Low-Pro Harbor WorkMaster In E350 Cutaway Packs It In

Joseph shows off a unit just built at Harbor Truck Bodies. This one is a Low-Pro Harbor WorkMaster on a single rear wheel E350 Cutaway Chassis. The Cutaway chassis has a number of advantages. First, it is lower to the ground because of the way the frame is designed. Second, this one has a very similar wheelbase to that of an 8' pickup truck, and yet this has a 10' body.

This means that you can have about the same footprint, but carry much more cargo. With the Low-Pro body, this allows entrance to almost anywhere that a regular cargo van can go, and yet, again, this has a lot of storage for parts, tools, and other equipment.

See more about the Harbor WorkMaster at http://www.htbi.net.

2015 Ford Super Duty F-450

\Mark Williams, of Pickuptrucks.com, checks out the 2015 Ford Super Duty F-450.

All-new Ford F-150 takes on Ram and Silverado in an uphill towing battle

Even though the new 2.7L EcoBoost is up against much larger engines from Dodge and Chevy, it rises to the occasion in a grueling uphill competition.

2015 F150 Reveals Two Powertrains

We've been hearing about new all-aluminum 2015 Ford F-150 since the beginning of the year when it was revealed at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but details on the truck's engines have been kept under wraps. Ford is now slowly beginning to peel back the layers of secrecy surrounding two of the F-150's powertrains, releasing some (but not all) specifications for the standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine and the brand-new turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost motor.

The new standard V-6 will provide 283 horsepower and 255 pounds-feet of torque, enabling the base 2015 F-150 to tow 7,600 pounds and carry a payload of 1,910 pounds. This is a best-in-class tow rating for V-6 light-duty pickups, according to Ford. But the more interesting power option comes in the form of the new turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6, which is rated at 325 hp and 375 pounds-feet of torque. It's as powerful as most other truckmakers' midrange V-8 engines and enables an F-150 equipped with the 2.7-liter engine to pull 8,500 pounds and haul a payload of up to 2,250 pounds. The company believes that this is likely to be its volume engine, comprising fully half of its expected engine mix. It makes sense, Ford said, given that 85 percent of F-150 buyers tow less than 8,500 pounds and carry a payload less than 2,000 pounds.

Ford demonstrated the efficacy of the new 2.7-liter motor through a comparison with three competitors: the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado with its midrange 5.3-liter V-8, the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel with its 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 and the 2015 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 (an unusual choice) featuring a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine.

The company showed a video at a special news conference at the company's headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., that showed the 2.7-liter-equipped 2015 F-150 out-performing the Ram EcoDiesel up the Davis Dam run in northern Arizona, and besting the Chevy in two out of three runs up the same steep grade while towing a 7,000-pound enclosed trailer. The Toyota was included as a demonstration of what the an engine of comparable displacement can achieve — the 2.7-liter EcoBoost produces 166 more hp and 195 pounds-feet more torque than the big four-cylinder in the Toyota.

Sadly, no fuel economy numbers were made available by Ford; those are likely being reserved for yet another press conference in the near future. Ford did, however, demonstrate something that the public has been asking to see for months — a direct weight comparison between the outgoing truck and the new one. Ford had two F-150 Lariat models on display, one a 2014 crew cab with the 5.0-liter V-8, and the other a comparably equipped 2015 model with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6. Both trucks were rolled onto electric scales, with the 2014 model weighing in at 5,674 pounds, while the new 2015 model totaled just 4,942 pounds, a difference of 732 pounds. Ford spokesman Mike Levine said that even if the 2015 had been equipped with a comparable 5.0-liter V-8, the difference would have been just 25 pounds less.

Stay tuned for more F-150 news and specs (hopefully including some fuel economy ratings) as the year progresses.

To see the video and the press release, click here.

