You are here: Forums Pickups Ford F-Series Full-size pickup sales - F-150 best selling truck, but for how much longer??

Full-size pickup sales - F-150 best selling truck, but for how much longer??

526 messages,  Last post on Aug 01, 2008 at 12:59 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram Pickup 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Nissan Titan, Car Buying, Truck

#81 of 526 Fords spit out spark plugs and Ford does not care by eliotme Jul 11, 2007 (7:30 am)
I have been a Ford fan and customer for 40+ years.....but that has/is changing.   My 2002 F150 Lariat Supercrew with 66,250 miles spit out a spark plug while I was on vacation. Luck had it that it happened at a start up and not while under way in traffic, which would have seriously endangered my family; not to mention the fire hazard.   The servicing dealer (not my home dealer) and Ford Customer Care lead me to believe that this was an isolated case and that the spark plug blew out of the head because my home dealer had improperly replaced the plugs in my truck. As it turns out: the spark plugs in my truck were never replaced, they were in fact the factory plugs. After some research I also find out that certain Ford motors with aluminum heads are experiencing problems with spitting out spark plugs.   For more info on this problem and Ford's non-action go to: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/05/ford_techs_spark_plugs.html   There is lots of info out there about this problem and Ford's non action.   I know that I paid $2788.80 to have a new head installed in a vehicle with 66,250 miles; and I am only one of many that have experienced this problem. I also know that Ford Motor Company seems to be denying that any problem exists.   If Ford continues to do business like this, then it is no wonder that foreign companies are doing better in the marketplace. And that is too bad.   I've owned many Ford trucks, convinced two companies to switch their national van fleets to Ford, owned a 1950 Woody wagon, 1966 Mustang, and a 1966 Sunbeam Tiger (Ford motor and drive train).   My 2002 F150 may be the last Ford I ever own and I will never recommend a Ford to anybody.   I will however continue to do business with my local Ford dealer (Starkey Ford in York ME). They usually have a great selection of used Audi, Volvo, etc. They are a great dealer, it's too bad that Ford has faltered. Replies to this message: wpalkowski (Jul 12, 2007 5:12 am) exf150owner (Jul 19, 2007 4:54 pm)
#82 of 526 Re: Fords spit out spark plugs and Ford does not care [eliotme] by wpalkowski Jul 12, 2007 (5:12 am)
Replying to: eliotme (Jul 11, 2007 7:30 am) Sorry your motor spit a plug. I've heard the job costing as much as $4K in the Northeast.   Up through 2002 the heads on the Triton engines were designed with only about 4 threads holding the spark plug. The heads are Aluminum, and if the plugs were torqued too tight, the threads are easily ruined, and then the plug pops. Also, if the plugs weren't tightened enough, then there aren't enough threads to hold it in place - the plug could eventually back off and blow out. The Heads have since been redesigned with more threads. (I believe about midway through 2002.)    The incidence of pitting plugs is low. But, considering that Ford has sold a few million of these engines, even if the incidence of blowing spark plugs is <1%, it's still a lot of motors. Ford dealers will always say to replace the cylinder head in cases where you lost a plug; it's the only repair they'll warranty. However, there's an aftermarket repair kit out there called a "Timesert" that allows you to put new threads into the messed up spark plug opening. The kit with the special threaded insert, and installation tools costs ~$300, and the there's 2-3 hours of labor involved. From what I've read on other message boards, they seem to work fine for a great price. Even though Ford manual says plugs don't have to be changed 'till 100K, it doesn't mean that you don't check them from time to time. I have a 2001 V-10. It's a knucklebuster, but I've pulled the plugs every 25K miles or so. I cleaned them, put on some anti-seize lube and then carefully tightened them to the specified 19 ft-lbs of torque.
#83 of 526 Re: Chevy is not out to be the best [jrl] by morganv Jul 12, 2007 (3:21 pm)
Replying to: jrl (Jul 05, 2007 12:17 pm) i have to disagree about your assessment of the RAM truck. WEe own 4 RAMs now and couldn't be more pleased. we owned fords for over twenty years and thought they were the best. but then we just started to realize that we were experiencing too many problems. aFter ford told us a few times they wouldnt pay for some expensive repairs we decided that maybe it was time for a change. My dads always owned chevies and hes had some serious troubles with them, rear axles, transmissions, burning lot oil and prematurly rusting just to name a few. although it wasd pretty strange to us, our friends with dodges seemed to be pretty pleased. as i said, we now own four. now we operate a large farm and use them for a combination or work truck, tow truck, and family getaround trucks. i have to tell you that im pleased with the interior looks, and im a lady. maybe its not a lincoln but its a nice clean design. looks are subjective. maybe even if i thought a chevy or a ford had better looking interior, it wouldnt make me buy one on that point alone. our rAms have been so reliable and durable that were sorry we didnt switch sooner. the dealer down here has been great too.   morgan
