Miscellaneous Truck Questions

mharde2 · April 1998

Thanks Ron...I think. What have you heard on your truck in the last day or two. I saw you had a build date. Any more news?

Gischpel · April 1998

I just bought a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 extra cab with the 2.7L 4 cylinder. Toyota recommends a 1000 mile engine break-in period (don't go over 55 mph, etc.) In the past, I observed 500 miles as the rule of thumb for new vehicle break-in. Any opinions on this or knowledge of the reasons for the change?

Thanks.

thegoinker · April 1998

What ever happened to "break it in like you want it to run?" Other than the obvious pitfalls of doing that, I would follow the Manufacturers advice as I do not think they would want you harming a new engine that they in theory must replace!

Brutus · April 1998

Maybe Japanese miles are twice as long as US miles? I have heard that Toyota goes the extra mile.....

606zp · April 1998

mharde2/marvb,

I wasn't told a build date, only that the order status changed to "D1". That was two weeks ago.

I'm planning to stop by the dealer tomorrow for an update. I drove past the lot late tonite and saw they did get a 24 valve quad delivered. That's the first one to show up at this dealer, probably the first one in this area. It's the first one I've ever seen. Can't wait!

Happy Easter!
Ron

606zp · April 1998

Delivery update:

My truck is scheduled to be shipped from Mexico on 4/15. Guesstimated delivery to dealer end of April, beginning of May. I feel better now knowing the dates even though they are not firm.
The dealer gave me a customer service # to call. Will that do any good? What is the right thing to say?

marvb · April 1998

Ron,

Glad to hear that you finally got word on your truck delivery date. The end of the tunnel appears to be in sight! My dealer did not give me a customer number to call like yours did. If they had, I'm not sure what I would have asked except, "Where the h*ll is my truck!" It has now been 8 weeks and 3 days since I placed my order. The dealer keeps saying "any day now." We shall see.

Marvin

pete38 · April 1998

I'm at 7 weeks 3 days. Wish they had a plan were you could drive to pick it up. St. Louis isn't that far from Denver! I don't like being at the mercy of the railroads! Well not much point bemoaning it won't make my truck get here any faster and it's more fun to call the dealer and ask if my trucks there yet! I'm sure they look forward to my calls!

HHM · April 1998

I'm in the market for a new 1-ton,and Like the new Dodge/24v. But I need a "Crew Cab".
Does Dodge still make one? and can I get with single rear wheels?
Thanks for your help.

Motormouth · May 1998

If you're in the market for a new truck, all you need do is look in the upper left hand side of your computer screen at the "Town Hall" entrance and you'll see a button labeled New Trucks.

Click on it, and follow the path to the vehicle you want, and you should find answers to your questions.

Good luck!

sundance · May 1998

Motormouth-

Where do I find information on Tec Service Bulletins for Ford 99 F series? Also what is OASIS and is this obtainable? Thanks

Motormouth · May 1998

I don't think there's much of any 1999 Ford materials available yet. Perhaps someone else on this forum knows about the existance of such material, but be careful. There may be a lot of "talk" about upcoming products, but until Ford releases anything officially, it should be taken with a grain of salt.

We publish what has been officially released as well as reviews on products that are actually available. The 99 Ford products, to my knowledge, are not yet available.

As for OASIS, that is a database that you put your vehicle ID# (VIN) into, and it returns a list of any and all recall notices, as well as (I believe) whether the recalls have been performed on that specific car.

To the best of my knowledge, OASIS is not available on the Web yet. I'll look further, however, and let you know what I find.

Motormouth

Motormouth · May 1998

I found a page on the web that mentions a product that gives anyone with an IBM compatable PC access to OASIS. It's a product called Terminal Master.

However, I get the impression this is something that comes with a hefty price tag and is meant for dealers.

Regardless, they seem to have a free functioning demo available. Go to this URL:

http://www.hameltech.com/tmast.html

and check it out. It may just provide you with what you want.

