Ford announced a recall of their trucks and crossovers – including 23,688 Ranger pickup trucks – because of a fuel line near the throttle body shield that could leak fuel and cause a fire, and an electrical system that might short out and, well, cause a fire.

Ford is recalling 8,022 Edge and Lincokn MKX crossovers, as well as the entire F-series range, because of the electrical issue. The Ranger models affected by the fuel line issue are all 2010 models, built between October 2009 and May 2010 at the Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul, Minnesota.

No problems have been reported yet, but Ford knows it’s better to be safe than sorry – especially in regards to their cars bursting into flames.

[Source: Reuters]

A what you may ask? Well, a hybrid pickup, a dual powertrain vehicle that uses a gasoline engine, but instead of an electric motor and batteries, relies on a reservoir, accumulator and hydraulic pump as its secondary source for motivation.

Hydraulic hybrids are not new, but until now they’ve largely been used on concept vehicles and delivery or garbage trucks; vehicles that spend a lot of time in urban driving cycles and under frequent stop/start conditions.

A hydraulic hybrid system works by having fluid stored under pressure in the accumulator, which is converted into energy and transmitted to the vehicle’s rear wheels via what Perry Li, co-deputy director of the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (a real mouthful, that) calls a “power split hydraulic hybrid architecture.”

The CCEFP has teamed up with Ford Motor Company to work on the concept, using a F-150 as the subject vehicle. The truck is powered by a 4.6-liter single overhead cam V8, but uses a special continuously variable transmission built by Folsom Technologies. Whereas some hybrid gas/electric trucks, like Chevy’s Silverado, use electric motors inside the transmission to provide power to the driven wheels, this one uses hydraulic pump motors. Combined with the CVT, the hydraulic system allows power to be variably split between the gas engine and the secondary power source, improving fuel economy.

How much? Well, a conventional 4.6-liter F-150 has a combined city/highway mileage ratings of 18-mpg. With the CVT and hydraulic system operating, Li claims the same truck can likely deliver as much as 40-mpg in urban driving!

The CCEFP is a national network of seven universities and 55 industrial partners which is funded by the National Science Foundation, whose mission is to pursue innovation in the areas of hydraulic and pneumatic technology, including small, efficient powertrains for vehicles.

Li says that he hopes to have a running, driving hydraulic hybrid prototype F-150 on the road by the end of this year.

It will be interesting to see if his claims can actually be supported by raw data. If they can, it looks like the future of our beloved pickup truck might not be electric at all and from many angles, particularly as it applies to heavier vehicles and commercial fleets, that’s probably a good thing.

[Source: Pickup trucks.com]

After Ford filed a legal injuction regarding Ferrari’s use of the name “F150″ for their new Formula 1 car, the Italian supercar manufacturer has bowed to legal pressure and re-dubbed their entrant the “F150th Italia”.

While Ford’s ubiquitous pick-up truck, the F-150, could never be confused with the purpose built race car, evidently someone in Ferrari’s legal department thought it was a prudent move. The Ferrari was dubbed the “F150″ in honor of the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

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Nobody in their right mind could ever confuse the Ford F-150 pickup truck with the Ferrari F150 Formula 1 car. But Ford’s lawyers seem to disagree, and have asked a U.S. court for an injunction against Ferrari and their use of the name.

Ferrari claims that the F150 moniker is intended to honor the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification. So far, neither side has commented but we’ll be watching to see what unfolds.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Brand new Ferraris are notoriously hard to buy. Not only do you have to endure a massive waiting list, but you also have to jump through hoops with your local dealer just to merit a spot, among them, owning a brand new Ferrari previously, or paying more than sticker price for the privilege.

One unfortunate gentleman in Florida had just survived the agonizing crucible, only to see his barely broken-in Ferrari 458 Italia reduced to a crushed heap of aluminum after a Ford F-150 landed on top of the Italian supercar. Although reports state that there may have been some less-than-legal driving before the crash happened, all we know is that it’s better than having the car spontaneously combust.

