ok I'll toss in my own ideas, which are quite different from some other peoples because I like the ability to configure, or have the thing come bone stock with almost nothing. Obviously i'd get charged for the lxuury items.
I don't think anyone would argue that options that come straight from the factory, while they might cost more will be worth it in the long run.
Examples are following...
-Gears... the gears themselves aren't so expensive its the labor to put them in, and then you have to get rid of the old gears somehow. If you just started off with the right gears, you wouldn't have to pay for TWO times having the gears installed - once for the guy at Ford (or robot, whatever) to install the gears, then once more for the second installer to remove the old/install the new)
-Factory installed winches/winch mounts. Not only would these be a warrantyable item by Ford but then you wouldn't have to figure out some back ass-words way of installing them, and MAKE A SWITCH THAT GOES THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND IS ON YOUR DASH. I'm working on that for my winch, been checking out some different options, unfortanetly I seem to be the only one that thinks having to find a 6 foot remote is incredibly pain-staking and a lot of unnecessary time, especially if its buried in the back. This could also be incorporated so that people couldn't steal your cable (Ive heard of it happening... if you need more cable just take your remote to another winch, plug it in and unspool, save yourself some money.
-better brake rotors and pads... duh. And I like the idea of selectable ABS, sometimes it might come in handy but there are times where I will want to stop on a dime and if I want to brake so hard the back end comes up and the front bumper hits the ground, thats my problem.
-a global position system with street-level maps already loaded in, and a bigger screen than my Garmin GPS. It's great but having street-level maps already installed would save a ton of time and wouldn't require taking a laptop with you everywhere you go. It would also be cool because it could be integrated into the dash and not sticking up within plain view for everyone to see and steal.
-better speakers/speaker amplifiers. I get sick of replacing the speakers in every vehicle I ever buy. If it came with better speakers I wouldn't always have to buy new ones and spend the time installing them - once again, it would be cheaper to pay $300 more to Ford then have to spend another $400 on speakers/amps and having to install/pay to have installed.
-aftermarket quality alarm system. The alarms that come with Fords have few features and easily bypassed. Get one that comes with all the features aftermarket ones do (such as paging you when the alarm goes off, keyless entry, remote start, being able to roll up/roll down windows from 100 feet away, etc.)
-a bigger engine. I like the 4.6L I had in my 98 F-150, the 4.0L in my 94 is grossly underpowered and I've been considering upgrading it (but saving for a house interferes)
-improved exhaust system... thats another thing I hate having to spend more money on. Save the time and money and have Ford install a better one. I don't see why not, they give more power and better mileage...
-something more then "check engine" light. I believe they had a message center that would give you more information on what the error was, but the computer knows what the check engine light means, why not just tell us instead of giving an orange light? Perhaps this could be integrated with the GPS to give an on-screen message of what is wrong with the engine.
-integrated cell phones. No, I'm not talking a phone that comes pre-installed in to the car. I've always wanted a cell phone with a mic near the steering wheel and the stereo speakers would be the cell phone speaker. You have to turn down the stereo while using the phone anyways
. This would be much safer as people wouldn't be fumbling with phones and numbers, maybe if it was a voice-recognizing one it would be even better. Clarion had one integration witht he AutoPC where you would say "Call Steve" or whatever and instantly it would start dialing the number. This would be kind of similar to onstar in the GM vehicles.
-the option of an air locker or even a detroit locker. Once again, pay one guy at Ford to install it rather then one guy at Ford, then another guy to take it out and reinstall a new one. The switches could be better integrated in to the dash as well then.
-dual batteries. Or at least ROOM to put a second one in without heavy modification!
-more "hot when on" fuses, and preferably a few in the engine compartment somewhere. I can't think of the amount of time I would've saved going through to firewall on all my light installs because I wanted the switch to only come on when the vehicle was running, and had to use the radio fuse because it was the only one available.
-Better lights. The fog lights you pay $200 for from Ford are a JOKE, the only good thing about em is that the switch isn't too ugly and it is actually well-integrated into the dash! Now granted Ford is never going to offer the option of 8 roof-mounted driving lights and 4 front winch mounted lights, but it'd be nice to have a nice set of integrated driving lights that actually lit up the road. Might I suggest PIAA's?
-heavier duty bumpers, and more then one design of possible bumpers to choose from, and more then just chrome bumpers too. I HATE chrome.
-the option of carrying a larger spare tire, either underneath or as a swing-away tire carrier, but make it strong enough to hold at least a 33" tire, none of this "not larger then 28" tires" recommendations.
-LOVE the idea of a convertible option like the wrangler. Soft top, bikini top, or hard top. I LOVE that idea. There has been many times I've wanted to take off the roof but can't
.
