New Ford truck concept.

[Red Horse]

I was going to post how i much i wish i could get one of these instead.

built due to demand from the minning sector and others who want a rugged yet reliable truck. oh perhaps i didnt make it clear... thats a 2012 70 series landcruiser by Toyota. (eg you can buy that today in the rest of the world)

features 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine, five-speed manual transmission and part-time 4WD with two-speed transfer case.

twice the durrablity, twice the reliablity, half the cost! alas.... only a wish

You forgot one thing it doesn't have.....Uncle Sam mandating all kinds of requirements to keep you safe, air clean blah blah.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

You forgot one thing it doesn't have.....Uncle Sam mandating all kinds of requirements to keep you safe, air clean blah blah.

Having been to Europe and observing the damage that generations of diesel cars and trucks have done to centuries old buildings, I tend to appreciate a lack of particulate emissions in American trucks. That said, the current regulations on diesels are disappointing.

 

[Red Horse]

I like this design but it will take a larger direct injected normally aspirated V8 to get me in a Ford. I'm all set with twin turbo, small displacement, and more complicated drivetrains. A direct injected 5.7l (350 cu.in.) NA engine making around 400hp/425lb.ft tq with a good 6-8 speed auto and at least 5 years of proven reliability would be plenty. Is that too much to ask? :laughing:

Not too much to ask but I'm afraid those days are gone. I too am a firm believer in cubic inches and simplicity. But you can see the direction we seem to be headed in- CAFE requirements get tougher and tougher and weight reduction will be key. I have an SHO and while its performance is impressive, what is more impressive is the economy. This is a heavy car and it rarely gets below 23.5 in mixed driving. Does the complexity (twin turbos) concern me? Yes. But I'm at 44,000 and it hasn't been back to the dealer since day 1. And while that by no means is substantial mileage I have to believe that between F-150 use and PI use, Ford has an awful lot bet on the longevity of this motor. And when you look at most of their new offerings, you are looking at more of the same Ecoboost technology- less cubes and turbos.
Time will tell.

 

[El Wood]

I like the looks of this concept as I've always been a fan of the Dodge "big rig" style, all it's missing is a RAM emblem on the hood.
Star of the Show: Ford's Atlas Concept - PickupTrucks.com News
This is obviously an attempt by Ford to take the attention away from the all new GM and RAM trucks but I can go buy a new RAM or GM truck and this concept just means Ford is years from releasing anything.

Although, some of the ideas on 360 degree cameras, extendable rack for ladders, better bed lighting, integrated roof tie-downs etc... are great.
Active grill shutters (like the RAM) are certainly catching on and I'm surprised there isn't more cargo options like the Ram Box.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=297941"/>

That's a nice looking truck! I'm a big F-150 fan and have owned many of them. My current truck has the Ecoboost engine in it. My previous one had a V-8. I was a little hesitant on the Ecoboost at first when I saw it on paper. Once I drove it though I was sold! It could run circles around my old V-8! The technology inside is also very cool. I like the truck apps and GPS systems. It also has a killer sound system.

Another plus is the added towing at 11,200. It pulls my 4000 lbs dump trailer and 3000 lbs Deere with ease. Ford always has the best looking trucks too in my opinion. They always seem to make their vehicles stylish. It's no wonder their the best selling trucks in the US.

I live here in Michigan and have some friends that are engineers at Ford. I've heard a few rumors about the new Ford truck being all aluminum. Just rumors right now but that could be interesting.

 

[Dmace]

I'm a big F-150 fan and have owned many of them. My current truck has the Ecoboost engine in it. It could run circles around my old V-8!

The old 5.4l Triton?
Just about any truck engine can "run circles" around that. :laughing:

As for styling, I always felt Ford was lacking in style. They seemed square to me unlike the 97-03 style which was much better.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

I like the truck apps and GPS systems. It also has a killer sound system.

Can I ask your age? Just curious - most of the over 40 guys I know hate apps.

Another plus is the added towing at 11,200.

Holy cow! That's more than my one ton dually. How is that even possible?!

 

[schmism]

Holy cow! That's more than my one ton dually. How is that even possible?!

paper numbers for marketing..... you can bet the rear axle isnt bigger, or the brakes, or the springs, or the frame..... but hey its "largest in its class!"