[Source: The Examiner]

Ford will invest $400 million in their Kansas City, Missouri assembly plant after the state government agreed to a series of tax breaks. “This investment and promise of a new vehicle to be built in Kansas City reinforces Ford’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing and American jobs,” said Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields.

Ford’s investment will ensure nearly 3,750 full-time employees remain on the company payroll. Ford builds both the Escape and F-150 at the plant, but the Escape’s demise means that Ford will likely build its Vertek crossover at the plant sometime around 2012.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Ford is recalling both the Edge crossover and the Lincoln MKX luxury crossover due to an electrical short that could lead to a fire. The vehicles were built during a 6 day window, and also includes certain Ford F-Series trucks.

Dealers will inspect a component known as the body control module, and replace it if necessary. The recall will begin on January 10, 2011 and owners can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

[Source: NHTSA]

Hit the jump to read the official press release

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As the best selling vehicle in both the United States and Canada, the launch of the upcoming F-Series pickup truck is likely the most important event for Ford.

But a parts shortage, affecting unspecified components, threatens to impede Ford’s launch plans, forcing a batch of F-Series trucks to sit idle as the automaker waits for the parts.

The 2011 F-Series was given a range of new powertrains designed to address consumers increasing desire for better fuel economy. F-Series sales rose by 30 percent last month, a strong number in light of the upcoming refreshed model and rising fuel prices.

[Source: Automotive News]

Although the U.S. economy is slowly spluttering back to life, some industries seem to be doing better than others. In the auto sector, sales are up, particularly for Domestic manufacturers and on the truck side too.

For the month of November, Bloomberg predicts overall car and light truck sales for the year at approximately 12.2 million units, nearly rivaling August 2009 when the U.S. Government’s controversial ‘Cash for Clunkers,’ program helped push sales to almost record levels.

Out of the November totals, both Ford and Chrysler have increased their overall sales percentage by around 20 percent, while General Motors has seen an approximately 13 percent increase. And a lot of that has to do with light truck demand. According to Jessica Caldwell, an analyst with Edmumds.com; truck sales rise “as it gets colder, plus we’ve seen higher demand as gas prices have been stable for some time.”

And among the overall increase in truck demand, individual vehicles have scored particularly significant gains. Sales of Ford’s F-Series pickups have climbed by 30 percent through October, while sales of Chrysler’s Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV (recently revamped for 2011) rose by 41 percent in the same period. GM’s Chevy Equinox has also seen robust demand for some time.

The increase demand also corresponds with what seems to be a more optimistic outlook from the automakers. For example, Jesse Toprak V-P of industry trends at TrueCar.com, says GM’s increases are likely in part a result of the company’s historic IPO. “If you see the company performing, the stock price holding up, and perhaps GM posting another profit in the fourth quarter, that adds to brownie points with consumers,” Toprak said.

Chrysler, despite delivering a third quarter operating loss this year ($84 million), has raised it’s full-year operating profit forecast to about $700 million. “The mood of customers is exceptional. I have a very positive attitude toward our products. It’s a strong month for November,” said David Kelleher, a Chrysler dealer in Glen Mills, PA.

[Source: Bloomberg]

With Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards of 30 miles per gallon for light trucks looming ever closer, Ford is looking at ways to meet these targets without sacrificing performance on its bread winning F-series pickups.

One method, hinted by CEO Alan Mullaly is in shaving weight. The current F-150 uses a fully-boxed steel frame, which is strong, but heavy, so for the next generation truck an option being considered is a chassis made from magnesium alloy.

There’s a good deal of logic to this. Magnesium is currently one of the most abundant elements on earth and is 36 percent lighter than aluminum. It’s also being increasingly adopted by automakers, primarily on suspension components and engine blocks, but also body panels. In fact Ford managed to shave some 22 lbs off the Lincoln MKT crossover utility vehicle by using separate aluminum and magnesium panels for the rear lift gate instead of ordinary stamped steel.