Images from manufacturer

by Mark Williams, .www.pickuptrucks.com/

Scelzi 9' SRW Service Body On Ford F350 4x4 Chassis

Here is a great work truck that will go almost anywhere. This is a 4x4 F350 Single Rear Wheel Super Cab Chassis with a host of options and mounted on this great chassis is a Scelzi 9' Single Rear Wheel HD Service Body. Hansel sells a lot of 4x4 Commercial Trucks and generally has them in stock at all times. See more about Hansel Ford at http://www.HanselWorkTrucks.com

Capability and Style: 2015 Ford Expedition Ready for the Open Road with EcoBoost Engine, Advanced Technology

•     2015 Ford Expedition is the most powerful, fuel-efficient Expedition ever, with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine and SelectShift® six-speed transmission under the hood
•     Advanced technology in new Expedition includes standard electric power-assisted steering, SYNC® with available MyFord Touch®, available Blind Spot Information System® with cross-traffic alert, and continuously controlled damping to give drivers control of ride performance
•     Already a leader in cargo space and towing capability, new Expedition is now more luxurious, with new Platinum model added for 2015

The new 2015 Ford Expedition is a full-size utility vehicle for consumers who want capability, class-leading maximum cargo space in the extended-length version and the latest advanced technologies.

The 2015 Expedition goes on sale later this year with a refreshed new look, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine that also powers the industry-leading Ford F-150, and a quieter cabin with more technology than previous-generation vehicles. It will be the latest Ford nameplate to offer a high-end Platinum series.

“Customers still have a need for a traditional full-size utility vehicle and the new 2015 Expedition delivers what those customers are looking for,” said Keith Wilson, Expedition marketing manager. “These are Ford’s more affluent customers who won’t compromise – they want space, performance, comfort and capability all in one impressive package.”

Expedition, which debuted in 1996, is Ford’s largest utility vehicle, with seating for eight. The standard 2015 Expedition, one of two versions available, has three rows of seats and up to 108.3 cubic feet of cargo space. It sits on a 119-inch wheelbase, making it a little more than 6 inches longer than Ford Explorer. A longer-wheelbase version – 131 inches – has three rows of seats and best-in-class maximum cargo space of 130.8 cubic feet.


Expedition will continue to feature an independent rear suspension to deliver a more confident ride and great handling characteristics. The suspension also allows a more convenient fold-flat third-row bench seat and low load-floor height.

The new Expedition features the latest technologies, including available SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, passive entry with push-button start and Blind Spot Information System® with cross-traffic alert. The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, using direct injection and twin turbochargers, provides more power, efficiency and performance than the 5.4-liter V8 in the current model. In response to customer demand, Ford will introduce a top-of-the-line Platinum series Expedition with unique, refined interior appointments.

“Ford is building on a successful tradition of Expedition capability and quality with significant improvements in design, performance, efficiency and technology to bring customers a full-size utility they want to get into when hitting the open road,” said Wilson.

Improved on the road
The 2015 Expedition was engineered to be a technologically advanced utility that is easy to drive and offers refinement for all types of drivers.

“The EcoBoost engine will bring increased torque and horsepower that will excite our customers,” said David Cantrell, Ford assistant chief program engineer for Expedition. “Thanks to improved efficiencies and an independent rear suspension, the 2015 Expedition is not only more fun to drive, it’s also easier to own.”

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 will be the only engine offered in Expedition in North America. To maximize performance and control, the vehicle will be equipped with a six-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission featuring a manual mode that allows the driver to use a shift-mounted rocker switch to select the desired gear.
2015 Ford Expedition

With the new powerplant, Expedition will be among the full-size SUV leaders for capability, generating 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Add best-in-class maximum cargo space for the extended-length version and available best-in-class towing of up to 9,200 pounds when properly equipped, and customers will find a truly useful utility vehicle.

With the launch of the 2015 model, Expedition also becomes the first Ford nameplate to offer a continuously controlled damping suspension that allows drivers to select from three drive modes – comfort, normal and sport.

A suite of sensors detects 46 unique body, steering and braking inputs. By monitoring Expedition body motion, the system can automatically adjust damping in milliseconds. Continuously controlled damping technology analyzes the weight of the vehicle, steering feedback and road undulations and reacts accordingly to help control wheel and body motions so passengers experience an orderly, comfortable ride. A vehicle with poor damping feels as if it’s bouncing on the suspension springs.

