Modern Technology

[don4331]

So, while I was waiting for Ford to come out with Ranger, I bought and F-150.

Went to in-laws, 15 miles of gravel roads to their place at end of 800km drive, then same back. Some place in there, a stone clipped an ABS sensor.

So, the truck lost anti lock brakes (message flashed on screen), and with that stability control (next message) and traction control (messages were flying by), none of which were too surprising after I found out what the issue.

But then it cut cruise (can't have me driving on cruise without ABS), followed by electrical power steering (can't be steering too fast without stability control). At which point, I began to get concerned - truck was >200km from nearest Ford dealer and about 50km from cell coverage.

I managed to get it to dealer (driving without power steering in a full size designed for power steering sucks, and I'm out of practice at legging it). With warranty repair of the ABS sensor, all functionality was restored.

It really pointed out to me the interdependence of all the sub systems. Leaves me thinking that installing an EB from the new Ranger into one of our existing Rangers will need a "kit" from Ford to make it work...

 

[sheltonfilms]

So, while I was waiting for Ford to come out with Ranger, I bought and F-150.



Went to in-laws, 15 miles of gravel roads to their place at end of 800km drive, then same back. Some place in there, a stone clipped an ABS sensor.



So, the truck lost anti lock brakes (message flashed on screen), and with that stability control (next message) and traction control (messages were flying by), none of which were too surprising after I found out what the issue.



But then it cut cruise (can't have me driving on cruise without ABS), followed by electrical power steering (can't be steering too fast without stability control). At which point, I began to get concerned - truck was >200km from nearest Ford dealer and about 50km from cell coverage.



I managed to get it to dealer (driving without power steering in a full size designed for power steering sucks, and I'm out of practice at legging it). With warranty repair of the ABS sensor, all functionality was restored.



It really pointed out to me the interdependence of all the sub systems. Leaves me thinking that installing an EB from the new Ranger into one of our existing Rangers will need a "kit" from Ford to make it work...

No different than dropping a Coyote motor in an Sn95 mustang. Just need to buy the independent harness and install an electronic accelerator pedal.

Ford sells harnesses for installing their newer motors in older cars.

PCMs are also set to disregard certain emissions system.


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[adsm08]

My newest vehicle is a 97. If I get my way we will never own anything newer than that again.

 

[pjtoledo]

my '05 has crank windows, at least I'll be able to bail if the situation arises.

 

[sgtsandman]

I would really love to get a 1970s crew cab highboy. Almost all electronics would be eliminated that way outside of the basics.

 

[Will]

I don't want to go back to carburetors. I'd be happy with an early-mid 90's Ford truck.

My brother has an '03 F150 that got water in the GEM and started acting crazy--like trying to start itself when the key was in your pocket, kicking into 4x4 by itself and operating the windows and lights. Took a while to sort that out. I thought we would be needing to get a priest for that one.

There are modern trucks that don't have problems. I really, really liked the early-mid 90's Fords, though. In my opinion something changed in their thinking after that.

 

[sheltonfilms]

I will say that the incorporation of OBD2 diagnostics has made diagnosing so much easier......if you know how to interpret data and codes


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[adsm08]

I will say that the incorporation of OBD2 diagnostics has made diagnosing so much easier......if you know how to interpret data and codes


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Agreed. If I could get my older vehicles on an OBD2 system that would be awesome, but something early that doesn't have the super-interdependent infrastructure of new cars.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If i had my choice the only electronics on a vehicle would be the lights, heater, and radio.

Just like the old days.

All that BS just gets in the way

 

[Dirtman]

My 09 has the perfect amount of "technology" for me. Obd2 fuel injection is just leap years ahead of going back to carbs and I like automatics over manuals but everything else on my truck is basic and simple. No power windows, no power locks, no crazy traction control, a simplistic abs system, basic am/fm radio, no power seats or mirrors... just a vinyl seat and a rubber floor. I dont hate technology, but I hate unnecessary technology and in my opinion my truck has all the tech it needs to function well and be easy to maintain.

I drove my sisters car the other day with the stupid start/stop system, integrated wifi, bluetooth touch screen nonsense, auto braking, ten million buttons that do nothing, 3 traction modes, heated seats and auto dimming things, automatic headlights and wipers, electronic parking brake... the thing was absolutely absurd. None of that stupid technology made the car more reliable, efficient, or easier to drive. It was all useless junk making the car more complex, harder to work on, and more distracting to operate. Hell the car could probably get 10 more mpgs by just eliminating the weight there must be in wires to operate all that crap.

 

[sheltonfilms]

My 09 has the perfect amount of "technology" for me. Obd2 fuel injection is just leap years ahead of going back to carbs and I like automatics over manuals but everything else on my truck is basic and simple. No power windows, no power locks, no crazy traction control, a simplistic abs system, basic am/fm radio, no power seats or mirrors... just a vinyl seat and a rubber floor. I dont hate technology, but I hate unnecessary technology and in my opinion my truck has all the tech it needs to function well and be easy to maintain.



I drove my sisters car the other day with the stupid start/stop system, integrated wifi, bluetooth touch screen nonsense, auto braking, ten million buttons that do nothing, 3 traction modes, heated seats and auto dimming things, automatic headlights and wipers, electronic parking brake... the thing was absolutely absurd. None of that stupid technology made the car more reliable, efficient, or easier to drive.

It’s kinda funny because to me the greatest leap in innovation in the past decade isn’t any of that stuff you mentioned.

Backup camera. No telling how many kids lives have been saved and accidents avoided.



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[Will]

I installed a backup cam on my FJ because it really has no visibility at all. Not even through the front window. But I never end up looking into the camera because I'm used to using the mirrors to drive.

 

[bobbywalter]

i like technology.




lights

heat...sort of...


and sometimes radio...

 

[Dirtman]

It’s kinda funny because to me the greatest leap in innovation in the past decade isn’t any of that stuff you mentioned.

Backup camera. No telling how many kids lives have been saved and accidents avoided.



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I guess that depends on the vehicle. Some of these new Suv's have terrible blind spots behind them and a backup camera is basically a necessity. My truck on the other hand, a backup camera would be pointless. I can just turn do the ole arm on the passengers seat over the shoulder look and see perfectly fine backing up.

 

[adsm08]

I like EFI, I like OBD2 over EEC-IV, but I'll take what I can get.

I prefer a manual over an auto for the same reason AllanD did, easier to figure out and fix when they break. I also just have more fun driving them. I doubt I'd switch the Expedition over if given the chance, but none of the others are becoming automatic any time soon.

I do not like ABS at all. I understand how it works, I understand what it does, I understand the physics behind why it is good. I don't like it. I find that I often activate it in situations where my other vehicles wouldn't be locked up, and I don't like just letting it do its thing.

I like power windows, power locks I could take or leave. I am becoming less fond of them in the 1st gen RBVs due to the poor lock switch placement. I lock myself out too often.

I wouldn't mind backup and dash cams in all the vehicles, but most of mine don't have good spots to mount the screens that won't leave either my screen obstructed, or my view of the road partially obstructed.

I think that automotive AC is one of the most ridiculous ideas ever thought up.