#84 of 526 Ford losing loyal customers by icanfixit Jul 13, 2007 (9:00 am)
I can't remember driving anything but a Ford truck. Not sure if the next one will we a Ford. My dad had over 40 years of personal and fleet buys with Ford and has turned to Toyota. Most of the trucks that my dad and I have had were ordered from the factory. My last was a F250 4x4 with a powerstroke. Seemed to be too many design flaws in it. My current F250 4x4 has the ride of a brick going down a mountain. My dad tried to order a new Ford and could not get the salesman to listen. He could not even get a test drive. His request was pretty simply, F150 supercab, 8ft bed, and not with a 4:10 rear. You can't get it built. You used to get that truck and it was what he was driving. Try to get a supercab with a 8'bed. It will not happen. Work trucks require 8' beds to haul material. Ford has lost this concept. Ford says they build work trucks but if you look they are just sport truck versions listed. he went to different dealers and got the same response and problems with the salesmen. He told me that they could not believe he wanted to order a truck and wait for it. They were only interested in selling off the lot. He looked at Chevy and Dodge. One simple thing he wanted on any truck was a handle on the post inside to help get in and out. Have you noticed how many trucks have them only for the passenger side? Has anyone noticed the trucks keep getting higher off the ground? Every 2 years they go up at least an inch. You can not reach over the side of the beds on the new ones. Ford is showing a step built into the tailgate. All of our trucks have been purchased under commercial sales. If Ford lists you as a commercial sale then you do not get to give your opinion on the Ford website about the truck. Ok, I have now got some of this off my chest. I have loved Ford trucks through the years and would like my next truck to be a Ford. Right now I just can't see it unless Ford turns around and gets back to a good design. I like 4x4 for my area and getting rid of the independent front suspension in favor of a solid axle was the worse move they could make. As I have said it is like driving a brick down a mountain. Replies to this message: dustyk (Jul 14, 2007 1:44 pm)
#85 of 526 I don't get the 4.10 gripe. by mschmal Jul 14, 2007 (10:38 am)
The SuperCab with 8 ft bed is only built with the heavy duty payload package which includes the 4.10 rear. This is the only way that this truck is built since 2004.   The heavy duty payload package gets your up to 3050 in payload with the regcab. Try that with a Toyota.   Mark.
#86 of 526 Re: Ford losing loyal customers [icanfixit] by dustyk Jul 14, 2007 (1:44 pm)
Replying to: icanfixit (Jul 13, 2007 9:00 am) The high lift-over box sides on the new models aren't getting rave reviews, either.   Regards, Dusty
#87 of 526 That lift over means you can carry more. by mschmal Jul 16, 2007 (10:01 am)
Ford boxs carry an average of 6 cubic feet more than the same bed on a Chevy.
#88 of 526 Tundra has the largest box in the class by drfill Jul 19, 2007 (8:51 am)
And doesn't require you to be 6'+ to get at it from the side. You can carry 5-gallon containers under the walls.       Even behind the seats (RC)!         Too bad the '09 F-150 will just get warmed-over, and not redesigned like it needs.       DrFill
#89 of 526 More BS from Dr. Fill by mschmal Jul 19, 2007 (10:34 am)
Explain why Toyota claims they have a real truck when they don't even offer a fully box frame they way Ford, Dodge and Chevy do?   Explain why Toyota uses rivited cross members instead of through welded the way Ford does?   I'm sure peeps in the northeast will love how the C-channel frame on the Tundra rots from the inside out because it holds in road salt and debris.   Oh and Ford trucks were #1 in the Strategic Vision 2007 Total Quality Survey....   http://www.fordvehicles.com/features/news/detail/index.asp?id=1629 Replies to this message: drfill (Jul 20, 2007 5:00 pm) dustyk (Aug 02, 2007 3:52 pm)
#90 of 526 ford is simply the best by fordchris Jul 19, 2007 (11:44 am)
for 2008 ford will do a minor remodling with a integrated tool box (first in class) and for 2009 a major redesign with a 4.4 liter diesel hybrid engine that will get an outstanding 60 miles to the gallon thats innovation thats ford

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