DeeZee American Guardian 2011 F-150 is not to be trifled with
Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Truck, Ford, Police/Emergency
We love bull bars. A favorite of law enforcement officers everywhere, the bull bar quietly underscores the fact you aren't just into protecting yourself against future collisions, but that you plan to instigate them. The DeeZee American Guardian 2011 Ford F-150 seems fully capable of nudging traffic out of its way thanks to its Police Interceptor iForce kit by Rockwell Collins. Extra pushing power comes courtesy of an AirRaid intake kit, Maganaflow exhaust and a HyperTech Max Energy Tuner.
Of course, sometimes it's simply better to drive over obstacles than through them. With that in mind, DeeZee threw on a six-inch BDS off-road lift kit, massive Goodyear tires and a set of menacing BMF wheels. The rest of the truck is sprinkled with accessories borrowed from the DeeZee catalog, including bed caps, a cargo carrier and a bed rack. Hit the jump for the quick press release.
Continue reading DeeZee American Guardian 2011 F-150 is not to be trifled with
DeeZee American Guardian 2011 F-150 is not to be trifled with originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord reports F-150 sales are being overrun by V6 engines
We can't say we're surprised. After our first sampling of the latest Ford F-150, which received four brand-new engines for the 2011 model year, we signed out the two V6 offerings as the ones most worthy of buyer's consideration. And, lo and behold, Ford F-150s equipped with V6 engines are outselling their V8 counterparts for the third month in a row and the first time since 1985 that V8s weren't the dominant powerplant option in Ford's full-size pickup.
So far in 2011, Ford has sold 313,183 units - an eight-percent increase over last year and enough to keep the F-series the best-selling vehicle in America for the umpteenth year running. Of the two six-cylinder engine options, it's the EcoBoost V6 that's truly stealing the show, and with good reason. With 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque compare very favorably with its competitor's top V8s, and it handily outperforms them in EPA-rated fuel mileage (16 city, 22 highway).
Also worthy of consideration from buyers is the base 3.7-liter V6, which accounted for 16-percent of F-150 sales in July. With 302 horsepower, it offers more ponies that its most direct competitors' base V8s, and it scores 17 mpg city and 23 highway. These two Ford V6 options represent a rather astounding 80 percent of the full-size V6-powered pickup market in America, besting the likes of the Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra and Toyota Tundra by massive margins.
If you want all the sordid details, feel free to peruse the press release after the break.
Continue reading Ford reports F-150 sales are being overrun by V6 engines
Ford reports F-150 sales are being overrun by V6 engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord F-150 V6s outselling V8 models
Filed under: Truck, Technology, Ford
Ford F-150 Ecoboost - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford hit a milestone with its F-150 pickup last month. According to PickupTrucks.com, the Blue Oval sold more trucks with V6 engines than V8 mills. Forty-one percent of F-150 sales left the lot with the company's 3.5-liter Ecoboost six-pot under the hood. That number is up four percentage points compared to last month.
Additionally, the base, naturally-aspirated 3.7-liter V6 engine took home a 14 percent slice of the total mix, bringing the grand V6 total to 55 percent of all F-150 sales. The news comes as little surprise to anyone who's spent time in the full-size truck.
The twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine provides more power and better fuel economy than the 5.0-liter V8 alternative. While it carries a $750 premium over the larger displacement engine, buyers are keenly aware of just how much a few extra mpgs can save at the pump. As PickupTrucks.com points out, fuel prices are currently a dollar higher right now than they were at the same point last year.
Ford F-150 V6s outselling V8 models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Ford F-150 4×4 SuperCrew [w/video]
Filed under: Truck, Ford, Reviews
Rollin' With The F-150's New 5.0
2011 Ford F-150 4x4 SuperCrew - Click above for high-res image gallery
As a race, we humans are obsessed with the notion of "best." Whether it's generations of on-point marketing or a strand of latent genetic code that pushes us to shack up with a better mate, we just can't shake the disposition. It's what drives our society forward - the quest for the latest product that promises a slightly improved experience or that one feature that eclipses the competition. It's why we can happily saunter up to the feeding trough at the local buffet instead of poking at wild boars with pointy sticks. It is, simply put, a good thing.
