Check you paper and you'll see that Ford is not the only company that has defects:

Crysler mini vans had seats rolling into the rear liftgate and popping open dumping the back seat right out of the van into oncoming traffic, a few kids killed.

GM Minivan's are having problems with their sliding door not latching correctly.

Chevy truck had big problems in side impacts catching on fire a while back...

I agree this is pitiful but you can't buy a top quality vehicle these days, they don't exist... until Aston Martin or Jag or Porche makes a truck I will stick with by far the industy's best Ford. IMO that is.

Oh don't forget the 99 GM and Chevy 1500 with bent frames

James

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2001.5 SuperCrew XLT 4X4 (Gen III)
Silver Clearcoat Metallic
Deep Wedgewood Blue (accent)
5.4L V8
Chrome Tubular Step Bars (Ford)
Captains Chairs
Power Moonroof
3.55 LS
6750 GVWR
Class III Towing Pkg

Mods:
Harley Davidson Exhaust
'01 Lightning Head/Tail Lamps
Pioneer DEH-9200r
Boston Acoustic Components & 5X7s
Box Liner (Ford)
Splashguards (Ford)
Bug Defector Doubles as Rock and Sand/Salt Deflector in these snowy Canadian winters
K&N Air Filter

To Come:
17" Rims/Tires w/ BFG A/T or ProComps
WMS Velocity Tube
Radio Delay Mod
Eurolights

[This message has been edited by Jimmar (edited 05-27-2001).]

 

HI!... The one thing that I don't understand is why is FORD paying for replacing these tires? They don't make them, FIRESTONE DOES! Does'nt FIRESTONE take any responsability for their crappy products? That's what really pisses me off. It seems that all the news stations and papers are blaming FORD's when the blame should be going towards FIRESTONE! I personaly hate FIRESTONE tires. It just pisses me off that FORD's is being made the SCAPEGOAT for FIRESTONE's problems.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK" E-MAIL :nnewman@sympatico.ca
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP "FLIP-CHIP", BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, PERMA-COOL external tranny filter, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS, FORD RACING 24LB injectors, RUSSELL stainless steel braided tranny lines with fittings.


FUTURE MODS : BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150 LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 340H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.52E.T * MPH - 93.73 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 16.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon JAZ fuel cell,etc

 

Ummm... Sorry, but what's your point? You say that the real problem is with the people driving them. Ok, so the fact that the tread comes off is because people don't check for proper inflation. I don't buy it. Ever if you down 15 pounds, the tread should not PEEL OFF LIKE A BANANA SKIN!

And why are you mad at Ford for thinking about the customer who buy thier product? The certainly do not have to suck up 13,000,000 tires and 2.6 billion dollars. They have every right to say, "Tough s@$t. All the tire that were effected have been recalled. These tires might show slightly higher chances of failure but not so much as we need to pull them off the road."

The problem is all these housewives and yuppie morons should be driving thier SUV like a SUV and not a family station wagon which is what they are used for the most or status symbol.

So now you're going to get rid of all your Ford trucks and replace them with what? Over priced, under built Chevy's and paper thin, ugly as hell Dodge's? Keep us posted with the problems you have with the Dodge. It will be interesting to see how loyal you are to a company that REALLY doesn't stand by thier trucks.


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bIGGINS
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

My New Ride->>
2001 F-150XLT 4X4 Sport SuperCab
Styleside, Short Bed, Black on Black, 4R70W, 5.4L, 3.55reg, 17in Rubber, OEM Snapless Tonneau Cover, Harley Bedliner
Add On's
Sony CDX-M770 Head Unit, (2) JLAudio 8W6's, RF Punch 150 amp, HL Blackouts, DashMiser Plus II Strobe Light (fireman)
My Last Ride->>
1999 F-150XLT 4X4 Reg Cab
Styleside, Long Bed, Amazon Green, 4R70W, 4.2L V6, 3.55reg, 16in Bridgestone Duelers, OEM Snapless Tonneau Cover

 

I call bullsheot here.

Like you are going to quit your job, sell every ford car or truck you own, will own or ever have owned to just cleanse your hands.

HOW STUPID! Are you 3 years old?

You comment about the Z06, BFD! It is a different car than a cobra or lightning. So compare apples to apples.

Personally Firestone tires are the biggest piece of crap in the tire business! I have had the stockers on 2 explorer and 1 ranger. Let see, where to start. The first explorer drove 10 miles to the tires store for Toyos. The second explorer my dad chanced a trip down to our cabin on them. 35 mile gravel/dirt road in eastern oregon. 5 miles in flat tire. Got to the cabin. On the way out, another flat tire. This was with less than 2K on them. Oh cornering, they sounded like a pig squeeling even on slow corners. Ride, sloppy. handling - what handling? Felt like a rollover waiting to happen.