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Screw 400hp. How about a 200hp 4 cyl diesel 30mpg 3/4 ton rated to tow 12k lbs?

 

[El Wood]

Can I ask your age? Just curious - most of the over 40 guys I know hate apps.

Holy cow! That's more than my one ton dually. How is that even possible?!

I got to say, you have one of the best usernames. The MF stands for Massey Ferguson right? Haha!

Towing is 11,200 right there in the manual. I know people say its for marketing but if that's the case, their taking a risk by printing it there. My friends in the auto industry always say these things are UNDERRATED because they know people will overload them (like I usually do).

And yeah your're right, I'm under 40 . Apps and technology are good though. They make life easier.

 

[mjncad]

The manufacturers like decked out vehicles because they make more profit on them. A simple and rugged vehicle that is easy to repair doesn't have a high return-on-investment for the manufacturers, and the Gummint regulations for safety and pollution have also killed the KISS principle of vehicle design.

As for the Atlas concept; the designers go for shock-and-awe so to speak, and then the features that make production models are dialed back for manufacturing efficiency and to leave something to upgrade to in subsequent model years before the next total redesign is scheduled.

 

[jejeosborne]

The old 5.4l Triton?
Just about any truck engine can "run circles" around that. :laughing:

As for styling, I always felt Ford was lacking in style. They seemed square to me unlike the 97-03 style which was much better.

I see you must have been bored and had to start a thread just to piss people off. What a guy!

 

[Red Horse]

The manufacturers like decked out vehicles because they make more profit on them. A simple and rugged vehicle that is easy to repair doesn't have a high return-on-investment for the manufacturers, and the Gummint regulations for safety and pollution have also killed the KISS principle of vehicle design.

As for the Atlas concept; the designers go for shock-and-awe so to speak, and then the features that make production models are dialed back for manufacturing efficiency and to leave something to upgrade to in subsequent model years before the next total redesign is scheduled.

good points-but I've always been curious- what is that big axle picture you post out of- 966 or bigger???

 

[mikehaugen]

aside from maybe the hood, it appears to be more of a titan knockoff to me, especially the cab. I personally like the looks of the superduty, it looks more truck-like to me. I also like the the way the front windows drop down in the front. I really would never buy based on looks though, with the exception being I would not buy something that I thought was butt-ugly. I personally hated the new gms when they came out (current style) but they are starting to grow on me a little. I have liked all Dodges since the early nineties. Come to think of it, I like most domestic trucks since the early nineties (with the exception of the late nineties f-150's). What I can't get used to are the foreign full size trucks.

About the apps... I am younger and still think some of the gadgets put in trucks now are not necessary. I can see where some people may get use out of them... but still not necessary. If you need navigation, get a $150 tom-tom and when it breaks get another. I don't even want to know what it would cost to replace a factory navigation system in a new truck. Or better yet, get a map. Reliability ranks high on my list of things to look for in a vehicle, much higher than "what new technology or gadget does this truck have." I am not even that excited about the factory brake controllers they are putting in now, they are cheap enough and easy enough to install I would rather use aftermarket. I don't have one, but can anyone say that they perform any better than a good aftermarket?

I gotta say, whichever brand you prefer, all of this current competition is only for the better for us.

 

[Diamondpilot]

aside from maybe the hood, it appears to be more of a titan knockoff to me, especially the cab. I personally like the looks of the superduty, it looks more truck-like to me. I also like the the way the front windows drop down in the front. I really would never buy based on looks though, with the exception being I would not buy something that I thought was butt-ugly. I personally hated the new gms when they came out (current style) but they are starting to grow on me a little. I have liked all Dodges since the early nineties. Come to think of it, I like most domestic trucks since the early nineties (with the exception of the late nineties f-150's). What I can't get used to are the foreign full size trucks.

About the apps... I am younger and still think some of the gadgets put in trucks now are not necessary. I can see where some people may get use out of them... but still not necessary. If you need navigation, get a $150 tom-tom and when it breaks get another. I don't even want to know what it would cost to replace a factory navigation system in a new truck. Or better yet, get a map. Reliability ranks high on my list of things to look for in a vehicle, much higher than "what new technology or gadget does this truck have." I am not even that excited about the factory brake controllers they are putting in now, they are cheap enough and easy enough to install I would rather use aftermarket. I don't have one, but can anyone say that they perform any better than a good aftermarket?

