Ford F554, the replacement for the H1 is here.
- Thread starter Liventre
- Start date
Ron B
Explorer
I agree -- I love hearing about new trucks...more to drool over!
I think its bad *** and I am glad a US automaker is making something like this available to the public. I like the H1 to a point. If I had to drive an h1 or my F350, or a power wagon, Id take my f350 or the power wagon over the H1 any day.
In my mind, this is the US made version of the unimog or the pick what ever big base truck with a lot of toys built in. I like it. With any luck, they will build a F250 version as well. I cant believe how upset people get on here. Dont buy it. Encourage it!! Things will only get better on it if it succeeds, after all, its the first year out..
In my mind, this is the US made version of the unimog or the pick what ever big base truck with a lot of toys built in. I like it. With any luck, they will build a F250 version as well. I cant believe how upset people get on here. Dont buy it. Encourage it!! Things will only get better on it if it succeeds, after all, its the first year out..
Larry
Bigassgas Explorer
Again, I don’t think most people understand this is a dealer upfit, not a Ford factory offering. I am still curious what the actual GVWR rating is. To read it has 22,500 lb rated axles is misleading to the actual GVWR. Was it recertified to a higher GVWR or does it still maintain the stock F550 GVWR certification of 19,500? If the later, than this truck actually has less carrying abilities than a stock F550 due to the added weight of the upfitted axles, etc. What about durability testing and certification of the brake change? It is not cheap or easy to have GVWR recertified by an upfitter, not to mention the liability that goes into all of it especially when changes are made to the braking system.
911regular
Adventurer
Dang Larry, Ford turn down your job application or something?! Is Ford peeing in your cheerios?!,,,,
shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
Larry brings up some good questions. Whats the answers to them?
Bwahh ha ha haaa!
Out comes internet thor, swinging the ban hammer! beware of the keyboard lightening!
Chas Stricker
Adventurer
I like it. If folks want to pay the money, let them. Sure, I think others could be something "like" this and possibly for less, but, for a built rig I'm impressed. I look forward to roadtest and such.
Chas
Chas
Larry
Bigassgas Explorer
Hehe, hardly. Twisted wrenches on a fleet of them through college. That cured me for a lifetime. I’m not much of a Ford fan but Ford or not, this truck Grand Prairie Ford has created is very cool and looks extremely capable. It would just be a disappointment to learn this $100,000 F550 with 22,500 lbs rated axles actually has the payload and GCWR of a F350 and none of the drive train changes are actually certified/durability tested.
deadbeat son
Explorer
The truck (last thursday) finished testing as ordered and paid for by an overseas fleet customer. At 23,800 pounds curb weight the truck was jumped over an 18" wall several times and ran endlessly over rough terrain throughout the test. The test was done by a govt contracting company that is subcontracted to TACOM. The test wont be released for a month or so, but the news right now is, it passed.
Larry Nailed it.
The truck is 19,500 on the door sticker still. (not sure what F350 is rated that?) A mountain of red tape and months of processes yet to go to re certify and re registering vehicles. And yes it is a dealer upfit, not a manufacturer upfit. I believe at some point Grand Prairie will have the vehicle re certified. The axles do fix one major problem about the F550 series, the weak Dana 60. at 7000 lbs it is definitely the weakest part of the equation, with the front Dana 80 and planetary ends front And rear that problem is fixed.
Larry Nailed it.
The truck is 19,500 on the door sticker still. (not sure what F350 is rated that?) A mountain of red tape and months of processes yet to go to re certify and re registering vehicles. And yes it is a dealer upfit, not a manufacturer upfit. I believe at some point Grand Prairie will have the vehicle re certified. The axles do fix one major problem about the F550 series, the weak Dana 60. at 7000 lbs it is definitely the weakest part of the equation, with the front Dana 80 and planetary ends front And rear that problem is fixed.
trump
Adventurist
:Wow1:
I guess that's my cue to leave. I can't even imagine needing more than a Dana 60... I feel like I need to put my Tacoma on a diet as is.
charlieaarons
Explorer
You would need more than a Dana 60 with about 7000 lb on the front axle and 250 lb wheel-tires that are a bit over 43" tall.
Several years ago 4 Wheel and Offroad magazine put a set of 47" Michelin 395/85R20 XMLs on a F350 and used it offroad. This vehicle has front Dana 60 and rear Sterling 10.5" axle. They had lots of trouble with axle area breakage.
The front Dana 80 (larger ring gear, slightly but significantly bigger axles - the strength of an axle shaft is proportional to the 4th power of the diameter) and even more important planetary hub reduction greatly mitigates risk of breakage and stress on axle shafts, diff, front "CV" joints.
Charlie
trump
Adventurist
Don't get me wrong... I agree it needs more than a Dana 60. I just didn't grasp the magnatude of this truck. When a D60 is refered to as weak, its a shocking reality check. I can't imagine taking a truck that big offroad. To put things in perspective, my setup fully loaded with me, my wife, and two dogs weigh in around 5200 lbs.