Motormouth

sundance · May 1998

Motormouth- thanks for the info.

sundance

Motormouth · May 1998

Glad to be of service.

glt · May 1998

Motormouth,
Just in case you didn't know, Ford has been selling their redesigned Superduty F 250 and
F 350 pickups as 1999 models for a couple months now. Mine was made in January. But, Ford calls it a 99.
I have heard that Ford is planning a recall to replace the GEM's (Generic Electronic Module?). Apparently the GEM can cause the shift on the fly to shift to four wheel drive low range and not allow it back into high or two wheel drive. The temporary fix is to disconnect the batteries for at least ten minutes to clear the memory. While there is a lot of talk about this problem, my dealer has not heard anything official.
So far it has been a great truck and I'm not worried about the recall.

Motormouth · May 1998

I keep forgetting that some manufacturers introduce models mid-year and call them the next numerical year's model.

I'm from the "old school" when the next year's models used to come out in September. The big thrill each year was getting the issue of "Popular Mechanics" that featured pictures of all the new models coming out.

I suppose that the next race will be to see who can be the company to have the first "2000" vehicle officially out.

Sigh...

Brutus · May 1998

I believe the reason that Ford introduced the 99 so early is that it was not ready by September 97 to be released as a 98. There are no 98 model F-250HD and F-350 trucks. They jumped straight from 97 model years to 99. Ford did make a 98 F-150 and F-250 light duty.

KCRam · May 1998

Model year dates actually are defined by the feds. They cannot exceed 729 days in length, and cannot begin more than 364 days earlier than that calendar year. Example, on January 2nd, 1999, you may begin building a model-year 2000 vehicle and produce it as "new" until December 31, 2000. (You obviously can sell it as long as it sits on the dealer's lot.)

Ford got away with a fairly long 1997 model year with the F150, since it went from January of 1996 until September of 1997 - sure pads the sales numbers... on the other hand, as Brutus mentioned, there was no 1998 F250HD or F350, so don't be surprised if Chevy comes out very soon and says they sold the most "1998" trucks.

Brutus · May 1998

You mean Chevy-speak, eh? As oppossed to saying that they sold the most trucks in 1998. Kind of like their claim of best resale value.

richflynn · May 1998

Gentlemen,
Automotive sales numbers are reported by the week, month, quarter and year. These figures are typically reported in WSJ among other trade rags and newspapers. When the best selling "contest winner" is declared it is usually by the year. i.e. January 1 through December 31. If the model year was the measuring stick, then we'd all be driving 1948 model year F series!
Rich

shadrack · May 1998

I am looking at a 93 ford250 xlt with extended cab and would appreciate some feedback on it. It has 29,000 with tow package and seller is asking 15,000.

Motormouth · May 1998

information right here on this site if you're willing to provide a little effort to follow links to the info. You can get such info as:

Edmund's Ratings (1-10) in a number of categories

What Was New for This Model Year

Vehicle Pricing (and how to adjust for mileage etc.)

Standard Equipment

Equipment Adjustments

Mileage Adjustments

Wholesale Used Vehicles Direct to the Public

Financing Information

All you have to do is go to the entrance of the town hall, and from the menu in the top left of your screen, choose "used vehicles" and the follow the links to Ford and then 250xlt.

I couldn't give you specific info since you didn't mention whether the truck you're looking at is 4x4 or not.

Follow the links. We've got lots of information that is there for the taking.

brandtj · May 1998

I own a 1997 Dodge Ram SLT and I pull a trailer everyday and just about all day which ways about 1100lbs. The problem is that I have gone through set of brakes and a set of tires (front and back). What I was wondering though is would it be better if I get a duallie. I have heard that duallie's are dependable trucks and that there good for towing equipment. How do you feel about the subject.