Along with the frame, Ford is also exploring the possibilities of using aluminum body panels on the next F-150, though for strength and durability a steel skin will likely remain. As for powertrain options, there’s no official word on what might be offered down the road, though expect a next generation EcoBoost V6 and possibly an inline-five cylinder engine, maybe a turbo diesel.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Ford F-150 F150

The “bro truck” is a distinctly local phenomenon, common in the Southwestern United States, where a stereotypical bro drives a souped-up pickup, usually with an enormous and inappropriate lift kit. Ever concious of this important demographic, Ford made sure to bring some outrageous F-Series concepts to SEMA, in the hopes of capturing the all-important flat-bill baseball cap crowd.

This year, Ford is also highlighting their 6-cylinder Ecoboost powertrain option with two concept trucks, the Godfather Customs F-150 and an F-150 put together by an imaginatively named outlet called “The Custom Shop”. While they don’t quite fit the “bro truck” model, they do look like vehicles that those with discerning taste would avoid…making them perfect for SEMA!

Gallery: Mickey Thompson F-150

Gallery: F150 Custom Shop

Gallery:F-Series Super Duty Skyjacker Suspensions

Gallery: Ford F-350 Super Duty by Cars by Kris and Airhead Kustoms

Hit the jump to check out the official press release

The forced-induction experts at ProCharger have just announced a supercharger system for the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – as though the 6.2-liter V8 with 411-hp wasn’t potent enough. The result is nearly a 200-hp increase, with the centrifugal supercharger pushing the Raptor to 600-hp on pump gas.

ProCharger also didn’t ignore the 5.4L V8 owners; they have a kit that pumps horsepower up to 505. ProCharger’s kits all come complete with the supercharger, air-to-air front mount intercooler, larger fuel injectors and an ECU reflash. Best of all, the supercharger fits nicely under the stock hood and really does look quite OEM-ish. The kits boost around 8-9 psi.

Two kits are available for each model, a standard system and a Tuner Kit (comes without larger fuel injectors and ECU reflash). Standard System for the 6.2-liter is $6,496 while the Tuner Kit is $5,646; the 5.4-liter kit is $5,996 and $5,446 respectively.

GALLERY: ProCharger Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Get all the specs after the jump:

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Ford has finally announced pricing for the new EcoBoost V6-powered 2011 F-150, with the truck stickered at $25,740 before options and taxes – some $1,750 more than the new base truck equipped with the 3.7-liter V6.

However, although pricing has been released for the EcoBoost F-150, official fuel economy figures have not –  though in a recent test conducted by AutoGuide, we were able to report highway mileage in the mid to high 20s, so expect something along those lines when Ford finally decides to do so.

Power for the new engine is rated at 365-hp and 420 ft-lbs with the capability of towing an impressive 11,300 lbs.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Ford F-150 Review by Clicking Here

Ford is claiming that the new 2011 F-150 will get best in class fuel economy despite no EPA verified mileage figures. Ford states that the 3.7L V6 model will return 16 mpg in town and 23 mpg on the highway. By comparison a 2011 Ram with a 3.7L V6 will get 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

According to Ford, the company is touting the F-Series’ fuel economy because “70 percent of F-150 customers said better fuel economy is what they’d like improved most in their truck.” What Ford did mention is that their numbers aren’t worth much until they’re independently verified.

[Source: Inside Line]

It’s been the talk of the town ever since it’s introduction. Now, for 2011; Ford‘s F-150 SVT Raptor, joined by a crew cab version and powered by Ford’s 6.2-liter V8 rated at 411 horsepower, is more tantalizing than ever.

And after what’s seemed like an eternity for truck enthusiasts, the Blue Oval has finally announced pricing for the 2011 Raptor. The Super Cab version starts at $41,550; while the new for ’11 Crew Cab version (shown) stickers at $44,315. Bear in mind these are MSRPs and don’t include freight fees and taxes, but at least we know how much we can expect to spend on one.

Ford‘s 3.5L V6 Ecoboost engine, a twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine that will go into the upcoming F-150 pickup, will put out 365 horsepower and a whopping 420 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm.

The 3.5L V6 may lack the outright grunt of Ford’s 6.2L V8, 90 percent of the power is available from 1,750 to 5,000 rpm, while being able to tow 11,300 pounds or carrying a payload of 3,060 pounds.