I gotta say, whichever brand you prefer, all of this current competition is only for the better for us.

I would say you are in the minority of buyers. Most tractor guys like us like simple but we are the minority. Now for me I love the Tundra and Titan. I own a Titan. I have owned about 25 vehicles from Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Dodge, GM, ect. They are just as is more capable then the big three. My Titan has the nav and backup camera. My F350 and it has the factory brake controller and it works better than the 30 or so aftermarket ones I have used in my 20 years in the trailer business.


As for aftermarket nav systems they work fine. I have one in my F350 but I like things clean and all the wires with phones, navs, ect clutter up things.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

I see you must have been bored and had to start a thread just to piss people off. What a guy!

Those afraid to step on someone's toes will never speak freely, I have no problem with that.

I started the thread to show a new concept truck, if someone's pissed off I really don't care...

 

[mikehaugen]

I would say you are in the minority of buyers. Most tractor guys like us like simple but we for the minority. Now for me I love the Tundra and Titan. I own a Titan. I have owned about 25 vehicles from Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Dodge, GM, ect. They are just as ir more capable then the big three. My Tutan has the nav and backup camera. My F350 and it has the factory brake controller and it works better than the 30 or so aftermarket ones I have used in my 20 years in the trailer business.
Chris

I wasn't referring to the capabilities of the foreign trucks, merely that I have not accepted their looks very well yet. Now smaller trucks are a different story.

 

[scrappy isb67]

umm, you do realize that the f150 has not had a solid front axle since the 70's?
they had the TTB in the 80/90's and went to a twin a arm ifs in 97.
the truck is a concept F150 replacement.

 

[mjncad]

good points-but I've always been curious- what is that big axle picture you post out of- 966 or bigger???

That is a Clark BD-100000 (100,000 pounds capacity for two axles) front-rear axle from a Kenworth Super 953-S that I did in Autodesk's 3DS MAX a few years back. I was going to do a 953-S in MAX; but MAX is better suited for the entertainment industry than doing precision modeling. I may try again with Autodesk Inventor. Thanks for asking, and you're the first to inquire about it.

About the apps... I am younger and still think some of the gadgets put in trucks now are not necessary. I can see where some people may get use out of them... but still not necessary. If you need navigation, get a $150 tom-tom and when it breaks get another. I don't even want to know what it would cost to replace a factory navigation system in a new truck. Or better yet, get a map. Reliability ranks high on my list of things to look for in a vehicle, much higher than "what new technology or gadget does this truck have." I am not even that excited about the factory brake controllers they are putting in now, they are cheap enough and easy enough to install I would rather use aftermarket. I don't have one, but can anyone say that they perform any better than a good aftermarket?

I would prefer an integrated sat-nav system as the Tom-Tom's, Garmin's, etc are prime targets for thieves who capitalize on people forgetting to put them out of sight when they park somewhere. A buddy had his Garmin type stolen within a week of getting it.

Now I keep maps in my vehicle's as I'm too cheap to have sat-nav; but have you tried buying a road map lately? The last good map I got was in 2007 at a Colorado visitor's center station in the piss-ant Western Slope town of Naturita. It's not like the good old days when I was a kid when there was a real gas station on every corner, and maps were common and free, or at low cost. Also I like the idea that a sat-nav system is constantly updated (in theory), unlike a paper map.

I like the integrated look of a factory brake controller; but more importantly, I like to delude myself into thinking a factory controller designed for the tow vehicle is going to work better than an after market unit that plugs into anything and everything.

From what little I've played around with in-dash touch-screen systems at the auto-shows; I've found them to be distracting and far from intuitive in their use, and I've been using computers since 1979.

 

[aczlan]

I like the integrated look of a factory brake controller; but more importantly, I like to delude myself into thinking a factory controller designed for the tow vehicle is going to work better than an after market unit that plugs into anything and everything.

IMO, the big difference with an onboard one is that it can tell exactly how hard you are pushing the brakes rather than guessing based on g forces. That helps if you are on something slippery enough that ABS kicks in. Make sit harder for your trailer to pass the truck that way.

Aaron Z