Brutus · May 1998

I think duallys would be overkill if you're only towing 1,100 pounds. Actually, the duallys do not give you any additional towing capacity. They give you the ability to carry a larger load in the bed or cab of the truck. I'm guessing that there might be a case for a more stable ride with with the duallys towing very heavy trailers, but I don't see it helping with the brake and tire wear issues.

erumaker · May 1998

Does anyone know if my 1992 Mazda B2600 i 4X4 cab plus has a timing chain or a timing belt? I am at 60,000 miles, but my manual seems to indicate the smaller model, the B2200, is the only model that needs the timing belt changed every 60,000 miles.

Does this mean I have a timing belt? I sure hope so! Anyone?

erumaker · May 1998

Sorry - I meant to say I hope I DON'T have a timing belt!

mharde2 · May 1998

brandtj, I agree with Brutus. All a dually would give you with your application would be two more tires to replace. If you feel that you 1/2 ton is two light for the job, a HD 3/4 ton should more than fill the bill. It will give you bigger brakes, frame, and springs. Probably won't do anything for the tire ware though.

sundance · June 1998

Have any of you new 99 F250 4x4 owners solved the height problem when pulling a 5th wheel? Appreciate any info you have.

cdean · June 1998

brandtj

1100 pounds should hardly affect a half ton, and definitley doesn't warrant dually's. i agree with above, duallys are for heavy bed loads, and only help when trailering goosenecks or fifth wheels.

Brutus, i was reading earlier about your talk about chevy-speak and i was wondering what you meant about their claim on best resale value?
is there some statistical skew i don't know about?
just curious.

also, i don't think would ford have outsold GM if their '97s hadn't started in January instead of September. that's quite a head start. they outsold by GM by 20K.

Brutus · June 1998

Ford sells a significant number of trucks to fleets. Fleet trucks are usually worked harder and sold for a lot less than privately owned vehicles. That skews the resale figures. Does anyone know what the actual resale figures are?

If GM wants credit for outselling the F-Series, then they need to combine their Chevy and GM line of trucks. I still think Ford will be hard to beat this year with the introduction of the SuperDuty. I think I read that Ford was hoping for an increase in heavy duty sales of 100,000 trucks over last year.

The term Chevy-speak was used in jest. No offense intended.

cdean · June 1998

By calendar year you, you mean Jan 1 to Dec 31, correct?

mharde2 · June 1998

I think the 97 sales slumped because of people waiting for the new Ford Super Duty, and the Dodge Quad Cab. We should see big improvements in 98. The year 2000 will big, and may hurt the 99 sales. Just my opinion....

slakie · June 1998

For the owner of the 1992 Mazda B 2600 i. Sorry to say but your vehicle does have a timing belt and not a chain. I had a 1987 B 2600 4x4 and that was the first year it was out. Mazda did not have their 2.6 L engine ready so they used the Mitsubishi 2.6 engine that year and it had a chain instead of a belt. Not all belts have to be replaced at 60k, my son has an Mazda MX 3 which calls for replacement at 105k. You might want to check a Haynes manual for the interval between timing belt changes.

KCRam · June 1998

yes cdean, that's Jan to Dec - thus it will include leftovers from the previous model year, as well as new models from the late summer (or whenever they were released) until the end of the year.

bradre · June 1998

I own a 1978 Ford F250, which hasn't been used much in the past three years, so I'm going to sell it. In the past two days we've received two requests to buy the pickup from people walking by our house. The catch is, I don't know how much to sell it for. How does one determine the fair market value for a pickup that old? Are there any web sites which would be of assistance?