The new Expedition also features Ford’s innovative electric power-assisted steering, which gives drivers improved maneuverability at low speeds and better feel at high speeds, and helps save fuel by operating more efficiently than traditional pump-driven systems. The technology, which has been tuned specifically for the new model, reduces steering effort and makes Expedition more engaging to drive.

Quiet driving experience
With the vehicle’s capability and cargo space comes a cabin customers will find to be even quieter than the current Expedition. A host of changes helps minimize noise. These include improved seals on the body that reduce air leaks by 20 percent.

New sound dampening material in the cabin pillars improves quietness. The material is also packed into the center console to further reduce unwanted road and engine noise.
2015 Ford Expedition

More sound deadening material has been added to the headliner and door trim panels, while the cabin features new carpeting that is able to better absorb sounds. New sound insulation used in the wheel wells also helps create a quieter experience.

Finally, acoustic glass – which debuted on Expedition in 2007 – is used for the windshield across all trim levels to reduce undesirable interior noise. Limited, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels include acoustic glass for driver and passenger side windows.

More technology customers want
The new Expedition debuts with popular technology upgrades consumers are now demanding, including available SYNC with MyFord Touch and driver-assist features such as radar-based Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert.

The updated interior of Expedition incorporates a fresh center stack to accommodate new technologies, including an available 8-inch touch screen for SYNC with MyFord Touch that features driver information in the gauge cluster shown on two full-color 4.2-inch screens.

Other available new technologies on the 2015 Expedition include a Sony® Audio System; passive entry with push-button start; rear view camera; front and rear parking sensors; seven-color, ambient interior LED lighting; and Ford truck apps to help make trailer towing and off-road driving easier.

Fresh style and design
The new Expedition takes full-size utility vehicle design to a higher level with a diverse lineup of vehicles, each featuring a distinct look and feel to give customers more choices. A Platinum trim series popular with F-Series truck buyers will be available on Expedition for the first time.                                                                   

With tailored, lush leather that’s soft and smooth to the touch, the Platinum series offers customers a choice: Brunello leather-appointed seats in a new red wine color with tuxedo-stripe accents and French-seamed stitching, or Ebony leather-appointed seats with Agate Gray accents.
2015 Ford Expedition

The 2015 Expedition lineup also includes XLT, Limited and King Ranch series. The design team incorporated specific themes to define the look for each series and reflect a different consumer lifestyle.

This thoughtful planning means customers can select from the sporty XLT; the confident, elegant Limited; the sophisticated, urban Platinum; or the rural, rugged King Ranch. Each series has unique finishes specially selected to reflect the lifestyle and desires of the customer. For example, Expedition Limited features refined yet traditional finishes, while Platinum colors and material finishes are fresh and sophisticated.

The Expedition exterior has been updated for 2015 with a front end design that features available halogen projector headlamps and LED fog lamps for a fresh, aggressive look.

Other exterior changes include an all-new wheel lineup topped by optional, factory-installed 22-inch polished aluminum wheels for Limited, King Ranch and Platinum; a revised rear hatch; and subtle, chrome-tipped exhaust.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Real World Testing: 2015 F-150

Two and a half years before production Ford secretly tested six prototype F-150s with high-strength aluminum cargo boxes. The goal was to prove the durability of aluminum alloy through real-world extreme experiences that ensured the new F-150 could stand up to the tough work of our customers.

Lock N Latch Drawer Unit For Van Interiors From Adrian Steel

Adrian Steel's exclusive Lock N Latch Drawer Units feature key locking drawers and are so versatile they are included in many Adrian Steel van interior trade packages. Find out more! www.AdrianSteel.com

Spied: Global Ford Ranger

GM is about to find out, with the addition of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, if the U.S. market is interested in a small, less expensive and relatively versatile little pickup truck. Some analysts say that much will depend on the pickups' price, and depending on the customer reaction, other small truckmakers will be ready to respond. We've always thought the global Ford Ranger was a strong player, but Ford has said that the Ranger's price and sales volume wouldn't work in the U.S. and that's why it's not available here. Of course, it never hurts to be ready just in case.

