My 99 F250 ex cab long bed used to turn like a ship. When they switched to coil springs it made a huge difference for sure.
I read that there are f150 test mules with a rear wheel steering system on them. On the gm system, expensive lube, and 15k differential lube changes, along with a 4500 price for that option is what doomed it. They reduced the price over time, but it was still at least a 2k option before they dropped the option.
Ram recalls More than 660,000 heavy-duty pickups worldwide over possible steering failure that could be linked to eight crashes. Ram recalls 63,000 trucks in Canada over possible steering failure Fiat Chrysler is recalling over 660,000 heavy-duty trucks worldwide because a loose nut can cause a loss of steering control. The recall covers Ram 3500 pickups from 2013 through 2017, as well as 2500 pickups and 3500 Chassis cabs from 2014 through 2017. The automaker says it’s aware of eight crashes and one injury that could be related. The company says about 63,000 vehicles in Canada will be subject to the recall, on top of the roughly 574,000 trucks in the U.S., plus some in Mexico and outside North America. Fiat Chrysler doesn’t have a date yet for owners to be notified. Dealers will inspect a steering linkage nut. If it’s properly tightened, it will be welded to a sleeve to keep it in place. If it’s loose, a steering assembly will be replaced. The recall comes after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in December began investigating steering failures on some Ram trucks. The agency opened the probe after getting two complaints from owners that the linkage between the steering box and the front wheels can come apart. The Ram brand also is recalling nearly 194,000 light-duty trucks in the U.S. because the brake pedals can fall off. Covered are certain 2019 Ram pickups with adjustable brake pedals. More than one third are still at dealers and will be fixed before they’re delivered. The 2019 Ram Classic is not affected. Adjustable brake pedals are activated by a switch in the cab and powered by an electric motor. Fiat Chrysler says an investigation found that if people move the pedals to their rear-most position, the brake pedal can detach. The company says it doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries. It’s urging people not to adjust pedals until the trucks have been fixed and to never adjust pedals while driving. Fiat Chrysler doesn’t have a date for notifying owners. Dealers will install a fastener and spacer to restrict travel of the pedals and fix the problem
Back in 2012, I was in the market for a new truck so shopping I went. What really knocked me over, other than the price, was realizing how difficult it was to find just a plain ole 4x4 truck. Basically, they no longer exist. The truck I was replacing was a basic 4x4 Ford Ranger V6 with a vinyl bench seat, vinyl floors,auto transmission, AC and radio. That truck was a tank and had 245 k miles and I had replaced the starter and a wheel bearing. Loved it but it, like me, was getting old. The closest thing I found (finally) to a plain ole truck was a Chevy Silverado 4x4 "work truck" and even then it had cruise control (which I love) and power windows and locks. Vinyl seats, no carpet and manual 4x4 shift. The damm thing still cost me 26-27 k which hurt, especially after getting a steal (14k) on the Ranger. My question is: where did all the REAL trucks go? My guess is they make a mint off the "bells and whistles " so that is what they sell. Carpet? Heated seats and steering wheels? Leather interior? Power damm near everything? If I needed all that I would buy a damm Lincoln Continental. You would think they would offer such a truck for people like us, but no. Instead, we get luxury cars with a bed. Really gets under my skin Rant over.
Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 874,000 trucks that have engine block heaters after reports of fires. The vehicles affected in the recall include 2015-2019 models of F-150 vehicles built in Dearborn, Mich., and Kansas City. Also affected are 2017-19 models of Super Duty vehicles built in Ohio and Kentucky. The recall affects vehicles with engine block heaters. The company said it is aware of three fires that have started from the engine block heater cable splice connector. Minor property damage was reported in one incident, though Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries. The safety risk only exists when the truck is parked and the block heater cable is plugged into an outlet, the news release said.
