2021 F150 Tremor Thoughts?

[Martinjmpr]

Kind of a bummer cause I thought I read they were getting the Raptor transfer case which, I hoped meant 4 auto in an XLT type trim truck.

It's very strange how Ford does their 4A option.

GM puts it on all half tons except for the stripped-down work trucks (and I'm not even sure about that any more - does the WT still come with the 4wd shift lever on the floor? I haven't shopped newer GM trucks so I don't know.)

Dodge/Ram puts it on all but I think the two lowest trim levels - the mid-line Big Horn package (which I think is roughly the equivalent of Ford's XLT trim level) gets the 4A position as do the higher trim levels - only the base model Tradesman trucks get the 2h/4h/4l transfer case.

But for some reason, Ford only puts it on Lariat/Platinum/Raptor trim levels and the immensely popular XLT trim level just gets the standard T-case.

I think part of it comes from customers not really understanding what 4A is or how it works. I had 4A on my Suburban and it worked very well - I called it the "poor man's AWD."

It's also interesting to me that 4A is something that all 3 of the domestic manufacturers offer on their full sized trucks (not sure about the compacts.) By contrast, neither Toyota nor Nissan offer 4A on their full size trucks or on their compact Tacoma and Frontier.

 

[Todd780]

It's very strange how Ford does their 4A option.

GM puts it on all half tons except for the stripped-down work trucks (and I'm not even sure about that any more - does the WT still come with the 4wd shift lever on the floor? I haven't shopped newer GM trucks so I don't know.)

Dodge/Ram puts it on all but I think the two lowest trim levels - the mid-line Big Horn package (which I think is roughly the equivalent of Ford's XLT trim level) gets the 4A position as do the higher trim levels - only the base model Tradesman trucks get the 2h/4h/4l transfer case.

But for some reason, Ford only puts it on Lariat/Platinum/Raptor trim levels and the immensely popular XLT trim level just gets the standard T-case.

I think part of it comes from customers not really understanding what 4A is or how it works. I had 4A on my Suburban and it worked very well - I called it the "poor man's AWD."

It's also interesting to me that 4A is something that all 3 of the domestic manufacturers offer on their full sized trucks (not sure about the compacts.) By contrast, neither Toyota nor Nissan offer 4A on their full size trucks or on their compact Tacoma and Frontier.

Yup, GM has it as an option on their HD trucks now. You can also select a 4A type transfer case in the Rebel, Gladiator and Wrangler as well. I think Colorado / Canyon offer it as well.

I've owned several GM trucks and SUV's with Autotrac. Love it. I miss having it. in my last one, a GMT-900 Suburban once fall hit, it pretty much stayed in 4 Auto till spring. Don't have to worry about turning it from 2HI to 4HI all the time (which a sensor will do faster than I could anyway), don't have to turn it back to 2HI when parking or low speed turns etc, etc...

 

[phsycle]

A selectable front locker, a deep low range transfer case (think 4:1), factory lift. Basically the difference between the Rubicon and a standard Wrangler but in a F 150.
So, does the Tremor package effect payload? and can I stack it? Say with the HDPP and MaxTow packages.

I don’t think I’d want a 4:1 xfer case even if it were offered. On a Jeep, it makes sense. Rock crawling, crazy steep ascents, etc. Works great. But for places I take a full-size trucks to, it doesn’t make sense. When I’m down in 4L, it’s typically in a terrain that has some obstacles that require 4L mixed with higher speed open/flat terrain. This can be manageable with a 2.6 transfer case. 4:1 would mean I’m constantly shifting back and forth between 4H and 4L. No thanks.

 

[NoTraxx]

I don’t think I’d want a 4:1 xfer case even if it were offered. On a Jeep, it makes sense. Rock crawling, crazy steep ascents, etc. Works great. But for places I take a full-size trucks to, it doesn’t make sense. When I’m down in 4L, it’s typically in a terrain that has some obstacles that require 4L mixed with higher speed open/flat terrain. This can be manageable with a 2.6 transfer case. 4:1 would mean I’m constantly shifting back and forth between 4H and 4L. No thanks.