Then the ranger. These were the 215 tires. Traction, what traction? with the 4L and 3.73s you could spin them all the way through 3rd gear. This was with NO mods. Rain was a joke. Good luck starting up hill, you rolled back! How long did they last? 17K and the belts were showing.

Blame who you want TampaHarley. You will never be satisfied with any mass produced item. Might was well build a car/truck your self. Every part, bolt, nut and tire so the only person you can blame is yourself. Oh, and when you get it done, please dont drive on public roads and endanger the rest of us.

 

Regardless of who makes the vehicle, I think it would be stupid to sell any thing just because the company is replacing tires that may or maynot be defective. If any of your 5 vehicles have not given you trouble, you should keep those vehicles. I bought a 99 Dodge Ram 1500, It was a huge piece of *****. With a thousand miles on it I traded it for my 99 F150. It is better but still has problems. All I want is a dependable vehicle and I don't care who makes it. Just my opinion.

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'99 F-150 XLT SC 4x4 5.4L Auto 3.55LS Tow pkg, skid plates, keyless entry, UWS tool box, Superchip, Gibson pipes w/ Flowmaster 40 series muffler, K&N filter, BFG 265/75/16 All-Terrain TA/KO

 

Tampa-Harley, there is a LOT of frustration with all this and I've seen it at my dealership, too. Everyone at the Ford local level is upset and stresed out over this mess.

As a Ford lover and enthusiast, I too, am POed over the way things are being handled lately by the higher-ups at FOMOCO.

Last weekend, I spent a bunch of bux and bought a new Mercury Mountaineer loaded with nearly every conceivable option. Guess what: the blasted thing has the "dreaded" Firestone tires on it and now with 100 miles on this new vehicle, it has to go in and get new tires. The Firestone tires are fine and will be fine throughout their life -- it's a huge waste of money to replace them, obviously. There is political element to this whole thing and a war is being waged between Ford and Firestone and Ford is going to win, but at a cost of several billion. As a stockholder myself, that ticks me off, too.

Will I buy more Fords? Of course, and I still think they make a pretty darn good vehicle. Hang in there Tampa-Harley!

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2000 F150 Harley-Davidson: Superchip, K&N FIPK
Hard Tonneau, Hidden Hitch, 2-Meter Rig (KG0UK)
Motorcycles: '99 FLHRCI, '95 XLH, '65 305 Dream

 

It just goes to prove that you can't satisfy everyone.
If Ford did nothing, some of you would be complaining about gross profits, and not standing behind their products.

Ford steps up to the plate and offers to replace your Firestones regardless of milage, yet some of you still have a problem with it.

No it's not Fords' problem, it's Firestones'. They will not stand behind thier own product, yet someone at Ford decided to stand behind those that purchased a FORD product.

With all the bad PR lately,
I personaly applaud Ford for shelling out the 2.xx billion to give you peace of mind, if nothing else.

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1999 F-150 4x4 XLT SC FS ORP Dark Graphite interior, Dark Toreador Red, Power (Driver's) Captain's Chairs, 6 Disk CD, Remote Keyless Entry, Rear Slider
5.4, 3.73
Mods:
Manik grill guard, Westin Nerfs, Lund Moon Visor, Leer TSC600 hard bed cover, Duraliner Drop-in bed liner. Deflecta Shield II bug guard, Ford Vent Visors, Remote Start, Lojack, Airaid FIPK.
Issues:
5.4 "Slapper" replaced with New 2K at 12k mi.
Driver's Door Crack Repaired at 15k mi.
Leaky Slider repaired
New A/C compressor
New GEM to fix 4x4 engagement issue

 

Gotta just say about the same things. If Ford did nothing, there would be pissed off people. If Ford does something, there will be pissed of people. At least they had the guts to try to make things right for its customers. If you don't like the tires on your vehicle, fine - its a free country - go change them the second you get the vehicle. Lots of people do already, and thats their choice.

I love it though - the "real" problem is the owners - yet I'm going to go out and sell all my Ford products as a result. Sorry - I don't buy the logic here.

 

Atleast Ford cares. Their fault or not tires are being replaced. I only wish I had AT's instead of HT's. I would love a free set of tires. I sell Ford's for a living and the owner notification program to replace tires goes right along with how they monitor how we treat our customers. Maybe Fords are not always the best they could be but they try !

