rbrais

The clamshell doors are very convenient as it opens the cab up from front to back. Easy for cleaning and loading.

I don't know how the F-150 is, but my Ranger was a little flimsy. The doors held fine (had it for 10 years), but you could just tell that they were a little rickedy. Could feel the give when you slammed the front doors. The cab also flexed a little. If this is also happening with the scab 150's, maybe Ford is attempting to tighten it up a bit with a center post between the doors.

That was a controversial subject when the rear-opening door first came out. People were concerned about safety since there was such a large span with no reinforcement top to bottom. People seemed to get over it, howerver.

rbrais

Aluminum is also stronger. Maybe there is a possible design change that would call for aluminum.

ChelseaRae

No clue, my Scab doors aren't like spacing out or anything, though. Mom bought the truck when it was brand new in September 2006.. They still hold tight together, and I use them constantly. Maybe it's just time for a design change from Ford. Well whatever they do if someone doesn't like it, I guess they will buy an older model. To each his/her own.

mr7confused

I want half-doors!

Flash!

Dodge and Toyota have both switched to four independent doors on their extended cabs, so it wouldn't surprise me to see Ford follow suit.

I personally think it would be neat if they went to separate doors but kept the suicide style opening. Put a door jamb between the doors and hide the handle ala Toyota but still have it open backwards.

Bell Blue Raider

Aluminum is stronger by the pound, steel is still the stronger metal

2000xl_toronto

true...

I like the idea of switching to the handled doors on the next model redesign. I had a 5.5' bed before and hated it, the 6.5 is where I need to be so I'm always going to be driving a scab. There is so much room in the back of my current truck it seems criminal that it only has the access doors. Also, I have a rattling sound which I hate, and I know that would be eliminated by having the door post down the side.

GatorMedic

FYI you can get the 6.5' bed with a screw so you don't have to automatically get a scab. If you want scab/6.5' configuration, then that's up to you of course, but you're not automatically forced into a scab based on wanting the 6.5' bed.

TAB5.0FX2

Lol maybe for some. My only point to a screw is not having to open my door for them to get in. I don't care how much room they have. I love how my scab doesnt have blindspots. The 07 screws were great but the 09 is too much for little ole me!

GatorMedic

See, I've heard that both ways. I've heard people say exactly what you did that they like it cause it's convenient for cleaning and loading. But I've also heard people say that they hate it because it's extra burdensome trying to load people or stuff because of the design. It all depends on whether you have to park close to another vehicle or another object (wall, post, whatever) as to whether it's convenient or a burden.

I remember when I used to ride in my ex's scab it sucked whenever we'd go somewhere that we had no choice but to park next to other cars because we would all have to do the "supercab shuffle" to get people and stuff loaded/unloaded. And when you wanted to go in the backseat for some fun, it took some maneuvering to either get in the back and then try to reach all the way forward and out from the backseat to shut the front door or you had to climb over the console into the backseat. In both of those type situations normal backseat doors are preferable. However, in other circumstances, where there was unlimited space, then having clamshell doors was more convenient than having to walk around a door.

So since each type have their pluses and minuses, I wouldn't be surprised to see a fault line of opinion between those that have to park in crowded areas regularly vs people that generally can park in areas with lots of open space.