According to Pickuptrucks, Ford is working on a new F-100 series mid-size pickup truck that would share the new F-150 platform and possibly replace the Ford Ranger. The new pickup is expected to arrive by 2011 and it is believed that the truck will feature Ford's new EcoBoost twin turbo gasoline direct injection V6 engine, or possible 4.4 liter V8 diesel which is expected for the 2010 F-150. Either way, it's all just speculation, as no official word has come from Ford yet.
Just like the scene from Office Space when Dom Portwood asks Peter if he received the memo about his TPS reports, today I ask you Truckblog fans, did you get that memo from last week about Truckblog TV and our other huge stories? If you didn't, below is a list of our top blogs from last week for you to read this Monday morning. "So if you could just remember to do that from now on, that'd be great. All right!".
Initiating our new Truckblog TV video series, "Truckblog TV Episode 1" has been uploaded this morning, which highlights the full installation of a Magnaflow catback exhaust system.
The purpose of Truckblog TV is to inform you about the latest aftermarket products, how to install them (in real time), and feature truck related events. You can view our first episode via our home page in the top left corner, or by going to our videos page located here, and clicking the Truckblog TV tab.
Transporting your toys from A to B is as easy as LGA. Let's Go Aero, manufacturer of innovative Gear Management Solutions, offers a variety of compact trailers ideal for your next sand dune, lakeside, mountain camp or winter resort excursion. LGA trailers - including the GearWagon 125, GearLodge Camper, Little Giant Sport Utility Trailer and LittleGiant Trailer Xpand - are perfectly suited for dirt bike, motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile and personal watercraft owners who don't want the hassle - or expense - of a large, dedicated toy hauler trailer.
The big shift is on at Ford Motor Company, as the automaker plans to more than double the number – to 1.4 million – of fuel-efficient, 6-speed automatic transmissions in its North American cars and trucks by the end of 2009. The advanced transmissions provide customers 4 to 6 percent improved fuel economy compared with typical 4- and 5-speed gearboxes, as well as better acceleration and a quieter and more refined driving experience.
Industry-exclusive Ford SYNC is a fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system that works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players. Beginning later this year, SYNC will also provide accident assistance through ‘911 Assist,’ and will be able to send customers Vehicle Health Reports on key systems to help them plan routine service appointments and alert them to critical systems issues.
SIRIUS Travel Link technology provides customers with a valuable tool that can be used daily to get just-in-time details about traffic, current weather conditions, gasoline prices, movie theater details and sports updates. The system will be available on several 2009 models including Ford Flex, F-150, and Lincoln MKS.
Solid By Design, Inc. has been granted a license by AMP Research to manufacture AMP’ patented Alloy Fuel Doors exclusively for the automotive aftermarket. AMP Research will continue to manufacture its custom alloy fuel-filler doors sold through OEM accessory programs that include GM, Ford, Chrysler, Mazda, Mitsubishi.
If you're furious at work right now and are not happy with the events of your Monday morning (case of the Mondays?), and have also announced to your fellow co-workers that work sucks, then just remember what Lawrence said to Peter in Office Space... "No. No, man. Shit, no, man. I believe you'd get your ass kicked sayin' something like that, man". If that's the case, don't leave your cubical, and take a moment to read last weeks blogging wrath.
In an article by US News, with gas prices climbing past the $4.00 dollar per gallon mark nation wide, SUV trade in values and sales have fallen over 14 percent in March alone, compared to the same time one year ago. The SUV used car sales have been so bad, that some dealers have been forced to sell them overseas, facing expensive transportation costs and little profit. Al Johnson of AutoNation's Maroone Nissan in Pembroke, Florida said "the dealership had been exporting about one car a month" in recent years, but this year they average roughly 10".
As announced by Autoweek, Ford Motor Company is recalling 65,000 of their 2008 F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks due to a weak fuel tank mount that could cause a gasoline leak in a head on collision of 30 miles per hour or more. The gasoline tank could move forward in the event of an accident and spill fuel, creating a fire hazard. You can contact your local Ford dealer to fix the problem, free of charge.
Lincoln Navigator owners wishing they had Ford's industry-exclusive SYNC in-vehicle communications system, need wish no more. Ford has introduced an affordable, dealer-installed SYNC accessory kit that allows select 2008 Navigator and Navigator L customers to enjoy the award-winning voice-activated communications system that works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players.