This report from our spy shooters in the Rocky Mountains seems to bear that strategy out.

"We recently caught Ford engineers testing a prototype of an updated global Ford Ranger in the mountains of Colorado. The face-lifted prototype captured here gets a new front fascia and the camouflaged interior (partially revealed) shows that the interior is also getting some attention.

"The midcycle face-lift could be seen as a new chance for Ford to better tailor the Ranger for U.S. tastes — just as GM overhauled its global Colorado pickup specifically for the U.S. market. Of course, it would be very interesting to see the Ranger hit the U.S. market in light of the increased focus on smaller trucks from GM, Nissan and a new Toyota Tacoma likely in the works. But we know that's unlikely.

"With Ford's attentions and investment centered on launching the new aluminum F-150, and developing a thoroughly overhauled Super Duty lineup, it's unlikely that a U.S.-spec Ranger is very high on the priority list for Ford's U.S. product planners. Of course, if the compact pickup segment started to take off, however, one wonders how long it could continue to ignore this market segment."

KGP Photography images

From www.pickuptrucks.com

Schwarze Industries' Sweepers at NPE

This is an interview conducted with Clark Word, of the Schwarze Industries' sales team.

Towing Victory

Bob Stanton used to attract a crowd when he loaded his motorcycle onto his truck. At the time Bob owned an old truck that required the use of a ramp to get the bike in and out of the bed. “Rolling the bike up on a ramp or riding it up onto the truck was never something I was that comfortable with, nor was it that safe,” recalls Bob, who noticed that people would often gather when he got ready to make his short but precarious  maneuver. “They didn’t think I could do it.”

Bob, who lives in San Antonio, solved that problem when he bought a 2011 Ford F-150 and a trailer. “The trailer lowers to the road level and you ride the bike up onto a platform,” explains Bob. “And it travels perfectly behind the truck.”

The solution couldn’t have come at a better time. An avid motorcyclist since the 1970s, Bob had just retired from a career as a government fleet manager. Having spent years riding in and around wherever he was living at the time, Bob was eager to see more of America from the unique vantage point of the seat of his motorcycle. “I used to ride on weekends with friends, but I really wanted to see more of the country,” he says. “I like the freedom it gives you, and you see so much more of the road and the countryside on a motorcycle than anything else.”

Bob has certainly taken advantage of his opportunity to roam. His F-150 has already taken him and his bike to memorable motorcycle destinations like the Blue Ridge Parkway (his favorite, and a place where bikers often outnumber motorists by as much as two to one) and Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In total, Bob’s F-150 has taken him to 20 states, including Colorado where he made an unforgettable trek up Pikes Peak. “It was cold and the road was icy and there were some spots where I probably shouldn’t have been on a motorcycle,” he says. “But it was an incredible ride and an accomplishment for me.”

Already Bob has a busy slate of future rides planned, including a springtime trip to Arizona as well as a return visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway next fall. But the ride Bob is most looking forward to is the one he  will take with his son, a fellow F-150 owner who is in the military and currently deployed overseas. “I haven’t had the chance to ride with him yet,” he says. “But I’m hoping to have that opportunity at some point after he returns.”

From Ford Social

2015 Ford Super Duty Leaves the Competition Behind

2015 Ford Super Duty Leaves the Competition Behind

• Ford is best-selling brand among American military families, according to Polk vehicle registrations analyzed in an IHS Automotive military sample of 19.3 million households of active, retired or veteran military personnel; Ford has three vehicles in the top 10, with F-150 topping the list
• Ford Escape is best-selling sport utility vehicle among American military families and third most popular vehicle overall. In Philadelphia, Detroit and Cleveland markets, Escape is top-selling vehicle among military families
• Dating back to the days of Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company has supported military families and veterans through charitable engagement, training and employment – with more than 5,900 American veterans and military currently employed with the company

When American military families buy a new vehicle, they prefer Ford trucks, utilities and cars over any other brand.

