Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans - Due to dumb Ford configuration options, my co-worker had to get a Silverado

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- - Due to dumb Ford configuration options, my co-worker had to get a Silverado (https://www.f150forum.com/f38/due-dumb-ford-configuration-options-my-co-worker-had-get-silverado-132636/)

The thing I agree with is about the AWD. The company I work for gets chevy trucks for us to drive, new, every 2 years. I have had an 05, 07, 09, and 2011 Chevys the past few years. That is why when I bought a truck I wanted to get a Ford, because I am always in a chevy, I have no problem with them for what I use them for. the only thing I am missing right now in the winter is all of the chevys I have had had an "Auto" option on the selector knob for 4wd. In the winter that "Auto" option is really nice for getting going in slick conditions. I have an 09 Ford Platinum and the other day I had to choose whether to be in 4Hi or 2wd, and it frustrated me. I have put well over 150,000 miles on chevy trucks in the past 6 years and have never had any issues with the "Auto" system, or really any systems on the chevys. I dont want all the time AWD I want to choose 2wd, 4Hi, 4Lo, Auto (AWD).

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurphM (Post 1353750)

It's something I feel strongly about because I believe the auto makers are taking advantage of the backwards mentality of many truck owners (Sorry if this reads insufferably smug or know-it-all..it's just my opinion) who think AWD will cost 30 million dollars when it inevitably brakes down at 20k miles or something.

I've heard worse horror stories from truck owners talking ignorantly about AWD than I did hearing about how the turbo's would cost 6 trillion to fix on the Ecoboost. It's just people petrified of change and advancement IMO...or that it will turn your tow capacity into that of a Mazda Miata, heard that one too.

If more truck owners were aware of how cheap and intuitive these newer "computerized" AWD systems were we would have them in every truck. I'm not talking about a "full time" or "real" AWD system akin to a quattro...that would be expensive and impossible on a truck.

The Autotrac-type systems aren't perfect (I'd rather have my slip detected before spin myself...) but they save lives and it's ridiculous that the F150 4x4 does not have something similar in all trims/cabs for it's northern climate customers in particular.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew72

OK but bottom line? The Chevy can tow 12 percent more.

Where we live snow is plentiful. Scraping ice off both side of the glass, with no success for a while bc it's so cold that the ice is on there good...then comes the snow...yeah. It sucks. Fitting in the garage is vital up here, unless you want to spend X dollars on a new carport.

4wd is completely and utterly useless for 99 percent of practical on-road situations since it cannot be engaged on dry pavement. In fact, 4x4 decreases safety in some respects, as the odd weight-spots make the truck more likely to roll over. 4x4 trucks generally see 3 out of 5 stars for rollover whereas 4x2 trucks get 4 of 5 (broadly speaking).

awd Subaru's are way easier to drive on "dirt roads", wet roads, slippery mountain roads etc. than any truck, so I'm not sure I understand what you mean about all wheel drive.

All wheel would have the same odd-weight spots. I think roll overs would have less to do with weight , and more to do with the higher ride hight of a 4x4. Personally I have never heard that 4x4s are unbalance versions of 2 wheel drive trucks.

Just a thought. Ford could save boat loads by only producing screw cabs, then offer the 3 different bed lengths/ options on any configuration. That would be some great customer service IMO. Cuz who really says damn I wish I didn't have those extra seats! As far a it being a company truck they can pull the back seats and have lots of "secure/dry storage".

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlieblue (Post 1353783)

I think they'd lose money. People want options for sure, but there is a cost/benefit to the options they offer. Most people don't want a short cab and a short bed. (although it'd probably look bad ass) If you're buying a short cab, you usually want a longer bed. As for the EcoBoost I'm not sure why they don't offer that in a short bed truck, I'd think that would be a pretty inexpensive option on ford's part, but I don't know as I've never run a car company.

Personally I like the supercab because I can get my kids in it and still have my 6.5 bed. I don't want a 5ft bed and I don't need an 8 ft.

Am I missing something - Isn't the AWD comparable as to what the 4 Auto setting is for?
My truck has *2H, 4A, 4H & 4L. If I pull out the knob in 2H it'll lock my rear lockers even in 2WD, or any other position.

There are valid points brought on both sides, but I tend to believe that it's a matter of economics: Ford doesn't see the profit in producing vehicles that only apply to a very small market segment, no matter how important it may seem to those consumers. Keep in mind that Ford was bleeding red ink for quite a few years. Luckily, they didn't need a government bailout to stay afloat.

Regarding no Ecoboost in such a "small" (lightweight) truck, could it be that the power-to-weight ratio would be astronomical enough that safety liability may be a concern since such a vehicle would not intentionally be marketed as a "race" inspired vehicle (aka Lightning) but could potentially tempt buyers with too much horsepower on tap to easily drives these beyond their safety limits?

Just a thought...

all i know, is that if i had the power of my ecoboost in my 2006 chevy 5.3L reg cab short box it would have been even more of a screamer!

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...92_8020557.jpg

and probably would get 24mpg too.....:whistling2:

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew72 (Post 1353390)

I thought you guys might be interested in hearing how our beloved Ford screwed the pooch on short trucks..this annoyed me

For both the Silverado and the F150, the only cab length that will comfortably fit in a 20x20 garage is a regular cab with a "standard" bed (F150 length: 213.2 inches, Chevy length 205.6. Both leave plenty of room).. Here's why the F150 blows goat in this category:

-In the F150, you can only get the 5.0, period. The ecoboost is not an option in regular cab 6.5 bed in any configuration. Towing capacity? 8,0000 pounds. And you cannot get the max tow package, so the 8K even seems high to me.. :help:

- In the F150, active AWD is not an option in any regular cab. So we're stuck with driving a RWD with a live axle all winter. In 2012. Nice. I know you old school guys might not care but to me, not having an "active" option in 2012 is pretty pathetic. These transfer cases rarely have problems contrary to mythology on this board, they don't weight that much more, and they are very helpful in the slick...

-In the Silverado, one can get the 5.3 Vortec with the new 6 speed tranny in a regular cab! That will come with an HD cooling max tow package, with 46 mm shocks. With the engined "tweeked" for 2012, this means better MPG than the Ford with 12% higher listed towing capacity than the Ford (9100 lbs).

-In the Silverado, Autotrac AWD is standard in regular cabs w/ LT trim.

Someone told me Ford guys actually read this forum. I hope so. Please consider improving your "short" trucks. I push the new Ford's on everyone I can but in this case the Silverado is clearly the superior vehicle by miles. Please change this.. Thanks.

My brother in-law just bought 3 Chevy regular cab longbeds for his company and all the guys complain that there is no room for anything(including coats)behind the seats.
I showed them my regular cab XL longbed with al the extra room behind the seat and they are pissed.

My SCREW fits in the garage....

And if they made the ecoboost in a short bed regular cab I might replace my Lightning with one.