Diesel performance is all about flow. Boost, fuel and especially the vehicles exhaust. That is why it is so important to keep your forced induction systems back pressure as low as possible. Low back pressure helps keep exhaust gas temperatures (EGT's) low and helps aid turbo performance and durability. This part is a great stand-alone as well as a complimentary up sell item to go with the Turbonetics bolt-on 7.3L Ceramic Ball Bearing upgrade turbo.
The following video was developed by Ford and BFTrules.com, as a collaboration to promote their Built Ford Tough ad campaign and slogan. The "BFT" team, seeks out individuals that are violating their code of conduct, and in this episode, CASE #194- PINK SHIRT VIOLATION, the "BFT" team pulls over an F-150 owner whom is shirtless (and somewhat disturbing), after throwing his "contraband" pink t-shirt out the window. This clearly violates their code of conduct and rule number five- No Pink Shirts.
Pickuptruck.com posted a picture yesterday morning of the 4.4-Liter V8 Diesel F-150 Mule, spied in the streets of Detroit (not Compton), revealing what appears to be a dual exhaust which is found on the Super Duty diesel pickup trucks. The claim in the photo is that the spotted F-150 is a diesel because of it's dual exhaust tips...what are your thoughts?
AMP Research was kind enough to invite Truckblog out to their 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Irvine, California, to show us a behind the scenes look of their products, as well as install a set of Power Steps on Project Truckblog. Look for an install article coming soon!.
In the video, Engineering Manager, Anthony Smith, explains how the famous Power Step was developed, and highlights its unique features.
Ford Motor Company's Ford and Lincoln Mercury divisions are launching improved and expanded Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle programs designed to enhance the appeal of the company's newest products like the Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKX and Mercury Mariner in the used vehicle market. Last year, certified pre-owned vehicle sales reached nearly 1.7 million units, or more than 10 percent of the new vehicle market. The new Ford and Lincoln Mercury programs now include the industry's most rigorous inspection program covering 169 individual check points as well as an extensive package of warranty coverage and roadside assistance.
Did you have to wake your ass up at 6am every morning last week to do the drywall at the new McDonalds? Just like Lawrence from Office Space did? If so, that means you missed our best blogs from last week! Check them out below.
The following video was developed by Ford and BFTrules.com, as a collaboration to promote their Built Ford Tough ad campaign and slogan. The "BFT" team, seeks out individuals that are violating their code of conduct, and in this episode, CASE #235- MANICURE VIOLATION IN PROGRESS, the "BFT" team hunts down an F-150 owner who is getting a manicure, which clearly violates their code of conduct and rule number nine- No Manicures.
Ford Motor Company today reported net income of $100 million, or 5 cents per share, for the first quarter of 2008. This compares with a net loss of $282 million, or 15 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2007.
In an article by BusinessWeek, Americans are now consuming less gasoline, resulting in less vehicles on the road due to high gasoline prices. In a study conducted in Palm Beach County, Florida, for the past 20 years, workers have been counting vehicles with special sensors to monitor their activity. Nearly every year since the study started, the number of vehicles on the road has risen at least 2 percent annually. However in 2007, traffic levels noticed a decline, and so far for 2008 are down 7.5 percent.
Ford began working on hydrogen technology in the early 1990s. The company’s first hydrogen internal combustion engine demonstration vehicle, released in 2001, was based on a lightweight aluminum sedan body, which also was used in the development of the company’s first drivable hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The company currently has a fleet of 30 hydrogen-powered Focus fuel cell vehicles on the road as part of a worldwide, seven-city program to conduct real world testing of fuel cell technology.
Andrew Posner of TreeHugger.com says that the price for a gallon of gas is selling for around $3.00 per gallon in New Jersey, a price that is lower than the nations average of $3.51. Why, you ask? Here's your answer. "New Jersey has the nation’s third-lowest gasoline tax, at 14.5 cents a gallon, and it hasn’t gone up in almost two decades".
Earth Day (April 22) is a time to reflect on what society is doing to address climate change and energy security, and a reminder that preserving the earth is the responsibility of all who use it. As part of Ford Motor Company’s commitment to do its part, the company is dramatically improving the efficiency of its manufacturing operations worldwide and increasing the use of renewable or “green” energy sources.
Just in case that "PC Load Letter" error is getting you down this morning, we have composed a list of last week's top blogs to make you happy again. Especially the 2010 Ford F-150 4.4 Liter Diesel pictures! Check out the full list below.
“Go Ahead Punk… Make My Day!”… Imagine this familiar voice sounding out from under the hood of your ride; or you pull up in front of your girlfriend’s house and announce your arrival with “I Got You Babe”, or you are out on your boat and you press a button on your FX-550 and – all around you can hear the theme song from “Jaws”. With Horntones the possibilities are endless.