While Ford says that the Ecoboost will offer class leading fuel economy, mpg figures haven’t been released yet. We’ll keep you posted when they’re finally made public.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

[Source: Ford]

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In today’s landscape automakers are constantly looking at new and innovative ways of reaching their customers. Given that Ford‘s F-150 remains the best selling full-size pickup in the world, keeping those customers is of paramount of importance.

With the 2011 model, one way is allowing folks from across America to experience the trucks before they even arrive in stores. As a result, Ford has rolled out it’s Drive F-150 tour, which will be stopping off at various U.S. cities between now and the end of the year. At post time the list included Dallas, Texas (September 25th); Houston, Texas (October 2nd); Aberdeen, Maryland (October 23rd); Atlanta, Georgia (October 30th); Orlando, Florida (November 6th) and finally; Los Angeles, California (November 13).

The F-150 has received a number of significant improvements for 2011; including an all-new powertrain lineup that includes a more efficient 3.7-liter base V6 engine; the hallowed 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost; plus new 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8s.

Those who sign up for the Drive F-150 tour will be able to see cutaways of the new trucks, with Ford representatives on hand to answer questions. Other activities include a power test driving competition on an acceleration and handling course; a towing contest in trucks equipped with the EcoBoost engine; a refinement drive with said trucks in a street environment and a dyno power comparison between the ’11 F-150 and its nearest rivals.

To participate in the program, you must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license. For more information; click on the link below.

[Source: Ford Motor Company]

Back in the 1970s, matte black hoods were all the rage. You found them on muscle cars and increasingly on trucks. In fact, as far as Ford was concerned, motorsports legend Bill Stroppe, who prepped the original Baja Ford Broncos back in the day, added matte black to the hoods to reduce glare while pounding along the rocky trails at sizable speeds. The look caught on with the street crowd and Stroppe’s California shop ended up turning out some 650 Broncos with matte black hoods for customers.

Now, 35 years later, with Ford back into Baja in a big way with the Raptor, the matte black hood makes a return. Though according to Raptor designer Bruce Williams, this time around, things are a little different. Rather than paint, “it’s a protective graphic,” he says. The hood blackout treatment incorporates a F-150 SVT Raptor logo across it and there are cut outs for the twin hood vents.

The hood graphic will be optional on all 2011 Raptors and complements the “digital mud” graphics found on the side of the doors and pickup box, that help accentuate the Raptor’s hardcore, off-road aura.

The Ford F-150 is now a part of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for fuel tank straps that may break due to corrosion, which could lead to a fire. In total 1.4 million F-150 models are affected, dating from 1996-2001.

NHTSA has received 32 complains regarding this issue from owners and in 28 of those cases one or both of the straps broke, causing the fuel tank to drop.

The number of complaints is minimal but NHTSA is being extra cautious lately and official investigation announcements are usually followed by a spike in official complaints.

[Source: Detroit News]

Ford‘s F-150 pickup will officially get the long awaited 3.5L Ecoboost V6, as well as two new V8s and a 3.7L V6.  The 3.7L V6 and 5.0L V8 are similar to the units used in the Ford Mustang but have been revised to better suit the needs of a pickup truck, with re-enforced internals and E85 capability.  The 6.2L V8 from the Ford SVT Raptor pickup will also be standard on 2011 Super Duty trucks.

Ford’s Ecoboost will be available across the range and match the 6.2L’s tow rating of 11, 300 pounds while getting 20% better mileage than the outgoing 5.4L engine. All four engines will be backed by a new 6-speed automatic with a manual override function as well.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

Continue Reading…

Bed extenders on a pickup can often be a blessing or a curse. If you’ve got large bulky objects that need to be held in place, like a bunch of 2x4s, or small trees they can be great, but at the same time, if you’re loading items like flat pack furniture or breeze blocks they just get in the way, eating into valuable cargo space.

