Ford SuperDuty With PTO – Power Take Off Option

March 16th, 2011

The 2011 Ford Super Duty has an updated feature that many who use these trucks on farms or other heavy duty applications might appreciate. Ford has added the ability to power auxiliary equipment off of the engine, making the truck much more useful in a variety of projects.

Here are a few examples – Winches, Generators, Snow Plows, Cement Mixers, Air Compressors, Fluid Pumps, Hydraulic Lifts (tow trucks), Augers or other equipment that may be driven by tractors.

The New Live Drive Power Take Off feature – PTO* – has a direct mechanical connection via the transmission that allows external equipment to be powered whether or not the vehicle is in motion. If you need the ability to power equipment mechanically this should be a helpful feature.

The PTO auxiliary connection is common on tractors and has now been integrated to potentially make life easier and even might result in less equipment to maintain. This new offering on a Ford pickup truck will be another benefit adding to the variety of industrial and rugged features that most wouldn’t expect to see on a street driven pickup truck.

*Requires 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel Engine and compatible aftermarket Power Take-Off unit. Class is full-size pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR.

Offroad Angle Display in LCD Productivity Screen

In addition to the PTO option, the dashboard has a nice offroad leveling monitor**. It indicates the angle that the truck is on when a driver might encounter some challenging off-road conditions.

Many weekend off-road enthusiasts will likely enjoy these types of details while keeping the other qualities for during the week type work in construction or other industries that need the durability this truck offers.

By integrating these things Ford shows that it understands the reason people buy these trucks and continues to develop enhancements that make the job easier, more productive, and reduces the need for costly auxiliary power sources.

**It’s standard in Lariat and King Ranch® and available in XLT.

The suggested starting MSRP of the 2011 Ford 350 XL is $29225

Check out the new models and features that are being integrated into the Ford Truck lineup in person and see which ones might apply to your projects.

[Photo credit: media.ford.com]

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New Electric Ford Focus At Detroit Auto Show

January 28th, 2011

Electric Ford Focus

The Detroit Auto Show has always been the place where one could discover the newest products and innovation, but this year in particular marks some significant change. The shift towards electric vehicles was part of almost booth on display at the Detroit Auto Show.

The year of the electric vehicle is here, and it’s all over the auto show from electric vehicle test tracks at Ford to the charging stations displays and new lifestyles it promises.

There are still many new hurdles that will need to be overcome, but the industry has taken quite the turn with a new focus on driving electric. Many people have questions about how the new vehicles will operate, how long the batteries will last, how far the vehicles can travel on a single charge, etc.

Commercial Electric Vehicles

The new Electric Ford Transit Connect will be one of the first Ford electric vehicles to hit the road, and look for dealerships to use them for delivery vans and other such applications.

Consumers, Fleet vehicles, and even the local delivery trucks. Electric is allowing our country the opportunity to rid us of the burden gasoline powered vehicles from pollution to the dependance on foreign oil.

Electric Vehicles Are In Demand

The demand of new electric vehicles are resulting in new investments in manufacturing which creates more jobs for Americans.

The electric Ford Focus, equipped with My Ford Touch and SYNC, will be a vehicle in high demand for drivers of all ages and now is the time to evaluate the requirements for installing a charging station, such as upgrading the electrical panel at the home, and finding out if any local businesses or even your employer has plans to install charging stations.

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New Ford Vehicle Colors And Finishes – What They Say About You

December 16th, 2010

If you’re searching for a new car which colors would you consider. The color you choose can make life much easier if you were to sell, or much harder.

How To Pick A Good Color Car

Most people prefer neutral colors such as black white gray etc. studies have shown that as many as 40% of car buyers will leave the dealer because the color that they want is not available.

With today’s technology Ford has been able to create colors with all sorts of characteristics from a glossy finish to a glass flake as opposed to metal.

This gives customer a much larger range of personalized choices which makes the vehicle something they designed and envisioned.

If you believe the car you are buying fits your needs well, then don’t let the resale consideration distract you from buying a color that fits your interests.

Also, try to look at the vehicle in sunny and cloudy conditions if its a unique color you are considering, it may change your mind if the appearance is too bright for your taste.

Ford Paint Quality Equals Long Life

Ford is taking measures to ensure that their products are durable and long-lasting when exposed to harsh weather conditions. Conditions, such as winter seasons where cars are subjected to road grime and in some states salt, which is used as deicer.

The harsh finish allows vehicles to withstand things like acid rain and other harmful elements that could come in contact with your vehicle.

So a combination of a customized look along with the durability gives customers the confidence that their Ford will look good even in poor weather conditions.

Take your time and consider the benefits you will have if you select the right color and finish for your new car.

Download the Ford Paint Quality PDF

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McDaniel Wins NFR Title, Finishes Second in Final Standings

December 14th, 2010
Justin McDaniel

Justin McDaniel Points the Way to the Best Deals in Green Country!

LAS VEGAS – When Justin McDaniel arrived in Las Vegas days before the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, he knew there a lot of work to do if he were to claim his second bareback riding world championship in three years. He was No. 8 in the world standings with $80,850, and he would need to double his regular-season pay in just 10 days in order to catch world standings leader Ryan Gray.