The domestic full-size truck segment provides perhaps the greatest study in "best" available. Each new model year gives the Big Three one more shot at outdoing each other in the areas of power, towing capacity, interior room and fuel economy. Neither Ford, General Motors nor Chrysler skips the chance to brag about its latest advancements over the other two. But as with everything, there can be only true king. In this feudal system, it's Ford F-150, which has attracted more buyers than the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Ram 1500 for years. Why? We took to the saddle of Ford's latest entry-level F-Series equipped with the company's new 5.0-liter V8 to find out.
Continue reading 2011 Ford F-150 4x4 SuperCrew [w/video]
2011 Ford F-150 4x4 SuperCrew [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Ford laying off 200 temporary workers at F-150 plant
Filed under: Truck, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, UAW/Unions
2011 Ford F-150 - Click above for high-res image gallery
The United Auto Workers will soon be sitting down with Detroit automakers in an effort to reach a new contract agreement. Some in the know feel Ford will be the targeted OEM in the negotiations due to the automaker's recent successes, and a recent criticism levied by UAW leadership is that The Blue Oval employs more temporary workers than General Motors or Chrysler.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Ford took a step to rectify that issue on April 7, when it laid off 120 "temporary" workers at its Dearborn truck plant. The automaker will reportedly relieve another 80 workers of their duty in the coming weeks, bringing the total pink-slip count to 200. Ford has some 2,000 temp workers in plants across the country, compared to 1,000 at GM and next to none at Chrysler.
Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans tells the Freep that the workers were only brought on to launch the 2011 F-150, and that they knew that the position was temporary. Gary Walkowicz of UAW Local 600 points out that he's sad to see the temps go, adding that some have been receiving half pay and zero benefits since 2002.
While it's never nice to hear of layoffs, the cuts make some sense to Ford due to the fact that the automaker has displaced full-time workers all over the country in need of new positions. We're thinking Ford will try to find work for as many of those workers as possible leading up to contract talks.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL and Ford Motor Company
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Report: Ford laying off 200 temporary workers at F-150 plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: First Apple iPad 2 in-dash install
Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Technology, Videos, Ford
In-dash Apple iPad 2 install - Click above to watch the video after the jump
Last year, SoundMan Car Audio of Santa Clarita, California was among the first to develop a custom Apple iPad installation kit for your dash. Now, with Friday's release of the iPad 2, SoundMan has wasted no time preparing the first of what will likely be many iPad 2 dash installs. On Friday, the team installed Apple's wondertablet into a 2011 Ford F-150.
SoundMan's Doug Bernards is the man responsible for the install kits, which require more than a little fabrication, and a host of aftermarket jacks and connectors. On Friday, Doug did an all-day blast to get the dash of his F-150 ready for the gadget, while an employee sat in line for eight hours at the local Best Buy.
The video after the jump explains the install step-by-step, and it shows that Doug and friends aren't just doing quick and dirty hack jobs. Check out the video after the jump that includes the iPad 2's FaceTime feature. Thanks to all for the tips!
[Source: SoundMan Car Audio via YouTube]
Continue reading Video: First Apple iPad 2 in-dash install
Video: First Apple iPad 2 in-dash install originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsTRW develops electronic turn signal stalk
Filed under: Etc., Technology, Ford
TRW, supplier of systems and components to automakers, has introduced its latest generation steering column control module for the Ford SuperDuty and F-150, Edge/MKX and Explorer. Why is this news, and what the heck is a steering column control module?
In the old days (the 1990s), a bunch of individual pieces were fastened to the steering column. Turn signals were a separate part from the airbag system's clockspring, which was a unique piece from the multifunction switch. Each of those bits cost something to produce and procure, not to mention the wiring required to integrate the functions into the car. Supplier problems with just one piece could idle the supply of the whole assembly for days.
Modern serial communication and control systems have created a solution for these problems, and that's the steering column control module, a single component that integrates all the functions of those many individual pieces. The amount of wiring is reduced, reliability is up thanks to new electronic techniques supplanting older wear-prone designs and with fewer contracts to secure and pieces to ship and inventory, a better per-unit cost can be negotiated. TRW's new module includes all sorts of stuff like headlamp switches, turn signals, tilt/telescope control, hazard lamps, steering angle sensor and electronic turn signal cancel, which is unique to the new Ford modules. Tuning to customer preferences reduces complaints and increases satisfaction, too. It may sound a lot more complex, putting a computerized module in place of what was once simple switches and relays, but this is a case of newer being clearly better. Full press release posted after the jump.
