Sunday drivers of the future!
Posted on 12/13/2011 5:57:25 AM PST by Behind Liberal Lines
The government's pending (2016) 35.5 MPG CAFE fuel economy requirements -- which for the first time apply to trucks as well as passenger cars -- are going to make it very difficult for any automaker to sell trucks in volume in this country.
Ford has just dropped the compact-size Ranger from its U.S. model lineup -- making it the first CAFE casualty -- and I predict that larger trucks are on the endangered species list now, too....
Even a small truck with a four-cylinder engine will have a hard time averaging 35.5 MPG....
(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...
It is fun to wax poeticially about they should continue XYZ car, but quie frankly it is based not just on marketing and business decisions but engineering as well.
Case in point, in discussions with my "auto gnome" the Crown Vic was old, too expensive to get up to greater crash ratings, not to mention fuel economy issues with a full frame vs uni-body.
The Crown Vic is Dead, maybe it was time for it to RIP, ditto that the Ranger.
In an off handed hot rod question to my gnome, gee it would be fun to do a junk yard swap of an EcoBoost Engine to an old Sport-Trac. The response? The Chassis wasn't ment for it, too much torque. Again, technology is way beyond what might be now considered a legacy design. Nothing wrong with old school, but not in this competitive environment, for the manufacturer.
I had a 4WD 1998 Ranger and loved it. I didn’t need a full size truck, it was easier to park and to drive. It would go through really tough snow with ease. I got to work one morning at 6:30 AM only to learn the plant was closed because of snow. I hardly even noticed the snow.
Ever meet a Ford Truck Engineer? Passionate beyond belief, ditto that the Mustang guys, legacy to carry on you know...
No they will figure out a way to meet Oboingo's insane numbers, with a truck that is a work truck. It may cost a heck of a lot more than a mid 90's "Contractor Special" you used to get off the lot as they had tons of them.
Not that I am fond of Toyota, but they have a joint R & D program to develop Hybrid Drivetrain Components for "their" Trucks with Ford.
It maybe a Mark Twain moment as some declare the work truck dead. I am with Mr Twain on this one :-)...
The Democrat Environazis have fought tooth and nail against the diesel for years. Until recently you couldn't even BUY a diesel passenger car or truck in California or Massachusetts.
Purty isn’t it? I like the Unimog, but it’s too small and can’t handle a freeway.
-——No they will figure out a way to meet Oboingo’s insane numbers,——
The way is simple....... abolish the numbers. That is what will happen
In my heart I hope so too, everyone is saying yes to our dear leader because we can't fire him now, it is on a set cycle.
So, we endure his and his ilk's insanity.
For now the Big 3 have to say Yes Sir, can't say no to the Chicago Way....
Rumors yes, haven’t seen any mules or Proto’s running around Michigan. Haven’t heard a thing....
The diesel dodge 3/4 and 1 ton trucks get in to the high 20’s. The splinter van has been known to flirt with 30 mph. Remember the junk diesel engines of the 80’s? There is a reason. Now look at zero’s epa. There is another. Ford has many Diesels out of our country. The festiva diesel gets 45+ mpg. Allowing us to buy those would kill the dolt and other over priced gas/electric cars.
I would give anything for an old small dump truck like that. NICE! I have a little JD 318 loader that would love to fill that truck up. LOL
Sunday drivers of the future!
An f150 raptor has more horse power than most otr trucks. HP is something boys like to compare. Men know its torque that gets the job done.
This is the progressive plan to get us all into little tiny hybrid or electric cars. They want to get rid of SUV’s and trucks.
Right now we have a custom Dodge Ram 2500 6 spd manual with a Cummins engine. Its a hog. I guess that one will bite the dust also.
I wish you were right.
Not if it's a small turbo diesel...even a half-ton could.
I totally agree.
We have a 2000 Ranger and love it, and although I do prefer my 97 Escort, the Ranger is perfect for me when I do a major grocery trip or to haul trash.
It's PTO driven, so it doesn't get tired. When I bought the truck it was already a dump with a standard bed. I welded up the flatbed myself from an old wreck (used the rails and cross pieces). I can't count how many times I've used the hydraulics and the weight of the bed to pick up the logs I was loading. I've hauled a lot of 5X10, base rock, and dirt in it as well, not to mention the 7-8 yards of leaves out of the driveway gutters every year.
Originally, it was the dump truck for hauling Democrats to their resting places at a graveyard in Colma, CA. I tell people that's why it has a "stiff suspension."
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