Detroit based designer Mike Jou, was tired of the major compromises brought by traditional bed extenders, so he elected to design his own for the Ford F-150. Jou’s version, dubbed the Plastech Bed Extender, features four individual folding sections, allowing multiple configurations to suit different types of cargo (most tubular extenders have just one or two), plus it can be stowed compactly inside the box when not in use. It also incorporates LED lighting to facilitate loading items at night, plus power outlets and also a first aid kit.

Despite offering more flexibility than rigid extenders, Jou’s design also uses fewer parts, requiring just 22 total components and 20 fasteners, most existing designs use around double the number of parts and yet the bars on these are fixed!

Jou has tested a working prototype on a late-model F-150 with a hard tonneau cover and from our analysis the results speak for themselves. Given that Ford already touts the versatility of the cargo box features on its current F-150, it would seem a no brainer to add a version of Jou’s extender as a dealer option.

[Source: Core77]

On Sunday, June 20th, Hernando County, Florida resident Christopher Bishop was inspecting the underbelly of his Ford F-150 for oil and fluid leaks. However, before crawling underneath, Bishop, 43, had left the driver’s door open and the transmission in neutral. At the time, his pet, a hyperactive Bulldog named Tassey was also roaming around free while Bishop was underneath the truck. Suddenly, Tassey bounded into the front seat of the pickup and started jumping around, enough in fact to bang the truck into gear, causing it roll forward and over the left side of Bishop’s body as he lay underneath.

According to a police report filed by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Bishop was able to get up, jump into the F-150 and stop it before it hit the fence next to his mobile home. He managed to shut the  truck off and go inside his house, but after several hours of severe pain, finally placed a call to the hospital and was dispatched to Pasco Regional with non life threatening injuries. Asked why he waited so long to seek medical assistance, Bishop replied, “I don’t like doctors.”

[Source: St. Petersburg Times]

Production of the Ranger pickup truck will end next year, with Ford hoping buyers will move up to the F-150. If demand is sufficient, however, Ford might also look to introduce its upcoming global midsize truck platform (the new Ranger) to the U.S.

In an interview with PickupTrucks.com, Ford product boss Derrick Kuzak confirmed the Ranger was to be eliminated after an incredibly long production run, which has stretched over a decade. With most owners using their Rangers for commuter duty, Ford thinks the move to an F-150 won’t be difficult. After all, the current 2.3-liter 4-cylinder Ranger gets 19/24 mpg, which is likely worse than what an F-150 equipped with Ford’s new 3.7-liter V6 would get. While the use of the 3.7 in the F-150 is still unconfirmed, in the Mustang it gets an impressive 30 mpg.

According to Kuzak,the biggest issue with bringing over the new Ranger to the U.S. is how it would fit into the North American marketplace. “It’s no secret we have a new Ranger coming globally. We’re working on one for all the other markets in the world,” said Kuzak to PickupTrucks.com. “The difference is that all o those other markets only have a Ranger. They don’t have an F-150 above it.”

In other words, Ford would not want to cannibalize sales of the top-selling F-150.

The Ford Ranger continues to be the second best selling compact pickup in the U.S., with 55,600 units moved last year. The Ranger is, however, a distant second to the Toyota Tacoma at 111,824 units.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Ford is set to completely revamp its truck lineup with new fuel-efficient engines, offering not only an optional EcoBoost V6, but also a V6 as the base engine. According to a report by PickupTrucks.com, the Lincoln 3.7-liter V6 that recently made its way into the base Mustang will also come standard in the F-150.

In the Mustang, the V6 engine makes 305-hp and 280 ft-lbs of torque, plenty more horsepower and only slightly less torque than the current base 4.6-liter V8 with 248-hp and 294 ft-lbs. And with a few minor tweaks, Ford could easily tone down the power and up the torque a few ticks.

The new 3.7-liter V6 is likely to be offered in XL and STX models, although it may also be offered in XLT trim. While not a cheap engine to produce with its high-tech twin variable valve timing, Ford’s continued use of this engine in more and more models will certainly help reduce production costs across the board.

In addition, this new engine would vastly improve the F-150′s fuel economy, as the new engine makes as much as 30-mpg highway in the Mustang.

Ford stopped offering a V6 in the F-150 in 2009, but now its set to return by 2012.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]