McDaniel did his part, placing in eight go-rounds, including an eighth-round victory. More importantly, he had the best cumulative score of 836.5 points to win the NFR’s average championship. In all, McDaniel, 24, of Porum, Okla., left the Thomas & Mack Center with checks totaling $103,189 – he finished the season with $185,039, second only to four-time world champion Bobby Mote, who earned more than $115,000 in ProRodeo’s grand finale.

“I had a great finals, but so did Bobby,” said McDaniel, whose NFR average title is the second of his career – he owns the cumulative record with 859 points on 10 rides in 2008, the season in which he won the coveted gold buckle. “I came here expecting to win a world title, and I did everything I could to win it. I know I could’ve ridden better, especially earlier in the week. “But I’m pretty tickled with the way it ended.”

Gray was knocked out of contention for the world championship when he suffered a lacerated liver on the second night of the competition. He is expected to miss a few months before returning to the arena. That left the race into the hands of Mote, McDaniel and Steven Dent, who entered the NFR No. 2 in the world standings. But Dent struggled through the final rounds of the championship and finished the toughest 10 days in the sport with just $37,384. While that’s a pretty solid week and a half for most folks, it left Dent fourth in the standings with $173,736. Kelly Timberman, the 2004 world champion who placed third in the aggregate, moved up to third in the world standings with more than $183,000.

“It was a good competition,” said McDaniel, who suffered a sprained ankle and broken toe after his eight-round-winning ride. “It was a lot of fun, too. Bobby rides so good. There’s a reason why he’s won four world titles.” McDaniel is in that same company. While winning the gold buckle is the most coveted title in ProRodeo, winning the NFR average title is a close No. 2. In addition to the kudos and celebration, McDaniel’s NFR payday includes the $44,910 prize for the aggregate championship.

“None of this is possible without my buddies and my sponsors, who stood by me and helped me this year,” said McDaniel, who spent half the season on the sidelines while recovering from back surgery. “James Hodge Ford of Muskogee helped me out while I wasn’t able to compete, and Jack Hodge was right there with me every mile I ran, every weight I lifted. I’m glad he was there with me in Las Vegas on Saturday night to see the final round and our work together get paid off.”

Article by: Ted Harbin
Photo Credit: Courtney McBride

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McDaniel spurs Mony to the Money at Wrangler NFR

December 10th, 2010
 

Justin McDaniel ready for action

 

NOTE:  

The 15 bareback riders competing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo will take part in an autograph session at the Monte Carlo Hotel from 1-2 p.m. (Pacific Time) Friday, Dec. 10. Admission is free.  

LAS VEGAS – Much has happened in the last 12 months since Justin McDaniel earned a paycheck at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.  So there was a distinct feeling of joy on Friday night when the 2008 world champion bareback rider left the Thomas & Mack Center with an $8,897 check after his 85-point ride on Sankey Rodeo’s Mony. His last paycheck came in the sixth go-round of the 2009 championship when he finished in a three-way tie for sixth place with an 82-point ride on Gold Buckle Rodeo’s Jail House Rock.  

            “It felt really good until I got to the fence,” McDaniel said of his ride on the white Sankey horse that bucked round the front of the chute, then adjusted his bucking motion when it got close to the yellow metal poles that border the tiny arena. “That’s where I got a stinger, and my right arm went numb. I didn’t finish as good as I wanted to.”  

            McDaniel, 24, who rode Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Multi-Chem Pinball Wizard for 80.5 points during Thursday’s opening night, sits in a three-way tie for fourth in the all-important average race; the Porum, Okla., cowboy won the 2008 NFR average title en route to earning the coveted gold buckle. He was just 22 years old at the time.  

            “I feel really good, really confident right now,” said McDaniel, who earned his way to ProRodeo’s championship event by earning $81,850 in the regular season. More importantly, the young Oklahoman did that even though he missed the first half of the season because of injury and didn’t get back into competition until the first of June.  

            After last year’s NFR, McDaniel opted to have back surgery, which was done in February. The rehabilitation seems to have worked wonders.         “I’m healthy and confident,” he said. “I haven’t felt this good in a while.”  That has taken away all those post-surgery worries that filled his mind, even for a few weeks after he started riding again. He knew he needed to get confident in his back and his ability, especially since he’d given most of the elite bareback riders a big head start – by the time McDaniel rode at his first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event, standings leader Ryan Gray had already earned more than $80,000; the No. 15 guy in the standings in early June was Dave Worsfold, who had pocketed nearly $19,000.  

            Every step, every physical therapy session, is paying off at the richest rodeo of the season, where go-round winners will earn better than $17,500 through the 10 days in Vegas. McDaniel has been through enough this season that he’s placing his focus on the competition, not all the issues that surround it. “I’m just going to nod my head and try to ride the best I can,” he said. “I’m going to try to win every go-round from here on out, and the best way to do that is just nod your head and go at them.”  