 

I own 5 Ford trucks,
2001 Ranger
2000 Harley Davidson F-150
1996 F-150
1989 F-250 4x4 diesel
1988 Bronco

I have work for Ford dealers in Tampa since 1983 and now Ford is recalling all Firestone Wilderness AT tires on any Ford truck that they are installed on. My wife wants a duel rear wheel F-350 4x4 PowerStroke and now I am thinking of a Dodge or Chevy model. (oh my next vehicle is now going to be a Corvette Z06, no Lightning or Cobra for me!!!)

I am just over all this about the tires. There is nothing wrong with the tires. and if a major manufacture cannot blame the real people involved, its a shame. Because I am not going to put my trust and the safety of my family in a Ford anymore.

I am over it totaly. No more, I have had it with Ford. I will no longer work for a Ford dealer or have anything to do with them.

By the way, the real problem with the tires is the drivers and owners. If the proper air pressure was kept in the tires any tire for that matter. THE TIRES WOULD NOT FAIL

Check the sunday paper 5-27-2001
there is another ad paid for by Ford saying they are now replaceing 13,000,000 tires.

any one want to make an offer on any of my vehicles

------------------
2000 Harley-Davidson F-150 Owner

 

I lived thorugh the first Firestone recall. My Explorer had the Decatur tires on it. They were cracked all the way around the circumference of were the tread meets the sidewalls. Even one that had been replaced from the Wilson plant had the crack. I kept the tire pressure at 40 psi on the Explorer and it still did it. Those tires were designed to be inflated BETWEEN 24psi and 35psi MAX. Ford chose 26psi for ride considerations. Correct me if I am wrong but some F-150s come with BFG LONG TRAIL TAs that have a max of 55psi. I don't think that the label on the door recommends this. I will double check on my truck. A guy at Sams that sold my stepdad a set of these for his F-150 said to run them at about 40-45 unless they are fully loaded then they are CAPABLE of being inflated to 55psi. It is normal for a manufacturer to do this. Those Firestone tires sucked regardless of psi. I could not believe the cracks. I discovered them at around 35,500 miles. I am convinced that one of them could have blown any day. It was unlike ANY tire damage I've seen ever before. Otherwise, the Explorer never had any handling or driveability problems. Now the 4.0 SOHC engine left a lot to be desired. The only wrong Ford did was perfecting that engine at the expense of the general public.

[This message has been edited by seacrow (edited 05-28-2001).]

 

hay guys thanks for all the input.

After spending the holiday with my family in one of my Fords, even driving in the rain today. I just want a company to stand up for them self. I really Love my Ford trucks just wish Ford would stop blaming Firestone. its not Firestone. (by the way I have never purchased a set of Firestone tires. Never have, Never will, Never plan on it.

I just know that the tire issue is the result of a popular vehicle being used by a generation of people who never check there air pressure.
sit at a gas station and watch how many people even look at there tires, let alone check the air pressure in the tires.
sit for only a hour,
sit for a day
sit for a week
less than 1/2 % will even look at there tires

look at any automotive magazines in the past six months and check out any editorial about the firestone issue. all I have read believe the way I believe that its not an issue with the manufacture but with the end user not maintaining there vehicles tire air pressure.

Its just that you have one of the most popular vehicles on the road with basicly only one tire being used on this vehicle and then you have people buying and leasing them that have no interest in the air pressure of the tire just if that vehicle is going to get them to work, kids to school and soccer,
out to dinner. shoot most of these people give me a hard time when I tell them its going to be a half hour to change there oil.

I am sorry about dumping on Ford.
I just wish they would admit the real fault.
I am not going to sell any of my Fords.
Mater of fact I am going to buy my wife that F350 after Ford replaces the Firestone Steeltec or what ever is on them there trucks.

just read that story in the sunday paper and had to vent.

 

That's what I thought. All talk, no action. Maybe next time make a better first post along the lines of Venting.

Oh and who makes Firestone Tires? Ford? uh no. Bridgestone is the parent company. They are responsible for every tire they make, OEM or retail IMHO. Now also Ford has to take the blame or fire someone for installing the crappy Firestones in the first place. Only takes one mile to figure out how bad they are! The faster Firestone disappears from retail and OEM light truck tires, the better IMHO. Bridgestone should concentrate on Bridgestone tires.

 

Matt90GT, give Tampa-Harley a break. After all, he works for Ford and all this is pretty unsettling even from a consumer's viewpoint, let alone from the way an employee looks at it. He said he had had re-thought things and changed his mind. Heck, I'm ticked off and all I have to do is go in and get new tires.



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2000 F150 Harley-Davidson: Superchip, K&N FIPK
Hard Tonneau, Hidden Hitch, 2-Meter Rig (KG0UK)
Motorcycles: '99 FLHRCI, '95 XLH, '65 305 Dream

 

crybaby