Long story short, I was flying back from Washington State today and connected through Detroit.

On my leg from Detroit to Louisville, I sat next to one of the two engineers that actually designed the King Ranch seats. He works for the company is very knowledgable about the vast majority of the interior pieces for Ford vehicles including headliners, plastic pieces, and yes, also the seats, consoles, etc... He had an 'upper crust' type of title (which I shall not disclose because I certainly don't want to get anyone in trouble)... and let me tell you, this guy was very sharp. He was on his way to the Kentucky Truck Plant (super duty trucks) to help work out some of the interior snafu's that had developed in releasing the HD F250 (which he said would be out in April). He also gave me the scoop that they had plans to revamp the SDs in 06 or 07 and they were in the initial design stages for interior parts and pieces.

We talked for the full duration of the flight (1.5 hours) about how leather stitching is unique and the unique processes that they had to adapt to, as the manufacturer of the KR seats, versus that of the Lariat seats and such. He also mentioned that they had to go down to Kingsville and get 'trained' on leather and how to tell a bad hide from good hides and such because all of the leather that they were used to using was so treated and very thin by nature whereas the KR leather is thick versus a Lariat's interior leather is generally thin, so he said. He said that the KR people explained how to tell what the marks on the hide represented. For example, if the cow had gotten tangled in a fence or had been attacked by a predator or something of that nature. Very very interesting stuff...

He mentioned that they actually get the leather out of a tannery that is based in Tennessee however, he said that getting your hands on a piece of KR leather is next to impossible because KR is very strict and holds tight comodity on their stuff (as we all knew). He couldn't think of the name of the tannery but, he and I exchanged business cards and he said he'd get back to me.

I explained to him that alot of us were very interested in getting some of the leather for 'projects' such as the Expy console (which he also mentioned he'd bring up with some of the design guys to say that we WERE interested in having a full console and not just the standard one). He had no idea that the Expy console was so popular amongst SCREW owners.

He asked me numerous times about how I liked the interior and how it was holding up. I mentioned to him that we had this forum and that we talked extensively about the conditioners and such to use on the leather. He stressed to me that we shouldn't 'over condition' the leather (again, as we all knew) because it would cause the leather to stretch easier and thus, sag. He also confirmed what Lenny had mentioned concerning the leather conditioner tests that KR had done prior to releasing the F150/KR leather conditioner in that they had tested numerous types/brands of conditioner and concluded that what they sent us in our 'welcome kits' was the best. (sidenote: he said he really liked Lexol products too).

Overall, it was very educational and extremely interesting... not to mention pretty damn neat and unique. Hope you all enjoyed my ramble...


RP

 

 

i'll believe that when i see it. why would ford release 2 different HD's just 4 months apart? it would be stupid too. I just think too many rumors get around too quick. not saying he's not a reputable guy and trustworthy, but i've heard too many "I heard from this guy or that guy that the next hd is gonna be a......" There were guys swearing the 03 was gonna be white and they heard it from ford-harley rep guys on the tour with the 02 HD, and others swearing that this big ford exe told them that it was going to be fire engine red and only sold to firefighters for 03. And all those were rumors. I love hearing people swear to something up and down and think they are positively right with the info, and then it all just comes down on them not saying this about you though rock just stating in general and saying i'll believe it when i see pics.

the only way i could maybe see this as possibly true would be if for 04 the HD would be a SD and not released until around jan-feb of 04. My reasoning behind this would be its probably alot easier to use existing HD parts from the f150 series and put them onto a current model SD, than having to design and make them for the updated F150's, which would cost alot more and only be worth it if they extended their alliance (which i REALLY hope they don't) Plus, the alliance is about over. some say it ends with 04, but the way i count the 5 year alliance is 99 (design the 1st HD) 00, 01, 02, 03 (go out with the 100th anniv)

just my .02$. don't mean to take the KR thread off topic, but if RP didn't IM me, i probably wouldn't of seen the thread.

I also don't think a SD HD makes much sense. when i think HD truck, i don't think of a big dually 4x4, i think of a lowered sport truck. When i think of a really nice top of the line package 4x4, i think KR, not HD

 

Well, I'll believe it when I see it as well but, I will say that living here in Louisville, where they make the SD's and having contacts at the Truck Plant from fordtruckworld, I'm 99.9% sure it's going to be happening. My contacts at the plant are 'in the know'.

I had the 'inside scoop' well before anyone knew about the SD KR and, sure enough, it happend.

I won't count my chickens... but damn, there are a bunch of eggs! LOL!

RP

 

yeah, but on the HD forum at this site, we have showya, who is on the head build team at the kansas city plant, and he actually builds the truck, and gives us updated production #'s every day, and a few others that posted info about the 03HD with two toned a few months before it was released, but it was actual documents from ford. only lasted a few days b/c he could have gotten in trouble and it was edited out

at FTW we have a top HD exe who is on the inside and has known about every HD months before it wasa produced. he can only let us in when they start on designing it, and hasn't said anything yet, so i'l believe it when i see it

 

This one will be built in Louisville though... not Kansas City.

Just hold your horses... it will materialize.... and if it doesn't, I have this guy's name, phone number, and email address from his biz card... I'll get him... and his little dog too! LOL!


RP

 

I still think shadow9 from FTW would have posted something even though he's not allowed to say much if it was a go. so i stand solid

 

Just to pre-warn you, I'm always the first to say "I told ya so..." LOL!! JK!!

RP

 

Did you ask when the King Ranch Focus Edition is coming out?
BD

 

RP.....

Interesting encounter, and well reported !

Thanks for the info.

 

I doubt they will release the 04HD in April. They haven't released one that early yet. The 03 HD will have only been on the streets a few months.

I believe they are due for a change, Supercrew for 3 years now. Just don't see how a Superduty fits the image. I guess I'm just a little skeptical at this point.

 

He didn't happen to mention anything about a King Ranch Expedition did he? That would rule, but I gues since the Expi is more of a Family vehicle, you wouldn't want the rug rats tossing coolaid and such all over it.

 

Interesting that you ask that question Viper. I, also, asked that question of him because of the success that both the KR and the HD have had to see if he knew of any 'cross-over' into the SUV market. He knew of nothing.

Basically he said that it would compete with the Eddie Bauer and that he didn't see it happening.

He did mention that we might see more 'brand names' on vehicles (like Eddie Bauer) which would offer unique trim packages and such but, again, he made no immediate reference to any particular vehicles or brands.

Oh yeah, the KR and HD focus will be out in a few months... smarta$$! LOL!! hahahahaha


RP

 

and just to pre-warn you, I'm always the first to say "I told you, you were wrong!" LoL!

 

LOL!