Three Ford products rank in the top 10 new vehicles purchased by military families, according to Polk vehicle registrations analyzed in an IHS Automotive sample of 19.3 million households that include active, retired or veteran military personnel. This sample accounts for 920,000 new and used light vehicle registrations last year. Ford F-150 pickup tops the list, while Escape ranks third overall and No. 1 among all utilities. Fusion rounds out the list, with the midsize sedan in ninth position.

“Military families, in particular, desire the efficiency, capability and smart technology Ford vehicles offer,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales, Service and Lincoln. “Ford has a long history of supporting active-duty military personnel and veterans, and it is an honor American military families buy Ford more than any other brand.” Built 

Ford Tough F-150 market share among American military families is higher than the truck’s portion of the overall retail vehicle market, which is significant because F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the United States. F-150 is manufactured at Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri. Escape ranks as the No. 1 sport utility vehicle among American military families and the favorite vehicle overall with military families in the Philadelphia, Detroit and Cleveland areas. Escape is manufactured at Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.  

Veterans at Ford
The popularity of Ford vehicles among military families is in keeping with the company’s long-standing support of active military and veteran groups. Ford Motor Company’s support for veterans started more than 90 years ago when Henry Ford led a cross-country caravan of 50 Ford Model T’s to transport disabled veterans to their convention. Since 1974, Ford and Ford Motor Company Fund have provided more than $8 million to veterans organizations, including support for the National World War II Memorial.

Ford Veterans Network Group, one of 11 company-supported Employee Resource Groups, sponsors activities for its veterans, military personnel and their families. Ford employs more than 5,900 U.S. veterans, along with hundreds of active military personnel and U.S. reservists and guardsmen.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Diesel Pickups Gain in Popularity

Ever wonder which state last year had the most pickup trucks with a diesel engine under the hood? Did you ever think about which state — in 2013 — had the highest percentage of vehicles on the road that have a bed at one end and a combustion ignition setup inside the engine block? Well, the Diesel Technology Forum just released its 2013 statistical report, which provides all those numbers for 2013 and much more.

According to the DTF, a larger percentage of total drivers have diesel pickup trucks in the central north region than anywhere else in the U.S. Specifically, Montana leads the way because of energy exploration and mining operations, as do all of its neighbors. As to the leader of diesel pickups, it probably comes as no surprise that the state that has the most pickups in the U.S. also has the most diesel-equipped pickups: Texas, with almost 750,000.

Other interesting tidbits include the fact that West, Southwest and Midwest states (like California, Arizona and Illinois) are experiencing the fastest turbo-diesel pickup growth, while Northeast states (like Vermont, Delaware and New Hampshire) are growing much faster than ever as well.

Check out these facts and more in the full report by clicking here.

The top 10 states with most diesel registrations in 2013:

1. Texas, 747,760
2. California, 478,847
3. Florida, 243,887
4. Washington, 202,384
5. Colorado, 174,337
6. Pennsylvania, 170,274
7. Oregon, 161,007
8. North Carolina, 159,679
9. Georgia, 157,332
10. Ohio, 157,005

Image from Diesel Technology Forum

From  www.pickuptrucks.com

Five Ford Vehicles Made the 200,000-Mile List

When you think about buying a vehicle, what factors in? Fuel economy? Technology? Comfort? Performance? What about longevity?

Five Ford models were recently highlighted in a study that set 200,000 miles as a longevity milestone. iSeeCars.com analyzed 30 million cars for sale on its website, looking for long-lasting makes and models.

 Pickups and SUVs topped the results, with the Ford F-250 Super Duty® coming in at number one in longevity. The study revealed that of the vehicles that had more than 200,000 miles, 4.2 percent were an F-250. The other Ford models in the top 20 were the Expedition, Explorer and F-150.

 Phong Ly, cofounder and CEO of iSeeCars.com, noted that this research shows that today’s car owners like to see how far they can take their cars, though there are still those who replace their cars every two to five years.

iSeeCars.com included with its report a few thoughts on why trucks and SUVs topped the list. For example, it noted that work trucks are more likely to be better maintained.

Do you have six figures showing on the odometer in your Ford? We want to hear about it! Submit the details and even a photo to Ford Social, and make it part of Your Stories.