Ford Rant

[N80]

Let me just start out by saying that this isn't against Ford in general. This is about a single design flaw on a discontinued model. But it seems like a major mechanical and ergonomic goof up, but I've never heard any reports or problems from anyone else.

In any case, I have an '03 F-150, SuperCrew, 4x4 with the Triton V-8. It is the first American made vehicle I've ever purchased. I come from a background of small, Japanese 4x4 trucks which I just love. But, I needed a full size 4 door 4x4 and this was before Toyoto or Nissan had released theres. So, I kind of expected the worse of an American made vehicle. I still don't love this truck, however, it has been almost flawless after 50K miles. No problems at all. And it has done the things I wanted it to do and done them well.

However! The 4wd switch is the stupidest thing I've ever seen on a modern vehicle. It is the same size and shape as all the climate control switches and sits in a perfect line with them. The '4x4' indicator light is also just plain dumb, it is tiny and totally obscured by the steering wheel not matter what position its in.

The result? Well, about once or twice a year I think I'm turning the fan up when I'm switching into 4wd! And I usually don't notice until I start hearing a roaring from the diff or transfer case....or when I make a turn and the front wheels start chirping. The indicator light is useless.

So far I don't think I've done any major damage. I have noticed that this truck is much harder to turn when in 4wd even in soft stuff. I've heard this is normal for this truck, but I do wonder if I've made it worse.

The newer F-150s do not have this 'feature'. I can't believe this made it past the drawing board. It is such an obvious design flaw.

Quite frankly, I think these electric and vacuum acctuated 4x4 switches are for pansies. Whatever happend to a good old gear shift!?!?!

Okay, rant over. But if you ever pass a tall skinny guy looking at a pile of gears in the road behind a broken down black F-150......just keep on going.

(And before you GM guys chime in, what's with ever other GM truck having one daytime running light burned out? )

 

[BillyP]

(And before you GM guys chime in, what's with ever other GM truck having one daytime running light burned out? )

I don't know but it's a fact. Could be cheap China bulbs I guess

 

[Jimbrown]

Those factory driving lights are just poor. I think I had to replace all of mine in the first 6 months I owned both trucks. I think all fords are hard to steer in 4X4. My F250 feels like you turned the power steering off.

 

[LMTC]

02 Super Duty 250 XLT still in service and 03 150 XLT(sold this spring). Both supercrew (LOVE that space) 4x4, 5.4 engine. The 4x4 switch on the 150 is very poorly located--couldn't be much worse, actually. With that said....I have had several Ford 4x4s previously, the newst being a '92 I think. These two trucks have been as trouble free as the Toyotas (4 Corollas and 1 Sienna) I own and have owned. The 02 had a fuel gauge relay replaced and a 4wd fusible link or some such replaced, both under warranty. The 03 has had nothing but normal maintenance.

And I DO love these trucks. They are fun to drive (once I put good tires on) and handle & work well.

 

[Egon]

The chances may be real good that without paying attention any vehicle may be left in four wheel drive.

 

[N80]

The chances may be real good that without paying attention any vehicle may be left in four wheel drive.

Well sure. But, I was not talking about leaving it in 4wd. That is still an issue since the indicator light is for all intents and purposes non-existent and I've done that too. I'll take the credit for that oversight even with the terrible indicator light.

I'm talking about throwing it into 4wd going 50mph on pavement!

And, it really isn't an attention issue unless we are supposed to pull over and stop before turning the AC on or changing the radio station. Otherwise, it is suggested that our attention be divided amongst other important tasks, like driving. In general, a car's interior controls are designed to be operated while we drive and even the 4wd system is billed as 'shift on the fly'. With that being the case, the layout of those controls should be such that a switch that could potential drop your transfer case in the road or bind up a front axle should not be the same shape and size and right next to a switch whose function is to regulate the fan speed.

If they wanted that switch in that location it should have been 1) a totally different size, shape and type of switch or 2) provided with an extra step, such as a cover that has to be raised.

Of course, it may be that switching it into 4wd on the pavement at highway speeds isn't going to hurt anything and so my rant is much ado about nothing.....wouldn't be the first time. And so far it does not seem like I've torn anything up. But, that goes against everything I've learned about typical truck 4wd systems.

In any case, these sorts of oversights, inefficiences and examples of thoughtlessness just rub me the wrong way, often out of proportion to thier actual significance. But sometimes you just have to wonder, "What on earth were they thinking?"

And, like I've said, this truck has otherwise been exceedingly reliable, way beyond my expectations. However, in its current configuration (land yacht) it cannot compare with the 4wd capabilities and offroad handling of any of my lightly modified Nissan trucks. It will never be as agile as a small truck, but I hope to get bigger more aggressive tires soon as well as new shock and a few other mods and things will surely improve.

 

[turbo36]

Wow, just because the 4wd drive selector isn't a big red lever that say's " don't touch unless you really mean it" you are ready to write off the whole truck? Pretty tall order meetin' your standards.

 

[RoyJackson]

You got to know your vehicle, buddy...

I've worked in the automotive industry for years...those switches are placed with much care...however, they're placed considering the 85th percentile male (who is about 5'8", 185 lbs).

So, learn your vehicle and it's capabilities.

Ford makes an outstanding vehicle. They put a lot of effort into customer satisfaction.

 

[N80]

Wow, just because the 4wd drive selector isn't a big red lever that say's " don't touch unless you really mean it" you are ready to write off the whole truck? Pretty tall order meetin' your standards.

Oh please. Who said anything about writing it off? Read first, post second. I'll drive that truck, as I do any truck I own, until it falls apart or gets totaled.

 

[DieselPower]

Look at it this way. If your biggest complaint about the truck is the location of a single switch and light bulb your ahead of the game. I don't think I have ever owned a vehicle, come to think of it I don't think I have ever owned anything that I only had one little complaint about. It's usually major problems that seem to never go away. I wish my only problem was a switch location.

Edited to add: Here's a suggestion to fix your problem. Stop by Radio Shack or some other electronics supplier. Pick up a small mounted LED that operates at 12 VDC. Install the little LED in a easy to see location and hook it up to the 4WD light already in the dash. That way if you should happen to accidentally hit the 4WD switch you will be alerted to it by the little LED light that is not blocked.