makes them the superior product in your opinion?

I've got the supercab, the 8' bed, and 4x4, and yes I use all of these options, and I've smacked the skid plates more than once, too. Why do I have 4wd? because I'm not going to be able to drive the VW bug out to my barn and load it up w/ stuff in the mud - I'm guessing you weren't trashing your VW in muddy cow pastures.

one minute you saying there isn't anything an F150 do, that an F250 do better (which has ALWAYS been true), then turn around say that not everyone needs a SD. So haven't you in turn answered your own question?

PS - welcome to the boards

 

The purpose of the F150 is the same as every other vehicle Ford offers - it is to make money for Ford.

IMO, the light duty pickup market doesn't want a 1970's standard farm truck - they want a car-like ride with creature comforts for commuting, and a bed to haul their toys and handle their chores on weekends.

The F150 is made in a huge range of configurations and options packages. Probably more variety within the line than any other vehicle. Big sales result in aftermarket support for virtually every product you can imagine, so owners have many ways to equip their vehicles how they want.

BTW, I see plenty of newer F150's working farms around here.

 

The F150 has a basic function that it has ALWAYS had and that is a light duty truck. As 36fan pointed out it can haul more then trucks from years ago. I can haul my tools in the back when needed, my camping supplies when needed, my food when needed, 4x8 sheets of wood when needed, and just myself when needed.

No I don't always use my truck as a truck, then again who does? The answer would be VERY FEW. Thats why you buy an F150. I can tow what I need to tow, I don't tow 18' long trailers so I don't need an F250/350 etc.

It does not make logically sence to compare an F150 to an F250 yes a F250 can do what ever the F150 can and better, but you had better look at the price difference first. It would only be logically to compare the two if they were both the SAME price, they are not, so they can not be compared.

My F150 can out tow a Ranger and carry loads great then a Ranger and the Ranger is just to small, kind of like a ricer, not knocking anyone that owns a Ranger, but if your buying something that you want to tow and haul some cargo then a Ranger is not what you want. Again you can not compare a F150 to a Ranger either, first price difference and passenger room.

You buy what you need, unless you have money buring a hole in your pocket then you can buy the overkill like an F250 or F350 for your weekly food shopping or towing your jet ski. It all depends on your needs. The F150 is much better then years ago so you just can't compare. It is the truck for most everyday people, when they need to use it now and then.

 

This dudes first post is this inflamatory?

Dude, you are trolling way to hard to catch me, ... but I will answer your idiotic question anyway


An F-250 rides like a rock for everyday use compared to the 150. My F-150 with the 5.4 will pull my 5000lb. boat with comfort and ease. I can carry nearly anything home I want from Home Depot WITH the extracab. The B pillar is not necessary in such a short (horizontally) opening, there is plenty of strength.

Go buy a Dodge; it fits you

 

Oh yeah.....We Don't Care
and have a nice day......

 

And if they still made the F-100 my question would have been "What is the purpose of the toy Ranger?" I came to know Ford trucks when the Ranger and F-100 were the light duty versions. In terms of durability I would still put them up against the current F-150. The only "improvement" I've seen that is significant is the increase in gas mileage, but that is the absolute last consideration I make in a vehicle. I'm comforable with 12mpg. I want a vehicle with power and enough steel around me to feel protected. I'd even take the old tire-eating twin I-beam suspension if I could get the options I wanted in an F-150.
Yeah, try to fit that 4x8 into your SC F-150...or even your extended cab F-150...

Quote:

How many V8 options do you need? You have 3 engine choices, and guess what, you have 3 engine choices in the SD line, too.

I have no problem with the smaller V8's. I just prefer a big block engine that I know will withstand the temperature fluxuations and stresses much better than a small block. Isn't the 5.4 roughly the equivilant of an old 323? IMO Ford should offer the F-150 with the choice of a 5.8 and the equivilant of a 390. That new T-bird is a nice car, but how long do you think that 3.9l V8 is going to last--considering it is a performance engine?

Quote:

What do the Chevys and Dodges have on the Fords that makes them the superior product in your opinion?

Having never owned a Chevy or Dodge I would have to say it is because they haven't disillusioned and disappointed me the way Ford has with the F-150. They probably aren't superior.

Quote:

too. Why do I have 4wd? because I'm not going to be able to drive the VW bug out to my barn and load it up w/ stuff in the mud - I'm guessing you weren't trashing your VW in muddy cow pastures.