The particulars on the truck are: 93,000 miles, automatic transmission, in decent running shape with a new exhaust system, battery, and alternator. The body is in need of some TLC, but should clean up nicely with a little elbow grease. I don't know what size engine is in it, or how to determine what size the engine is. Does anybody have a ballpark on what the truck might be worth? I'd appreciate any suggestions! Thanks in advance.

erumaker · June 1998

Slakie, thanks for responding re timing belt or timing chain for my 1992 B2600i. I did call a nearby Mazda dealership and their service manager said it has a chain, not a belt. But the B2200 has a belt. I'm very happily surprised.

pocahontas · June 1998

Try the Kelly Blue Book: http://www.kbb.com
They give car/truck values going back as far as 1978.

treyduhon · June 1998

Bradre,

I'm not much of an expert, so here's my very unofficial two cents: I'd guess your truck's got a 351 cubic inch V-8. Other possibilities are the 302 c.i. or the 396 c.i. V-8. Not all Ford 351's were the same, though. I know of at least three versions: 351-W ("W" for Windsor) which was the small-block 351, 351-C ("C" for Cleveland) which was the big-block, and 351-M ("M" for modified) which was a small-block modified with special heads and pistons (I think) and maybe other mods. You should be able to determine which motor you've got by looking near the radiator -- there's usually a sticker/decal or a metal "dog tag" about the size of a credit card imprinted with engine info. Sometimes the sticker or metal "plate" is mounted in the rear of the engine bay on the firewall. Or, check the owners manual for what a truck with your VIN number and model number (F250) may have. Let's not kid ourselves: the owner's manual is long gone -- and that's O.K. because it just makes your truck an even more "good ol' American pickup."

cluna · June 1998

I have a 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 with 100,000t miles, and I need shocks. But I plan on trading in the truck within the next year. What kind of shocks would you suggest?

bjar701 · June 1998

all the talk about getting the past history from the vin is there a web site for this info thanks

ruz · June 1998

Well, here's a site that tells you what all the numbers in a VIN mean:

http://www.autosuperstore.com/glovebox/contents/vin.html

nhoj · June 1998

read your message#11, about dakotas' brakes, I too had to change front pads and the rotors at 30,000 miles. tryed to have rotors turned but that made them too thin. almost all highway miles too. I had a 1990 dakota that had bad transmission, air conditioning and brakes, all had to be changed JUST after warrenty ran out. I got rid of that and never again will I have a dodge.

bjar701 · June 1998

thanks ruz but the information I'm looking for is to determine if the vehicle has had major surgery in its history. I know the information is out there but don't know how to find it.

ruz · June 1998

(bjar), dunno about that. Let me see what I can find...

psalm139 · July 1998

I just bought a new Ranger a couple of days ago, and was wondering about a recommended care schedule, (washing, waxing, etc) I have the teflon paint sealer, so I'm not sure about the waxing part. I also live in Daytona Beach, about 2 miles from the ocean, so that makes it even more important to me. Is there anything I should be careful of if I take it to a bay style car wash? I'm not talking about an automatic wash, but the ones with the spray wand and brush. (I don't want to scratch my paint) We're under water restriction here because of the fires and lack of rain, so this type of wash may be my only choice, if they're even permitted to be open.

This is my first NEW vehicle, so I want to take the best care of it that I can. Thanks.

mharde2 · July 1998

psalm, Be careful not to get the nozzle to close to the surface. I got a chip on my hood trying to get a bug off.

cobra98 · July 1998

I remember when I was young, I took my '72 Mach1 to one of those brush/hi-pressure wand car wash places. A guy there told me never to take a car that I cared about to one of those places because it can rip the paint right off the car. So, I used his advice to my advantage. Last year I had some paint peeling around the window frame on my 91 Tempo. Since I wanted to repaint the frame, I took it to one of those car washes and put the hi-pressure rinse near the chipped paint. Sure enough, it COMPLETE removed ALL the paint around the window!!

Also, keep in mind that many people (including myself), take their pickup trucks there after seriour off road use. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some seriour debris/dirt/rocks left in the brush handle. I don't try to leave any garbage in the brush head, but I'm sure it's not as clean as a sponge that I use on my car at home.

cobra98 · July 1998

I know how to spell "serious" despite typing it wrong the same way twice.... oops.

SylIII · July 1998

88 F-250 460 ci that eats water pumps. Anyone with similiar problem?

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