Article by: Ted Harbin
  

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Ford Fiesta Is Here – Experience the Technology in Ford Fiesta

December 8th, 2010

The new Ford fiesta has finally arrived and delivers just as expected. With all the technology features, and fuel economy, this vehicle is perfect for new drivers.

When considering a car for a college student, or even someone who does a lot of driving, the Fiesta is a great selection. Ford has really put together a solid package for those who utilize technology and want to extend those services in a vehicle.

The Ford Sync system was designed for those who want to use applications such as Pandora and Twitter, allowing a simple integration between their mobile device in the vehicle.

As more technology is built to make our lives easier and to keep track of things with little effort people will prefer buying products that can sync up. The transferring of data to and from and other implicit functionality is what is so appealing about these new vehicles.

There is also the safety aspect, with people attempting to text message while driving, they won’t have to do that in this vehicle. So the more applications that people can access via voice will become major requirements for many car buyers.

Ford is also at the leading edge of in-vehicle technology with the open API which allows software companies and developers to create unique applications for consideration. Think of the Apple App Store for cars, there are certainly going to be some interesting applications built in the near future that would really make people feel the need to own a Ford over another manufacturer.

One thing that will hopefully remain is the privacy and enjoyment one has within their vehicle, it seems like there are fewer places to relax and reflect on things and driving is one of them that will hopefully remain.

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Flex and Fusion named Top Safety Picks for 2010

December 6th, 2010


The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the 2010 Ford Flex (vehicles built after January 2010) and the 2010 Ford Fusion (vehicles built after April 2010) with Top Safety Pick.

Both Flex and Fusion received the Top Safety Pick designation last year, but in order to maintain it for 2010, each had to earn the highest rating of good for its roof strength in the Institute’s new rollover test.

To measure roof strength, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a vehicle’s roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle’s weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio. According to the IIHS, this is a useful assessment of vehicle structural protection in rollover crashes. Good-rated vehicles like Flex and Fusion have roofs that can withstand a force equal to at least 4 times the vehicle’s weight.

In addition to the highest rating of good for front and side crash tests, rollover test and rear crash protection tests, becoming a Top Safety Pick requires that a vehicle have electronic stability control, which is a standard feature on both Flex and Fusion.

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Ford’s Invasion of the Bulls

December 4th, 2010

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2011 Ford F-150 First EcoBoost Truck Engine

November 29th, 2010

Ford F150

Ford F150 With EcoBoost V6 Can Deliver V8 Power

The auto industry has begun to see signs of growth, the market continues to adapt to current buyer interests and OEM’s seek to differentiate their offers.

For the most part, when it comes to being a highly capable pickup truck, one has certain aspects to compare with. Generally, these are specs that indicate capacity, power, and also allow for multiple configuration options based on the intended use.

Today, these comparisons are less powerful in terms of swaying a customer in one direction or the other. The technology built into today’s trucks, becomes a bare necessity for what may have been considered extreme not long ago. People are looking for new ways to become impressed, and Ford has taken the challenge on by putting a V6 EcoBoost in place of a V8.

One doesn’t have to crave horsepower, or tow heavy loads daily to appreciate the ability of an engine to provide a good range of power under these conditions. They simply need to experience the difference between one with power and one without. The truck with inadequate power cannot serve the same needs, so when power output is gauged by the number of cylinders, a prejudice against smaller displacement engines being inferior is being challenged and defeated with Ford’s new F-150.

New EcoBoost technology from Ford, which is being used in several of their new lines, includes models such as the new Ford Explorer, Ford Edge and Ford Taurus. The F-150 is aiming to differentiate with this new technology and provide it’s customers with the confidence that Ford is constantly pushing the bar higher.

The Ford F150 has a suggested MSRP starting at $22,415.

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2011 Ford Explorer Ecoboost with V6 Power

November 5th, 2010

The 2011 Ford Explorer is taking things to a new level by delivering an SUV that captures technology, off road capability and luxury on a combination that’s never been done before. The 2011 Ford Explorer was unveiled recently on Facebook, and was the first time a reveal was done entirely online.

Perhaps one of the best things about the new 2011 Explorer is the technology that Ford has been able to integrate into its vehicles, this new technology is extraordinary from the ability to integrate music and other applications that Ford is allowing developers to create on an open API platform.

The 2011 Ford Explorer has a new unique and sharp looking design both interior and exterior wise. The exterior looks and feels as if it were chiseled from stone, its design exceeds expectation.

2011 Ford Explorer is set up to be able to go just about anywhere with a new off road system, an all terrain system that’s electronically controlled and adjustable. Not only can the Explorer go off road but it has a tremendously comfortable interior.

In addition to the world class craftsmanship in the 2011 Ford Explorer has an optional 4 cylinder engine with EcoBoost, which brings the Ford Explorer to V6 power levels an approximately 237 horsepower. This is done through turbo technology and Ford is taking steps to make it available in more of it’s vehicles.

There’s so many cool features to talk about in the Explorer with customize screens for the instrument cluster, to the Sony branded audio features which produce an amazing quality sound system. Ford Explorer was definitely not rushed, it was done in high quality and attention to detail. The engineers did a terrific job with the design and the technology.

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