I can see where you’re coming from. I guess I look at it a little differently, I use my truck in the pasture as well. For me 4L is like granny gear that used to be an option on the trucks when I was growing up.
For me 4Hi has been enough for all of the forestry roads etc. that I have been on, actually 2hi has been just fine for the majority of those.

 

[nickw]

I don’t think I’d want a 4:1 xfer case even if it were offered. On a Jeep, it makes sense. Rock crawling, crazy steep ascents, etc. Works great. But for places I take a full-size trucks to, it doesn’t make sense. When I’m down in 4L, it’s typically in a terrain that has some obstacles that require 4L mixed with higher speed open/flat terrain. This can be manageable with a 2.6 transfer case. 4:1 would mean I’m constantly shifting back and forth between 4H and 4L. No thanks.

It's a excellent point, super low tcase gears have pros and some pretty big 'cons' for general wheeling. I'll say though, with the 4.70 1st gear in the 10 spd, it really negates the need for the deep tcas ratios. It works out to be ~46:1....the older Rubicons with their 4:1 Tcase were about the same. The beauty with the lower trans gears is you now have options without having to screw with Tcase....which is why I really like the new Bronco with the 6 spd + granny, makes lots of sense...

 

[nickw]

I can see where you’re coming from. I guess I look at it a little differently, I use my truck in the pasture as well. For me 4L is like granny gear that used to be an option on the trucks when I was growing up.
For me 4Hi has been enough for all of the forestry roads etc. that I have been on, actually 2hi has been just fine for the majority of those.

I think you'd be pleasantly surprised with the new 10 spd, it is one of the lowest geared Autos out there (as far as I know) with a 4.7:1 1st. I've generally heard folks say manual to auto crawl is 2:1, to get the same or sim performance you'd need a first gear twice as low in a manual vs auto since an auto can effectively reduce gear ratio before torque converter locks

 

[NoTraxx]

I think you'd be pleasantly surprised with the new 10 spd, it is one of the lowest geared Autos out there (as far as I know) with a 4.7:1 1st. I've generally heard folks say manual to auto crawl is 2:1, to get the same or sim performance you'd need a first gear twice as low in a manual vs auto since an auto can effectively reduce gear ratio before torque converter locks

I didn’t know that about the ratios, what I do know is that with the truck locked in 1st I can’t idle across the pasture with the goose hooked up. I haven’t tried it in 4Lo though.
I look at 4wd as a self recovery tool. Run in 2wd until I get in trouble and then use the 4wd to get out. If you constantly run in 4wd, you can get to far into trouble before you know it. Then it takes hoofen it to get the tractor, disconnecting the implements, rig for recovery etc. Or if your out on a adventure and got no tractor handy.......
This is the first vehicle without a winch in 15 years. In those 15 years I pulled cable 4 times, 3 of those was to recover someone else.

 

[NoTraxx]

Back on Tremor, I do like the outfitter switches. I miss those in my super duty.
I wonder if it will have a dedicated Offroad drive mode.
The super duty version had that on TFL. I guess I need to go back and look at that again to see what it had.

 

[Todd780]

Back on Tremor, I do like the outfitter switches. I miss those in my super duty.
I wonder if it will have a dedicated Offroad drive mode.
The super duty version had that on TFL. I guess I need to go back and look at that again to see what it had.

I believe it will have off road drive modes. Actually I think for 2021 the FX4 package even included drive modes.


My 2015 doesn't have a rock crawl mode. I do not believe this is the same as Trail Management which I believe is available in the Super Duty and Ranger Tremor.
Maybe part of the F150 Tremor package?



I'm wondering if it'll be like the Rebel, Power Wagon, Raptor, ZR2, etc... in that additional off road flex will reduce payload....