Modern serial communication and control systems have created a solution for these problems, and that's the steering column control module, a single component that integrates all the functions of those many individual pieces. The amount of wiring is reduced, reliability is up thanks to new electronic techniques supplanting older wear-prone designs and with fewer contracts to secure and pieces to ship and inventory, a better per-unit cost can be negotiated. TRW's new module includes all sorts of stuff like headlamp switches, turn signals, tilt/telescope control, hazard lamps, steering angle sensor and electronic turn signal cancel, which is unique to the new Ford modules. Tuning to customer preferences reduces complaints and increases satisfaction, too. It may sound a lot more complex, putting a computerized module in place of what was once simple switches and relays, but this is a case of newer being clearly better. Full press release posted after the jump.
Continue reading TRW develops electronic turn signal stalk
TRW develops electronic turn signal stalk originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost rated at 16 city, 22 highway
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost smokes its tires - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's official: Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, as seen in the 2011 F-150 pickup truck, has been rated at 16 city and 22 highway by the EPA. And it's also officially the engine to get if you're shopping for a new Blue Oval workhorse.
To put it all into perspective, the 365-horsepower, 420-pound-foot EcoBoost-equipped F-150 offers 3,060 pounds of payload and 11,300 pounds worth of towing capability - both of which are best-in-class - and it gets better fuel mileage than any comparable engines offered by Ford's competitors (see the graph after the break).
All this baked-in, twin-turbocharged goodness won't even cost the buyer all that much money, as the EcoBoost engine option adds just $750 to the cost of a truck that would otherwise be equipped with the perfectly acceptable 5.0-liter V8, or $1,750 over the cost of the base 3.7-liter V6.
Money well spent, we'd say, especially considering that the more powerful EcoBoost beats the 5.0 when it comes to fuel efficiency (15/21) and nearly matches the 3.7's 16/23 rating. Probably not when smoking its tires, though...
Want to know more? Feel free to check out the complete press release after the break.
[Source: Ford via PickupTrucks.com]
Continue reading 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost rated at 16 city, 22 highway
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost rated at 16 city, 22 highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers
Filed under: SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Ford
If you thought 2010 was going to wrap up with an all quiet on the recall front, think again. Ford and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have announced the recall of 14,737 vehicles for a faulty body control module that may short out and cause a fire. The recall covers certain 2011 models that were built in a six-day period, including some 2011 Edge, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 and Lincoln MKX vehicles. NHTSA says that if the body control module shorts out, it could overheat and cause a fire.
Dealers are expected to inspect the module and, if necessary, replace it free of charge. NHTSA says that Ford plans to start the work on or before January 10, 2011, and that owners may contact Ford directly with questions at 1-866-436-7332. Hit the jump for a look at the full recall notice.
[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]
Continue reading Ford recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers
Ford recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsPickupTrucks.com features V6 work trucks in latest shootout
Filed under: Truck, Work, Dodge, Ford, GMC
Work trucks are the heart and soul of the U.S. It's nice to have a big, powerful V8 engine under the hood, but the current crop of V6 mills provide both power and solid fuel economy numbers. PickTrucks.com wrangled up three 2011 V6 work trucks and decided to see which one is the new king of the hill.
Mike Levine and his team lined up the 3.7-liter Ford F-150, 4.3-liter GMC Sierra 1500 and 3.7-liter Ram 1500. All three pack V6s and automatic transmissions, with a regular cab, short-bed and rear-wheel drive setup. A 2011 Toyota Tundra was slated to be part of the test but was badly damaged during its cross-country transport.
Each truck ran through a gamut of testing to see how it would fair as a full-on light-duty work machine. We won't spoil the winner, but let's just say few others really determine just how good a truck is like Mike Levine and his crew. Check out the full story at PickupTrucks.com.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com | Image: PickupTrucks.com]
PickupTrucks.com features V6 work trucks in latest shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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