Check out the YouTube video inside! Install article and full review, coming soon.
The USA Today has published an article about automotive manufacturers producing more cars that run off premium gasoline, at a time when prices at the pump are breaking records every day. In an analysis by Kelley Blue Book, the number of new vehicles that need premium gasoline has risen from 166 vehicles in the 2002 model year to 282 vehicles this year, almost double the amount at a time when fuel efficiency is of great importance.
Researchers at Ford’s advanced driving simulator, Virtual Test Track Experiment (VIRTTEX), are devoting much of 2008 to study how active safety technologies in vehicles should alert drivers of potentially dangerous driving incidents. Ford also conducted customer driving clinics to test warning systems for its new backup system, the Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitoring warning system, which alerts drivers backing out of a parking space when traffic is approaching from the sides.
The following video was developed by Ford and BFTrules.com, as a collaboration to promote their Built Ford Tough ad campaign and slogan. The "BFT" team, seeks out individuals that are violating their code of conduct, and in this episode, CASE #073- FANCY COFFEE INFRACTION, the "BFT" team intercepts a Super Duty owner with "Fancy coffee", which is number six in their code of conduct- No Fancy Coffee.
With rising prices at the pump, it’s no surprise that more than 58 percent of car consumers polled by Kelly Blue Book in March indicated that fuel prices affected their purchase decision. While Ford, along with other automakers, are exploring game-changing, long-term solutions, developing affordable, near-term ways to improve fuel efficiency is critical as well.
The often overlooked transmission is proving to be a secret weapon for Ford Motor Company in the quest for improved fuel economy. “Transmission technology is playing a key role in bringing down fuel consumption,” said Craig Renneker, chief engineer for new automatic transmissions for Ford Powertrain Operations. “That’s why Ford is rolling out an industry-leading array of fuel-efficient, six-speed automatic transmissions on more than half of the North American product lineup, including the new 2009 Ford F-150.”
Producing 330 horsepower and 420 foot pounds of torque, the highly anticipated 2010 Ford 4.4 liter diesel engine has surfaced at last week's national dealer show, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Built for the F-150, Ford is stating that the engine is expected to be also available for the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Ford E-Series vans, and F-Series SuperDuty trucks.
In an article by Business Week, Americans seem to not love pickup trucks any more, this comes after sales reports were posted for the Month of March. Last months sales were at the lowest level since 2000, down 18% for Ford's F-Series and the Chevrolet Silverado. Even worse was the Dodge Ram, off 26%.
To redesign the 2009 F-150, the Ford engineering team worked with its customer base to determine the needs and wants of today’s truck buyer. The 2009 F-150 gives Ford owners more choice and more options than before – with the ability to create 35 separate configurations – all delivered with Ford quality.
Have you ever found yourself sitting in front of the "consultants" at work, being asked to explain what you do at work every day? Just like Peter Gibbons had to do in the comedy movie, Office Space. "What would you say...Ya do here?". Well our Monday morning recap should solidify exactly what you're not doing for them, and instead, you are catching up on the hottest news from last week, just in case you missed it all.
A hitch with the towing electrical connection built INSIDE the receiver? It's an innovation that would have others asking, "Why didn't I think of that?!" Valley, a towing industry leader for more than 60 years, did. New Integrated Trailer Wiring(tm) hitches from Valley are inventive and stylish. Advancements in manufacturing technology have allowed the towing electrical connection to be moved INSIDE the cross tube of the receiver, eliminating the need for unsightly brackets or to drape the harness outside the vehicle where it can be damaged by weather and road debris.
PX3 Xtreme Oil Booster, released by PX3 Lubricants, has dynamometer tests confirming an increase in Horsepower and Torque up to 5% or more; offers protection against heat and cold dry starts; and reduces friction and engine wear. Additionally, users have reported improved fuel efficiency resulting in significant increases in gas mileage. Dynamometer tests on the Powerblock television broadcasts confirmed PX3 Lubricant’s statements.
Sunpro, "The Performance Legend," has an exciting offer for car and truck owners who want to add a performance tachometer and gauges to their vehicle. The Sunpro Sport ST Value Pack (CP7931) features Sunpro's new 5-inch Sport ST Tachometer and includes a StyleLine oil pressure gauge, water/oil temperature gauge and a trim-to-fit universal double gauge pod to mount them in.
MBRPinc is well known for performance exhaust systems that deliver the best in fit, appearance, performance and SOUND. If you want to do something simple to achieve that deep, throaty and sometimes earth-shaking rumble from your performance exhaust system, just add a muffler delete from MBRPinc.