-adjustable shocks with an intergrated switch, the rancho rs-9000's are great but the switch is obtuse and quite unattractive, having a simple switch would be awesome.
-more grommets in the firewall. I've had to drill about 5 or 6 holes and that is not an easy hole to drill, very tense as your hoping you don't hit anything on the other side
.
-I love the idea of a computer that could be configured by more then just the dealer. This would probably lead to legal problems as some guy would undoubtedly fry his engine and then blame Ford, but its a ncie thought. Easier speedo calibration as well (for example, tell the computer that you upgraded from 28" tires to 33" tires and it would make all the necessary changes"
-Tow hooks, or at least the ability to put tow hooks in easily.
-speaking of tow hooks, more holes in the frame to get a wrench through.
-step bars like Warn used to make... nice and sturdy, then your going off-roading and don't want to ding em, just undo a few connections and off they come. Then when ready to put them on again, hook em up and connect again, 15 minutes both ways.
-Manual Hubs (or like the F-250's have [I think], manual and automatic in the same hub), the automatic hub for light 4-wheel drive like in snow and stuff, then be able to turn it manually for heavy duty off-roading, etc.
-Solid Axles (and not the weak ones they put in the Cherokees either, I want something I WONT have to upgrade)
-Sway bars that are easier to take off, disconnect/reconnect
-seats that don't collapse when a big guy sits in em too long. I love living in luxury so give me the same seating options I can get in a Lexus... heated toosh, maybe a soft massage... hi-enough for a tall guy like me
-speaking of tall guys, make it so tall people can drive it and not feel cramped. It's not BAD at this already, but more legroom and the ability to NOT hit my legs on the dash would be nice. Of course lets not leave out the short guys either. Make it so they can see good and not have to reach for the pedals (adjustable pedals)
-speaking of pedals, how about some pedals with some real grips? SO you could get in with muddy feet and not be slipping all over the pedals.
-an interior thats easier to pull apart, possibly more pieces to it. Whenever I've had to install stereo equipment or lighting wires or antennas or whatever its always a pain to get around the order of the trim panels, etc. and then if you don't get it exactly right, its screwed up for good. This way if you wanted to replace a speaker you wouldn't have to pull off the whole door panel, and if you wanted to run a wire along the trim you wouldn't have to remove a huge piece like the part in the rear cargo area
-body bolts that don't break when removing them, LOL.
-a roof rack, a TRUE roof rack would be a nice option
-one idea that a lot of contractors have when building houses is before putting up the final walls, run a bunch of empty pipes from the attic to teh basement with opening on the floors in between (covered up of course). That way if someone wants to run an attic antenna they don't have to rip open their walls, drill holes and so forth. Why not have channels or some way where people could run wire (from a CB antenna for example) from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle, without pulling up pieces of trim and having to hide things under carpet, etc.
-perhaps have some pre-drilled/plugged holes in the roof (if it will be a permanent hard top type like the explorer), that way if you want to run a CB antenna to the roof, just pull up the plug and run the wire through.
-option of larger tires from the factory, or the ability to fit them. Granted they cant go too big because of insurance regulations and rollover rates and so forth, but bigger then 28" might be nice.
-empty spots in the fuse block for some 30-amp fuses for whatever you need em for - lights, stereo equipment, CB, GPS, whatever...
-the same option as the sporttrac's have with the removable carpet, thats pure genius.
-windows that don't cost $1000 plus labor to replace?
-a K&N type air filter from the factory. Once again that way you pay for just one air filter and you don't have to mess with installing it... An open air filter like the KKM is a cool idea too.
-another cool thing that a lot of people buy aftermarket but ford could really get in on - and integrate better in to the vehicle is a cooler. NOt necessarily a $900 option like the ARB's just a cooler powered by the battery. Or put a cigarette lighter outlet int he cargo area so I don't have to run an extension cord all the time
.
I think the key that Ford should realize is taking products that people are buying, and use them and integrate them more in to the vehicle. A good example is the blinking turn signal lights that some guy came up with for the F-150's. Ford buys them from this guy (or maybe they bought the rights, I don't recall) and put them on at the factory as an option. THen people don't have to take out their old product to put in the new one, and then everything is integrated with no ugly switches and wires dangling all over the place.
OK so I think that's about it, I'll probably think of more later. I realize this will probably sound like a "HAL" machine or somethign , but these are not unrealistic options I don't think, and many of them I know people would be willing to pay for! If you read through I think my longest post ever, congratulations, LOL
[Edited by mattadams on 08-12-2000 at 06:56 PM]