 

[NoTraxx]

My 19 doesn’t have the Offroad mode, but I do have hill descent.
On the load capacity that is why I would like the HDPP and MaxTow stacked with the Tremor.

 

[phsycle]

On the load capacity that is why I would like the HDPP and MaxTow stacked with the Tremor.

Part of the problem is trying to balance HD suspension with a lift tuned for off-road. It’s like trying to create more HP and make the engine more fuel efficient. Something has to give.

 

[NoTraxx]

Definitely a challenge, but possible and has been done.
A good for instance is the progression of HP and TORQUE vs economy and emissions over the last 40 years.
The 60s good HP to displacement ratio, but fuel economy sucked. 70s HP to displacement got bad and fuel economy sucked, 80s smaller engines but the HP to displacement got better, then again in the 90’s and fuel economy is getting better helped by OD etc....and better and better. I am at claimed 375HP and over 400ftlbs of torque and with my poor driving habits I am getting between 15 and 20 mpg.
Same with suspension, most light trucks are tuned for empty ride comfort since that is where they will be used the most. A F 350 can bounce you all over empty, but load it and the ride will smooth out.
These are all about compromise between loaded, empty, on road and off road. I can’t afford a dedicated Offroad/camping/expedition/adventure vehicle, so I have to make compromises.

 

[phsycle]

Definitely a challenge, but possible and has been done.
A good for instance is the progression of HP and TORQUE vs economy and emissions over the last 40 years.
The 60s good HP to displacement ratio, but fuel economy sucked. 70s HP to displacement got bad and fuel economy sucked, 80s smaller engines but the HP to displacement got better, then again in the 90’s and fuel economy is getting better helped by OD etc....and better and better. I am at claimed 375HP and over 400ftlbs of torque and with my poor driving habits I am getting between 15 and 20 mpg.
Same with suspension, most light trucks are tuned for empty ride comfort since that is where they will be used the most. A F 350 can bounce you all over empty, but load it and the ride will smooth out.
These are all about compromise between loaded, empty, on road and off road. I can’t afford a dedicated Offroad/camping/expedition/adventure vehicle, so I have to make compromises.

Right. What you’re talking about is on a macro level. Power and efficiency have both improved over the past few decades. That’s for sure. Same with computers and batteries. Size/efficiency have vastly improved.

On a micro level, speaking in terms of now, it’s going to be a challenge balancing the two. ie Powerwagon has great flex but not load capacity. Tremor SD can haul more but sacrifices flex. Give and take.

 

[NoTraxx]

Still it can be done. Pick your load and size the spring tension to that weight. The overall travel remains the same, the pressure to actually use it increases. So if you’re empty, you will not be able to use that travel because you don’t have the weight to compress the suspension. Loaded the weight is there and the suspension travel can be fully utilized.

 

[nickw]

My 19 doesn’t have the Offroad mode, but I do have hill descent.
On the load capacity that is why I would like the HDPP and MaxTow stacked with the Tremor.

I'm guessing, like on all the other 'offroad' specialty rigs, the HDPP will very very unlikely be offered and I'd doubt the MaxTow.

I actually just order a 21' F150, Max Tow, HDPP, 3.5EB and they won't even allow you to get heated seats in the darn thing! Makes NO sense, but in talking with the salesman who was knowledgeable (first time in my life) he said he thought they wanted to keep the HDPP's at a high max rating and once you start adding to many gizmos it's starts eating into those ratings somewhat defeats the purpose, I can kinda see the logic, I guess. With that said, stuff like the Tremor package with bigger tires, skidplates, etc, it's counter-productive to the principle behind the HDPP to begin with from Ford perspective - but 100% agree, it would be a cool rig.

I like the idea of buying an offroad rig ready to go, but the Tremor stuff can be added aftermarket very easily (outside of the Torsen diff).....lift, tires, protection. That's the route I'm going to have to take.