Actually I was--pastures and motocross trails. Those bugs never bottomed out!
They just had the payload capacity of a peanut shell.

Quote:

one minute you saying there isn't anything an F150 do, that an F250 do better (which has ALWAYS been true), then turn around say that not everyone needs a SD. So haven't you in turn answered your own question?

No. My point was that you have the toy Ranger, the light duty F-150 and the super duty F-250/350. There is no standard duty Ford truck available any more. I've looked at used 2002 F-150s and virtually all had little dents in the bed or on the fenders, paint problems, etc. And these are the trucks dealers have on their lots. I'm from Texas and the classified ads in our papers are hemmoraging ads for used, 2002 F-150s. IMO, if that many owners of brand new trucks are already selling them it is an indication of something else.

One of the Ford quirks I've grown accustomed to over the years is the dashboards cracking and the headliners dropping. I'll take that to the quarter panels rusting out on Chevy's, but if I break down and spend the money on an F-250 I'd be mad as hell if that happened, considering I don't really need a super duty truck and a light duty truck won't cut it for me.

 

Ummm....

 

Originally posted by jimkurta
"I don't really need a super duty truck and a light duty truck won't cut it for me."
I have property in two different states, and am frequently driving the 700 miles between the two. Often I'm pulling a trailer of average weight. A light duty truck won't handle the frame stress as well as a standard or super duty truck, and the stresses on a smaller engine are also greater.

My intent wasn't to tick people off, but rather to get input as to why I should stick with Ford products when they can't give me what I want in a truck. As someone posted earlier, the light duty market doesn't want big engines and the like. But I remember when Ford was in tune with their base market, and provided the options they wanted. When they alter their standard line to cater to that crowd, their base market is the crowd that is negatively impacted and forced to choose between packages they don't want or abandon a manufacturer they have been loyal to their entire lives. What would have been wrong with keeping the F-100 as their light duty truck and leaving the F-150 as a standard duty truck with standard duty options?

 

checked into a light duty 250?

 

Wasn't meant to be...

Quote:

An F-250 rides like a rock for everyday use compared to the 150. My F-150 with the 5.4 will pull my 5000lb. boat with

I've always liked that aspect in a truck. I've never wanted my trucks to drive or steer like a car. Stiff steering and stiff suspension mean a long-lasting truck! I could get a Lincoln or a Crown Vic if I wanted a ride like a car, and both would still pull that boat as well as your F-150.

Quote:

The B pillar is not necessary in such a short (horizontally) opening, there is plenty of strength.

Don't bet on it. I've seen insurance company videos where they drop the vehicle on its roof from about 2' off the ground. Even the standard cabs crushed down to the backrest on the seat. I believe the test was designed to simulate a roll-ever and flip where the vehicle lands on its' roof.

 

Let's see those videos of a truck being dropped from 2' off the ground on its roof and crushing. I dont believe it.

Hmmm, seems these trucks are lasting just fine AND giving comfortable rides. ~See the 100,000mile thread for many members way over 100k.
This is the year 2003; we are beyond buck-boards now. Do you also believe a hard tail Harley will last longer than a springer?


As I said before, Go get you a 1ton Dodge! ...and enjoy it

 

I saw it as a news story, but I believe the tester's name was Hooker, maybe Bob Hooker. I believe the term used was "roof crush", which was the term I found at the following site:

http://www.cobenlaw.com/Settlements%...trial_memo.htm

While this site deals more with the minivan trucks, I believe the tests were also conducted on the F series trucks as well.

Ford disputes the validity of the tests and roof crush standards, and if I remember correctly is still involved in litigation for roof crush incidents.

 

As the owner of 2 F150s, I will tell you that the 5.4 or 4,6 are not 100,000 mile throwaway engines. See the over 100,000 mile thread if you don't believe me. Ask the taxi driver who drives a Vic. Ask a cop who drives a Vic. The 5.4 is essentially the same as the 4.6s in those setups.

Lets see, the 150 is too light duty, the super duty is too much... Let me see, there is a truck in there - the F150 7700 payload package.

Last I checked the F150 was still availible with the 8' bed and a supercab. I believe that will hold your sheet of plywood quite nicely...

Enjoy your $5,000 quadrasteer...

 

You say the F150 is too light to tow your trailor but the Toyota or Nissan should fit the bill just right. Either you are an idiot or a troll. I choose troll. Am I wrong?